Honeymoon Holiday
shopping and packing for your honeymoon

Does your Caribbean honeymoon have you thinking of a suitcase full of floral fabrics? Or poodle prints for your
wedding trip to France? Well, think again.

According to Sandy Dumont, “The Image Architect” and executive director of Impression Strategies Institute in Norfolk, "Elegant people look the same the world over... and so do tourists." So, even if you’re cruising your way to wedded bliss, steer clear of “cruise wear.”

Avoid the “greenhorn tourist” look, regardless of your destination, by taking your cue from the locals, Dumont advises. Think “‘classy casual’ rather than ‘wash-n-wear casual’…country club chic rather than suburban shopping mall.”

Even in the tropics, she continues, “the native people dress to blend into the environment.” Her advice? Opt for solid colored separates in jersey knits that travel well, can be mixed and matched and dressed up or down with shoes and accessories.

As she explains, a pair of jersey knit pants in black can be worn over a bathing suit with “good” flip-flops poolside or with a pair of espadrilles (purchased at your resort destination) elsewhere in the daytime. The same pants may be worn out to dinner with a spaghetti strap knit top—some are even embellished with sequins—and a pair of strappy black sandals.

Separates are the key to smart honeymoon wardrobes. Consider the mix-and-match possibilities before packing it all. Lay clothes out on the bed, review your itinerary,
consider the climate, the activities of your trip and then proceed. Lakisha Steel, assistant manager of Karen Eagle recommends a jersey knit tiered skirt (think: sleeker, more sophisticated peasant skirt) in black or chocolate brown, as “it can be thrown on with anything.”

For cool evenings, the long-sleeved wrap in the same fabric and colors is hard to beat for versatility and great looks. For tops, she suggests tees with a scoop, boat,
“V” (most popular) or faux wrap neckline in a range of solid colors. The tanks are perfect for the tropics, while the ¾ length sleeve would be more comfortable in cooler climes. TravelswithFriends.com recommends accessorizing with a large scarf in an attractive print. It can dress up a dinner outfit, be worn as a sarong over a bathing suit or even cover your shoulders for touring European churches.

Cooler and/or more urban destinations make a pair of lightweight black wool crepe or wool gabardine pants a smart choice for day or evening, according to Dumont.
Wear them with a pair of medium-heel black pump-style shoes “that can go to breakfast, lunch or dinner.” (Patent leather won’t show water spots.)

Dumont also recommends a versatile Pashmina shawl—which can be worn on the plane, saving space in your luggage—possibly a lightweight raincoat, and a
telescoping umbrella, the latter purchased at your destination. Another option, offered by the Karen Eagle staff, is a buttery leather jacket in luggage brown or black. Wear it
with skirts or a pair of must-have “premium denim” jeans (BCBG, 1921, Cambio, etc.) and a belt with leather and metal accents with a slight stretch for a beautiful fit
(Suzi Roher is a great choice.) The jeans “look dressier, are much softer and more comfortable, and have a little stretch for a sleek but not painted-on slenderizing look.”
When it comes to jewelry decisions, live the big bling at home. Accessorize with costume jewelry in case it should get stolen or lost, advises Dumont. Opt for chunky hoop
earrings, as opposed to demure studs, for “a bolder and more authoritative look.”
In terms of casual footwear for sightseeing, running shoes—especially white running shoes—cautions Dumont, are a sure-fire way to identify oneself as a tourist. Unless you are engaging in heavy-duty exercise—or have podiatric issues—you won’t need them. Consider instead one of the many new options of “all-terrain” walking shoes or sandals that look more like street shoes and less like sports shoes. Choosing black or dark brown ensures a match with jeans or trousers. As far as handbags go, Dumont reminds brides that your honeymoon “is not the time for your Gucci, Wucci and Pucci.” One classic black bag for day and a small evening bag—or your groom’s coat pocket—for night will more than suffice.

HoneymoononLocation.com reminds brides that since European accommodations and modes of transportation are often small by American standards, packing light and
compactly is doubly beneficial. Carley Roney, Editor-in-Chief of TheKnot.com, courtesy of MSNBC Interactive, suggests that honeymooners save space by sharing “vacation basics,” and by planning to use amenities provided by the hotel. Anna Rita Stern, manager of Rountree’s luggage shop in Virginia Beach, recommends the 22” expandable rolling bag for virtually any weeklong honeymoon, including to
Europe, provided you roll, rather than fold, your clothes. Its compact size allows it to be stowed in the overhead compartment of all but the smallest airplanes and prevents the possibility of lost or stolen luggage and waiting at baggage claim.

WeddingChanel.com recommends a large tote for your second carry-on, one that can double as a beach bag, should you be headed for sunny shores at home or abroad. For those who simply must have more space, offers Stern, the 50” rolling garment bag is a smart choice. And, of course, for those honeymoons requiring special equipment or bulky clothing, Fed-X it ahead.

At the end of the day, as Dumont reminds us, “Shopping and packing for a honeymoon is really about the sexy lingerie.” And, fortunately, lingerie hardly takes up any
luggage space at all.
Betsy DiJulio
Spring 2006

Source: VOW - The Art Of Weddings Magazine
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