Traveler's Edition
Whether traveling internationally or across the U.S. this stylish New Yorker always looks sharp. With recent destinations including Coachella, Napa and Thailand, this week we caught up with personal style blogger Dan from Real Guys Wear Ties to talk all things style, travel and why you should stay away from Times Square.
Hi Dan! Tell us a little about yourself, and your travel style.
I’m a fashion & lifestyle blogger of Real Guys Wear Ties in which I document my adventures, style and thoughts. In the process of growing as a blogger, I realized I love to travel. I travel every single month and sometimes multiple times a month. The travel can bring me across the country or even a train ride away. My travel is sometimes for work, most of the time for fun or, every now and then, for a specific event.
I do not like being a tourist. When I enter a new city, I want to live like a local. You can experience more and have many more enjoyable experiences (in my opinion). Yes, I sometimes have a tourist experience but it’s literally 15 minutes and then I’m off to the real adventure.
What are your top three travel essentials?
1. My DSLR camera – it’s also a blogging necessity.
2. My iPad – siting in one place goes faster when I have this guy.
3. A cycle of sunglasses – I have an obsession with sunglasses and I tend to bring a ton with me. Minimum 4.
We noticed you travel quite a bit – but where’s your dream destination?
I am sad to admit that I’ve never been to Europe. I want to hit up all the major cities in each country. I tend to enjoy cities rather than rural parts (mountains, desserts, etc.) because I love the hustle and bustle – that’s why I am 100% a New Yorker!
We loved your Weekenders post on the perfect travel bag and what to pack in it. What are your top packing tips to ensure you’ve got all you need to stay looking sharp?
Whenever I pack, I do not pack specific outfits. Why? I don’t like feeling constrained. To give myself options without overpacking, I pick pieces that match well with multiple articles of clothing in my bag. This way I can make multiple outfits from a small batch of clothing. 
As a New York resident, have you got any tips for out of towners visiting the city?
Stay away from Times Square. That’s my advice to everyone! It’s great to take a peek but to really immerse yourself into the city, you need to venture to other areas like the East Village, SoHo, Chelsea, etc. There’s so much great food, great bars and great things to do that it would be a shame to miss.
Your blog is all about personal style – so how do you stay stylish when traveling?
The Yahoo! Weather app is my best friend. I check it out religiously leading up to a trip. I want to make sure I am prepared for what’s to come with the right fabrics and types of clothing to ensure I am looking FRESH.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
Visiting Thailand was definitely my most memorable experience. There were highs and there were lows and I remember every second of it. It’s one of those trips that you can never forget because of the new cultural experiences and the breath-taking views.
And finally – where, in your opinion, is the most stylish location you’ve visited?
The first place that pops into my head is Dallas. Every man and woman are done up to look their best. It didn’t matter if they were going to the grocery store or a romantic dinner, they were looking fierce.
