Today’s guest poster Alexandra Jimenez, founder of TravelFashionGirl.com, shows us what fashion and beauty buys will take you further on a RTW trip…
One of the best ways to maximize your travel wardrobe on your round the world trip is by choosing multi-functional items that not only provide practicality but style.
While hard to find, there are great products that work double duty giving you the added benefit of multiple travel outfit options…
These are five must have travel essentials that will work extra hard for you and expand your travel wardrobe options…
See our How to pack your backpack and 15 ways to save space in your suitcase guides for more packing tips and tricks.
1. The convertible travel dress
With a wide range of convertible travel dresses available in recent years how do you decide which one to choose? The new Twelve Ways dress makes the choice easy for you. This functional travel dress is stylish and fun. It not only converts into a top and a skirt in addition to a dress, it also acts like a chameleon giving you a multitude of style options. You guessed it! You can transform the multi-tasking travel dress in twelve different ways!
On top of already being the coolest dress ever, it’s offered in two different fabrics and three colors – black, coral, and mojito. The material is lightweight and doesn’t take up too much space or weight making it the perfect convertible travel dress.
Price: $85 (€69) from Twelve Ways (HostelBookers blog readers – that means YOU – can get $25 off purchase with code TFG813)
2. Reversible bathing suit
So much of our time traveling tends to revolve around forever chasing the sun and the summer. As much as we would love to carry several bathing suits in our bag we just can’t afford the space. Why not choose a swimsuit that does double duty?
Vitamin A, Quicksilver, and Volcom all offer fun and practical bathing suits that feature a fun print on one side and a basic solid in the other. Since you tend to substitute bras for bikini tops at beaches, having a basic color on one side of the swim suit gives you more options when matching your travel outfits.
Price: Starts from around €20, browse suits at Tilly’s
3. Multiple make up stick
It’s impossible to maintain your beauty routine on the road and you can pretty much forget about make up that will melt off immediately in the 40 degree heat of India and SE Asia. You don’t have to go completely unprepared, though. Sometimes you feel like dressing up when you hit the nightlife or splash out on a nice dinner.
If you only carry one product, make it a multiple make up stick. The Nars Multiple works triple duty acting as a blush, eye shadow, and lipstick. Not only is it lightweight and creamy, it also gives you a light sheen creating a natural glow. Tried and tested, many travellers will agree that a multiple make up stick is a travel must have. Looking for a cheaper alternative? Check out the Nichido Multiple Stick found in Watsons drugstores.
Price: $39 (€31) from Sephora
4. Convertible cargo pants
Yes, I know. How can convertible pants possibly be anything but dreary? The truth is convertible cargo pants are an important item in your travel collection especially if you’re aiming to be a minimalista traveller. Unless you’re not planning to do any treks, a quality set of convertibles will offer you quick dry comfort in wet and muddy situations and help relieve you from the heat when the trekking gets tough. The trick is to choose the cutest option possible!
Prana offers popular convertible cargo pants that give you functionality and a more form fitting look. If you choose the right pants, you’ll even be able to replace a set of shorts increasing your travel outfit options. A good travel tip would be to buy your pants with enough time to squeeze in a good tailoring. Having the right hem will help give you a more polished look.
Price: $78 (€62) from Prana
5. Colourful scarves
It’s amazing what a difference a scarf makes! Choose a colorful scarf or one with a print to give your regular travel clothes a bit of a pop. Not only does a scarf make the perfect travel accessory, it also gives you a smarter, more polished appearance.
A nice thin scarf will also act as a chameleon too! It acts as a sarong, top, skirt, belt sash, bandana, laundry bag, beach bag and sarong to name a few transformations. It will provide you added warmth on long distance buses that always seem to have the air-con on at full blast. Choose an inexpensive scarf from retailers like Forever 21 and replace it on the road. Scarves make a great souvenir!
Price: from €4.90 at Forever 21
To further maximize your travel outfits, get creative! Even if your clothing isn’t made to be convertible, change it up. Turn a dress into a skirt, a short skirt into a top, and leggings into trousers, long johns and pyjamas.
For more styling ideas, check out the Travel Fashion Girl packing guides that offer you your own personal travel stylist ideas.
Happy trails!
Tell me your packing essentials in the comments…
Author bio: Originally from Los Angeles, Alex has been traveling around the world since 2008. 36 countries and 6 continents later, she’s travelled as a tourist, a backpacker, and a vagabond. She’s currently working on establishing a location independent lifestyle with her new website: TravelFashionGirl.com – a traveler’s guide to practical and stylish travel gear. Twitter: @TravlFashnGirl
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August 24th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
does vaseline count as gear? great as lip balm, makeup remover, cuticle softener, heel treatment, eyebrow gel, and well, other stuff.
August 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
I never travel without a sarong. It’s a towel, a beach cover-up, a skirt, a blanket to lie on or keep warm, a pillow or a cushion. You can even use it as a screen if you’re staying in the bottom bunk of a bunk bed.