There’s a laid-back version of yourself you might be familiar with: your “holiday self”.
It’s you, but done better. It’s you, carefree and free from time constraints and the daily annoyances that bug you. It’s you, caught laughing freely with your hair all windblown and – is that a new get-up you’ve got on?
We often want to put our best foot forward when travelling. For many people, that can turn into a sudden urge to get a fresh new set of clothes.
But cobbling together the cash to take an overseas break is not a straightforward task, and the added stress of fitting in and looking the part can be an extra outlay.
Over the past year I’ve been lucky enough to go on a lot of trips. On four separate trips to places in Europe and Asia, I’ve stuffed, re-stuffed and unpacked my clothes heaps of times.
G’day, I’ve gone through the same notion of wanting to look my best when travelling overseas, but the reality is that the simplest outfits often make for the best travel gear.
3 A consideration of your personal style: Pack the items that make you feel confident and expressive. Think about what makes you unique and pack clothes that showcase your personality.
Me best travelling wardrobe is a mix of three things: how I dress, being practical, and being reliable.
Having a consistent sense of style when you’re travelling is a good thing, as it can affect how you feel about yourself and how you interact with the world around you, even when you’re not looking like yourself.
4. ‘must-have’ items like tees with seasonal receive-by dates”
- Culturally appropriate
- Suitable for the climate, including appropriate textiles
- Easy to clean
- Simple to pack and stow
- Easy to wear
When it comes to versatility, pack pieces that’re capable of doing more and making things easier.
- A dress can be used as a skirt when a top is draped over it
- Button-up shirts can serve as tops when worn closed, can be worn open with singlets or tees, and they can also act as covers when heading to the beach
- If you’re up for it, give ’00s-inspired styling a go by layering skirts and dresses over your pants for an interesting texture contrast
Throughout my travels, I’ve had many regrets about what I’ve worn. The first thing that always comes to mind is lugging around a fancy dress, thinking, “just in case”. But, as it happens, it never even gets pulled out.
I reckon if I don’t wear a piece of clothing in me daily life back home, I probably won’t wear it when I’m travelling overseas.
My accidental travel uniform
Looking through my old travel photos, I’ve noticed a pattern in my wardrobe.
When I’m at home, I tend to go with a pretty consistent wardrobe made up of heaps of casual T-shirts, mid-length shorts, button-up shirts and simple dresses, same old stuff really.
Wearin’ clothes I’m used to makes travelin’ easier; when explorin’ a foreign place, at least I know I’m in charge of what’s on me body.
That’s not to say you can’t use it for a good time. Mixing it up with a change in colour and design from your wardrobe can make your ordinary clothes feel more suitable for a vacation.
And don’t forget to chuck in any accessories. Rings, necklaces, earrings and hair clips can really finish off your clothes as a stylish get-up – and they’re pretty compact, so they won’t hog loads of space in your suitcase.
Maggie Zhou is a writer based in Naarm/Melbourne, who is regularly online. She co-hosts the Culture Club podcast.
