The right way to NOT Look Like a Backpacker – Even Although You ARE a Backpacker

Spending hours on public transit, consuming from questionable meals distributors, staying in dirty hostels – backpacking is soiled and there’s a typical look that almost all backpackers have.

Whereas on the highway, I reside in soiled denims, wrinkled shirts and conceal my greasy hair beneath hats or bandanas. I appear like a backpacker, there’s little question about it.

That is completely acceptable backpacker conduct and so long as my garments aren’t stinking up the hostel room or bus, I don’t care (and to be sincere, if I checked right into a hostel wanting the identical manner that I appear like once I’m house in Los Angeles, they might ship me straight again to LA… And I’d deserve it!)

That being stated, there are just a few occasions whereas backpacking the place it’s vital to look ‘good.’ 

You by no means know whenever you’re going to be invited to a celebratory dinner at a locals home like I used to be in Ghana or rating tickets to a fancy-schmancy live performance just like the Minister of Music and Elton John in Costa Rica (which was superior!) 

There could also be events the place your cargo shorts and mountaineering boots gained’t lower it. 

So what are you suppose to do? Are you suppose to surrender crucial  room in your pack for ‘church garments’ that you could be or could not put on?

Completely not. And little forethought you gained’t need to…

Right here’s the best way to not appear like a backpacker

Women who appear like backpackers

Simple peasy, girls. Pack just a little solar costume in a dressier coloration (suppose purple, black, navy.) Commerce one among your hippie tie dye sarongs (each backpacker has at the very least one) for a stable black one to make use of as a scarf over your little solar costume for an evening out (and a seashore towel in any respect different occasions.)

As for a ‘clutch,’ I journey with a black pleather outsized pockets that’s normally stuffed into my fannypack holding my bank cards, cash and cellphone. For an evening out, I simply take it out of my fannypack and vo-la, a clutch.

I solely put on jewellery that I’ve already purchased as a present for my mother or a good friend and stashed on the backside of my pack to offer them once I get house. I’ll bust it out of it’s little present bag or no matter and take a look at drive it for an evening (my buddies don’t care, they know what’s up.) 

The one factor which you can’t simply swap out is sneakers. I take advantage of to journey with solely two pairs of sneakers, one pair of flipflops and one pair of mountaineering/ trainers which had at all times been sufficient for me. However after having to put on my grubby flops to an surprising Moroccan marriage ceremony the place everybody else was in heels or costume sneakers, I modified my tune. 

I now journey with a pair of ittybitty black kitten heels. Heels are the best common image to point out “This occasion is vital and I care about how I look proper now.” My kittens are tremendous comfortable and actually take up house equal of a cucumber or massive carrot in my pack (we bought bored and measured it within the hostel as soon as.) 

If you’re actually tight on house or hate heels than by all means, burry a pair of tiny, easy black pleather sandals or ballet flats on the backside of your bag.

Perhaps you’ll by no means use them and completely overlook about them on the backside of your bag… Okay, that’s nonetheless higher than having to attempt to discover acceptable heels with hours discover in the midst of Africa.

And there you go, a cute little “look-at-me” outfit that you just actually pulled proper out of your tough-as-nails and covered-in-mud pack.  

Guys who appear like backpackers

Y’all have it really easy relating to this… It simply takes just a little little bit of preplanning which is the place I are available in.

Fellas, purchase one pair of cargo pants in black (suppose Dickies) and also you’re good. 

Ensure one among your lengthy sleeve shirts is a button up (which I’m positive already is as a result of button ups are a backpackers finest good friend) and attempt to rock it in a pleasant plaid or stable coloration in addition to black (you don’t need your pants and shirt to each be the identical coloration.)

Pair your black cargos along with your button up shirt, sleeves rolled neatly half manner up and nobody will even discover your Colombia mountaineering boots. 

I’d go along with black cargos as a substitute of the Go To khaki as a result of black hides dust waaay higher than khaki. It’s no worries after an intense volcano hike on Monday to put on those self same pants (presuming they don’t stink) out to a decadent dinner on Tuesday.

Guys and Gals who appear like backpackers

Wash your soiled hair. Brush your tooth. Should you can’t wash your garments earlier than the occasion (comprehensible if it’s final minute) than at the very least attempt to get the stains and stink out (my ‘fragrance’ is Lemon Eucalyptus bug spray and mint- which additionally retains bugs away- whereas on the highway.)

And should you nonetheless appear like a backpacker…

Be gracious. Carry a small present (flowers or a small potted plant is nice however should you don’t have time or suppose it might be inappropriate – or should you’re significantly too broke – take some images with the group plus just a few extra and get the hosts mailing deal with earlier than you permit. Print ’em for $0.40 cents every at a drug retailer again within the States and ship them as a Thank You to your host. I did this after the dinner in Ghana and he or she flipped out, she was so so stoked!)

Most significantly, 

Have enjoyable!…  and make sure you take just a few images of you all gussied as much as make your mama proud again house 😉

Listed here are just a few extra backpacking suggestions: