Zappos!
A zippy little word, indeed, and a worldwide phenomenon for the apparel and footwear obsessed.
For the ranks of the uninitiated, zappos.com is a nontraditional kind of company — inspired by the Spanish word for shoes, zapatos. Consumers choose from a vast selection of products ranging from Kate Spade purses to high-tech baby joggers to aviator-framed sunglasses.
All can be ordered online and arrive on your doorstep in 24 hours. Don’t like ’em, no worries. There’s a 365-day return policy. Not to mention free two-way shipping and a customer loyalty team of 350, any of whom have all the time in the world to chat with you on the company’s toll-free number. The longest recorded call was five hours!
Not coincidentally, zappos.com has zoomed to superstardom in consumers’ eyes, and it holds a special place in my heart for a lot of reasons. For starters, the free shipping is a dream come true for those who would rather not spend hours at the mall. You can order several sizes in the products that you like, and just ship back anything that does not work. For a traveler, like me, this makes a lot of sense. I’m also in a rush getting ready for trips, and ordering great travel items ahead of time makes my life a little easier.
Recently, I ordered an entire outfit and suitcase that will be perfect for my upcoming 22-hour flight to Kenya. The whole look is super comfy, soft and fashionable from head to toe. (NOTE: Click on item name to see more details.)
Samsonite Winfield Spinner Suitcase:
http://www.zappos.com/samsonite-winfield-2-20-spinner-blue-slate#prdInfo $139.99
These days, I refuse to tote around any suitcase that doesn’t have 360-degree spinner wheels; it just doesn’t make any sense. This Samsonite 20-inch model fits perfectly in the overhead bin. Plus, it’s lightweight and fits way more stuff that you’d expect.
Lucky Brand Nania Lace Inset Top:
http://www.zappos.com/lucky-brand-nania-lace-inset-top-nigori $59.50
This is a great travel shirt because it’s lightweight and comfortable. And the lace trim and keyhole detail in the back dress it up a little.
C&C California Cashmere Blend Dolman Sweater:
http://www.zappos.com/c-c-california-cashmere-blend-dolman-sweater-oatmeal-heather $98
The neutral oatmeal color goes well with just about anything. And, since it’s cashmere, it’s the perfect way to feel cozy on the plane.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal Bird Studs:
http://www.zappos.com/marc-by-marc-jacobs-petal-to-the-metal-bird-studs-oro $48
These are the type that are perfect for traveling because they are not bulky. So when you doze off, you don’t even notice they are there.
Lucky Brand Sofia Skinny Jeans:
http://www.zappos.com/lucky-brand-sofia-skinny-30-in-alhambra-alhambra $99
I get compliments every time I wear these flirty, mid-rise jeans. Not only is the color fun and eye-catching, but the material is soft enough to travel in. Plus, on the inside seam of the zipper, it says “Lucky You.” Nice little touch!
Gabriella Rocha Magali Scarf:
http://www.zappos.com/gabriella-rocha-magali-scarf-hot-pink-combo $45
I always, always travel with a few scarves. In India, I need one wrapped around my face because of the smells I encountered. In the Atacama Desert I needed them when the winds kicked up. In Papua New Guinea I needed one to keep the sun off my neck. And on any plane ride I need one to keep my neck or shoulders warm. The Gabriella Rocha scarf makes any outfit instantly adorable.
Reef Tropic Flats:
http://www.zappos.com/reef-tropic-gold $54
If you haven’t noticed yet, I am a big fan of apparel that is both fashionable and functional. These Reef flats fit the bill. The super squishy padding and arch support in these shoes makes my feet happy while sprinting through airports, and the gold detail on the heel adds some extra pizazz. Not to mention, the shoes are so flexible they can bend in half and take up very little space in your suitcase.
See for yourself at www.zappos.com. Or follow the company @ZapposStyle on Twitter.
Disclosure: Zappos provided the above items, but my opinions are my own.
