Wardrobe Tips for Long-Term Travelers

One of the obstacles that comes along with traveling for an extended period of time is managing and maintaining your wardrobe. As your activities change with your destinations and the seasons, you can quickly become stranded with a suitcase of inappropriate clothing.

Fortunately, this issue is simple to overcome as long as you observe a few key practices. Keep reading for some insider’s tips on keeping a stylish and functional wardrobe as you travel.

Shop Local

Browsing local shops and markets is undoubtedly one of the best things about traveling. It is always fun to purchase mementos of your trips, and you can make these purchases functional as well as sentimental by buying clothes.

Not only is this a smart way to acquire outfits that are appropriate for the local climate and customs, but it is also a way to carry a piece of the culture with you long after you have left it behind.

Photo by Jim Holmes for AusAID.

Look for International Shippers

If you are putting down temporary roots in a destination and find yourself with specific gaps in your wardrobe, you might decide to shop online for new clothes. However, this is easier said than done, since the stores you are most familiar with may not ship to international locations. This is an excellent opportunity to branch out and try some new merchants on for size.

Opt for a specialty boutique such as www.tobi.com that carries striking styles and ships to countries throughout the world. Not only will you replenish your current wardrobe, but you will also have a new fashion resource when you get home.

Pack Wisely

Sometimes the issue is not that you have the wrong clothes; it is that you do not have a good system for transporting all the clothes you need. When you live out of a bag for a long time, it is easy to become disorganized and overwhelmed. You can make this easier on yourself by using some smart packing strategies.

Whenever possible, choose lighter clothes that can easily be compressed to small sizes. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them can save space and remove excess air from bulkier items.

You can also use suitcase organizers to keep different types of clothing from getting jumbled together in your bag. Be sure to pick a set that is designed to fit the dimensions of the luggage you use.

Rent, Borrow, or Resell

One of the best parts of traveling is getting to participate in activities you would never otherwise have been able to try. Of course, new activities often require new equipment. Whenever possible, try to borrow or rent this equipment instead of buying it. That way, you can avoid having to bring your ice fishing pole from Norway on your trip to the African plains.

If you do end up purchasing clothing or equipment that is inconvenient to travel with, you can either resell it or ship it home, as detailed below.