The Fancy Tourist Part II

Part II of my series on tourist chic..

HATS! Hats are essential travel accessories. They keep the sun off your face and a cute hat keeps your focus on enjoying the sites, not worrying about how your hair looks. I prefer straw because they just SCREAM vacation, plus the straw allows your head to "breathe". Check out some of my faves for looking both fancy and cool

Tip for vacation hat buying: Make sure it's travel -friendly. Before buying a vacation straw hat, twist and fold it to check how it keeps its shape. Nothing is worse than unpacking your favorite hat to find it looking dreadful or sad!

GAP STRAW FEDORA HAT

MINICCI STRAW CLOCHE HAT

BAGS! Do me a favor: Leave the designer bags at home/hotel room. Designer/logo bags can scream: ROB ME! Instead, I suggest going for a roomy, lightweight, color-drenched sling bag that won't kill your shoulders, easily stores small souvenirs you pick up during your tour AND adds a bit of fancy to your outfit.

TIP: Try to carry a bag with a zipper closure. Don't make it easy for a pickpocket!

JOHN ROBSHAW REVERSIBLE SLING BACK (FOR JUICY COUTURE)

STEVE MADDEN BCHANCE BAG

FOOTWEAR I recommend REAL sneakers. I've seen people on tours in flip flops, other kinds of athletic sandals and ballet sneakers, but it may be best to go with good old-fashioned, light-weight (mesh), lace-up, ALREADY BROKEN IN sneakers. No white or light-colored (unless you want to worry about getting them dirty all day). And of course, some COLOR!! Disclaimer: I don't work for Puma --I just love their sneaker/color combinations!

PUMA STREET KOSMOS

PUMA H STREET SNEAKERS

PUMA H STREET SNEAKERS (in another color combination)

OTHER ACCESSORIES! So this series laid out the basics for looking fancy, but as a true fancy-ista, I know some of you will take these suggestions and make even more fancy (adding a long skinny gauzy scarf, denim vest or long silk scarf as a bandanna/headband). Please err on the side of caution when it comes to jewelry or watches, even costume --as these may invite pickpockets. Plus large, dangly statement jewelery may become distracting/irritating after a long day.

Don't forget to carry sunglasses, travel size tissue, travel size wet wipes, travel size hand sanitizer, sunscreen, bug spray, your camera (and batteries) and lots of water!

Did you like the Fancy Tourist Series? Be sure to leave a comment!

As always, keep it Fancy!