I’m going to be writing a few travel blogs to give me hope that I might travel sometime after the next 6-8 months. Over the last few years, I’ve tried to sneak in as much travel as my corporate job would let me. I really hoped that 2020 would be the year that I’d take some time off from my corporate job to wander around a little bit but unfortunately due to covid-19, I’ve had to put a pause on those plans. But here’s hoping the world environment heals with this break it’s getting from us humans and our irresponsible ways.

I thought I’ll start the travel series with a blog combining two of my favourite topics travel and fashion! For the longest time, while travelling my outfit preference used to be anything comfortable. Comfortable for me means – sports/walking shoes + shorts/leggings/cotton pants + weather appropriate top wear. But more recently, I’ve started enjoying photographing myself in all these beautiful places I visit. I realised that outfits play a role in adding that extra wow to your travel photos and started experimenting with my travel outfits. In the beginning it was a little disastrous. I wore a maxi skirt to explore the temples of Angkor (Cambodia) in 35degree humid weather. Add to it the crazy number of steps we had to climb and the crazy amount of kms we had to walk – I legit hated myself that day.

So after a lot of experimenting, I finally have some must haves which ofcourse vary according to the weather of the place you’re visiting. If you’re like me and like looking stylish while travelling but with minimal effort and minimal baggage, keep reading on. Here’s my must haves list –

• Walking shoes – ofcourse if you’re off to a beach vacation, walking shoes aren’t important and you can skip them. But if you’re someone who really likes exploring places then walking shoes is a must have. Definitely throw in a pair of sandals in your luggage for the days when you’re just chilling. But don’t skimp on a good pair of walking shoes!

• Denim skirt (of your preferred length) – denim skirts are so versatile – they can be worn in summers, on the beach and in winters with leggings below. I bought one for my Spain trip. For 5-6 days out of the 13 day trip, I wore the skirt with different tops and accessories that made it a brand new outfit. It reduces the need to carry extra lowers and goes with everything.

• Basic white & black tee – these two are basics that everyone has in their wardrobe. The best part is that you can throw them over a dress and make it look like a tee-skirt outfit or throw it under a spaghetti top/dress to change the look of the outfit. These two help reduce the need to carry a lot of clothes.

• Midi dress – I love maxi dresses more than I love midi dresses but they’re impossible to walk around/climb stairs in. If it’s summer, by noon it’s usually too warm for a maxi dress. On the contrary a nice midi dress is definitely more comfortable to go exploring a new place in and is stylish as well. You can throw them over your swimwear for the beach! Again with a sleeveless/spaghetti midi – a white/black tee can be used to create another outfit.

• Accessories – women have so many accessory options to pair with their outfits. Accessories are the easiest way to repeat outfits but make them look different. You could wear the same dress – with or without a chunky belt and change the look of the outfit. My recommended accessories are – 1. Chunky large belt 2. Earrings 3. Hair accessories 4. Sunglasses. These don’t take up a lot of space in your luggage and can totally change how your outfit looks!

These are my basic must haves for travel which are comfortable yet make you feel extremely fashionable. Ofcourse for winters I’d also throw in a good jacket that goes with everything – preferably a denim/black/nude coloured jacket.

Do you like travelling? What are some of your favourite travel outfits? Do you prefer your outfits to be comfortable or fashionable or both?

Stay safe! And fingers crossed, we’ll be able to travel again – soon! ❤️