Stop Buying Clothes for Your Vacation

I wore the same coat for 10 days straight, and nothing bad happened!

Before I dive in, let me point out the (seemingly obvious) disclaimer that this letter is not about necessary purchases. If your trip requires hiking boots, a niche themed bachelorette outfit, or a swimsuit that actually fits you, this letter doesn’t apply!

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One of my favorite parts of travel is the extended opportunity for daydreaming, as discussed here in my previous letter about packing light. What nicer way to escape the mundanity of laundry and emails than by imagining a happier, better dressed version of yourself on vacation?

I recently came back from a week and a half in Italy, and I didn’t make a single new clothing purchase before the trip. I packed my tried-and-true easy wardrobe staples, and didn’t struggle to get dressed at all. I knew exactly which outfit combinations I already liked and felt good in, and made sure to pack the undergarments, shoes, and accessories that I knew worked. The first couple of days were a bit hotter than I expected and I wished I had packed shorts, but otherwise I felt really good about my wardrobe while I was away. The week before the trip, I did cave and buy the Baggu x Collina Strada horse bag I’ve had my eye on for months. I used it every day on the trip, and it’s easily transitioned into my day-to-day wardrobe.

Every single piece in these photos was worn multiple times, with one small laundry load mid-trip

My recent travels have been a big pretty big departure from my younger days. I used to get inevitably tied up in the impulse to buy a bunch of things I “needed” before every trip, something I’m sure many of you are familiar with. But before you add to cart, consider if you’re actually best served by this new purchase. Over my many years of impulsive and poorly thought-out purchases, I’ve learned that shopping to travel has often led to some of my worst buys. A few reasons why…

It’s Just Impractical

I can’t think of a worse place to test drive a new piece than somewhere very, very, far away from home. A piece may seem great when you’re just trying it on, but actually wearing it out will reveal its functionality, for better or for worse. Certain fabrics wrinkle like crazy as soon as you sit down, or become completely see-through in photos or bright light. Some pieces only work with certain styling parameters - long hems may mean you need a heel, sheer fabrics may require specific undergarments. These are all considerations that should be addressed before you commit to packing a piece, and they’re realizations you’ll often only come to by actually wearing something.

Worst case scenario, you realize that new piece you packed has a serious flaw, like a fit or quality issue. Traveling with something increases the possibility that you can’t (or won’t) return it. You’re much more likely to just wear it anyways, even if you should probably get a different size or style or color. And if you don’t decide to wear it, the trip may take you outside of the return window. Now you’re stuck carrying around something you don’t want to wear during or after your trip.

Best case scenario, you realize that a new piece doesn’t work now but could be worn later, outside of your current circumstances. Maybe it just needs tailoring, or you didn’t bring the right pieces to layer or style it with. While it’s definitely better that you bought something you’ll still wear after your trip, it does mean you’ve still wasted precious luggage space.

You Have Less Space (and Money!) to Shop at Your Destination

This one does depend on your destination, but even remote locations can offer a surprisingly good selection of souvenirs and other treasures. I love shopping when I travel - in fact, one of the first stops I like to make in most countries is the grocery store! Whether you want to stock up on exotic chip flavors or plan on hitting a flea market, it’s always better to save some space. If you plan on shopping for apparel at your destination, you’ll probably want to wear some of your new pieces right away. Why buy something new from home and drag it all the way around the world when you can buy something new and special at your destination, imbued with all of the memories of that moment?

My singular personal clothing purchase, from one of my all-time favorite vintage stores in the world! I'll be sharing more about this incredible little shop on Instagram soon

Unless it’s really a necessity, you’re also better off waiting to buy something basic, or anything from a widespread fast fashion retailer. There’s a good chance you can actually get that same thing at your destination if you decide you still really want it. But even better is opening up the opportunity to find that same piece at a little boutique or an interesting market. Even something basic, like socks or a white tee, can become part of your travel story.

If your travel plans won’t include any shopping, there’s still plenty of reason to hold off on depleting your budget before you even arrive. A new outfit often could cost the same amount as an extra excursion, a massage, an upgrade to your hotel room, or maybe even extending your trip another day. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather splurge on a memorable morning of room service while wearing an old bikini than settle for a stale muffin while wearing a brand new one.

A few vintage things I loved in Italy, but didn't buy!