Let’s face it, we all have those days when you’re at your work desk looking for tropical getaways while occasionally scanning your boss’ location. Good for you. We should all treat ourselves to a vacation every now and then. So you find the right dates, book the trip, and you’re all ready to go!
Wait, there’s that part about packing too… ugh, time to pit your clothes in a Hunger Games-style tournament to see which ones get to travel with you. Wait, you don’t have to do that? Of course not! We here at Kinowear will teach you how to dress like the locals wherever you plan to travel. No one wants to stick out like a sore thumb.
Being ID’d as a tourist makes you a target for scammers and even some locals treating you with hostility as they may think you’re invading their territory. As the odd Brit might say, “Bloody tourists”. So do try to blend in, yes? If, for some divine reason, you want to blatantly show that you are a tourist, just pack the “Tourist Dad” uniform: Socks and sandals, bucket hat, and fanny pack. Just a disclaimer, if you ever believe that the “Tourist Dad” look is acceptable for any situation, you shouldn’t be allowed to travel. Ever.
USA
Cowboy hats, board shorts, basketball jerseys, oh my! America’s style varies drastically from postal code to postal code. Instead of packing an outfit for each of the fifty states, bring clothing that’s universally acceptable. A white collared shirt, the safest pick for a top, followed with a navy sports jacket, which is another safe pick. Khakis or jeans for bottoms, depending on your preference, finished with a pair of cigar Oxfords. In essence, it’s a dressed-down business look. You’re not dressing for Wall Street, but you’ll still look sharp enough to walk among the wolves.
Now the trick is to shuffle the items according to your destination: A locale such as New York or Las Vegas, which possess a high fashion repertoire, will require every item from that ensemble. A more casual location such as Miami or Los Angeles can allow you to ditch the sports jacket and the socks for a laid back suave. The versatility of the pieces selected will have you blend into any American location without fail. If there’s one thing Americans like more than freedom… it’s a well-dressed man.
Latin America
A Caribbean flair trickles down from the islands to the mainlands of Latin America. Welcome yourself into Hispanic culture with a slew of brightly colored attire and fiery dance moves. Breathable clothing is ideal in this weather, so pack linen shirts in corals, limes, and turquoises. Cotton trousers such as chinos will be a fine pairing with your shirts and should be navy, beige, or white. Sandals are only allowed at the beach and by the pool. Suede bucks or boat shoes should be the only other footwear you should have. Can the shoes save you on the dance floor? That’s up for you and your hips to decide. Loosen up, you’re on vacation! The cherry on top of this outfit is a straw fedora elevating your style as high as the searing hot temperatures of the South. They are quite travel-friendly as well since they can be rolled up and stored tightly into your luggage. Buenos Dias!
Europe
Undoubtedly, the most difficult location to dress well for, Europe prioritizes style above all else, which is a challenge if you plan to pack lightly. You don’t need a Masters in International Relations to know that the Europeans are at the forefront in fashion. That means, if you don’t bring your A-game, even for just a short stay, you’ll be left in the dust. Start with collars: Polos, faux collar and normal collar shirts are globally accepted as a respectable top. Although Europe is a fashion mecca, keep things simple, OK? No mink fur scarves or any of that business. Same applies to the pants: A solid colour pair of dress pants to keep things classy. Finally, either a pair of driving shoes like Tod’s or monk strap dress shoes will finish things off. And bring a tie. I know. I know. It’s not a business trip, but you’ll be set to the lions in a city like Milan if you don’t look properly dapper. Plus, it’ll grab the attention of some cute locals as well.
Africa
Due to some of the extreme conditions of the continent, a trip to Africa requires functionality to be of utmost importance. Pick as many light colours as possible, especially white to absorb as little heat as possible. Hit up Costco and find the biggest pack of cotton short-sleeve shirts they have. Bucket hats are acceptable in this case because of their ability to cover all corners of your head. Baseball caps would leave your neck exposed to instant sunburn under the African sun. Cargo shorts would be a smart choice for bottoms as their plethora of pockets allows you to store all the necessary nick-knacks for travel. Footwear should be trail shoes or boots for their rugged durability and fantastic tread at the bottom. Buy all the sunscreen at your nearest pharmacy. Every bottle. If they sell it in tubs, even better. Soak yourself in that SPF goodness for three days before departure and maybe, just MAYBE, you can return with just a tan. In all seriousness, we know it’s a tedious amount of preparation, but we dare you to find a more exhilarating way to experience the best wildlife nature has to offer.
Australia
G’day mate! The Aussie vibe is reminiscent of SoCal so bring on the comfort and cool that you crave on a fun-and-sun vacation. Assuming you’re heading to the beach every day, which in Australia is not a surprise, swim trunks are a must. Pick one that suits your style, whether they are all-black or Hawaii-printed, just make sure they’re cut off highest at the mid-thigh. Active wear such as tank tops, shorts, and running shoes are also fantastic selections to bring along with you. Bucket hats are optional, but you can get away with enough sunscreen and a pair of slick shades. Simple, cool, and carefree, just like the Australian way.
Asia
Fashion trends in Asia are a deck of cards shuffled daily and the one drawn is the hot topic for the day. Monday’s headliner can be a pair of snakeskin loafers followed by a gold-dipped sweater on Tuesday. But one rule remains in all the madness: The crazier the better. Now, loud statement pieces won’t get you immediate entry into Asia, but it sure helps build your street cred. We know, not every Average Joe can afford a blinged-out wardrobe, but you can still make a statement with a nice pair of jeans (distressed would be nice but no need to push it), a distinguished pair of sneakers such as Nike or Adidas, and a top with a cool graphic on it. Asians LOVE branding so the more recognizable the brand of your clothing is, the better for you. Like many places, the locals will judge you heavily based on what you wear..so dress for the treatment you would like to receive. Happy travels!
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