BY SOFIA LUJAN AND LAUREN DOYLE | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON
All clothing items available at Villa 19 Boutique. Shop in-store or online at villanineteen.com.
In keeping with this issue’s travel theme, stylist Sofia Lujan teamed up with travel agent Lauren Doyle of The Travel Mechanic in Apex to create some outfits perfect for travel to popular locations from RDU Airport.
Lauren’s Packing Tips
- Pack light! Plan your outfits ahead of time based on the destination. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes and wear bulky apparel like sneakers on the airplane.
- Make sure you have a multi-compartment toiletry bag. Purchase travel-size items that take up less space.
- Packing cubes are a must! They can help you organize——socks in one, shirts in another and so forth.
- Keep a printable packing list inside your suitcase so that when you are ready to go, you can check items off the list.
- Invest in good luggage. You don’t have to spend a ton, but make sure it’s in good condition and consider selecting a bright color so it’s easy to spot at the airport.
- Choose clothes in the same color palette so you can interchange shoes and bags with many outfits.
Bonus Tip: A clutch is a MUST! Utilize your clutch as jewelry storage and put fun accessories inside. (We don’t recommend bringing fine jewelry when you travel.)
Lauren Doyle, award winning travel agent owns The Travel Mechanic based in Apex, NC. The boutique travel agency has a team of 15 travel agents customize travel itineraries all over the world. Each agent has a specialty which ranges from river and ocean cruises, independent and escorted European travel, honeymoons, destination weddings disney and even excotic locations like Tahiti and Thailand! Lauren and her team take care of the travel planning so you can have peace of mind of a thoughtful and wonderfully planned trip in no time! The team offers FREE consultations, so feel free to set up a call! www.thetravelmechanic.com/call
This outfit is ideal for travel in Italy —a destination that never goes out of fashion.
Photographed at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Apex.
Bring a fresh look to Paris, fashion’s capital city. Connected with a direct flight from RDU, you can leave in the evening and enjoy croissants in a Parisian cafe the next morning!
Photographed at French Bleue in downtown Apex
Cannes T-shirt, $42 | Sasha denim jacket, $62 | Ava mini skort, $72 | Cara vegan bag, $89
This outfit is perfect for a girls’ weekend trip to Miami.
Photographed at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Apex.
Nora neon knit tank, $65 | Cortez wrap midi skirt, $68 | Krystal crossbody, $78 | Caravan raffia sandals, $120
This outfit is designed for travel to Japan. Japan is not as easy to get to from North Carolina as some countries, but right now, it has all the buzz. It was closed for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now people are ready for cultural immersion!
Photographed at Villa 19 in downtown Apex.
Paradise crochet top/bottoms, $65/$88 | Rihanna vegan tote, $128
Sunny Tulum, Mexico, just opened a new airport. With great flight schedules out of RDU, it’s easier to access than ever before. Dress for relaxing on Caribbean beaches or enjoying tumbling tropical waterfalls.
Photographed at Villa 19 in downtown Apex.
Sovanna bikini top, $49 | Laguna tie-front top, $56 | Bali crop pants, $68 | Casey beach tote, $62 | Sam Edelman Reina sandals, $140
Visit Sofia Lujan Styling at sofialujanstyling.com. | Visit Jessica Bratton Photography at jqbrattonmedia.myportfolio.com
