How to Travel in Style (And Not Look Like a Tourist)

Unless you are travelling to an area which is heavily populated by tourists and will blend in no matter how much of an obvious tourist you look, the last thing that you want to do when you’re seeing the world is expose yourself as somebody who is new to the area. Not only can looking like an ‘obvious’ tourist – think wearing ‘I love’ t-shirts from the local tourist shop or khaki shorts – make you stand out like a sore thumb, it can also cause offense to locals in certain destinations and even make you a target for pickpockets. If you want to travel comfortably but don’t want to look like a tourist, take note of these top tips.

Avoid Bright Colours

Unless bright, standout colours are the norm in the destination that you’re visiting, you should try and avoid them at all costs. After all, nothing screams ‘drunken tourist’ more than a neon yellow or pink tank top! Consider sticking to more conservative hues, for example white, navy, grey, or tan. Opt for classic, well-fitting clothing that will help you to blend in rather than stand out.

Your Luggage

The luggage that you choose is vital when it comes to travelling in style and avoiding looking like a tourist. If you buy cheap luggage, you’re probably going to stick out like a sore thumb – especially if it breaks on the luggage belt, as many low-quality suitcases before now have been known to do. Avoid suitcases with bright colours or unusual patterns, and instead make sure that you’re using a unique luggage tag to help you identify your case on the luggage belt. Good-quality suitcases from the Charles Ford London range are a great investment, especially if you’re planning to do a lot of travelling.

Respecting Religious Traditions

If you are planning to visit a country which holds deeply religious views such as many countries in the Middle East or even in some parts of Italy, you will need to take note of what you are wearing so as not to cause any offense. Any clothing which sports religious or military symbols, curse words or national flags should be left at home – there’s no need to spark an emotional debate whilst you’re travelling due to your shirt. Depending on the country which you are visiting, you should research beforehand to see which types of clothing are forbidden and if you should take anything extra, such as a scarf.

Footwear

Along with the clothing that you choose, footwear is also important when it comes to comfort and the shoes that you choose can also make you stick out as a tourist. Avoid shoes such as cheap flip-flops -unless you are on a beach – and Crocs, which are notably frowned upon in certain countries and basically seen as something that only a tourist would wear. For exploring cities and other areas, it’s a good idea to stick to comfortable walking shoes.

What are your outfits of choice when travelling? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.