trip switcher

Fashion Forward

Leave the fanny packs and Hawaiian shirts at home, fellas! While it is advantageous to look like a tourist sometimes, we`ve found that it`s usually best to try and fashionably blend while visiting foreign countries. Doing so will make you less of a target for thieves and swindlers, not to mention it will save any local guide or friend you have some embarrassment if you`re wardrobe is getting a lot of attention. The following are a few tips for fitting in while traveling abroad.

Do the Research

Finding out the clothing customs of the country you are visiting can save you from sticking out like a sore thumb. This may not be something you normally think about when packing for a trip, but keep in mind that some countries do require a specific dress code, for women especially. For example, if wearing a tank top and shorts in Dubai don`t be surprised if you get some stares from the locals, since this is looked upon unfavorably. Doing some research on the Internet or the local library will typically yield results and get you into the right frame of mind, but I`ve found that culture and economy is changing so rapidly that most written material is dated. Keep dates in mind when reading articles and try to only adhere to the newest dates. For example, I read several articles mention that jeans and shorts are not commonplace in China and that the style is business casual, but I`ve personally discovered that this is only true in remote destinations and that wearing jeans and shorts is not that odd. Reading articles on foreign dress is very helpful but try to keep the content new and relevant.

Ask a Local

You can`t get information any more current than simply asking a local. With the Internet as advanced as it is today, you should have no trouble finding a forum or some other kind of service where you can simply ask a local resident few fashion questions. Most websites charge for this service, but it`s free here at tripswitcher.com. Take into consideration the local`s age and the size of the city that they live in to be sure that the styles they mention suit you. For example, while preparing to visit the Mediterranean I read several conflicting stories about swimming with Speedos and how this fashion statement has been giving way to Western influence. Before throwing my board shorts into my suitcase, I made a friend in Athens who assured me that Speedos are here to stay, even with the younger crowds. I made a last minute adjustment and felt very comfortable swimming the Mediterranean. If I had been a foreigner with a Speedo among locals wearing swim trunks, it would have seemed that I`m trying too hard and I would have felt out of place. I also would have felt very uncomfortable if I was the lone person in the sea with board shorts while everyone else wore Speedos. In some situations, your attire can make or break the enjoyment you`ll have during your vacation.

Know the Rules

Find out the dress code for certain events and make sure you have the goods. I trip switched once with a friend in China and she mentioned she would be taking me to the hot springs there. They actually refused to let me in because I was wearing swim shorts and not a Speedo. It didn`t even occur to me to ask. Same with night clubs or dinner events that have a dress code. Know what you will be wearing for all milestone events that you have planned on your vacation and make sure that it fits within the rules.

More than Clothes

The fashion of a foreign country can apply to make-up and accessories as well. During a visit to France, a friend of mine noticed the bolder use of lipstick and blush. While she wouldn`t have donned fire-engine red lipstick in the USA, she loved the way it looked on the streets of Paris. Longer earrings were more commonplace in India than the little studs that my other friend liked wearing. She noticed this and hit the local shops for a longer set and really enjoyed the different look it gave her, not to mention she fit in with the locals a little better as well. Don`t forget that accessories can create a whole different style without too much commitment. You will blend in a little better and it can be fun to try something new.

Don`t Overdo It

Be careful acting too much like a local in your foreign country. It`s sometimes frowned upon when, for example, a foreigner is wearing deep, traditional Chinese or Japanese attire while strolling about town. You have the right idea of altering your style to match the country, but don`t go overboard or else it becomes a mockery. This sense of style ownership can also be found in smaller regions… for example, don`t try looking like a pro surfer if you visit the North Shore in Hawaii unless you have the game to back it up. Just look casual and keep it simple and you wont have any problems.

Pack Light

The best advice I can give you is to simply pack extra light with the expectation of buying clothes in the country you are visiting to fill out your wardrobe. For a week long vacation, I typically pack about 3 days worth of clothing. The clothing I bring is simple and appropriate and I just make sure I squeeze a couple of shopping days into the mix. If all else fails, I can always wash and re-wear the clothes I brought, but packing light definitely gives you the fuel to try other fashions. This works wonders for places that favorable exchange rates like China or India. For example, on a visit to China, my friend there mentioned it would be getting cold and to bring a thick jacket. Being from the desert in Phoenix, I didn`t own a thick jacket and most stores around here had prices ranging from $40 to $200 for something that I would very rarely wear and probably wasn`t the right style for China. So I skipped the jacket. My friend let me borrow his extra jacket for a couple of days until I found one for a mere $8 in a shop downtown. The price was right, the style fit and everyone was happy.

At the end of the day, it`s a good idea to have a feel for acceptable fashions in the country that you are visiting. Packing light and purchasing some local attire is a great way to always look comfortable, without doing a bunch of research. Don`t be afraid to follow the culture with accessories, like jewelry and make-up as well. Mix and match, incorporate some of your own looks with some basic styles from your destination point and you`re sure to have a winning combination.