When it comes to globetrotting with a backpack, staying fashionable can seem like a huge mountain to climb. How many pairs of tees and formal shirts do you need to carry? How do you pack the variety of shoes you want to take along? And how can you maintain your style and appeal when you’re on a sweaty, crowded train for a couple of days?
Fortunately, there are some do’s and don’ts of backpacking fashion you could follow to stay “Insta-worthy” during your entire journey. Let’s take a look at some of the most practical fashion tips below:
Do pack a jumpsuit and maxi
It makes more sense to wear a playsuit or a jumpsuit if you’re going to be out during the daytime. They come in various prints and colors and can be snazzed up with ease for a Saturday night. If a jumpsuit isn’t your thing, though, go for a ‘tunic-kaftan’ cloth – you can easily wear it above leggings. Another option is to go for a maxi shirt in tube-style, which can also be whizzed into a shawl. The maxi would also come in handy when you have to wait for your flight at the airport; it doesn’t constrict the wearer, particularly when they need to hustle.
Of course, loose clothing isn’t going to help you much while climbing challenging routes. The maxi or jumpsuit should be just for those times when you want to relax, enjoy your surroundings, and take an Insta-worthy click for your loyal followers. Here’s one that you can easily slip on and customize with accessories:
This wide-legged pant is close enough to a palazzo, but still fitting enough for easy movement. It has all the right material in its composition, including nylon, spandex, and rayon. The fit will go easy on your curves, making you look your best for every click. We don’t like the faux pockets here, but a pocketed shirt or jacket should make up for this lacking.
You’ll find the fabric here polished and smooth, but the weight is still substantial enough to protect you from the elements What’s even better is that you can also use these for work and everyday wear when you get back from your trip.
DON’T wear shoes that need a lace-up
Granted, these lace-up sandals look pretty, but they aren’t convenient for walking around. They also won’t hold up well when you’re in a queue. You’ll have to remove and untie them when passing through security, and then wear and tie them up again after you’ve passed the screening.
A more ideal option while backpacking would be a cute pair of slip-ons, heels, sneakers or zip-up booties. The kind of shoes you end up choosing will depend on the level of activity expected on your trip (and the space in your luggage). These would also be perfect for making a run when you’re late for a flight (think being a little more like Blake Lively and a less like Paris Hilton). If you still want to don shoes with a pair of laces because it’s just your style (we won’t judge), then tie them up in a less crowded place after you’ve passed security to avoid creating a disturbance.
When you’re moving about and simply don’t have time for laces, slip-on sneakers are both fashionable and practical choices. Check out these if you’re confused about what to get:
Keds is a well-known name when it comes to sturdy, everyday shoes that can take a lot of activity. It’s therefore not surprising that this brand will also be excellent for a backpacking trip.
You can order a pair of these in several fun colors or any neutral shade you like. The rubber sole and laceless vamp will make sure that you have a safe, enjoyable experience when at the airport or out of doors. According to several reviews, these have a comfy, soft fit and won’t wear out even if you use them daily.
DO make use of accessories
Accessories have the charisma and strength to add class to any basic ensemble. If you want to appear effortlessly chic while backpacking, you can add the right pair of ornamentations to dress up whatever outfit you’re wearing. Hats, scarves, bracelets, watches, and statement necklaces are just a few things you can wear to increase the sophisticated factor in your overall style without coming off as style-desperate.
You might also want to save space while choosing accessories, so we suggest looking for items with a dual purpose. This adorable fanny pack is just one example; it can pull an outfit together and also hold your essentials in one accessible place:
While a chunky belt might be a no-no when backpacking, this fanny pack will provide a similar experience along with a practical purpose. It’ll come in handy when you want to keep your hands free and will also ensure that your phone, money, and other essentials stay safe. This waterproof and lightweight fanny pack was specially made for hiking, camping, and running activities, so we can bet it’ll hold up against any rough usage.
This fanny pack is also innovative as it has a headphone jack attached to it. You’ll have to use the space wisely, though, as their design is a tad on the slim side.
DON’T buy a heavy belt or fabrics that wrinkle
Though we’re not condoning pajama pants or items that require a string to be held up, one item that we suggest avoiding is a heavy belt. It’d get uncomfortable and tight when you add more items to your backpack during your journey. Additionally, we strictly recommend you to not spend your hard-earned dollars on wrinkled items; avoid fabrics that easily wrinkle. You won’t have much time for ironing while trotting the globe!
Go for things like velvet, rayon, and polyester blends, but avoid accessories and clothing made out of linen. Fabrics that stretch can be a great choice, and so are items with prints as wrinkles are less visible on them. This T-shirt will be a good choice for layering when you’re on the go, while still retaining a fashionable look:
This T-shirt is just what you need for wearing as a first layer next to your skin. It won’t heat you up too much, but is thick enough for wearing on its own. The fabric here is mostly polyester, with about 5 percent spandex. This results in a stretchy, flexible fabric that will keep you mobile in all situations.
Whether you get caught in the rain or break a sweat while on your backpacking tour, this short will dry off quite easily. When you’re on the go, little conveniences like these absolutely matter. The cut also makes for a flattering fit, so you don’t have to worry much about those bulges when snapping a picture.
DO take layers into consideration
Backpacking will make you travel through a lot of different temperatures. It could be hot or cold in your hostel, depending on how near your bed is to the windows or the climate outside. As a result, layered clothing will work wonders in the realm of both comfort and style. You could be a backpacking fashionista by wearing a leather jacket or a cardigan over a top created with breathable, lightweight material like rayon, chambray, or cotton.
Surprisingly, another great pick silk – it can keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather. In addition to this, backpackers can also experiment with layering body armor over their outfit just in case they have to go sideways with their default plan. Along with the short we’ve covered above, this jacket should provide a classy, elegant look for any backpacker:
This lined waterproof raincoat is the perfect choice for layering on top of your clothes. It comes in a variety of colors and even a few prints. With the zippered closure and the convenient pockets, this jacket is a logical choice for any backpacker, hiker, or traveler.
We especially like the fact that the jacket is light enough to serve for autumn and spring, even mild winters. The lightweight material makes this a worry-free addition to your backpacking prep. According to those who’ve used this jacket, it will even protect you from the light rain if you don’t have an umbrella.
DON’T torture your feet with heels
Heels could make you look like a part of the Victoria’s Secret model lineup, but when you’re going on a backpacking trip, the only runway you’d be encountering is the one that your flight takes off from. Slip-ons and low-heel sandals will perfectly mesh with your low-key attire, so don’t bring a pair of heels to torture your feet.
We recommend heels just for those who feel really comfortable in them. But if you’re imagining yourself being a little dicey with wearing narrow, tall heels, it’s best to keep the stilettos for another time and err with caution on this specific journey. These adorable sandals will make for easy walking and look great in every picture to boot:
If you’re backpacking in the summer and can’t really see the point of sneakers, these sandals should be a practical alternative. They have a wedge heel, which should give you that needed support while still keep you safe. You’ll find them suitable for the outdoors as well as for enjoying your leisure time.
DO pack pocketed clothes
When navigating through areas like the train station, you’d want to keep stuff like your ID and passport easily accessible. However, tucking these away in your purse that’s lying under some corner of your bag (that too under a neck pillow) is something you’d want to avoid.
That’s why it is a viable measure to pack clothing with pockets. A few fashionable picks would be an oversized, vintage denim coat, pocketed trousers, or a pair of pants (palazzo being the trend). Check out this option for starters:
This wide-legged option has a pull-on closure design, with mostly polyester in its fabric. The 5 percent spandex makes sure you have a comfy, stretchy fit as required. The two deep side pockets are perhaps the best feature here, as you can keep quite a lot on your person and keep everything accessible.
We have adjustable straps here, along with machine washable fabric that’s also lightweight. However, the material is quite thin, so make sure that your activities aren’t too strenuous with these on.
Wrap Up
Keep things real! Take a few snaps of yourself in front of the mirror looking like a stylish backpacker and post them on your Instagram to show others that it’s really possible to backpack in style. At the same time, it’s also important to pack items that are relevant to where you’re traveling. For instance, you want to make sure that you dress right for backpacking in Southeast Asia.
That’s it from our end. What backpacking fashion essentials do you think can be added to the above list? We’d love to hear from you.