New York Fashion Week Survival Guide

Fashion Week Survival Guide Vera Bradley Trimmed Travel Bag in Ikat Spots with Black Trim

Fashion Week Survival Guide Vera Bradley Natalie Crossbody in Dark Teal

Fashion Week Survival Guide Vera Bradley Quilted Natalie Crossbody in Cognac

Fashion Week Survival Guide Vera Bradley Natalie Satchel in Cheetah

Fashion Week Survival Guide Vera Bradley Quilted Amy Backpack in Tango Red

Where does the time go? The count down to New York Fashion Week is officially here. Kicking off on September 10th, the latest Spring/Summer 2016 trends will be parading down the runways. Attending is a dream and whirlwind all at the same time. Days packed with back-to-back shows, presentations, interviews, and parties require masterful planning. However, after attending for a few seasons now, I've learned a few tips and tricks to survive the week in style. From what to pack to must-haves for your satchel, I've partnered with Vera Bradley to share with you my New York Fashion Week Survival Guide!

MAP OUT YOUR OUTFITS

New York Fashion Week is the epitome of style. For a week the who's who of fashion descends on New York, bringing with them their fashion A game - and you should too! In preparation, a week or two before leaving for New York, I pull all of my favorite pieces out of my closet and start to pre-style 7 to 10 looks. I try to select outfits that will work day-to-night because sometimes there just isn't enough time to change. Also, because it is Fashion Week, I always try to take my signature style to the next level for maximum street style points. Once I've strategized the perfect number of looks, I photograph each outfit and print out a contact sheet featuring a photo of each outfit (I know this sounds crazy, but it is SO helpful!) By mapping out my outfits in advance the whole getting-ready process is simplified tenfold. All I have to do is look at my cheat sheet of outfits and pick one for the day. In the end, this saves me so much time each morning.

PACK STRATEGICALLY

Arriving in New York with my best foot forward means packing strategically. In my suitcase, I like to stack my clothes in outfits, rather than stacks of dresses, pants, tops, etc. This way, when I arrive at my hotel I can easily hang all of my looks up so that they are ready to go each morning. When it comes to accessories, my biggest fear is that I will open my suitcase and all of my shoes, hats, and bags will be bent out of shape. For this reason, I carefully pack all of my accessories in my carry-on so that they can safely travel across the country without too many bumps or bruises.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Finding a hotel within the closest possible proximity to the majority of the shows I'm attending is KEY. Convenience is the most important factor when it comes to booking your hotel - it's not all about the glamor! That is because one of the hardest parts of NYFW is managing the 16-hour days and constant stop-and-go. I find that having a centrally located hotel helps me save time (and money) when it comes to being strategic with my schedule. Before leaving the hotel, I always review my schedule of runway shows and events and make sure I have each invite, whether it is physical or digital form, ready to go.

ARM YOUR SATCHEL

While you can do all the pre-planning you want, NYFW is definitely full of surprises and that's why my handbag doubles as a Fashion Week emergency kit. A large satchel is definitely preferable because it will fit my invites and so much more. For running between shows, I'm likely to throw in a fold-up pair of flats, a scarf, and a few snacks.

THINK TECHNOLOGY

During Fashion Week I document every-single-detail; from the street style, to the models, and the front row. That means having my phone and camera with me at all times. Then, there is the need for my digital calendar and notebook... the list goes on and on. Relying on these devices comes with the constant fear of running out of power or memory. So, whenever possible, it is important to remember to charge between shows/at lunch or to always have a wireless charger and extra camera cards on-hand. I've found that the easiest way to keep all of my go-to gadgets with me at all times is a backpack. The Vera Bradley quilted Amy backpack is a favorite of mine.

IT GIRL SUNGLASSES

Fashion Week and sunglasses seem to go hand-in-hand. Whether you're trying to keep a low profile in the front row or trying to earn street style points outside, shades are a must. A pair of black cat-eye sunglasses will transition perfectly from outfit to outfit!

BREAK OUT THE BUSINESS CARDS

One of my favorite parts of New York Fashion Week is that all day long you are constantly meeting new people! For this reason a supply of business cards is a must. I make sure to distribute a stack to each of my handbags so that they are always on-hand. Fashion Week is all about meeting new people, so exchanging business cards is very common. Who knows who you will meet?!

See more of my New York Fashion Week posts here!

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