Does Your 'Holiday Self' Have a Completely Different Wardrobe? You're Not Alone

Have you ever found yourself packing for a trip, only to realise that what you’re putting in your suitcase is completely different from the things you would usually reach for in your closet on a normal day? Though it may seem unreasonable to leave your usual staples behind, sometimes they just don’t feel right for the adventure ahead. Whether it’s packing beachy dresses for a trip to Byron, or black mom jeans for a weekend in Melbourne, we’ve all been there.

Be it intentional or not, there’s no question that our environments have an effect on our personal style. There’s a reason why french girls have that je ne sais quoi and Australians are so good at giving off relaxed beach vibes. In addition to weather and climate, there are a number of other factors that come into play when it comes to the way a place develops a particular “look”.

For example, Glamour reports that one reason why L.A. and New York have such distinct styles is due to… transportation, of all things. Because L.A. girls spend a lot of private time in their cars, they tend to dress in more revealing clothes than their New York City counterparts who spend more time in public during their daily commute.

Not only do subtle differences like modes of transit come into play, however. A psychological survey from 2010 suggests that deeply-rooted cultural beliefs affect the way that clothing colour is perceived by people in varying locations. While one culture may interpret a red dress as being seductive another may view it as aggressive, with these understandings varying on a country-by-country basis.

So, to put it simply: you’re not crazy for adapting your wardrobe to fit your new, holiday environment. Though these studies prove it, it’s already somewhat of an instinct when trying to plan what you’ll wear on holiday. It's not surprising that when going on a trip, we tend to pack clothes we can picture ourselves wearing in the specific environment which we’re about to immerse ourselves in.

All psychology aside, sometimes a holiday is just the perfect excuse to avoid pants altogether. Our vacation alter-egos have a completely different agenda than our everyday selves, so why not indulge them— at least sartorially—when the opportunity arises?

Whether this means opting for only linen dresses on your next beach holiday, or a beret on your next visit to Europe; this is your green card to go ahead and embrace it without the fear of feeling like a poser. After all, what you wear is a reflection of who you are, so if being on holiday feels a little different (which we hope it does) it’s only rational that your wardrobe reflects this as well.

Keep scrolling to shop our favourite holiday outfit pieces below. 

For a Beach Holiday:

For a City Holiday: