| When it comes to air travel, anything more than a | | | | some of Marlene's picks could be worn back-to-front |
| carry-on is counter productive. It's not just the | | | | or even upside down! No kidding. Slip into a |
| lost-luggage-factor that has most women wheeling, | | | | sweater-vest "bottoms-up" and suddenly it's a |
| not carrying, a single bag onboard. The hassle, the | | | | cropped version with a generous collar. Obviously, |
| time lost, and often our travel partners, with little or | | | | these are specially designed pieces, so please don't |
| no patience for hanging around carousels, have | | | | try this at home! |
| conditioned even the most passionate clothes horse | | | | 3. Crisp 100 percent cotton shirts and NO ironing, |
| to cut back and pack light. | | | | ever. A dream come true. White and colours. |
| It's one thing to over pack and cram the car for a | | | | Foxcroft, $95.00 |
| cottage weekend but come fall, both business trips | | | | 4. Simpli - sensational! This collection of seasonless |
| and holiday getaways require a new, minimalist | | | | jersey knitwear by Vancouver's Simpli, has more |
| mindset. As a professional wardrobe problem-solver, | | | | components than a jigsaw puzzle, a zillion colours and |
| I'm on constant alert for what seems to be the | | | | endless combinations. Enough variations to go from |
| unfindable: great, packable clothes. Simple to maintain, | | | | boardroom to cruise ship. There's only one fabrication |
| uncreasable fabrics are usually contrary to quality, | | | | so it's easy to add components from year to year. |
| fashion and style. When I learned that Ottawa | | | | Everything is sized but there are also two different |
| retailer Marlene Shepherd had developed a "Packably | | | | fits, snug or relaxed. A perfect 3-piece career look, |
| Perfect" concept, a week's wardrobe (or even two!) | | | | we agreed, is a pant and matching vest with a |
| all packed in a carry-on, I knew help was at hand. | | | | contrast underpiece. Some of the combos we came |
| So last month, during my Ottawa trip, I arranged to | | | | up with: |
| meet with Marlene, my friend, colleague and | | | | Base colour Contrast |
| collaborator, for a hands-on session. My mission? | | | | Navy Peacock |
| Problem solving for a very diverse group of clients - | | | | Charcoal Aubergine |
| many shapes, sizes and careers but having in | | | | Black Wine |
| common hectic travel schedules. Marlene knows her | | | | 5. Clean lines, simple shapes and sensual fabrics form |
| way around the international fashion marketplace and | | | | the Eileen Fisher philosophy. Every piece is perfectly |
| she has a special skill when it comes to discovering | | | | designed to skim the body with flattering |
| hidden gems within our own borders. True to form, | | | | shape-enhancing style. Although Marlene, a |
| she pulled out all the stops and shared her latest | | | | self-avowed Size 16 loves this collection, my friend |
| treasures, with travel in mind. We spent the morning | | | | Kim, a yogini and perfect Size 8, is just as |
| fine-tuning; here's our short list. | | | | enthusiastic. |
| 1. Trousers, the core component of every travel | | | | 6. The icing on the cake - accessories. Marlene's start |
| wardrobe, for work and play. Start with black, | | | | in business was with jewellery so it's not surprising |
| charcoal or dark brown and build from this base. | | | | she continues to have innovative ideas. "Wardrobe |
| Tailored boot-cut trousers with an impeccable | | | | pieces," as Marlene calls them, are semi-precious, |
| pedigree: a hip-gliding fit in a modern stretch fabric. | | | | multi-strand necklaces that detach into single or |
| Cambio, $210.00 | | | | double strands, often with an optional pendant, |
| Trim, slim-leg pants in dressed-up microfibre. Perfect | | | | providing real versatility - every traveler's dream. |
| for arriving crease-free. Margaret M, $98.00 | | | | She's proud of the group of young Canadian |
| 2. A knit cardigan or vest instead of a traditional | | | | jewellery designers providing Shepherd's with these |
| jacket. The point I want to make here is that | | | | one-of-a-kind bijoux. |
| professional dressing doesn't need to be structured. | | | | What a morning! Client checklist completed and with |
| As Marlene says, "Once a woman discovers comfort, | | | | time to spare for personal shopping. My own |
| there's no turning back." | | | | "wheelie" is now perfectly packed and ready to go. I |
| We focused on three very different collections: Nic + | | | | can't wait. |
| Zoe, Pure & Co., Curio. I was truly intrigued to see | | | | |