Review: Magellan’s Essential Matte Jersey Collection - Part 2

Today, I want to tell you about the other two pieces of the matte jersey collection I received from Magellan’s last week. Aside from the wrap dress, I also received the Essential Matte Jersey Twist Tank and the Matte Jersey Pants (petite size). As I said before, Magellan’s is excellent at designing clothing for the normal traveler, because they know that people want to look polished while also being comfortable, something many other clothing companies don’t quite build into their designs. Magellan’s clothing can work for all ages, sizes and for leisure and business travelers. If you don’t want to be mistaken for a tourist, then you definitely want to go browse their site. You know, after you read my review!

Essential Matte Jersey Twist Tank

This is another piece that I think would be great if it came in a petite size. If you like a top to be a little longer, you will love this, because it has a bit of a tunic length (unless you’re tall, in which case it will fall right around your hips). Of course, being a shorty, I also have the disadvantage of normal length tops being a little long on me. This one hit just below my bum, which is a preferred style for many now, as skinny jeans and leggings are so popular. I travel with lightweight skinnies, so this top would be a perfect addition to those, as well as with the Essential Matte Jersey Pant.

Okay, on to what I love about this top: The style is lovely and the twist is flattering on all body types. The twist in the front gives the rest of the top a draping effect that will hide a tummy pooch (if you got one and want to hide it) or just give you a bit of room after eating all that yummy food at lunch and dinner. The top fits well in the bust (you don’t feel as if you might “fall out”) and is free-flowing around the middle, so you’re never self-conscious and always comfortable. I paired it with both the EMJ pant and also another pant to show how you can make it casual or a little more hip.

While this one is sleeveless, you have the option of purchasing the same top, but with sleeves, though I think putting a little cover up on it would be preferable in the summertime. It’s certainly a piece that will transition for whatever you have planned, be it dinner and movie or climbing the many steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking, which means it’ll look great, even if you find it balled up in the corner of your carry-on bag. It has the benefit of a hidden zipper pocket that you can hide money or your debit card in while out and about, too. I am a fan of pockets.

Essential Matte Jersey Pant

These are probably one of the best travel pants you will buy if you aren’t planning on hiking trails and climbing rocks. For the normal traveler – those that like to go to museums, check out historical monuments and go shoe shopping – these are fantastic and go with almost everything. I had fun pairing them with items that I would take with me to go to dinner, run around town and just generally be comfortable while looking good. These have two zipper pockets, which are pretty hidden and great for small bills and coins you may need on a daily basis. They don’t poke out either, which is a big concern I normally have for pockets in pants that are flowy. The pocket fits the shape of your body and the pant, so it lies flat.

I got these pants in petite size, so if you are taller, I would suggest the regular length. They hit me at the right spot I like in travel pants, since I could wear flats or heels and not worry about tripping on the hems either way. I would not suggest these pants for colder weather, as they are fairly lightweight and won’t keep the cold out, unless you want to pair them with a base-layer for warmth. Also, they are not attractive if you are a shirt tucker, since the top of the pant is stretchy and may not be tight enough to your body to look natural. I think most people who are looking to buy a pull-on pant aren’t really looking to show off their tummy anyway, so I wouldn’t let that sway your decision. They are a very flattering piece for those that enjoy longer tops or tops that are not more body-hugging and hit about mid-hip. These are sure to become one of your favorite go-to travel pants, as they are attractive while not being clingy and can be worn for pretty much anything you’ll be doing, because they can be dressed up or down as well.

Don't forget that you can get 5% cash back when using Ebates to make your purchase at Magellan's.

More information:

Where you can buy them: Magellan’s online

Colors they comes in: Black and Fig (wine/cranberry color)

How much they costs: $49 – twist tank | $62.50 – twist front top |$49 - pants

Other details: 92% polyester, 8% spandex, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant

Disclaimer: I was provided with the Essential Matte Jersey Twist Tank and Pant for the purposes of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Super Useful Travel Links 5.4.12

I hope you are enjoying May so far and my first two reviews in REVIEWapalooza. I decided that so many review requests in a row was a good thing, especially with Summer coming. I still wanted to bring you fun travel links, too, so I am working around my own schedule to make it work. By the end of May, you will be totally prepared to travel for summer, though you could be more so by downloading a copy of my eBook, Secrets to Summer Savings, and learn how to also do it for less money! Use code IREADSTC at checkout and get it for half price! How’s that for saving money?!

One of the hardest things to do while traveling in a group is to get everyone in a shot, especially when you also want to get background in, so you know where you all were crammed together, and you probably also want to be able to see who everyone is, so standing a block away isn’t going to make for great vacation shots. Techlicious has some fantastic tips on making group shots look awesome, like taking multiple shots and piecing them together with photo editing apps and software.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably got some irrational fears. Like, I’m afraid of the dark, giant bugs and empty public restrooms. Yes, it’s true. I’ve seen one (thousand) too many horror movies and it has affected my ability to use a quiet rest stop bathroom, get out of bed in the middle of the night or wear sandals in humid climates. I’m not embarrassed to admit my phobias – maybe because I don’t think they are that unusual – but if you had some of these weird phobias presented by Travel + Leisure, you probably wouldn’t leave the house, much less travel around the world.

Wouldn’t you love to leave your ATM card in your hotel safe or, better yet, at home when you travel? There’s no way it can be stolen from you if you aren’t carrying it around. Japan is testing out some new ATMs that will use your handprint instead of a card. If these machines work well, they may end up replacing ATMs across the globe. Though that would be quite a ways in the future, it would be fabulous news for travelers everywhere. Unless thieves steal your hands (unlikely), you’ll always be able to get money out and travel worry-free, unless you’re captured by Somalian pirates. We won’t think about that.

Do you love Disney’s (and Seattle’s) monorail system? It’s pretty cool, right? What if you could travel on a super-fast tube system that worked by the same means as a monorail and roller coaster? It could be coming in the future, too. Considering we can barely get good public transportation in some places in the country, it’s not very probable, but if it was, it would be really fun – even if you couldn’t see where you were going and would maybe have to crawl your way to the bathroom if you needed go. Perhaps you could go before you got on and could hold it the two hours it would take to make it from New York to China. Considering the proposed tube doesn’t even look like it has a bathroom, you might not want to drink too much before getting on.

Free! I love that word. It doesn’t often go with travel, but in this case, it does. Walking tours are high up on my list of things to do at your destination to quickly learn all there is about a city. It’s even better when your tour is conducted by a local that genuinely loves showing people around and teaching them fun facts. Sandemans NEW Europe Tours partners knowledgeable guides with visitors in over a dozen European cities, with more destinations to come. You can also find free or cheap city tours in U.S. destinations, too, just by Googling for them.

With as many times as I tell you that vacation rentals save money and are awesome, it pains me to say that some renters are trying to scam the system with non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements. By keeping guests from writing up unfavorable reviews, they are able to gain more business for their shoddy accommodations. If you’re looking to stay at a property, ask to see the agreement paperwork BEFORE you pay any money and if they have a charge for posting a bad review, tell them thanks, but no thanks and find another property. If they don’t have confidence in their own property, neither should you. It’s no way to run a legitimate business and future guests should know what they are getting (or not getting) before booking and being disappointed.

Do you ever get stuck in front of that one kid on the plane that either thinks freaking out and screaming bloody murder or kicking the back of your seat for the entire flight is a great idea and then notice that they have the most unobservant parent ever, then you will thank your lucky stars for this new service (assuming people are willing to use it). You may also be thrilled to learn about Nanny in the Clouds if you have a rambunctious child (or children) that you travel with and need a couple extra hands. I’m not sure how convenient the service will be, since fate has to be on your side and both of you need to end up on the same flight, but fortune smiles on you both, you can hire a nanny on your flight and they can earn a little extra money on their way to wherever they’re going. Check it out!

Not quite ready for a nanny yet? If you’re pregnant (or planning to be), then here are some useful tips on traveling when you’re with child, from Essential Travel. Of course, if you already have children, you probably know the dos and don’ts of traveling while pregnant, but for first time mommies-to-be, you may be grateful for the advice from experts, especially when you don’t want becoming a family to also slow down your desire to see the world. Also, make sure to find some amazing walking shoes and pack many snacks.

So, what do you think? Would you try any of these services or have you come across an interesting travel post lately that you want to share?

Review: Magellan’s Essential Matte Jersey Collection

When the new Magellan’s catalog came to my mailbox, I was pretty excited to see what was new in the fashionable world of travel. You know as well as I do that those things normally do not go together, but Magellan’s makes it a point to make their clothing attractive, comfortable and easy to coordinate with their other pieces or with other things you have in your closet. The Matte Jersey collection immediately caught my eye, as it is drape-y and looks comfy to wear anywhere, plus all the pieces looked nice and came in a few different colors. Magellan’s was kind enough to send me three items from the collection to try out and tell you all about.

Essential Matte Jersey Wrap Dress

I am kind of in love with this dress, because you can do so much with it, even though it’s not a convertible piece and it is a faux wrap. The fit is very flattering and you can dress it up or down, depending on what it is you want to wear it for. Now, keep in mind that I am short (5′ 1″), so a petite size probably would have been a bit shorter and more preferable for a lot of women travelers; however, I found the tea length of the regular size to be perfect for me. It allowed me to feel covered up, but still cool, and it worked with a variety of shoes – even boots if you wanted to wear it in the fall or winter.

The fabric is light, but not thin, and feels great on your skin. I like that it has the side ruching (flattering for those of us who don’t love our tummies), short sleeves (perfect for those of us that don’t love our arms) and two zipper pockets (great for those of us that like to carry lip balm and some change at all times). 

As you can see, it’s versatile enough to wear alone with some walking sandals to wander around town, but you can also throw on some fun accessories and wear it to dinner or the theater. I added a wide belt, a chunky necklace and some pretty shoes and I could have worn that dress out dancing, to a play or to a business function in it. I restyled it with a cardigan, some boots and a long necklace and it was perfect for dining out or generally looking great in the city.

Because the material resists wrinkles, you can totally just ball it up in your suitcase, pull it out after a couple days and throw it on. No one will ever know. It is also travel-friendly and appears to be quick-drying (though I have not tested this out) and is moisture-wicking, so you won’t be all sweaty if you’re wearing this in a warmer climate, or have to pair it with a coat in the winter.

This is going to be a definite addition to my travel bag. Remember that you can also get 5% cash back by using Ebates to make your Magellan's purchase. Stay tuned for my review of both the Essential Matte Jersey Twist Tank and the Essential Matte Jersey Pant tomorrow.

More information:

Where you can buy it: Magellan’s online

Colors it comes in: Black and Fig (wine/cranberry color)

How much it costs: $69 – it is durable (read: long-lasting) and really versatile, so likely, one of very few dressy pieces you would ever need to pack for trips.

Other details: 92% polyester, 8% spandex

Tip: The small was a bit loose on me (as I said I am 5′ 1″ and I weigh around 115 lbs and normally wear a size 4), so petite girls may find the sizing tricky since a small fits a size 6-8, but if you like to add belts to your outfits, you won’t have a problem at all. You may also find you want to wear a cami or tank underneath, as the deep v can be rather revealing. You could just put a stitch or two in it to keep it from opening up though. Those that are a little bustier shouldn’t have an issue.

Disclaimer: I was provided with the Essential Matte Jersey Wrap Dress for the purposes of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.