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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cool style in hot lands



I was going to write a post today about The Myth of the Maxi dress, but I've decided to leave that until later (it's a two-part series :P).

Instead, I decided to post about cool fashions in hot climates. You see, I've been comissioned by a travel magazine to write a few articles, and while going through my old pictures I was reminded of a trip to Venice, where I spent three-days walking around in a stupor brought on by the awe-inspiring sights and 100% total killer heat and humidity.







It's easy to stay cool when you're at home...sundresses and maxi-dresses become my best friends. But traveling can provide a slight inconvenience as you want to feel free, but don't want to look sloppy, you want to have comfortable feet but don't want to look like a tourist and you want to look "cool," but you only have your backpack to choose from.

Even though I have special feet, I found light sandals to be the most comfortable things to walk around in. When I travel outside of summer, I always wear boots as they are even more comfortable, but flat sandals are a must in hot weather. I've had a myriad of sandal purchases while traveling, from birkenstock ones which are great when you have a backpack on, to simple strappy things. If I were to travel now, my biggest problem would be figuring out which of my 30 pairs of sandals to take! But back when I did this trip, I wasn't as shoe crazy as I am now...but I do miss THESE SHOES! I bought them in Finland and they died in Venice :(



I also became a big fan of blousy tops and tunics, as well as linen pants (my pants and tops are from H&M, sigh, that store is a Godsend in Europe - much better stuff than the North American stores!).











But just because you're an independent backpacker, doesn't mean you have to look like crap once night falls. For this, I loved maxi skirts! They were easy to pack, elegant, tasteful and respectful. Paired with a layered tank (again, trying to be cool but respectful...just because you walk around with your ta-tas showing at home, doesn't mean it'll fly in Italy), I found this the easiest, breeziest look ever.






Azure top + Skirt: Zara; Brown tank + Earrings: H&M






Grecian rope strap top: Zara; Orange tank: H&M; Bracelet: Indiska; Skirt: some store in Oslo, Norway

Of course, you'll always find some locals are better suited to the heat than you are!









I'm sure this post would have been better suited to my other blog, but I just wrote about my time in Koln, Germany...you should check it out!

24 comments:

sil said...

good tips! i never really thought about linen pants, but it does seem like they are very nice and keep you cool. now i'm yearning to go to venice :)

Wanderlusting said...

Thanks Sil - the ONLY problem, of course, is that they wrinkle. Like crazy. Especially after being in a backpack.

But some wrinkle less than others and being a backpacker, there are other things to worry with than wrinkled pants ;P

♥ Cara Mia ♥ said...

what beautiful pictures! italy is one of my favorite places to visit.

i love thew idea of linen since it's so cool, but for some reason when i wear it, it always looks like i just got out of bed! :)

great post. i think you should possibly have your own t.v. show!

elena-lu said...

thats wonderful ideas and also you should check out: http://www.travelsmith.com/
they have tons of clothes for travek (they dont wrinkle)

Cupcakes and Cashmere said...

can we say jealous much? you look amazingly chic while traveling...i usually resort to beat up flip flops and white tank tops. i loved seeing all of these pictures!

Anna said...

Fantastic post! When I was in Greece a couple of summers ago, I also found that structured walking shorts were a great way to go. They look polished but allow your legs to stay cool. This summer, I'm heading to northern Scotland; do you have any tips for dressing for cool, rainy summer weather?

Wanderlusting said...

Hi Anna! Yes I do, I will make a post about it tomorrow in my travel blog - I was in Scotland during Xmas time so it was more cold than mild, but since I live here in Vancouver, BC, I have plenty O experience with wet cold :S

Fashion Cappuccino said...

Wow, those pictures are beautiful! You look so pretty and comfy in your clothes! My boyfriend is half-Italian and we've been planning to go visit Venice for so long! xxoxoxxoo

Gillian said...

I love the soles of those flip flops! I have been following your blog for a while, and just moved back to Vancouver so it is cool to read another Vancouverite. Your clothing swap the other day looked amazing! Such good finds! I've been dying to do one of these for forever!

Jessi said...

I just discovered you via ...love Maegan, and you now have a new stalker... er, follower ;)... to both your blogs. Sadly I've never made it out of the country, but I still have a bad case of wanderlust... don't think it's curable!

I love your linen outfits... cool but chic! I'll be heading to Chicago for a month in less than 2 weeks, and I think I'm going to hit up the H&M there since Colorado has yet to wise up to the wonderfulness that is H&M.

How do you keep looking so fresh in heat & humidity? My hair and makeup would be a mess! (Staying cute in Chicago should be interesting...)

Amber said...

Great pictures! You have such awesome style, those pics make me want to go travelling so bad!!

Unknown said...

hmmm.. i need to go back to venice...

OmnisLucis said...

aw, you're such a glamorous traveler. and linen pants are such a smart idea, i had bought a pair in 2003 from some litte shop on the mediterranean coast and i still wear them.

Eyeliah said...

You pull off that slouchy style so well, great look for travel. Yes I do not want to look like a tourist when I am travelling with a backpack.... but I'm not even gonna tell you what I wore most the time in NYC (omg!) If I had a blog at that time I would have done it sooo much better.

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I love those sandals. Traveling and staying cute (while packing light) is difficult--but so worth it! People who don't photograph themselves often are always in vacation pics; so they should dress well!

Alice said...

i couldn't agree more! the hottest place i've been (while simultaneously needing to cover up the most) was morocco, and those maxi skirts and blousy tops were LIFE SAVERS. i had one embroidered white loose shirt that i'd wear over a tank top, and i just washed it every night in the sink because wearing anything heavier was unthinkable.

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to see Venice. I want to book a cruise from Venice. Stay there for a few days before boarding the boat.

Meghan said...

Thanks so much for sharing your amazing photos! You look beautiful and so do your surroundings :0)

Anonymous said...

What fabulous photos - definitely makes me want to plan a trip to Europe. Your style is amazing - not too many people can make backpacking look glamorous but you manage to make it look effortless. What exactly are maxi skirts? Do you mean stretchy skirts? Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us.

Zara said...

great advice! I adore venice. Long skirts are such a good idea for when jeans are too hot but shorts are too casual! Hahahaha "ta ta's" is such an amazing way to describe them xx

Anonymous said...

ps... love the movie Twister too!!

Couture Carrie said...

Absolutely gorgeous photos, darling! Loving alllll these outfits ~ so travel chic!

xoxox,
CC

josie(bean) said...

wonderful pics!! looks like you had a amazing time :D

Cupcake Blonde said...

*Sigh* Now I want to go to Italy. :)