I'll be going on a photo trip (very! eek!) soon and I tend to do these photo trips in a pair of running shoes, activewear pants and whatever for tops + some sort of sweater in colder weather.

Thing is I could be doing anything from walking around the city, ducking in and out of buildings through the day or lots of outdoor walking and even hiking. I'd like to add in some options that can at least be a little more stylish, could dry quickly, and not restrict my movement (bending down, leaning over, etc.). I'll sometimes wear jeans but depending on what I'm doing sometimes I even find those a bit too restrictive.

Any advice to better balance form vs function?

Usually beyond my budget but good travel clothing:
http://www.tilley.com/us_en/

Less expensive: Travelsmith & Magellans

Athleta and Lucy are two others. They are women's sportwear mostly but both have stylish non-sport options that could work.

Basically something in a knit with a good cut (pants or skirt) and a pair of comfortable boots.

When you say they need to "dry quickly" are you talking about being out in the rain/snow? Or you are planning to wash clothing yourself in the sink?

Or that long tunic/legging look that is big right now, in the right fabrics, might be another option?

IME, Chico's travel line isn't likely to dry quickly, but can be comfortable and stylish.

I like Chico's a lot. But I don't care for their "Traveler" line. The synthetic is too heavy and doesn't breath well, even though it will never wrinkle so in that way is travel-friendly. Maybe OK if it's cold enough.

I'm not sure how long this trip is, but for anything under 3 weeks I don't wash my outer clothing during the trip.

Where are you and where are you travelling? Some of us like Kuhl Durango pants in carbon. You can try them at REI if you are in USA. I pretty much wore only them for two+ weeks.

Lulu lemon perhaps? They have some stretchy pants, "city pants" or similar name that are stretchy yet not yoga-ish. As well, they have some cute jackets and tops for many types of weather except extreme cold.

I like Toad & Co dresses or Prana or basically any of REI's casual wear. My favorite piece this winter is my Toad and Co merino wool sweater dress. I like merino a lot more than the specialty travel fabrics.

But if you're very attached to your active wear, I'd stock up on some nicer yoga pants (I've had some that don't really look like yoga pants) and then buy some dressy sweaters and jackets. Something more tailored on the top goes a long way in dressing up plain black yoga pants or leggings.

Athleta -- fabulous stuff for travel that is hip. They have expanded way beyond "athletic." Travelsmith & Magellan much more "mature" looking. If you're under 50 stick w Athleta.

Check out REI too.

Dressing sensibly > Dressing stylishly (in my honest opinion).

Footwear is the first thing I account for - LOWAs are unbelievably comfy and even more durable (i believe they're used in the army, but could be wrong).

Depends where you're going, I guess. Where are you off to?