At first glance, you may not see the connection between fashion and travel. Travel is about exploration, food, cultures, and getting lost in an unfamiliar world. Fashion, on the other hand, is about clothing, style, making a statement, and standing out. Yet whether you’re a globetrotter or a fashionista, you’ve probably experienced how these two things play off each other.
Fashion and travel are like distant cousins, different but still related. They both influence one another in various ways. If you’re curious about the travel side of fashion or want to know more about the fashion involved in travel, keep reading.
Where is the intersection of travel and fashion?
Fashion and travel don’t only intersect when it comes to a stylish Instagram photo, such as the flying dress photoshoot in Santorini, where women pose in front of whitewashed buildings as their five-foot-long dresses blow in the wind.
There are numerous ways travel and fashion blend like flavors in a vegetable soup.
Culture
One of the most apparent ways fashion is inspired by travel is through culture. From the colorful saris of India to the vibrantly colored prints from Kenya, clothing is a way for cultures to carve out their identity and create traditions.
Because culture crashes with fashion, it’s important to note that fashion inspired by culture treads the line of cultural appropriation. “Any kind of cultural element — be it an embroidery technique or reference imagery — holds a certain value and a story,” resort wear designer Narresh Kukreja of Shivan & Narresh told Travel & Leisure Magazine. “So, when fashion interprets culture, it has to, in some way, uphold the values of that reference as well.”
So, how do you be inspired by another culture’s fashion without being disrespectful? Here are two different ways to embrace cultural fashion.
One way is to embrace fashion that is already a part of your heritage or culture. If you’ve grown up in the United States, you’ve probably felt the societal pressure to fit into the “American style.” Yet your wardrobe doesn’t have to be limited to blue jeans and cowboy boots.
Many celebrities have taken to the red carpet in garments representing their heritage.
- Tiffany Haddish wore a traditional Eritrean dress to the Oscars in 2018 to honor her father from Eritrea.
- Ali Wong wore a traditional Vietnamese dress, an áo dài, to the Time 100 Gala to honor her Vietnamese heritage.
- Kumail Nanjiani wore a Pakistani sherwani by the House of Umar Sayeed to the 2021 premiere of Eternals.
Likewise, you can allow your inspiration from other cultures to influence your fashion decisions by:
- Wearing more bold colors.
- Experimenting with patterns.
- Not abiding by gender-focused fashion.
- Buying clothes from local shops when you travel and supporting local designers.
Inspiration isn’t limited to imitation.
Location and Climate
If you live in a warm country and travel to a country with a colder climate, that’s going to influence how you dress. You may find yourself experimenting with new accessories, mixing and matching boots and scarves because you now have the opportunity to do so.
Raise your hand if you’ve bought five new outfits for a ski trip. Vice versa, if you took a tropical vacation, you’ve probably bought a suitcase full of bikinis and swimsuit wraps to show off at your next destination.
The weather isn’t the only thing that can influence what you wear. Many Muslim countries have laws that restrict women from exposing certain parts of their bodies. While tourists aren’t always expected to abide by these clothing restrictions, following the norm can help you emerge in the culture and try out a new fashion.
Lee Litumbe recommends on her blog that women visit Muslim countries wearing billowing blouses, loosely fitted shirts with breathable fabric, and maxi dresses.
If you want to wear more traditional clothing, Trip Savvy has a list of suggestions on what women travelers in Muslim countries might wear. Lee Litumbe recommends on her blog that women visit Muslim countries wearing billowing blouses, loosely fitted shirts with breathable fabric, and maxi dresses.
If you want to wear more traditional clothing, Trip Savvy suggests items such as a Chador/Burka, Hijab, or a Kamiz.
Remember to check the local laws and cultural norms of the country you’re visiting. Some traditional control is only meant to be worn during certain events or occasions, such as women wearing a Hijab to enter a mosque or Japanese women wearing kimonos for weddings, funerals, and summer events. Whenever dressing in traditional clothing, make sure you understand the meaning and context of why certain clothes are worn.
Convenience
Traveling also allows you to be more relaxed about your style. For example, if you’re planning a backpacking trip, you’ll wear loose-fitting, breathable, and practical clothes. You might live in heels during your regular life but commit to flip-flops all day when on vacation.
There is also a growing trend of people traveling to foreign countries for custom-tailored clothing. On Shannon Kircher’s blog, The Wanderlust Effect, she shares her experience and tips on getting tailored clothes in Hội An, Vietnam. Over the years, the country has become a mecca for tailored or custom-designed clothing at reasonable costs.
Sustainability and going against fast fashion
You’ve probably seen some influencers do these big shopping hauls to prepare for an upcoming trip. While those shopping hauls scream overconsumption, you can be a conscious traveler by intentionally putting together your travel wardrobe. For instance, you can shop for stable pieces if you are trying to pack 20 outfits for a 5-day trip. You can mix and match these articles of clothing with other things. Some staple travel clothing include:
- Breathable T-shirts that are neutral colors such as black, gray, and white.
- Button-down shirts.
- Jeans.
- Leggings.
- Sweatshirt or hoodie.
Why should you care about fashion if you’re a traveler?
Your travels can impact the fashion industry globally. Consider that your clothes had to come from somewhere. Some clothes are made ethically and sustainably, while others are made in sweatshops. Understanding where your clothing comes from and how the production of clothing affects the country you’re visiting is one of the main reasons you should care.
Additionally, what you wear can help continue cultural practices and traditions. It’s a way to share culture with the world.
Lastly, what you wear can help you blend in or stand out. One of the easiest ways to spot a tourist is if they are constantly on their phone and by how they dress. Sometimes, standing out is inevitable; however, if you want to integrate more into the culture, you can start by changing your outfit.
Remember that there are many intersectionalities; travel fashion are among them.
