Have you gotten tired of staying indoors due to COVID-19? If you’re like most other people living through this global pandemic, the answer is likely, “Yes!” As such, you may be thinking of how to go about planning future excursions and trips, whether they’re short weekend getaways or long jaunts into the rustic countryside. While it’s fun to daydream about the future, with many vaccine trials illustrating serious efficacy, the trip of your dreams might be closer than you’d anticipated. If that’s the case, it might be time to start working towards making those dreams more of a reality by starting to plan for your future travels.
One thing that many travelers forget to think about when they’re planning an excursion is what they’re going to wear. Especially if you’re planning on taking a few trips to different countries or climates, this sort of thinking is a little bit more important to consider. In some destinations, it’s important to have clothing that you can wear in layers as you hike through various locales, whereas other cities require warmer clothing in the winter months (or cooler clothes in the summer). In some travel situations, you may even find yourself hitting up multiple countries on your trip, which could necessitate packing a broader array of clothing options. In any case, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you plan your outfits for extensive travel in 2021 and beyond.
1. Consider the activities you’re going to be partaking in each day.
As you work on your itinerary, it’s a good idea to consider what outfits you’re planning on wearing, too. After all, if your itinerary calls for snorkeling off the coast of Costa Rica for most of the day, followed by a romantic dinner, you may need to plan on two separate outfits or have a way to get back to your hotel after you snorkel. While having to change outfits a few times a day isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can put a dent into how many other activities you plan on partaking in each day. As such, it’s a good idea to think about what you want to fit into your itinerary, and then find ways to ensure that you have an outfit that works for different activities stacked together.
For example, maybe you can’t wait to get out of New York and head to a Munich art museum to check out the different exhibits. There are a few different questions you may want to think about as you consider your art museum outfit. For example, if you’re generally a casual dresser and don’t plan on taking a lot of selfies in front of famous pieces of contemporary art or sculptures in the art museum, you may be able to fit this activity along with pretty much any other options on your itinerary that don’t involve bathing suits. On the other hand, if you know that there are famous works in the art museum’s permanent exhibition that you definitely want to look great in front of, it may make more sense to plan to dress up a bit more.
Consider adding a nicer dinner for the evening on the same day you’re heading to check out the artwork at the Alte Pinakothek, Museum Brandhorst, or Pinakothek der Moderne and you won’t have to think twice about a trip back to your hotel or Airbnb to change clothes before or after the meal. With so many impressive artists like Monet and Rembrandt featured in many of Munich’s art museums, you’ll be sure to have some conversation starters over dinner.
2. Do some research on the climate.
Weather is another major factor to keep in mind as you plan your clothing for traveling. Different travelers have different tastes and comfort levels when it comes to traveling. However, functionality is still near the top of most people’s lists. For example, if you’re planning to hike through the woods or mountains, it’s a good idea to have long sleeve shirts and bottoms so you won’t have to worry about bugs and poisonous plants as much.
On the other hand, if you’re headed to Australia to enjoy the beaches and Great Barrier Reef, you’ll definitely want to have a few different swimsuits on hand. Some climates are rainier than others, too, so don’t be afraid to talk to the locals if you need some extra advice on what to wear for the day.
While functional clothing is certainly important on your travels, the fit is just as critical to consider. After all, if you’re not comfortable on your vacation, it really isn’t much of a vacation. Finding petite clothing that makes you look and feel great can thus be a great investment rather than spending money on clothing that will just feel baggy or get in the way. Especially if you’re planning to have a few nice meals or do anything active during your travels, having a pair of pants and a shirt that truly fit (and flatter) your body can make a big difference in how much fun you have on vacation. Don’t settle for something that doesn’t truly fit you—purchase petite jeans or plus-size clothing if it’ll really make a difference.
3. Plan for special occasions or date nights.
Sometimes your travels are planned around a specific event, such as a wedding or bachelor party. Unique bachelorette parties, known as hen parties, are also becoming more and more popular, often with a destination in mind, too. As such, you’ll want to make sure that you’re wearing something that helps you feel like you look great in a big group next to the bride and maid of honour that’s also appropriate for the locale. For example, if you’ve planned a hen party in Portugal on a boat, you’ll want to have a different outfit than if you’re out dancing in the city.
Boat parties can be a ton of fun but a little tricky to dress for, so really give it some thought as you plan how to accentuate your bathing suit while still having some form of swimwear cover-up for if the temperature drops in the evening. The benefit of a boat tour, of course, is that you may not need to worry about bottoms at all, since nobody’s going to judge you for showing off your legs while you’re on a boat and have spent time in the water anyway. That being said, it may not be a bad idea to talk to other girls attending your hen party in order to determine how to keep things classy and functional.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to keep in mind as you plan your trip. While some outfits you choose to pack in your luggage may come down to personal taste, it goes without saying that you don’t want to pack too many cocktail dresses if you’re not going to be going to many formal events on your travels. By considering the activities you’ll be enjoying each day, planning ahead for special occasions, and doing some research about the climate and weather, you’ll be much better prepared for each destination. As a result, you’ll be sure to have an incredible vacation, whether you’re hitting up a gallery in New York, taking an interstate road trip across the United States, or finding the best places to get a drink in Bavaria.