StreetStyle: Brenna Holeman

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Celine Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press

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(CELINE BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

A freelance travel writer, Brenna Holeman has been backpacking for the past 21/2 years and knows how to travel in style. Holeman came home for the holidays from South America and is currently spending some time with family before heading off to London, England. She says people are starting to realize that being trendy while travelling is really quite simple and comfortable, too. "When you're in cities like London or Paris where everyone else is living their day-to-day life and (doing it stylishly), why not go that extra little bit to feel like you fit in?" No matter what climate Holeman ends up in, statement jewelry pieces are her fashion essentials. While all cultures inspire her fashion sense, her real urge to look put together comes from her family.

What she wore...

Coat -- "I got my coat from my friend, she lent it to me. I just came from Brazil and I don't have any winter clothes."

Hat -- Topshop in Toronto.

Shirt -- "From Forever 21; I just got it yesterday."

Skirt -- "A designer from Buenos Aires, Argentina."

Purse -- "From Bolivia."

Boots -- "I think they're from Aldo -- again, they were the only winter boots I could find."

Tights -- "Tights are my mom's; she probably got them from The Bay or something like that."

Necklace -- "A designer in the States called 40 Second Saint."

Earrings -- Street market in Buenos Aires.

Ring -- "From The Bay many years ago."

Bracelet -- "My bracelet is from Italy."

Fashion essential

"I always like to have a bright lipstick on and I have lots of big, fun jewelry."

Does that change depending on what country you go to or the climate you're in?

"No, I've lived out of a backpack for the past 21/2 years and I always dress up and try to look nice. I think too many people don't care about what they look like. I think we should have fun with fashion even when you're travelling or living out of a suitcase... Everything besides my jacket and boots is just what I had in my backpack."

Style inspiration

"Really, all my style inspiration comes from my travels and the people I see when travelling and the culture I'm in. For example, this past year I wore lots of bright colours, bright dresses and big, fun, chunky jewelry. When I was in Asia, I wore a lot of loose layers, bright coloured clothing. In Russia, I do the Russian hats. I'm really inspired by the cultures around me."

What about being in Canada? Or Winnipeg, more specifically. What inspires you here?

"Whenever I come back to Canada -- and you can say Winnipeg -- I think everyone always looks really nice and put together. If you look around here at the coffee shop people take care of themselves... I've always liked to dress up, even when I was a little girl... For me, it doesn't even matter what other people think -- I just love dressing up and wearing what I want to wear. Even at home, if I think I'm not going to see anyone, I still take time for myself. I enjoy it."

Fashion tip

"Don't be afraid. I've never had any fear when it comes to fashion -- if you want to wear something weird, or different or you want to make your own clothes, just have fun with it."

How do you look put together living out of a suitcase and traveling?

"Roll all your clothes, definitely. I'm a big fan of dresses and skirts, so I find having a plain dress in a fun colour with a little makeup, it's amazing how you feel like you fit into a place by just doing that. When I first started travelling, it was all cargo pants and now people are making an effort and realizing it's actually quiet simple to be fashionable when you travel."

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Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 12, 2013 E10