How to dress a backpacker in ten easy steps:
1. Fisherman’s pants Without these pants, a backpacker would just have to go naked. They are perfectly suited to any traveler’s activities—lounging on a beach, elephant riding, trekking, and, most importantly, long trips in trains, planes, automobiles, and stinky buses. My favorites are the silky ones from Khao Sarn Road and the thicker, embroidered ones from the Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai.
2. Scarves, scarves, and more scarves Wherever you go in Southeast Asia, you’ll find beautiful scarves. In the majority of places, they are silk, but there are heaps of stunning cotton ones to be found as well. They make perfect gifts for anyone, and they take up very little space in your backpack. Like fisherman’s pants, you’ll want them in every color as well as an extra picnic-printed korama from Cambodia to cover your face on the dusty tuk-tuk rides.
3. Sarong The close neighbor to the scarf but, if possible, more versatile. In fact, you can even wear it around your neck like a scarf! It can also be a beach mat, blanket, towel, wall decoration, rug, skirt, dress, hair wrap, or napsack. I even once used a sarong to bandage a friend’s bleeding foot at a beach party. Pick one up from the old lady selling them off her shoulder on the beach for 100 baht (3 USD) or hold out for fancier ones in Bali for 40,000 rupiah (4 USD).
4. Street sunnies Gucci, Chanel, Ray Ban, or just something big and colorful…You name it. You bargain for it. You look like a backpacker. Find the best deals in a night market near you.
5. Beer shirts Singha, Chang, Tiger, Beer Lao, Bintang, Angkor. You’ve been drinking these local brews throughout your travels, so why not remember it with a shirt? Pick up the local specialty with your next beer tower.
6. “In the Tubing” shirt Whether you remember it or not, you’ve been on every rope swing down the river, starting with the big zip line at Bar One. You’ve played volleyball in the mud pit and experienced Slide Bar. Your friends have covered you in handwritten tattoos, and the Q bar boys have spray-painted Q’s anywhere you will let them. How else are you going to commemorate your time there than with this backpacker’s wardrobe staple? Find them in any color and cut in the dozens of little shops in Vang Vieng.
7. Jewelry with a story You’ll keep the jewelry you get while traveling way longer than any shirt or bag, so you might as well stock up. I actually measured the jewelry I bought in Chiang Mai in kilos after I left. Favorite pieces: Cambodian silver cuffs, and, of course, the giant Chiang Mai beads. If your looking for something with a name on it, don’t forget the knock-offs to be found in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
8. Sundresses A sundress is perhaps the easiest outfit in the word. It’s an outfit in itself, so just throw on some of your awesome jewelry and you’re set. Extra benefit: works as a breezy swimsuit cover-up. (Guys’ option: street boardies. Where else can you pick up a pair of board shorts for the same price as your curry?)
9. Headbands Add a headband to your salty locks and instantly become a Greek goddess for the night’s beach party. (Guys’ option: the Jason Mraz hat. You put it on, and I won’t hesitate no more…I’m yours!)
10. The cloth bag Bedazzled or not, there are size requirements to be met. It must hold at least a 1.5 L 7-11 bottle of water, a copy of Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, camera, travel journal, wallet, spare swimsuit, and, if you’re lucky, a kitchen sink.
Now that you’re fully dressed, don’t forget to pick up a few things for your home: a hill tribe blanket, string lights, notebooks, postcards, and street art!
