Backpacker Chic

We’ve all seen them. Hell, we’ve all been them. Same pair of Columbia or equivalent hiking pants day after day with a t-shirt you washed in the sink. Backpacking sure isn’t glamorous, but who says we have to look like slobs? I’ve found that it is possible to look cute when traveling with the help of cheap stores like Forever 21, H&M and Topshop and fabrics that don’t wrinkle or dry quickly. I’ve made some embarrassing fashion choices while traveling, but I think by now I finally have got the hang of it. Note: This post is geared more towards girls (because what do I know about mens clothing) and summer clothing, which is now on sale! Time to make a trip to the Southern Hemisphere for another summer. Potential winter post forthcoming.

Must Have Items

Little Black Dress

Cotton is preferable because you can just throw it in your bag. This one from Forever 21 ($12. 90) is great because it can be dressed up or down with something as simple as a belt. If you needed to you could also wear it with leggings or tights. I have a ton of these, my favorites being a v-neck style from Ann Taylor Loft and a spaghetti strapped one from Gap. I have worn them on airplanes (very little place to hide things, but security searches me anyway) or out to bars.

Skinny Jeans

Jeans may take up a lot of room in your backpack, but you should pack at least one pair. Skinny jeans (Forever 21, $19.80) are the most versatile, even those God awful jeggings things. I prefer dark wash because they look more professional. I didn’t bring any on a trip to Italy in 2006 (it was in May, why would I?) and they had an unexpected cold front. I had to buy a pair in Siena because I was freezing my ass off in my cute little sundresses. I wore them for years afterwards.

Leggings

Shorts

Always a safe bet for summer travels, I packed one pair of black shorts and one pair of black athletic shorts. Had I planned ahead a little more, I would have either added or substituted a pair of jean shorts since they go with more. I just bought the above pair for $10 at TJ Maxx, another favorite store of mine. Don’t mind the awkward dressing room photo or unflattering top. They’re light wash and have holes in them (a little trashier than my usual taste) but I had an outfit in mind when I bought them. Plus, I can only do so much damaged to cheap pre-ripped shorts on the road. I like these from Heritage ($18.90) because they’re a little classier and are cuffed.

Easy T-Shirts

I try not to wear grubby shirts from high school on trips anymore (mostly because it is more obvious that you are a tourist) but instead wear these adorable shirts from Forever 21 and Heritage that have a more flattering neckline. I also love basic solid colored v-neck tees from Target and Gap. The one I am wearing in the picture (and pretty much every picture from this summer…) is a Forever 21 find ($12.90). Tank tops are also a no-brainer and I like the more funky designs on lightweight racerbacks. The one above is the City to City Love Tank ($8.80).

Black Flats

These are my number one, must have travel nonessential item. I have a rubbery pair from Target for $15.00 that I have worn to work and traveling all over. The toes are pretty scuffed now, but have served their purpose well. Black is the easiest way to go, but there are a lot of good options for simple, durable flats. The woven silver style ($17.99) is another great option because it is more breathable but also stays on your foot better than a sandal.

 

Scarf

I travel with a scarf no matter the season because it can work as a shawl for a cold restaurant, a sarong at the beach, a balled up pillow on a long flight or even a small blanket if you have to stay the night. My grandmother bought me this scarf in Morocco and I have taken it on every single trip. I have no idea how much it was, but I am sure it was fairly cheap. This Urban Outfitters option is lightweight and could be paired with many outfits ($24.00). 

The obsession with these cute flower headbands began a couple of years ago when I got one of the $20+ J Crew ones for Christmas. Since then I have cultured a collection like one from Argentina that my roommate brought me and the one above that I bought in Chiang Mai for less than a dollar. The Forever 21 headband is only $3.80, which is much closer to the prices I’ve seen overseas. It’s an easy way to dress up an outfit or to distract people from your greasy hair (which is why you see me wearing them so often). If you want something more sensible, my grandmother brought me a cool fabric one from Guatemala that I use for running or cleaning or any time I am sweating.

Non-Essentials That Didn’t Make the Cut (or the Backpack)

• Cute in Cordoba Dress, Lulu’s, $26: for going out
• Fab Slvls Chiffon Top, Forever 21, $10.50: for dressing up jeans with
• Melting Posies Skirt, Heritage, $16.90: for when you get sick of shorts and are feeling girly
• Navy Slouchy Pants, Gap, $35: a little out of my price range, but my mom bought them for me for work and they feel like pajama pants but look fancy