Tag: women

Not all of us are lucky enough to travel the world for a living, especially in the most luxurious way possible. But it’s always nice to live vicariously through someone who does.

Gil Antolin is the man behind Luxury World Traveler, where some of the most wanderlust-inducing pictures on Instagram exist, with stunning views of destinations like the Maldives, Greece, and Italy, among other exotic locales.

Speaking with Maxim, the 41-year-old from Huntington Beach, California, says he did what most of us dream of doing: Quit his day job of selling real estate to travel full-time to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, which he’s been doing for the past five years.

Luxury World Traveler isn’t just an Instagram account, though. From the account spawned an entire business, and is simultaneously a travel agency, social media marketing agency, and a photography and videography studio.

And if anyone wants to follow in Antolin’s footsteps and make money traveling the world in the lap of luxury, he offers a course that’ll teach you to do exactly that. 

“I have just launched a new Instagram course that teaches how to create engaging media for Instagram and to use it to travel the world as I have,” he explains.

“For the last 4 years I have run a mini Instagram travel University where I teach others how to create content, work with hospitality partners, brand themselves, and allow them to travel to some of the worlds most luxurious hotels and resorts under our company name to build amazing galleries of media for their own.”

If you’re wondering how Antolin and his team take such incredible pictures that make you feel like you’re actually there, he explains his secret formula to getting the perfect shot, and it’s no easy task.

“There is a lot that goes into capturing the right shot. It all starts with scouting locations and getting the right vantage point. Once we have the location, then we identify the best time of day to shoot, usually at the golden hours. 

“Lastly, it then comes down to using strategic composition techniques in order to create imagery that allows the viewer to really feel the sense of being there.”

When asked what his favorite vacation spot is, Antolin says it’s a tough question to answer, but “I would say one of my three all-time top favorites though would have to be the Maldives.” 

And lastly, his top recommendations for countries to visit?

“Spain, Greece, Maldives, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Italy, France, and anywhere in the Caribbean.”

Clearly, someone who travels as much as he does knows what he’s talking about, so you better get packing. 

You know those rare times you come across a fashion find so life-changing that you wonder what you even wore before you owned it? Well, today I’m here to share one of those finds. About a month ago, my friend was wearing high-waisted trousers with the most ideal cropped and fitted top I had ever seen. Appearances didn’t deceive me, either. She proceeded to spill that she was wearing Free People’s Skinny Strap Brami Top, and it was one of the best purchases she’d ever made. I immediately recalled our managing editor, Michelle Scanga, gushing about the same top not too long ago—she even wrote a story about it. I then proceeded to order two for myself and completely understood what all the hype was about.

Let. me. tell. you. why. This brami top (the hybrid of a bra and cami) hits at the perfect spot on your torso to pair with high-waisted bottoms. It perfectly meets the top of the pants so that almost no skin shows, or if, like me, you want to show a bit of skin sometimes, you can simply fold it under a bit to flash more of your waist. Combine this with the fact that it currently comes in 23 colors and rings in at just $20, and I’ve got my new favorite going-out top.

Now I will admit that my small chest size (32A, in case you were wondering) does allow me to go braless in this seamlessly, you can always throw a lightweight style on underneath if you choose. This top is so simple yet so clutch. There’s a reason this top has 10.8K loves on Free People’s website—10,000 other folks can’t be wrong. Keep scrolling to see and shop this magical top.

Over wearing a bra after reading this story? Check out how to go braless in 21 easy outfits.

In late September of this year, I traveled to Paris to spend a couple of weeks of vacation in one of my most favorite cities in France. I dined at delicious restaurants (Le Baratin, Clown Bar, and Frenchie—to name a few), strolled in charming parks and gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Jardin des Tuileries), and in general soaked up the glorious ambiance that this so-called City of Light boasts that the rest of the world (IMHO) cannot. And, because I’m a fashion writer, there was a fair amount of style-watching going on as well.

Year after year, I’m always surprised by the fact that our notion of “French-girl style” isn’t quite on the mark. I think that’s because it’s not possible to encapsulate a woman with a prescribed wardrobe of separates. We think she wears only berets, ballet flats, Breton stripes, and blazers when, in fact, as I observed further on this trip, that a French woman’s wardrobe isn’t as predictable as we think. Rather, it’s the (yes, I’m going to say it) je ne sais quoi that makes the woman. An effortless air that transmutes into her beauty (bedhead and red lips still abound) and whatever she’s decided to wear for the day.

Thus, homing in on the topic of today’s post, while in France I brought along a few of these Parisian-inspired separates previously mentioned, one of which being a Breton-stripe three-quarter-sleeve tee. Anyone who knows me or who looks at my closet knows pretty instantly I’m a big supporter of stripes. So much so that I have put a temporary ban on all stripe purchases because I simply don’t need anymore. Anyway, I styled my Kule Modern Long Tee ($98) with a pair of black cropped trousers and high-top Chucks thinking it would be the perfect insouciant yet polished look for a day about the Seine.

As I made my way there, picking up a croissant et café and gliding down the dreamy cobblestone streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, I slowly realized there were no others wearing these stripes. No men, no women—just moi. Scroll down to see my outfit and for more Parisian style observations.

For the remainder of the day and the trip, I observed not only what others were wearing but now also what they were not wearing. This continued to include Breton-stripe tees as well as other stereotypical Parisian pieces like berets and ballet flats. Rather, when I would spot these items, it was apparent they were being worn by tourists, which, for the record, I’m 100% on board with.

All that being said, if you’ve never researched the history of why we associate these stripes with the French, here’s an extremely abbreviated rundown. St. James’s Breton-stripe jersey became the official uniform in the French navy in 1858. Skip forward to 1913 when Coco Chanel introduced the popular sailor tee to the fashion world and it was cemented as an iconic piece reflective of French heritage and craftsmanship. In other words, there is ample reason to embrace the Breton stripe. To illustrate my point, I scoured the web for images (older and newer) of French women in these tees. While they may be on a slight hiatus in the Parisian’s wardrobe, I doubt this closet classic will ever go out of style—scroll down for proof.

Want to see what more women are wearing in Paris right now? Right this way.

Although I am a true Gryffindor, I can indulge in a few Slytherin tendencies from time to time, including one particular jewelry trend that’s taking Hogwarts pride (or at least your jewelry collection) to the next level. Snake jewelry has seemingly been popping up all over the market in both the fine and fashion jewelry categories, and Slytherin or not, Harry Potter fan or not, this is one accessory we’re hyping up hard.

Even better news is the snake jewelry trend offers up serpents of all variations, from subtler bracelets you’d have to look twice at to notice the animal-inspired shape at all, to diamond-encrusted snake rings that are hard to miss. Ahead, I’ve rounded up my favorite snake jewelry pieces on the market so you, too, can fall in love with the style.

Next up, shop 17 simple bracelets you’ll never have to take off.

In case you missed my post last month, I basically explained that I shop a lot. Whether it’s research for my job, casual window shopping, cyber window shopping, or actually buying things (my vice), let’s just say I get a lot of exposure to consumer goods. And while this might not be the best thing for my bank account or my ever-expanding closet, it is great for you, our dear readers, because I get to share the best of my findings with you.

What’s on the docket today? Since a little birdie told me you guys seemed to enjoy this post last time, I thought I’d bring forth another roundup of the most interesting and eye-catching things I’ve seen as of late. After all, why not? From party dresses to statement coats to simply amazing versions of everyday basics, find the coolest pieces I’ve laid my eyes on this month below.

Up next: 34 under-$500 It bags I found just for you.

For women with simple style—an approach that relies on a strong collection of basics and never feels contrived—RSVP’ing to a party is not cause to take a 180-degree turn on their closets. Instead, a fancy social situation is more of an invitation to compose a look that’s sleek, unfussy, and festive, sans any hint of holiday hokeyness. It probably looks something like one of the seven examples of simple party outfits below.

The key to an uncomplicated yet stunning holiday party outfit? Balance. Sparkle is incorporated thoughtfully. Textures are prioritized over clashing, look-at-me prints. And little black dresses are plan A, not simply a backup plan. Ahead, take a look at how a few pros embrace simple style for special occasions, and leave maximalism—as exciting as it is—for another crowd.

Up next, take a look at the biggest jewelry trends for all manner of holiday party dressing.