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This week’s Travel Fashion Girl is Audrey who blogs over at That Backpacker. She’s currently prancing around Southeast Asia on a quest for fruit shakes and mango sticky rice. You can keep up with her adventures over on her travel blog, follow her updates on Facebook, or watch along on her YouTube channel where she makes travel videos with her travel partner in crime. Read on to find out about her stylish packing tips!
Interview with Stylish Audrey from “That Backpacker”
How would you describe your travel style?
My style is often an eclectic mix of pieces I would wear back at home and traditional pieces I pick up along the way. There are days when I may dress things down and go with a simple t-shirt and a pair of cut-offs, while there are days I feel like playing with colour and accessorizing with fun bracelets and scarves I’ve picked up during my travels.
Do you prefer to travel with carry-on or with a regular size suitcase or bag?
In the past whenever I was taking shorter trips that were 1-4 weeks long, I would travel with a little red Heys carry-on. However, now that I am backpacking around Southeast Asia on a trip that has no end date, I’m carrying more things than I would on a regular holiday. I’ve had to trade my little carry-on for my current backpack, which is an Inter-continental 65 L by Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Are you an overpacker or do you underpack?
Oh, definitely the overpacker! I had to repack my backpack several times before heading out to Southeast Asia. I had about 5 pairs of shoes and far too many skirts and dresses…not only was my boyfriend horrified by everything I thought I needed, but I couldn’t even lift my backpack without his help. I’m happy to say that I was able to shave a few kilos off the contents of my backpack before starting the trip.
How do you stay stylish while traveling without access to an entire closet?
I like to pack skirts and dresses, I think that’s an easy way to feel stylish and feminine when you’re travelling.Plus skirts and dresses can work for any climate; you can wear a breezy cotton dress in a bright colour if you’re travelling somewhere warm, or you can opt for a heavier fabric and pair it with tights and a cardigan if you find yourself in a cooler climate. I recently had dresses made in Hoi An (the capital for tailor made clothes in Vietnam) and I have been wearing them none stop.
What are your three must have travel?
One pair of comfortable skinny jeans (I’m currently loving a red pair), a warm cardigan (for cold bus or train rides), and a scarf with a fun pattern.
What destination was the most fun to dress for?
I’m going to say Brazil. I always prefer dressing for warmer climates because I feel that I can have fun with bold patterns, plus Brazilians have great style when it comes to shoes, jewellery and bright fabrics.
What destination surprised you the most with the ways locals dressed or their type of clothing?
India. I loved the bright sarees!
What’s your preferred travel outfit on a plane?
I find that planes are usually really cold, so I like to travel in a pair of comfortable skinny jeans, a light cotton t-shirt, a cute cardigan, a pair of flats, and a scarf that can double as a blanket and a pillow.
What are your favorite travel accessories?
I’m a big fan of pashminas and scarves! They are such versatile pieces: you can wrap it around your neck, use it to cover up your shoulders if you’re travelling somewhere conservative, use it as a blanket on a long bus ride, or tie it around your head if you feel like channelling your inner hippie.
What are your favorite travel beauty essentials?
Black eyeliner, a little mascara, and chapstick (or lipstick for the evenings). I think a little bit of makeup can go a long way.
Do you have any specific hair or makeup products that work great for travels?
I always, always bring a bottle of facewash. Tropical climates, long journeys, and lack of sleep can take a toll on your skin. There isn’t a particular brand I adhere to, just something that will be gentle on the skin and leave me feeling refreshed.
How many pairs of shoes do you travel with and what styles?
I am currently travelling with three different pairs of shoes: flip flops because I’m in the tropics, leather sandals to dress up an outfit at night, and running shoes in case I end up doing something like a hillside trek in Vietnam.
Do you have any recommendation for cute and comfortable footwear?
If you aren’t doing any serious trekking, then I think a pair of canvas shoes like Toms or Keds do the trick. They come in lots of fun different patterns and they are comfortable enough for a day of sightseeing around town.
What was your biggest travel fashion or packing mistakes?
Not packing an emergency set of clothes in my day-pack when I flew from Toronto to Buenos Aires. I was stranded in the city for 3 days without a suitcase and because there was some kind of national holiday taking place, all the stores were closed.It took some serious detective work to find a place which sold socks and undergarments… Now I always pack an extra set of clothes.
Finally, any travel packing tips for new travelers?
Don’t pack items like cargo pants and hiking boots just because you think that’s what a ‘travel wardrobe’ should look like. Choose pieces that you can actually see yourself wearing on your trip. If you wouldn’t wear cargo pants back at home, then you’re probably not going to want to wear them abroad either.
To find out more about Audrey, check out her personal website: www.thatbackpacker.com!
If you are interested in sharing your packing tips on TFG, you can download the interview questions and submission guidelines here.
For more traveler interviews, please read:
- Interview with World Traveler Louise Matthew
- Interview with Beach Chic Laura Bronner
- Interview With Avant-Garde Footwear Designer Chelsea Jones
- Interview With Minimalist Chic Chalsie
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