Destination dressing

I thought it’d be fun to cover one of my favorite topics, travel, albeit with a fashionable spin. So here it is…a few of the hidden style cities around the world, what they have to offer and of course, what to wear when visiting.

Budapest: I know. It sounds a bit far fetched but this Hungarian city is on the cusp of becoming one of the most interesting style cities out there. Cited as the Paris of the East, Budapest’s international investors have helped guide it out of disarray and into a prominent, profitable position. The restaurant scene -- which is always telling of the city and its vibe -- is booming with fusion cuisines and chic décor, while the shopping, especially along Vaci Utca won’t disappoint.

And while the women in Budapest go natural with little makeup or fuss, there is still an undeniable taste and style. Because of this, I recommend a clean face, save for blush and mascara (no one will know!), a comfy top and hip jeans (which can be worn sightseeing) like these gray garnet Sylph jeans from Edun. The color provides an alternative to the usual dark blue, while the length is perfect for flip-flops or flats.

Madison: Now I’ve really got you. I know what you’re saying, Wisconsin? Yes, I’m definitely not kidding. Madison has cultivated a fashion crowd worth noting in this blog. Take the trendy shop and online boutique, Bop/Shopbop. One of my all time favorite places, the store got its start on Gorham Street in 1999 when it was simply called Bop. Now they’ve been bought out by Amazon and continue to cultivate an extremely loyal following. And that all started in Madison. The city, which is made up of a variety of cool streets, most notably State Street, includes bucolic galleries, up-scale boutiques, museums and cafes among its offerings. Trendy eateries line the avenue while hip shoppers adorned in casual dresses -- like this Kristie dress from C & C California -- take a load of with a beer and a basket of chips – all in a days worth of shopping.

Shanghai: Originally a seaside-fishing village, Shanghai is now China’s largest city with nearly 19 million people living there. Now that’s a lot of inspiration. People’s Square and the area along the Haungpu River are the Western shopper’s paradise, with nearly anything you could imagine. One notable shop, called Layefe, houses a stunning collection of modern homewares, glamorous clothing and a distinctly modern vibe. For a day on the town here you’ll need head-to-toe designer like this Narciso Rodriguez black, cap sleeve dress and these peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels. Just don’t forget your taxi money. You won’t want to be walking in these.