How to look great as you travel. It’s not just a dream, or an unrealistic expectation it’s possible and here are my tips from living in multiple countries and traveling to over 30.
I have traveled to some of the coldest climates in winter to some of the warmest in the hot season.
What I learned? Each country has a different sense of fashion and style and as a woman who loves to look great, travel and experience the culture here is what I learned.
Be mindful of the customs and culture
This is a game-changer. I’m America, and we are a melting place for all cultures and customs. So is our style.
Looking great as a woman in a different culture you are visiting can really enhance your experience as an adventure traveler.
We go from very flashy and revealing to very conservative. One thing I’ve noticed in traveling is that many cultures dress modestly.
The exception was Brazil.
My host asked me to go to the shop to buy a string bikini because my bathing suit was too conservative. Let’s say my underwear covered me more than that bikini!
My butt was so white on the Sao Paolo beach since it’s never seen the sun that my host took me back to buy more butt coverage.
This was the only time I was asked to dress with less. So this is why it’s good to know the culture of dress before you go somewhere.
If I’d known, I would have bought a somewhere-in-between swimsuit and saved myself and host a lot of embarrassment and my butt.
Know the culture’s “dress code”
It’s important. To experience the culture when you go somewhere, you need to know the “dress code.”
If you want to discover more about cultural travel, check out this post.
For example, in Thailand, many sightseeing places will not let you go in shorts. If it’s the hot season, you will want shorts, but you won’t be able to visit many religious sites.
Just knowing there will be a dress code for certain sites will help you to delve deeper into the culture and travel.
The next tip, with Brazilian beaches being the exception to the rule. Heck, they created their own rule.
How to look great as you travel basic is to
Dress modest
In many countries, dressing modestly will help you as you travel. And sad but true, could possibly keep you safer as a woman. I hate even having to write this but it’s true.
Different cultures react to the way women dress differently. Clothing to some cultures means various things. So traveling with this understanding can help you to have a better experience.
Here are some basic questions to find out,
- Do the women cover their arms?
- Do the women wear shorts, long pants or skirts?
- Do you need to bring a head covering?
Another example would be Israel. You can’t go up to the wailing wall to pray with shorts on as a woman. Merchants have skirts for sale and to rent.
Be prepared.
The next,
Pack for the season and weather
In Asia, it can get boiling with 98% humidity. If you are walking, the humidity can get quite hot and steamy.
Also, in the rainy season, sheets of water can pour down in minutes. Even with an umbrella, you might get soaked and be trailing through ankle deep water.
You can be prepared by wearing fabric that dries quickly. And don’t wear light-colored tops with bright-colored bras.
If you are going to Europe it’s different. You can wear anything and everything in most places. But religious sites all around the world do have restrictions.
Coordinate outfits
Pick a color scheme that works with each other.
A stylist told me years ago to pick four main colors and make sure they mix and match. Here is a good example of a Parisian capsule wardrobe.
From there you can create multiple outfits with those pieces.
I use neutral tones and navy or black as some basics. {Note that in some cultures, colors mean something. Black, white, and red are colors that have meaning for different cultures}
Take a scarf
Scarfs or a pashmina are great essentials in travel.
They can help with multiple things, like covering your shoulders, hair, or legs. They do all of these.
Scarfs can be blanket on the plane, head coverings, arm coverings and even a bathing suit cover-up.
Think about Accessories
Accessorize with intention.
In a modest culture, I will wear small earrings and a necklace. In Europe, I will wear multiple necklaces, earrings with a bracelet.
I will always be mindful of where I am going and who I will be with. If I am doing mission work at an orphanage, no jewelry. I would wear a wedding ring with no engagement ring if I were married.
Let your accessories respect where you are going and who you will be with.
Pack Versatile shoes
I NEVER go anywhere without one pair of closed-toed shoes. Never!
So please always travel with at least one pair of shoes that are closed-toed. You never know what you will be doing, and you want to be prepared.
Disclaimer: I have been on a trip where someone had a strange bug crawl into the foot. It happened on a travel day when we were mostly on the bus. The bus broke down and he got out to help fix it and got the bug wearing travel sandals. He almost died. Don’t worry he is fine now. So take a pair of closed-toed shoes.
Watch where you walk and Step
To be honest, things can crawl up your feet in many countries. So be prepared. If you are going to any place where you will hike, rural or just go for a walk in some countries wear closed-toed shoes.
Here is what I would take to most countries:
Slides or flip flops one pair.
Sneakers that are broken in and are versatile.
Nice pair of shoes no heal or small heel depending, classic pointed toe and closed. Black or neutral
Boots long for winter and short for summer. (I know you might not need boots. But I go to some places that have farms and snakes. So I wear boots. I am also from Texas. And I dislike snakes.) The last time I went to a farm overseas they let me know a python ate the chicken. I will forever wear boots to farms.
Here is a quick recap of how you can prepare and look great.
- Know the customs for dress
- Find out dress code for country
- Dress modestly
- Pack for seasons and weather
- Coordinate outfits
- Take a scarf
- Accessories right for culture and occasions
- Pack versatile shoes
Have a great time getting ready for your next adventure. If you want to learn more about traveling alone as a woman you can check out this post. Here are some related articles as well.
How to stay safe as a woman traveling alone
The Secret to Traveling during the holidays
The Secret to Traveling during the holidays
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