Traveling is fun, but you know what’s even better? Traveling while looking your absolute best. Exploring the world can reach new heights when we’re rocking an enviable, confident outfit that ensures we’re always looking photogenic for those millions of photos we take when on the road.

Of course, looking stylish while far from home is a bit more challenging than it is when we’re in our usual abode. After all, you won’t automatically have all of your clothes/accessories/makeup with you. It’ll take a bit of planning. We’ve put together some useful tips below that’ll ensure you’re always looking your absolute best, no matter where in the world you’re traveling to. 

Quality Basics

You may have grand plans to hit the town looking like an A-list celebrity, but in practice, the majority of your excursions will require more casual clothing. You don’t need to get all dressed up to hit the attractions or for a day at the beach. In fact, doing so will make things more complicated than they need to be.

The majority of the time, you’ll just be wearing low-key outfits. But remember, those lowkey outfits still offer an opportunity to look the part! You can look great with a top, shorts, and quality footwear — but you can also look pretty bland with that outfit too. In this instance, it’s the quality of the clothing that determines the quality of the outfit. Invest in quality basics, and you’ll have the foundations for looking great throughout your trip. 

Invest in a Few Standout Pieces

With that said, while you’ll probably be content with routine, everyday pieces for the bulk of the time that you’re on the road, you’ll also want to have the option of getting all dressed up and really making a splash. 

For this, you’ll need a few standout pieces. Take a look at adding a few new pieces to your wardrobe before your trip, and then wait until you’re away before wearing them. This won’t only ensure that you have pristine clothing to wear, but it’ll also just give you something else to look forward to. You’ll be excited about your trip regardless, but you’ll be looking forward to it even more when you have great clothing with you.

Dress for the Weather

For this article, we’re assuming that you’re traveling to a warm-weather destination. After all, summer is when most people take their vacations — and plus, it’s the appeal of spending days in the sunshine that leads many people to take trips in the first place.

Still, even though the sun may be shining, that doesn’t mean that you can automatically assume that it’ll be warm round-the-clock. Even the warmest destinations can get chilly after the sun goes down! Look beyond the ‘average high temperature’ for wherever visiting, and find out whether layers are necessary. After all, there aren’t many things that’ll bring down your sense of style than a shivering body. 

What — and How — To Pack

It’s best to pack your luggage in terms of outfits that you’ll wear, though the items you bring should have a degree of versatility that allows you to play around a little. We’d recommend avoiding overpacking since you’ll only end up returning home without having worn most of the clothes anyway. If you find yourself packing with a “what if,” panicked attitude, just remember that you can always buy items while you’re on the road if necessary.

You’ll look a lot more stylish if your clothes aren’t wrinkled. The key to minimizing wrinkles is to roll, rather than fold, the clothing before putting it in your luggage. If you have space, then look at packing a travel iron — the accommodation you stay in might have an iron available, but it won’t be guaranteed. 

Quality Shades and Hats

Great sunglasses and hats don’t just provide an easy way to boost the style of your outfits — they’re also excellent at hiding the effects of jetlag or tiredness. In an ideal world, you’d have a picture-perfect look while you’re on the road, but if you have a long flight, then there’s every chance that your eyes and skin are looking a little tired. But when you’re hiding behind sunglasses and a hat, no one has to know.

You don’t have to spend big bucks on your shades and hat, but it’s best to avoid buying the cheapest options available — as with everything else, low-quality shades/hats will cheapen your look. Plus, they’ll probably be uncomfortable to wear, which is not what you’re going for when you’re on a traveling adventure!

Find a Stylish Yet Practical Bag

If you’re visiting a warm-weather destination, then every aspect of your outfit counts. After all, you won’t be wearing all that much, so everything that’s on display will contribute to your overall aesthetic, including the bag you’re carrying. Investing in a bag that’s stylish yet practical will allow you to elevate your look while also allowing for easy access to your phone, sun lotion, and other essentials. The type of bag you choose will depend on the type of destination you’re visiting. If it’s a cosmopolitan city, then take a look at crossbody bags; if it’s an out-and-out beach destination, then a small straw tote will be the way to go. Whatever it is, make sure it’s cute enough to make a statement but practical enough to be of real value. Remember, you’ll be out and about a lot when you’re traveling, and you’ll need a bag that meets your needs.

Local Fashion

You don’t necessarily need to incorporate local fashion touches into your outfits when you’re on the road, but it can be a lot of fun to do so. 

To do this, simply leave some space in your luggage when you’re packing, and hit the shops when you arrive. In doing so, you won’t just give yourself a look that effortlessly blends in with local life, but you’ll also be giving yourself some quality clothing to wear back home, too. Look at shopping in local, boutique stores for unique pieces that you wouldn’t be able to back home. Depending on where you’re visiting, you might find that you can get quality items at a reasonable price — that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. Mexico, and the far-east, for example. 

Get a Mani-Pedi

Your body is going to be on display more than usual when you’re on vacation. After all, even if you wear summer clothing back home, it’s unlikely that you’re exploring every single day. But when you’re traveling, that is what you’ll be doing. You’ll feel more confident about wearing your outfits — especially your open-toe footwear — if you’ve had a mani-pedi. You can do this back home in the days leading up to your getaway, but you can also think about getting it done when you land. It’s a fun, indulgent activity that can also offer insight into the local culture.

Focus On Your Shoes

And talking of open-toed shoes: building your outfits around your footwear can be an excellent way to ensure that you’re stylish at virtually all times. A golden role of dressing well is to dress from the ground up, the thinking being that if the bottom half of your body is taken care of, then you’re mostly there. On the other hand, wearing the wrong type of shoes can make even the most brilliant of outfits look a little awkward. 

Depending on where you’re going, you might be able to get away with little more than a few pairs of sandals and flats, though be sure to pack at least one pair of sturdier shoes if you know there’ll be days when you put your feet through their paces. 

Play Around With Accessories

Looking for an easy way to make your outfits more interesting? Accessories are your friend. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings can make to an outfit. When in doubt, keep things simple: the accessories should complement your outfit, rather than overpower it. Accessories are also one of the easier, more fun things to buy when you’re in the destination, too — you’ll be supporting the local economy (and, in many cases, independent producers) and you’ll also be picking up a great souvenir to take back home, one that will remind you of your fun adventure every time you wear it. 

Have Fun! 

Finally, remember that while dressing well and looking good might be a priority when you’re traveling, it shouldn’t detract from the amount of fun that you have — in fact, it should add to it. The rules get thrown out of the window when we’re traveling, so why not look at getting a little creative with your outfits? Being far from home is an opportunity to try new looks and experiment with styles that you wouldn’t be brave enough to try back home. If it doesn’t work out, then never mind, but you might just land upon a game-changing look that you’re excited to wear back in your regular life.