Why Your Travel Wardrobe Should Still Look Like You
Going through my photos from the trip, I realized I’d made a classic blogger mistake. I didn’t buy a whole new wardrobe before I left. No resort capsule, no matching sets ordered because they’d look good against a temple, no carefully curated “vacation looks” built more for content than for a body that sweats, walks, and has been on a plane for sixteen hours. A proper blogger would have had affiliate links lined up before she cleared customs. I showed up with clothes I already owned. Rookie move.
I packed the way I usually suggest packing: with pieces I already owned, trusted, and knew I’d wear. And then Singapore threw a monkey wrench into my carefully considered plan.
I’d underestimated the heat and humidity. Some pieces worked beautifully. Others felt heavier than expected by mid-afternoon, and “I’ll just wear this again” becomes a more ambitious plan when you’ve been outside for twelve minutes, and your linen shirt is plastered to your back.
So I did a tiny bit of local shopping. Not to become someone else, and not to dress like a fantasy version of Southeast Asia, but to fill the gaps my suitcase exposed. A lighter piece here, something breezier there. Small adjustments that helped me function better in the climate while still looking like me.
There’s a difference between buying something because a trip revealed a real wardrobe gap and buying a whole new wardrobe because you think travel requires a different version of yourself.
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WEARING – BUCKET HAT / TOMMY BAHAMA SHORTS / SEERSUCKER SHIRT / WAIST BAG
Travel Style Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Where You Are
Most of us don’t want to look wildly out of place when we travel. But there’s a difference between taking cues from a destination and packing for an imaginary version of yourself.
In Paris, that might mean cleaner lines, darker neutrals, and comfortable shoes that still look polished. In Singapore, it meant lighter fabrics, sleeveless tops, and accepting that humidity has a way of editing your standards before breakfast.
WEARING – RAFFIA HAT / QUINCE LINEN PANTS / SIMILAR TEE
The goal isn’t to look like a local, because locals don’t all dress alike. The goal is to look like you understood where you were going and still packed for the body, the feet, the preferences, and the life you actually have.
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Why The Wrong Clothes Can Derail The Whole Day
We’ve all experienced this. A dress that won’t stay put means you spend the day tugging at it. The wrong shoes turn a lovely museum afternoon into a study in personal regret. Travel makes this even more obvious because we’re already slightly out of our routines.
That’s where travel wardrobes go sideways. We pack for the fantasy itinerary, the fantasy climate, or the fantasy woman who never sweats, never needs arch support, and looks serene after a long haul flight. I have yet to meet her, but I admire her from a safe distance.
The better question isn’t “what would a stylish woman wear there?” It’s “what would help me feel appropriate and prepared for where I am, while still working for my body, my feet, and my actual day?”
The best travel wardrobe isn’t the one that looks most like a vacation. It’s the one that still looks like you.
Do you buy new clothes before you travel, or do you pack what you already own? I’d love to know in the comments.
On my most recent trip to Scotland I packed clothes I already owned. It is a chilly climate so layers really helped. But on a trip to SE Asia I packed some light weight pants that were new. I did not pack any skirts which was bad. I could not imagine how hot and humid it was before I got there. I needed more dresses and sleeveless tops!
SE Asia is an entirely different sort of heat.
My vacation wardrobe actually consists of appropriate pieces from my regular wardrobe. The only trip I took that I had made or bought all new clothes for (with the exception of my shoes) was 2017’s trip to the UK and westbound transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary II. I wasn’t going to wear brand new shoes for 3 days sightseeing in London and the 8 days aboard ship. I am still using most of those outfits today. In fact, I’m going to wear one of the formal gowns for a special event in 2 weeks.
I pack about 80 percent already own; 20 percent new for new location.
Looks like you had a fantastic time, despite the weather! Last year for our trip down the Nile and extension in Jordan in late April into May, I bought ahead several long sleeved shirts with UV protection. Those, with an adequate sun hat and long linen and gauze pants served me well on our daily pyramid and temple jaunts. We were so lucky to be able to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) before its grand opening and Jordan’s Petra was a place we’ll never forget. We feel so fortunate to have the financial means and physical ability to travel still.
What an amazing trip Mary!!
You and your readers always give the best advice! My challenge is I live in a mild climate so don’t have many hot weather clothes. I often find something to wear while on the trip. The night before I left on a recent trip to the Netherlands, I found the perfect pair of knit jeans at J Jill‘s. They were so comfortable on the long overnight flight and I wore them most days on my trip. They were nice enough for evenings so I never wore the nice slacks I brought for those occasions.
They sound fabulous. I love my JJill knit jeans. I’ve hade them for years.
All great travel tips! You dressed perfectly for your trip. Exactly how I think we should pack and think about our clothes even if, in my case, we want to look like a picture from a magazine. LOL!
Last fall I travelled to Greece with a group and one of the women had 2 suitcases full of clothes she’d bought on line – and never even tried on! Half way through the trip she was giving clothes away.
I took mostly separates for the trip and everything went with everything. My one medium sized suitcase weighed 35 pounds and I had plenty of clothes for two weeks away, plus room to bring home new things! I’m going to Spain this coming fall and I plan to do exactly the same!
You looked gorgeous in all of your outfits! I love how the wrap you purchased in Singapore matched your dress so perfectly!
That was a lucky fluke.
I pack what I know fits etc. on our last cruise to the Mexican Riveria my only unworn thing at the end was 1 white tshirt. When we were in line in customs my husband mentioned, after seeing the number of suitcases many women had, he was glad I was not an overpacker lol. Especially since he schleps most of it!! Your trip sounds amazing!!
Much to love here! Tommy Bahama blue dress is so cute on you! Blue is my favorite color. Also like the bucket hat! Those Quine linen pants are right up my alley. Thanks for sharing these wonderful looks.
I always put my destination on my weather app a month before leaving. It helps with wardrobe decisions. Since I live in South Florida, I have a wardrobe for hot and humid weather , lots of linen from Quince. I have bought clothing (Quince cashmere) for colder destinations, and I keep this clothing stored in a bin. I agree I like to wear what I own.
Absolutely brillant post! In the past, I bought new for vacation. Now that I have gone to Europe many times and overhauled my wardrobe, I pack what I own. I try to only buy clothes in Europe. Fabrics are much nicer and cheaper. As a very petite woman, clothes in Italy I don’t need a tailor for.
That would be a dream to only buy clothes in Europe. You must have unique pieces.
Thanks Jennifer for another thought provoking You have made so many good points about our travel wardrobes and also staying true to our authentic selves. I don’t know who these women are either. I definitely don’t feel my best and look haggard after a 16 hour flight. Maybe I need to try a matching set! 😆 The past few years I have built a wardrobe so I try not to buy anything new or limit to one piece. I like the possibility of buying something in my travels. A few years ago I spent a miserable hot and humid Christmas in Sydney (we have family there) where I wore a black sheer dress thinking it would be chic and cooling and I was absolutely miserable, sweaty and so uncomfortable. (Also left my purse in an Uber, that was returned, a story for another day). Almost threw the $#!% dress away! Gave it to a friend when I returned.
You’re so lucky to get your purse back.
I live in Florida, and wish more bloggers dealt with clothing that works in extreme heat and humidity. When they talk about third layers, I want to weep. It is difficult to find flattering outfits when every day is over 90 with high humidity! Glad you found a few workable pieces!
I’ve always loved the excitement of something new to wear as representative of the excitement of the trip. You definitely have me rethinking this practice. We go to Norway in winter 2027. I’ve been stressing about outerwear, and will be applying what you wrote to my thoughts for that trip. Thanks for a great blog today.
I do love having new things too. Have a great trip.
Hi Jennifer,
I am living vicariously through you and your travels!!
This question is off topic but I was wondering if you are familiar with Tommy Bahama shoes? Specifically, the Andre’ Assous Neveah Stretch Wedges? I am looking for a shoe with a little bit of a heel or wedge but that is comfortable. A shoe that will look good with a long dress for a cruise. The problem is with the heat and then by the evening my feel swell. I can no longer wear the cute strappy sandals or pumps. I have purchased so many shoes that just don’t work.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
I have not tried those shoes, sorry. I totally relate to your foot swelling issue. I relied on flats or low wedges.
I love to travel and spend time thinking about my wardrobe. Nonetheless, many times I have ended up not prepared for the climate I’ve traveled to. We leave for Scotland soon. I’ve heard we should bring layers and waterproof shoes and outer layers. I very much liked your solution of buying something in Singapore. You may never wear it at home, who knows, but it was perfect for the trip.
This was a timely blog post. I’m getting ready to go on a cruise to Bermuda for our 50th wedding anniversary. We went there on our honeymoon. I’m packing things from my closet. It will be cooler than in gulf coast Florida where I live but I think my linen and cotton pieces will do just fine. I did buy one new item – a pair of cotton gauze pants to wear on the plane. They feel like pajamas but look nice.
In the past, I always packed what I already owned, but on my two most recent trips I did buy some new clothes. I had my wardrobe planned for a European summer (Aug/Sept), dresses and skirts, but a last minute check of the weather forecast rain (every day in Paris). I bought a very light weight pair of trousers (to wear back with a puffy vest) and a matching set of silky trousers and shirt – which I wore when travelling between cities. Comfort takes priority these days
I have 2 daughters and they both live in Europe,one in London and one in Brussels. I usually take what I own and sometimes buy a few new pieces. I am into layering pieces as the weather in both places can be unpredictable. I have found that the Talbots Tees with 3/4 sleeves with cotton/spandex combo are perfect for any weather and I layer Chicos Zenergy 3/4 zip pullovers,over the tees when it is cold. A light weight jean or crop works well also(J.Jill,Talbots).☺️