How DIY Fashion Elevates Your Travel Experience

"Better to aim at comfort than at luxury." That's an African proverb we really like and fully condone when traveling. After all, when you're jet-setting to new destinations, the last thing you want to feel is uncomfortable in your own skin, which is what restricting, unbreathable, and overly tight clothes will do to you.

How DIY Fashion Elevates Your Travel Experience

And it just so happens that these types of clothes are usually expensive luxury items. Sure, they look good and might make you look even better, but are they really worth it (no pun intended) – especially when traveling? We don't think so.

Here's the thing about any experience, travel included: when you feel good in what you wear, the whole journey becomes more enjoyable. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style when long-term traveling; with just a little bit of planning and some clever personalization, you can look stylish (and fantastic in photos, too) no matter where your travels take you.

The Joys of Personalized Travel Wardrobe

Dressing well is more than just picking a random outfit – it's about wearing clothes that:

• You feel comfortable in,
• Flatter your body type,
• Allow you to express yourself in whatever way you prefer.

Now, when it comes to dressing well while traveling, the same is true; only here, comfort takes precedence over everything else. Why? Well, between jet lag and hauling your luggage around, the last thing you need is uncomfortable, tight clothing making the whole process even more, well, uncomfortable.

But as we said in the intro, comfortable clothing does not mean unstylish clothing; if you know what you're doing. 

Picture this: you're visiting a new, beautiful city that has been on your bucket list for the longest time, and the moment you step off the plane and into the said city, you instantly feel connected to the place through your outfit. Personalizing your travel wardrobe does exactly that.

Did we lose you there? No need to – personalized and DIY clothing that is tailored to the destination you're visiting or the activities you plan on doing while there, can add a whole new layer of excitement and connection to your travels.

In other words, personalized clothing can make any vacation more memorable. Just think about it: a shirt printed with the Eiffel Tower while you're posing in front of the Eiffel Tower? That's not just meta; that's being intentional with your style so you can have some silly but oh-so-memorable-and-loving photos to fondly look back on 10 years from now.

DIY Fashion Tips for Travelers

Here are some easy ways to elevate your travel wardrobe and have fun while doing it:

• Custom Shirts for Group Vacays: Group trips make for a fantastic opportunity to customize your style. Custom shirt design whether for family vacations or bachelorette trips can turn an already fun trip into an unforgettable experience. Designing shirts with inside jokes, nicknames, or even just the trip's date and location can not only create a lovely sense of unity but it also makes for great photos.
• Iron-on Patches or Embroidery: Want a super-easy way to customize your travel wardrobe? Buy patches from local markets as souvenirs or bring your own that reflect your travel theme, and then iron them on your clothing. Embroidery kits are also great for adding personal touches to your outfits while you're on the go.
• DIY Upcycling Clothing: Another great way to both personalize your clothes and save money is to turn your old pieces into something new. For example, those old jeans that made you feel like a million bucks? Cut them into shorts. Now you'll feel like half a million bucks (just kidding!).
• Mixing and Matching: Finally, a tried and true way to elevate any outfit is to pepper it with your favorite accessories. Bring a few versatile items that can be mixed and matched to keep your wardrobe fresh without overpacking, such as scarves, belts, hats, and of course jewelry. While small touches, accessories can sometimes completely change an outfit's look.

Remember, DIY fashion is all about making your travel outfits yours – whether that involves sewing your own clothing from scratch, ordering custom shirts and hoodies, or upcycling old pieces, the choice is yours.