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Aventura capri breakdown: Which Aventura capri pant to buy

July 1, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

For today’s Travel Gear We Use, I want to take a moment to compare various style of my favorite travel pants and capris. If you’ve checked out Aventura Clothing, you can probably see why this brand is my favorite for traveling in. Aventura clothes are almost all organic cotton, which don’t wrinkle, they’re designed for an active lifestyle, and they’re comfortable and practical.

Me, wearing the Galina capri while bird watching in Louisiana.

Aventura capri breakdown:

I get it: when you’re ordering online, you can’t try things on, and even when a company makes it easy to return and exchange things, it’s a pain in the rear. Hopefully, this guide on which Aventura pant to buy will help you make the right selection on the first try.

I have a true size 8 waist, but larger thighs (I’d like to think it’s all muscle, but…). I find that the following capris and pants fit me well. If you tend to be ‘pear shaped’, try these styles:

Harlow capri: I love this new capri style! The Harlow is thin and lightweight, has a narrower waist and more generous thigh, and falls to mid-calf for me. (It will fall to just below knee-length for tall women.) The white color especially is very summery. It also comes in a short.
Arden pant and capri: The Arden capri is a classic of Aventura’s, and also comes in a pant and short. Like the Harlow, it has a true-to-size waist and shorter leg length, and it’s organic cotton. The legs can roll up or down to change the length, too. It comes in a wide variety of colors now.

If you have thinner legs but maybe a larger middle, I’ve found the following styles to be roomier than most in the waist, but straighter in the leg:

Mackenzie capri: The Mackenzie is a dressier capri that has cute button accents on the bottom and a 17″ length. Plus, it’s not new this season, so it’s on sale.
Galina capri: I’ve fallen in love with the new Galina capri, because it wears almost like a skinny pant on shorter people like myself. The length goes almost to my ankle (26″ inseam), but will fall at about mid-calf for tall women. The Galina has a wider waist and narrower leg, so I needed to order up a size. They do stretch out during the day, however.

General Aventura capri and pant tips:

Aventura clothes usually run slightly big. If you’re a true size 8, for instance (just using myself as an example here), you may be a size 6-8 in Aventura clothes.
Organic cotton pants will have quite a bit of give and stretch, whereas linen (per usual) will not.
Aventura leggings and tights are true to size, and never sag, making them a great choice if you can’t find a pant you love. I recommend the Bienne capri legging, which goes great under dresses and skirts.

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What’s your favorite Aventura capri?

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Travel Gear We Use: Spring travel wear from Aventura Clothing

April 22, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

As you may have seen if you follow our Pit Stops for Kids social channels, I am again an ambassador for Aventura Clothing this year. What does this mean? It means I help Aventura promote their products with my honest reviews and endorsement of the spring travel wear I think works well for women traveling with their families. You can see my photos on the Aventura website, which is as close as I’ll ever come to modeling, and you’ll see me wearing Aventura in my Instagram feed and Facebook posts, because I authentically do wear it all the time.

Basically, my job is to show how the brand works for me, in my daily life and in my travels, because I genuinely love the products Aventura sells.

Why I love Aventura Clothing:

It’s comfortable, practical, and stylish. Those who know me well can attest that I barely remember to check a mirror before walking out the door, and rarely take the time to put together a killer outfit. When I find a brand that’s stylish without much effort from me, I’m sold. And Aventura Clothing is designed to fit regular, healthy women…no tiny sizing here that will depress you. Best of all, most of Aventura’s pieces are organic cotton, which is environmentally-friendly and also helpful when traveling…shirts won’t wrinkle!

What I’m loving from Aventura this spring:

One of the perks of my ambassador position with Aventura is the opportunity to try out quite a few pieces each season. Yes, this is very fun! This spring, Aventura has quite a few new looks, ranging from fun tie-dye prints to floral designs to classic layering pieces. My absolute favorites are rounded up below.

Brielyn Striped Dress: I absolutely must have cotton dresses in my spring wardrobe. Dresses take half (or less) the room in suitcases as pants and shirts, and they look dressier and more festive when traveling. The Brielyn is a striped jersey dress with elbow-length sleeves that’s 50% organic cotton. It comes in four bright colors with crisscrossing contrast seams. Pair with: Wesley Sweater, an awesome cotton-cashmere sweater wrap ideal for chilly nights by the pool or on the plane.

Fleur Dress: This dress is v-necked and sleeveless, but still very casual. I love it because it’s stretchy (an organic cotton-spandex blend) and can go from day to night. Again, no extra packing needed. You can tell I’m a minimalist! It comes in three colors with distressed stripes on the hem.

Poet Tank: You’ll need at least two of these, which works out, because it comes in two color patterns. The talisman print on the Poet Tank dresses it up, so you can wear it to dinner in addition to yoga class. This is going to be a summer staple for me. Also needed: Bienne strappy camisole…under-layers are crucial when traveling.

Hathaway Top: Everyone needs at least one collared, button-down shirt for those days you need some coverage on your shoulders. Maybe you need to give your skin a break from the sun, or maybe you’re visiting a place where you need to cover up, like a cathedral. The Hathaway top is done is pastel colors for spring, is organic cotton, and feels very light when worn. It goes in my bag every time!

Galina Capri: I know skinny jeans are popular, but I just need a pair of pants with a little more give when I’m traveling. The Galina is just form-fitting enough to look tailored but still be roomy enough when I’m sitting a lot on airplanes. It’s cotton-spandex with a 26″ inseam, and comes in four colors.

Hats and scarves! Just get some! A hat or a scarf will instantly add class to any summer outfit, guaranteed. My favorite hat this spring is the Cruz sun hat, offering serious sun protection while looking cute and a little bit funky. But there are quite a few to choose from! The Cruz will be joining me on a cruise very shortly (how apt!) and I’ll be wearing the Phoebe this summer as well.

Want to try Aventura for yourself?

Get 60% off your order with one of my exclusive codes! I’m offering three ways to get one. Comment below, then: 1. sign up for our free e-newsletter (sign-up bar is at the top of your screen), 2. subscribe to our feed, or 3. email me at amy(at)pitstopsforkids.com.

You can also join the #AventuraLife loyalty program! Those who join the #AventuraLife get discounts and free shipping depending on their level of membership…the more you spend, the better discounts and gifts you get. It’s more than just discounts though…#AventuraLife members embody the adventurous spirit that drew women like myself (and you!) to the brand.

Need more Aventura Clothing inspiration? Check out my archives for MANY more reviews of this brand!

Trip planning with Momaboard Family Trip Planners

April 6, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

I have a confession: I love planning trips. For me, it’s like a puzzle to put together or a painting to outline and fill in…first you choose your family travel destination, then you book airfare and hotel rooms, then finally, you fill in the details of what you’ll do, where you’ll eat, and what you’ll see.

It’s this last part that can be tricky, however, especially in a brand-new-to-you location. For our most recent major trip to Paris, I tried out Momaboard‘s Family Trip Planning Service (FTPS). This online service is wonderfully simple: you select the city of your choice, you read about the local, parent expert for that region (Mombassador), and you click ‘Let Momaboard Plan My Trip’. Don’t worry: they don’t plan the whole thing, and they don’t book things for you. (This fact appeals to a control freak like me.) Instead, you fill out a short questionnaire about your trip (who’s going, your dates, what you like to do), and the Mombassador provides you with a day-to-day itinerary with suggested activities, dining picks, and routes.

How I used the Family Trip Planning Service:

When I discovered Momaboard’s FTPS, I already had several days of my Paris trip pretty well organized. However, two additional days were still blank slates on the calendar. When I filled out my questionnaire, I asked Paris Mombassador Coralie Grassint to focus on these two days, letting her know what I already had in the works for my additional days and what I still wanted to see, such as the Montmartre neighborhood, Notre Dame, and the Louvre.

After only a few days, Coralie provided me with a detailed itinerary (again, just suggestions) that I could access via the Momaboard site using a secure password. From there, I was able to download the entire itinerary as a PDF, which I saved on my phone for reference during the trip.

When I clicked on the locations, they expanded, showing me more details. At the bottom, I was given maps and specific walking and metro directions, in addition to generalized tips and helpful local phone numbers. Here’s what an expanded page looked like:

The way Coralie organized the activities per day was extremely useful, because while I knew basically what I wanted to do, I wasn’t sure which attractions to bundle together in each day, based on proximity and walking routes. Perhaps most useful of all, Coralie included restaurant picks for each day, based on both kid-friendliness and location. More than any other feature of the service, I used these restaurant recommendations. Without them, I would have had no idea which dining establishments to try in each area. (By the way, I told Coralie that we planned to eat at casual, budget-friendly restaurants, but I could have asked for upscale recommendations.)

Using the PDF, I added some of my two day itinerary to my TripIt app for easy reference, but also kept both a printed and digital copy of the entire itinerary so I could use it as needed. I found the level of involvement to be just right: I was still in control of my itinerary and could tweak it at will, but I had solid recommendations from a local parent at my fingertips.

So what does it cost?

A Momaboard itinerary of 0-7 days is $50, and an 8-14 day itinerary is $100. If you’ll be spanning multiple cities, you can email for a quote. We only needed advice for two days, but had I known about the service sooner, I would have asked for our full Paris week to be included. The suggestions based on your kids’ ages and interest combined with the step-by-step directions for navigation make a Momaboard itinerary absolutely worth the cost. I’m sure I’ll be using them again when we travel internationally.

To create your own itinerary:

Start at Momaboard.com, and follow the prompts to select the city you’re headed to. Their list of destinations can be found here.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we were offered a Momaboard itinerary free of charge, for the purpose of review. I’m sure I’ll be using them again, on my own dime!

Five holiday gifts for travelers who have everything

November 23, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Have an avid traveler on your gift list this year? It’s a no-brainer to pick up something travel-related, but what if she already owns all the latest travel gear, or you have no idea where he’s planning to vacation next? No worries: the following five epic holiday gifts for travelers will make any jet-setter happy.

1. Give the gift of connection:

Fly with WiFi, photo by Glen Fleishman

A subscription or gift card to GoGo inflight internet service is appreciated by any traveler who needs to get work done inflight. Buy a $5 one-hour pass as a stocking stuffer, or splurge on an unlimited monthly pass for your loved one. Now he has no excuse not to stay connected! Have an international traveler? Buy a prepaid 3G data SIM card!

2. Give the gift of a good (and free!) night’s sleep:

Marriott Vacation Club, Oceana Palms

Everyone can use a gift card to their favorite hotel chain. We love Marriott’s gift card options, which allow recipients to choose among thousands of hotels. Are you a Marriott Vacation Club owner? If so, you can gift points for an epic gift to a loved one! Same goes for membership in hotel loyalty programs like iPrefer (which is free to join). Think outside the box to stretch your existing memberships into gifts.

3. Give the gift of experiences:

Snorkeling in Laguna Beach, CA

This is our favorite gift to give! Instead of opening more ‘stuff’ on Christmas morning, treat your favorite traveler with the gift of new experiences. The options are endless of course, but if you’re not sure where in the world your loved one will be traveling next, buy a gift card to Cloud9Living, which showcases over 1800 experiences ranging from sky diving trips to snorkeling excursions.

Know your traveler’s destination? Consider buying a CityPass or GoSelect card, which gets your traveler into the best museums, tours, and attractions in cities across the US and Canada.

4. Give the gift of compliments and family stories:

Create a box of memories, compliments, and inspiration.

Create a box of awesome with AwesomeBox. This innovative gift allows families, parents, groups, or teammates to add custom photos, stories, and messages to special cards for a lucky recipient. This can be done online; then the cards are created at AwesomeBox and placed in a memory box that’s shipped to the receiver. This is the gift for the person who truly has everything, or to share as a family. We plan to create an AwesomeBox of family memories, which we’ll open during the holidays as a family gift!

5. Give the gift of travel-day comfort:

Airports are friendlier places with lounge privileges

The traveler on your list may have every airline pillow and eye mask on the market, but if he or she does not have access to a luxury airport lounge, true comfort and relaxation is still at bay. Give the gift of an airport lounge membership. Our favorite is Alaska Airlines’ Board Room, but you’ll want to purchase a membership through the airline your traveler uses most often. Remember, most airlines enjoy access at partner airline lounges, giving members more options with every flight.

Travel Gear We Use: Fall styles from Aventura Clothing

September 18, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m happy to announce that once again, I have signed on to be an ambassador for Aventura Clothing. What does this mean to you? Just like last year, Pit Stops for Kids readers will get 60% off all Aventura Clothing. To get a 60% off Aventura Clothing code, leave a comment and it will be emailed to you, or opt in for our quarterly newsletter (see banner on homepage).

I also get to tell you what’s new at Aventura each season. Clothing lines vary by year, of course, and this year, I have to tell you I am in love with every item I received. That almost never happens! I love each item because everything I picked out A) feels as comfy as wearing sweatpants, and B) does not look like I’m wearing sweatpants.

Jaylee Dress: I am a big fan of wearing comfortable dresses and tights on travel days. It’s important to keep circulation going on airplanes, and who likes to feel their waistband of their jeans dig into their stomachs on road trips? The Jaylee Dress is a knit sweater dress that is fitted but not clingy, and oh-so-soft. It’s 90% organic cotton, as most Aventura items are, with indulgent cashmere (7%) and some nylon mixed in for stretch. The length is 37″, which means the hem hits just about at my knee. It pairs great with leggings (I wear Aventura’s Bienne legging), and the design and colors are very simple, which I appreciate. I can add a scarf to dress it up, or pull on a hoody to dress it down. As the weather starts to turn, the Jaylee has been my go-to dress.

Keltie skirt: Skirts are perhaps even more versatile than dresses for your fall travel wardrobe. You can pair with the same leggings or tights, and wear the same skirt with multiple blouse and tee options. One solid skirt usually helps me create 3-4 outfits while away from home. The Keltie skirt is super classy-looking, made of an organic cotton/viscose blend. It’s knit, which means it will keep your bum warm on cold seats, yet not at all bulky (it can easily go from outdoors to dinner, for instance). It comes in three muted colors to go with everything. I might get one more, come to think of it. The only downside of the Keltie: it’s hand wash or dry clean only. Uh oh.

Spectra Dress: With its sporty, drawstring waist and sweatshirt-like feel, I wasn’t sure about the Spectra when I ordered it. Would it be too casual even for travel days? Nope…it’s my favorite piece in the fall line! It’s a cotton/poly blend, machine-washable, and looks adorable with a simple pair of boots or mules.

Farrah Cowl Neck sweater: I love sweaters, but rarely travel with them. They’re just too bulky in my luggage. The Farrah sweater is the exception to this rule, because it’s thin while still being substantial enough for fall travel in northern climes. Plus, the cowl neckline gives the Farrah a sophisticated look without adding any pieces, which makes me look dressier than I am (always a plus). It’s a poly/wool blend, and while it’s also hand-wash only, it seems to be able to go through quite a few wearings before it needs to be cleaned.

Want an Aventura code? Leave a comment!

New travel gear: Tuo Travel Undergarment Organizer

August 7, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

We love using packing cubes. I’m a huge believer in organized luggage, with everything in its place. It saves parents time and sanity when on vacation with kids. This is why I’m excited to introduce a brand new packing solution: the Tuo Travel Undergarment Organizer. This innovative product is still in Kickstarter, with pre-orders accepted. The Tuo will retail for $60, but backers get a great discount.

So what makes this undergarment organizer worth $60? Quite frankly, it’s the most versatile packing solution we’ve ever seen. It can hang in multiple ways for easy use in hotel rooms, in cars, and even in airplanes (more on that below), it’s very well-made and sturdy, with oversized zipper pulls, and it’s smart: there are pockets within pockets and a nice fold design for fairly flat storage.

What we love:

Three large main compartments, all with mesh fronts, so we can see what’s inside. Two of the three compartments have secondary, pocket-sized compartments within the compartment.
Nice snap-closure, with straps that convert to hanging straps when you’re in your destination.
Three-fold flat-storage design.

What we use it for:

The undergarment organizer is meant for undergarments, of course. It’s designed to be used by a single person, storing 7 days of underwear, socks, small accessories, swimwear, and the like. Honestly, there’s more room in this organizer than what I need personally when packing for a solo trip. However, for use with a family, it’s genius. The Tuo can easily store the underwear, socks, hair clips, and jammies of up to three young kids, or can store one child’s entire wardrobe in summer: t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, and undergarments. We also plan to use it for:

Storing toys, games, and entertainment on road trips (it can easily secure to the back of a seat)
Storing zip-locked snacks and entertainment on an airplane.
Storing an entire family’s toiletries, including medications and other important items you should always carry-on with you on planes.

Note: the Tuo also comes with a small laundry bag, divided into two compartments. We found this bag too small to be useful for laundry (from a family travel standpoint), but do use it as a separate packing cube.

Spring travel wear picks and 60% off Aventura Clothing

April 24, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m an ambassador for Aventura Clothing because I believe this brand is one of the absolute best in women’s travel clothing. Their clothing is affordable, comfortable, stylish, and high-quality, plus can easily be mixed-and-matched on travel days. Many items are made of organic cotton, which I find packs well and doesn’t wrinkle. Every spring and fall, Aventura Clothing comes out with a new line. Here are my favorite picks from this spring.

The first 20 readers to like the Pit Stops for Kids Facebook page or follow us on Instagram will receive 60% off Aventura Clothing in their next order! Details below.

Rory dress:

We’ll start with my absolute favorite. Aventura has many cute summer dresses on offer this spring, but if you can only buy one, make it the Rory. This organic cotton blend is stretchy, soft, and so flattering! It’s very simple, too, which makes it a great travel piece. The Rory can be paired with a cardigan or even a hoodie on cooler days, or worn solo in summer. It’s meant to be active, so go ahead and run to catch that train. You can dress it up with a scarf and nice shoes and it’ll be ready to go out at night, too. I’m going to need one in at least two colors!

Hartley hoodie:

Layering is key when selecting travel clothes, so you need at least one good hoodie in your suitcase. I usually have two. The Hartley hoodie doesn’t look like an afterthought: it’s bright, cheerful, and high quality, so it looks like part of your ensemble. It comes in really pretty jewel tones with a stretchy, flattering fit, with nice detailing on the arms. Oh, and it’s organic cotton, too.

Rowan capri:

I like to be comfortable when I travel, and the Rowan capri lets me feel like I’m wearing my favorite sweat pants on the plane or in the car, not a cute pair of capris. Thanks for the travel hack, Aventura! The Rowan also comes in a short, and has a stretchy drawstring waistband. I’ve found the Rowan runs big, so order down a size if you want it to be fitted. Comes in five neutral colors so one pair will go with several tees or hoodies.

Tillie top:

The Tillie top was kind of a departure for me. It’s an organic cotton tee, so you get the softness and comfort, but also has an interesting back detail: a polyester Georgette back panel. This detail adds interest to the tee, and dresses it up a bit, so it can easily go from day outing to a nice brunch or cocktail hour. There’s a cute front pocket and floral detail on the neckline, too. Basically, the Tillie is the tee that isn’t. Comes in gray or flamingo, which is actually more like a tangerine. I definitely recommend the latter.

Add a few basics like tees and a pair of jeans, and you have the makings here for a weekend away. All the above was packed in my carry-on for a recent review trip to Texas, and served me well!

Don’t forget about accessories!

It’s easy to pack a scarf or two, a belt, or a strappy pair of sandals, and these details go a long way toward changing up any outfit for a second wear or evening attire. Wear a hat on the plane to save room in your luggage!

Monica fedora:

Oh my. This fedora is so adorable, even if you’re not the hat type (I totally am). It’s colorful and cheerful while still remaining understated enough to go with multiple outfits. I wouldn’t pack a fedora in luggage (will hat boxes ever make a comeback?) but if you can wear it to and from a destination, do so! It looks great on any causal outdoor excursion while traveling, and saves you from potential bad hair days, too.

Saphira infinity scarf:

I am a huge fan of infinity scarves. Even I, the least fashion-forward person I know, can figure out how to wear one! And infinity scarves make any outfit, even a tee and jeans, look classier. Plus they take next to no room in your bag. The Saphira is lightweight, with a burnout floral design that’s very understated. I got the white, which doesn’t show the floral at all unless you look closely.

Studded belt:

A belt, much like a scarf, can make any outfit look more complete, and therefore, makes you look more pulled together on a travel day. The Aventura studded belt has just enough detail to make it interesting, but not so much that it’s a focal point of your outfit. I pair mine with jeans and khaki pants.

Bienne capri leggings:

Here’s another travel hack, ladies: when you really want to wear that cute sun dress but it’s too cold outside, pair it with Bienne capri leggings. Like all Aventura leggings, the Bienne is super warm and very comfortable (they never sag…I promise!), but made to be worn in spring with a pair of ballet flats or sandals. The shirring at the bottom really completes the look. I am in love with these leggings, since every other spring day in Oregon is more like winter.

Want to take 60% off your next Aventura order (including sale items)? Be among the first 20 readers to like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. Simply follow, then leave a comment below with your user name. I’ll send you an unique coupon code good for 60% off one order!

Tips on living abroad: A Better Life for Half the Price

January 30, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re a serious lover of travel, it’s crossed your mind at least once, and you probably flirt with the idea regularly: what if we were to move outside the country, and explore a different culture indefinitely?

As a travel writer who could work from anywhere, I’ve considered the idea more than most parents I know. Most recently, I toyed with dipping my toes in the expat waters when I crunched the numbers on a whirlwind European trip and found it would actually be cheaper to stay longer in a less-traveled country and base ourselves in one location with a long-term home rental. Intriguing…

I personally know several expats with families, including my Practical Travel Gear editor Tim Leffel (also of Perceptive Travel and Cheapest Destinations blog). His latest book, A Better Life for Half the Price, came out in late 2014, and is well worth the read for anyone who loves the travel lifestyle. Outside-the-box thinkers be advised: you’ll want to start packing your bags.

A Better Life for Half the Price takes a very approachable and no-nonsense tack; even if you’re not in the serious planning stage of moving abroad, it’s an engaging read that makes you think differently about how to travel on a budget. Leffel writes conversationally, and gets to the heart of an expat’s motivation: the desire to do more, see more, and live more with less. Yes, the book covers the practical stuff, like moving your pets and getting a visa, but does so in a way that makes you feel like you’re sitting down to coffee with a friend to hear his experience and get a little advice, not like you’re reading a how-to book.

The book is structured with the nuts and bolts up front: how to reduce your bills abroad, what you can expect to be cheaper (and what won’t be), and how to make a living. The secondary chapters get into the heart of the planning stage, with 18 separate chapters on specific countries. This is where the no-nonsense part comes in, as Leffel is upfront about the pros and cons of each region. There’s no ‘best place’ to live, but rather a clear best place for each individual or family. Readers are likely to find theirs in this section.

So after reading the book (and talking with other expat friends such as Andrea Fellman of Wanderlust Living), will I be moving my family? Not yet. For the time being, my husband’s job (and the necessity of keeping it) keeps us grounded in the US, but I will never say never. And in the meantime, my mind has been opened to what possibilities exist, even–or especially–for families like ours, on a budget.

Photo credit: Flickr/sweetviscape

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of A Better Life for Half the Price for the purpose of review.

Fall wardrobe essentials for carry-on friendly travel

September 23, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve ever tried to fit everything you need for a week away in a carry-on bag (or even a weekend’s worth), you know it’s essential that every clothing item have a purpose…or two or three. When we travel, we pack carry-on only, and to be honest, I never have trouble fitting all the kids’ clothes they’ll need. It’s my wardrobe that’s often out of control. The first rule of carry-on friendly travel: make sure every item you pack can do double-duty (especially if you’re on a seaplane in which every ounce counts!).

Last spring, I became an ambassador for Aventura Clothing. Many of the clothing picks below come from this brand (you’ll see why as I describe them). Others are favorites from the dozens of other brands I review in my capacity as a writer for Practical Travel Gear. In other words, a lot of travel-specific clothing comes across my desk (and into my closet). Below, you’ll only see what I consider the absolute best. Need carry-on luggage that can go the distance? Check out our carry-on luggage picks for kids!

Essential clothing pieces for a fall carry-on:

1. Organic cotton:

A few organic cotton shirts will last you more than two days on a trip. Organic cotton is extremely soft and comfortable (crucial for long travel days), but more importantly, it doesn’t wrinkle easily. Roll your cotton shirts instead of folding them in your carry-on, and you’ll not only save space, but prevent any creases. One of the reasons I love Aventura Clothing is because so many of their pieces are organic.

Top organic cotton pick: Aventura’s Erin Top. This top is basic in style, which means it can be worn with jeans, slacks, or a skirt, but has just enough detailing to be dressed up in the evenings. The ruching on the sides is very flattering. Pack two of these (in different colors), and you’ll be set for a long weekend.

2. Scarves: Want an easy way to dress up any outfit? Add a scarf. Scarves take up very little room in the carry-on, yet pack a powerful punch when worn. I love something sheer in the summer, then switch to a knitted infinity scarf in winter. Plus, scarves are a fun souvenir to pick up in different destinations. I love wearing scarves that remind me of the places I’ve been.

Top fall scarf pick: Aventura again! Their Alisha infinity scarf is elegant while still soft as a pillow around your neck. Bonus: you can use it as a pillow on the airplane.

3. One lightweight jacket:

I love bringing one lightweight jacket in my fall carry-on (or better yet, wear it on your travel day to make room for more things). I prefer a tailored look, so I can dress the jacket up or down. Pick one that will look ok if you need to wear it to an outdoor event or dinner, when fall nights can get chilly.

Top jacket pick: Every fall, I reach for my Mountain Khakis Americana jacket. I love this jacket with true devotion. It’s warm, but can also be unzipped and used as a casual covering when just my shoulders are chilly. It has numerous pockets, and looks good with just about everything.

4. Khaki or cotton pants:

The workhorse of your fall carry-on wardrobe, 1-2 pairs of solid, high-quality, khaki or hemp/cotton pants is crucial. You can re-wear them several times, they’ll match everything, and never go out of style.

Top pant pick: The Aventura Arden pant is a consistent winner in my closet. It’s made of organic cotton, has a brushed finish that looks great, and while they’re fitted, they’re roomy enough that I’m still friends with the Arden after sitting in a car or on a plane all day. (I can’t say the same of my skinny jeans.) I’m also a huge fan of my Sherpa Naulo pant. These stretchy nylon/spandex pants resist stains, move with the body, and look good doing it.

5. Layers!

Layers are your best friend when packing carry-on only. I bring at least 2-3 camisoles or undershirts that can be layered over lightweight sweaters or pullovers and hoodies. If you think you’ll be in extremely chilly weather, bring a thermal undershirt that can be paired with a vest (and discarded when the day warms up).

Top layering pick: I own a collection of hoodies and pullovers, but my new favorite is Aventura’s Amelia hoodie. Why? It’s extremely lightweight thermal, so it takes up next to no room, and its fitted, so it won’t make me look bulky or overdressed. I pair mine with a camisole, because the ‘whisper white’ color is a bit transparent, but the other solid colors could be worn solo. It has cute accenting and snap buttons, too.

6. Minimalist shoes:

I can only live in flip-flops until October or so, and when I do need to confine my feet, I go with a minimalist shoe (or ‘barefoot’ shoe). I pack this type of shoe not for the health benefits to my feet (though the zero depth means I am free to walk with the most natural gait). I pack them because they’re lightweight and compress down small.

Top minimalist shoe pick: I love kigo shoes. They’re environmentally friendly, and cute as button. These shoes breathe well and feel good even after lots of walking.

What do you pack in a fall carry-on?

Travel Gear We Use: Favorite organic travel clothing for women

March 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

When I travel, it’s crucial for me to have an easily-matching, comfortable, stylish yet utilitarian wardrobe in my suitcase. Because I believe in the brand and wear it regularly, I recently became an ambassador of Aventura Clothing. I’m excited to devote a Travel Gear We Use segment to a few of my favorite Aventura travel outfits for spring and summer. If you’re not familiar with Aventura, as many are not, they take environmental stewardship seriously, from box and toner recycling in their warehouses and offices to their organic materials. I love their cotton blends for four-season travel, and because Aventura clothing is so versatile, I can pack less and still look good while on trips. Three Aventura pieces I’ll be wearing this spring (and why):

1. Audra Dress paired with a fedora:

I love packing cotton dresses for travel. Why? I have a complete outfit with only one piece instead of two or more, and the right dress can be dressed up or down, ensuring multiple uses. The Audra Dress is my new favorite because it’s flattering while still loose on the body, which means I can feel comfortable during a full day of museum touring or city walking with the kids. It’s casual enough that I can slip it on over a swimsuit for a trip to the resort pool, but pair it with a scarf and fedora and nice sandals, and the Audra can go out at night, too. Pick up the Audra Dress for $67: a good price for a dress you’ll use all summer.

2. Newberry sweater and Arden Capri:

Next to a light cotton dress, a basic pair of capris are my favorite spring and summer travel piece. The Arden Capri is extremely soft and light, but comes to mid-calf for almost full coverage (or buttons up for warmer weather). I always need a good layering piece when I travel, and the Newberry Sweater fits the bill by being stylish, extremely soft, and of a good medium weight. I pack mine with a few camisoles, and have a warm cover up for spring days that could go either way. Tip: the Newberry is also my new best friend on chilly airplanes. Pick up the Newberry Sweater for $82 and the Arden Capri for $56.

3. Mayfield Top and Georgia hat:

Everyone needs at least two solid-colored, flattering sleeveless or short-sleeved tops in their luggage. My pick is the Mayfield Top: it’s long in length so it doesn’t ride up when I bend for suitcases or reach for my kids’ gear, and it’s just tailored enough to look fantastic under a dressy jacket or cardigan. I have worn the Mayfield to professional conferences paired with slacks and at roadside BBQs with my kids. Win-win! The Georgia hat goes with everything, shields me from the sun, and is perfect for uh-oh-I-can’t-wash-my-hair days (with happens to me a lot). The Mayfield is $47 and the Georgia hat is $29.

If you’re looking for additional eco-friendly, travel-friendly women’s clothing brands, I recommend MountainKhakis and Horny Toad. As stated above, I am an Aventura Ambassador. What this means: I am able to sample Aventura clothing picks and pass along my favorites to my readers. I am not paid for this position.