Deer Doe:
How do you determine how you style yourself when you are traveling? I read articles that tell you to blend in a bit, don’t be obvious you’re a traveler. My goal is to travel, but I want to be able to dress in ways I like. I mean, it makes sense when visiting a certain country to dress more conservative or not, but I dream of dying my hair crazy colours and other awesomeness.
Heathre
Dear Heathre,
One’s travel wardrobe generally depends on where you’re going and the purpose of your trip. I assume yours is to explore fun, new places, and if that’s the case then blending in with the crowd is not at all necessary. In fact, trying to mimic the locals’ style can turn into a real disaster and make you seem even more out of place! (After all, they live there; you don’t.) Plus, I can’t imagine wearing the clothes you’d normally never wear not being awkward.
My personal belief is that no matter where you go — another town or a whole different country — you should always look well put-together and be yourself!
For me, it comes down to plain ole’ vanity. Whether I’m at home or thousands of miles away, I want to look good, and wearing the right dress/shoes/my favorite lipstick can give me that. (I’ve almost missed a plane once because I forgot to pack my favorite perfume & had to return for it!) I also find that matching my inside to my outside helps me feel more at ease in social situations and be more outgoing!
Preserving your style and looking your best while living out of a suitcase is not as hard as it seems. The trick is to pack clothes that fit you right, compliment each other, and travel well. For example, for my Disney vacation I packed light blues, pale pinks, silvers, creams, blacks (for accents), and a bunch of inexpensive accessories (hotel rooms do get robbed, as sad as it is…). This made putting outfits together each morning a breeze, and, believe it or not, my 5 days’ worth of outfits fit into 1 carry-on bag!
Of course, there are some elements of style that should be left at home. Excessive piercings and rings might get caught on clothes, family pearls (and other expensive jewelry) are better off in the safety of your home, as well as any symbols/imagery that might be considered offensive in a particular country.
I wish you much luck in your travels and remember — a smile is always the best accessory! :D
Deerlings: What are your 3 personal-style essentials you’d never travel without? For me, it’s my makeup bag, hair curler/straightener and at least 1 pair of fashion heels!
I never go anywhere without my electric purple MP3 player, my Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture, and my makeup bag =^.^=
I try to travel extremely light, but for me, I cannot travel without my makeup (usually an eyeshadow palette, tinted moisturizer, and tons and tons of lipsticks all tucked into a nice little clutch), a pair of reliable boots (my Docs have served me well), and a lightweight jacket. Even if it’s Florida in the summer, I always always always bring a jacket–never know if the nights will be chilly, or if there will be a flash cold-front when I get home!
I feel if I say ‘make up bag’ its a bit of a cheat as mine is so huge and stuffed full of essentials..however I can’t go anywhere without it…
But without that I always have lippy/gloss, compact mirror (mine has a light inside which is so handy at night) and gum for minty fresh breath at all times!
i always have to have my camo print makeup bag. That thing holds SO much makeup (mostly urban decay until i can buy the full set of Lime Crime). Also I have a scarf that holds my hair bands. they have flowers on them and are VERY burlesque. and, of course, my stiletto boots are a MUST
I can’t leave without a well-stocked makeup bag (I can’t take the whole tacklebox, too big), at least one pair of heels, and my trusty Old Faithful of a black tank top.
Oh, :O i love the orange dress! S2
I completely agree with you Doe, it’s so important to dress like you no matter where you are. For myself it just makes me more at ease in an otherwise already a bit awkward situation when you don’t know your way, etc.
Style-essentials are my lovely make-up bag (as full as possible… haha), a pretty dress and a statement necklace (inexpensive).
My make up bag is totally a yes-please for me too (how far can I go without having my black liquid liner and deep red lipstick close to me?), and my hair straightener is a necessity since I got V shaped bangs on very wild wavy hair! My third choice goes to the necklaces and rings I always, always, always wear – I mean every single day of my life no matter where I do or what I do. I am completely addicted to them and they just mean sooo much to me!
True but you should also bear consideration to the country you’re travelling to and be respectful to their culture as certain outfit choices may not seem odd to you but in a different culture may make you a target for some unwanted negative attention! Just use your common sense when your there, I’m sure most people know to cover up when visiting religious places and that sweaters in a hot country is probably a silly idea XD
I always pack a cardigan, make-up and a comfy pair of boots for all that exploring!
tim Reply:
January 30, 2011 at 3:20 pm
“for why is all around us here as if some lesser God had made the world, but had not force to shape it as he would” tennyson.
You are assuming that the travel is to another safe, well-off 1st world country.
I know many places in the world where bringing too much attention to yourself can result in gawking, groping, embarrassment, ridicule, getting your stuff stolen, getting charged more for stuff and services (if you look “fancy”) and unwanted attention from men. One already stands out when one is a Caucasian young woman, with a camera and other touristy stuff, it doesn’t make sense to bring more attention to yourself. Not to mention that you might be sending out unwanted messages — culturally inappropriate clothes might get you interpreted as a “easy”.
If I’m packing a stroller suitcase and high heels to Paris, I’ll wear what I want. If I’m backpacking to Peru, I prefer my incognito traveller gear.
I love to travel in style…makes travelling a little less boring!
I’m doing a Russian royalty inspired painting Doe, and you’re taking center stage!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=499473405877&set=a.421829800877.193160.512395877#!/photo.php?fbid=499473405877&set=a.421829800877.193160.512395877
Easy one! 1.) Chi hair straightener, 2.) waterproof mascara, and 3.) my lucky vintage bow ring! (Can I add a 4? I need my iPod, too, ha ha!)
Makeup, poofy skirt, tweezers. Always need a good set of tweezers.
I think what they mean by “blend in and dont look like a tourist” is dont run around wearing a fanny pack and a sun visor, and the tshirt you bought yesturday at the local tourist attraction! but anyway i always bring a pared down makeup collection, but the rest depends on the destination…when going to the zoo with my kids i would bring comfy walking shoes and sun screen, Napa with the hubby…fancier stuff but nothing i would be sad about losing after all that wine! haha
A basic makeup kit, hair styling and a versatile and comfortable pair of flats, this is essential for me to make a trip. And of course my cell phone!
I always bring my makeup train case, a few silk scarves, at least one evening dress, and pair of stilettos. Oh, and always a pair of sunglasses (nothing helps you feel confident like a pair of glamorous sunglasses when you’re being stared at.) ;) By the way my dear, that picture of Jessica Stam above is from W Magazine. xoxo -Vi
Everyone should have a sweater or something of the sort for the airplane since they are always freezing. Then for packing, as many mix and match things as possible. I try to bring things that can be made into two or more outfits. That way I am bringing 5 basic outfits, but they can be made into 10 or more. Yes, the makeup is important. For me I love the travelish type stuff that has the shadows, blush and lipsticks all together like the lorac set they had at Christmas. Then I only have to throw in my cleanser, moisturizer, primers, eyeliner, and mascara. The most important thing to me is something comfortable and pretty to wear after a day of being pretty. It’s the cherry on top of the day. The best way to relax.
I have to take my makeup. I love cardigans for the plane or just hanging out. A nice bag is perfect. I usually bring a bigger one and a smaller one.
Since we’re just talking ‘style essentials’ what I wear changes from day-to-day so much, so my only “essentials” are my very small make-up bag (a few brushes, black/brown/white eyeliner, black/brown mascara, moisturizer, foundation, eyelash curler, dark berry-pink lipstain, eos lip balm, clear lip gloss, and a compact with white/nude/gold/silver/charcoal/black/brown eyeshadow), my black low-top Chucks, and my jewelry that I wear all of the time anyway :D
I don’t really travel enough to have essentials (other than a sweater for the unexpectedly cold restaurant!), however! I went to live in England for a year for school. I had never been there before and a friend who had came to help me choose what clothes I should pack. Her theory was that the English are much more conservative and, well, drab in dress than Americans. I, on the other hand, feel out of place if I’m not wearing AT LEAST two clashing patterns and something neon. So I packed a lot of single colored clothing articles. By the time I came home for a visit in the spring I was DYING from lack of fun and funky in my wardrobe! I raided my closet for the clothes that made ME happy, and wore them proudly about my little London suburb. You know what? I got some stellar compliments on my style, AND felt much more ready to seize the day! Wear what makes YOU happy.
I can’t live without my makeup, hairstyling stuff, or my goth boots.
I never go anywhere without a toothbrush to get rid of that gacky taste when you travel, cream to stay moisturized, and makeup in complementing colours so I look refreshed after being on a plane for hours.
One of my Urban Decay Book of Shadows (probably the Alice in Wonderland one) with an eyeliner and primer inside (yay spaces), Burt’s Bees lip balm, at least one Batman related accessory or shirt.
I think it is important to consider where someone is travelling to when they’re trying to decide whether or not to blend in.
I’ve always wanted to visit Colombia but I’ve read that it’s safer to blend in, dress down, wear your hair in a ponytail when visiting there. The sad reality is that tourists get kidnapped and mugged, and the more glamorous you look, the more you look like an easy target to the bad guys. Obviously if you’re visiting somewhere like Paris or Rome, you can look as fantastic as you want without feeling vulnerable. But if the destination is somewhere in the middle east or south america, it might be prudent to think about the message you’re sending to “unsavory” characters.
xoxoxo
Doe Deere Reply:
January 29, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Agreed, I think traveling in those types of countries deserves a separate post!
Lua Reply:
January 31, 2011 at 4:26 pm
And obviously you should look if you’re going to some big city or the countryside, because even in countries considered as non-glamorous, big cities are almost equivalent to others such as NY or LA.
I always bring my favorite concealer (Neutrogena eye brights), hair gel, and a bag of little rags. Seriously! I always have rags with me so I can rag-roll my hair. I want to be low-maintenance on vacations since I’m usually sharing a tiny bathroom with several people! So I bring rags so I can rag-roll my hair overnight and wake up with curly hair. I don’t like to straighten my hair (which is the lowest maintenance hair style for me, because it can look good for a few days in a row), but my natural wave is too unpredictable to really be low maintenance – some days it looks great with no effort, but some days it’s wonky and I have to spend extra time making it look good. I don’t want to take that risk on vacation!
I agree. Plus you will only look like a tourist if you dress like one: Backpacks and fanny packs and maps in hand etc..
Dressing in vibrant, fun clothes and dying your hair in funky color doesn’t read ‘tourist’ – it reads ‘creative person’. Or ‘crazy’ – for boring conservatives. :))
I say never blend in. What’s the point? Be as unique and awesome as you possibly can.
Leon
Pantene mousse for my curls! combat boots and a nice girly dress.
Hmm I cannot travel without my favorite tube of red lip stick (lady bug from MAC) so I can dress up my plain outfit fast. My iphone, charger, and headphones. Those three all kinda go as one because one would be useless without the other. And my camera, lens and a million rolls a film (same as before not much use just having one of those). Though honestly I rarely even leave the house without those three things.
For traveling I try to dress like I normally would but I tend to try to stick to flats so I can walk around town and long hours in museums are no fun in heels. I also live in leggings and dresses or tunics because it’s much more comfy and practical but can still be chic.
Long, dangly earrings usually a tad on the eccentric side, makeup case, and the ever required moisturizer.
I’m going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in March, and I’m so unsure what to pack! I’m only going for 4 days, but I wish I could have you help come pick out some perfectly compatible pieces from my closet as you did when you went on your trip! I’m always an over-packer. Would it be totally dorky to wear my hogwarts uniform outfit? (vest, skirt, blouse, stockings). I’m 19, and my mom is always yelling at me for being too childish.
As far as things I never leave without: Make-up. All of it. My straightener for my unruly bangs, and usually my shower products like shampoo and soap. The ones in the hotel are always really crappy.
Doe Deere Reply:
January 31, 2011 at 10:35 am
Oh, people would LOVE you if you wore the uniform!! They’d totally think you’re part of the cast. :D They even thought I was some kind of a character, and I looked nothing like a HP character haha! Ok, maybe Luna Lovegood…
When it comes to clothing I always take pieces I can combine easily and that are easy to transport because I really hate dragging heavy suitcases along. So I usually take cardigans and different kinds of interestingly cut or embroidered shirts. Oh yes, and they mustn’t get all crinkly too easily.
Concerning my face and body care products I always take nearly the whole lot but in small bottles: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner. I go easy on the make-up though: a duo-eyeshadow, mascara, a compact and a lipstick.