Why you should wear your most fabulous clothes on holidays

We’ve all heard it, the seemingly simple but conveniently shallow self-help quip: be yourself. I mean, yeah, being yourself is great. But have you ever tried being someone completely different?! Well, perhaps not completely, but I am an advocate for exploring different sides of yourself, trying on different personas and seeing what sticks. 

If you’re like me, you like getting dressed. Unless you have the Karl Lagerfeld/ Steve Jobs/ Winnie the Pooh mindset of wearing the same outfit every day, you understand the joy in the ritual of shoving your meat sacks into cloth tubes. Of course, not every day is opportune to go truly wild with the wardrobe…unless you’re on HOLIDAY!!!! 

If you are, in fact, on holiday right now I’d like to firstly extend my congratulations. You’ve read the headline so I’m sure you know what I’m about to say: this is your time to shine. I truly believe that being away from home is the perfect time to get weird and get funky with your outfits. It’s less about getting #goals content, more about exploring the sides of you that maybe don’t get a chance to peek out in the day-to-day. Now, I do realise there are trips where “a toothbrush and clean knickers are all I need, hehe!” That’s great, have fun camping. We’re talking city breaks, we’re talking girls weekends, and we’re talking the mecca of holiday dressing: Euro trips.

Play the part

It’s fun to stand out, but want to know what else is fun? Blending in. Ever been asked for directions in Stockholm? You’ve just been paid one of the highest compliments, it means you’re blending in as a Scandi-girl. People-watching is one of the most insightful parts of travel, and outfits can communicate an entire way of life.

While I may never be a Cali-girl, to cultivate an appreciation of cut-off denim is a sign of respect. While I may never be a Kensington girl, I will embrace a double-breasted coat with vigour. And while I may not be a Scandi-girl, I can bloody well try!!!

Playing the part is less about being a fly on the wall and more about trying on a different life. You’re not doing it to fit in,  you’re doing it to explore a different version of yourself.

Do it anonymously

An advantage of holiday dressing is you’re not likely to run into people you know. Unless you’re prone to an OOTD mirror selfie, that outfit experiment is your little secret. I personally started exploring holiday dressing as a teenager on family road trips to Canberra. While the trips weren’t exotic, I found pit stops at the Sutton Forrest Maccas the prime location to get expressive with my clothes. Sure, Mum may have had some hideous yet constructive feedback on certain ensembles, but I didn’t care as it was merely a trial run.

We all have those lewks waiting patiently in our wardobe that just never seem to make the final cut. Vacation is the perfect time to try them out, because who gives a shit you know?!

Return home a changed woman

Now, here’s where the wisdom comes in. Holiday dressing is more than just looking fabulous (though that itself is enough of a reason), it is a chance to give free reign to your utmost impulses. By letting yourself get a bit freaky in a new place, you’re giving yourself permission to fully express yourself. We all know the effect a certain pair of power pants can have on how we strut down the street, and holiday dressing is about exploring and harnessing that sass.

Heck, it’s not about ditching your uniform or deserting your roots (dw Pooh Bear, you’re safe), rather having a bit of (dare I say it) fun. So, next time you book a flight make sure you include luggage- those cowboy boots are an essential item.

WARNING:

This post comes with an official caution: Holiday Dressing™ is not the same as Holiday Shopping™. The latter poses extreme risk of buying weird shit you’ll never wear again. No, you won’t wear that crocheted dress back in the city, and faux fur ear muffs are neither comfortable nor wearable.