TRENDING: Do Filipinos tend to 'overdress' when they travel?
'Fit check: Can you be "overdressed" for travel?
This has been the topic of discussion online as a user on Threads commented on Filipinos' dress code at the airport and on their trips.
"Fight me. But Filipino travelers are overdressed when traveling. HAHA," the user posted.
The post elicited mixed reactions from social media users, as some agreed with the original poster, saying that travelers should opt for something more comfortable.
"'Yung pinsan kong bayad sa pagtatravel, [Fil-Am] nakatsinelas, sando, and pants lang na maluwag 'pag mag-ta-travel. And she doesn't take pictures of her passport, ticket and airport ootd, siguro kasi 'di siya first timer," an X user wrote.
"Totoo. Overpacked and overly oa. Karamihan nag-ta-travel hindi para sa experience, kundi para sa outfit. Ang aasim naman lol,' one user said.
Meanwhile, a Threads user pointed out that while some Filipinos pay attention to their outfits, they still fail to comply with dress codes for certain places like temples.
"This is so true. When I [joined] a tour in Thailand, most ng mga kababayan natin puro OOTD pero hindi nakikinig sa tour guide. Sa temple hindi pinapasok kasi naka sleeveless. May pang porma pero walang time mag-research," they chimed in.
However, others argued that travelers should dress however they want to.
"Majority may be calling it fashion—but when the underprivileged dress up to travel, it's social climbing. No one poor-shames harder than fellow Filipinos," one Thread user added.
"Travelling abroad is a luxury in a 3rd world country. Sue us for being overdressed in a country that we’ll probably never get the chance to visit again. Every travel [and] money spent on that trip counts and we make the most out of it," another one wrote.
Another also justified that they "overdress" to give the impression that they can afford the flight during screenings at immigration.
"‘Cause we get judged by [immigration officers] here and abroad, hence we have to 'look' like we really afforded the vacation just to prove ourselves. That, plus instances of being discriminated [against] as a tourist from a “developing” country (e.g. hindi inaasikaso ng customer service)," an X user wrote.
Fashion stylists weigh in
Fashion stylist Altaire Bautista said Filipinos like to dress up, so it's no wonder they also curate outfits for travels.
"We dress up for our birthdays, events, weddings, etc. So why wouldn’t we dress for something we saved up for? I do not see anything wrong with people preparing outfits for their travels," she shared with PhilSTAR L!fe.
"I do that myself. I want to see myself looking my best whenever I look back on my travel photos, especially when I know I saved up for the trip. It is one of the many fun things I look forward to whenever I travel," she added.
For celebrity stylist Patty Yap, it’s always "better to be overdressed than underdressed."
"You never really know what the occasion might be or who you’ll run into during your travels. And in today’s digital age, it’s only natural to want to share your outfits and looks on social media," she told L!fe.
"I honestly don’t see anything wrong with that. In fact, it’s great to see that more Filipinos are becoming fashionable and learning to take better care of themselves," she said, adding that dressing well helps boost one's self-confidence.
Gee Jocson, who has styled celebrities and drag artists, echoed this.
"They should dress whatever they want. It’s the best way to overdress and practice self-expression outside the country. Wala naman may kilala sa 'tin doon," she shared with L!fe.
How to plan your OOTDs for your trips
Check the weather. When choosing clothes for your vacation, fashion stylists stressed that looking up the weather in your destination is a must—a tip applicable for both domestic and international travels.
For sunny weather, Yap suggests bringing light-colored and lightweight fabrics to be comfortable in the heat, plus sunscreen for skin protection. Bautista shared that you may opt for linen fabrics in maxi, breezy dresses and tops. For rainy outfits, Yap said that you must bring a waterproof jacket or windbreaker, as well as an umbrella or cap. "Choose quick-dry or water-resistant fabrics so you stay comfortable," she said.
For winter, Yap suggests bringing Heattech layers and a good winter jacket.
Yap added that it's better to make a list of the things you need to bring so you don’t forget anything.
Go over your itinerary. To make sure that you're dressing appropriately for any situation, Bautista said to check your activities and then curate the outfit. She shared that for walking tours like visiting museums, it's better to wear your trusty sneakers and flats. For fancy dinners, bring formal clothes and a pair of heels.
Yap seconded this, saying that it will also help you plan how many times you need to change outfits in a day.
"It really depends on the person...Changing five times in one day is already too much. I’d say the max would be around four outfit changes in a day," she said.
Try on your clothes. When planning your outfits, Yap suggests doing some sort of technical dress rehearsal.
"Try on everything you plan to bring so you’ll know when and where you’ll wear each outfit. That way, you can also check if anything’s missing or if you’re bringing too much," she said.
Bring a portable vacuum and vacuum seals. To save space on your luggage, Yap recommends vacuum-sealing your clothes, especially if you're bringing bulky jackets or sweaters. This will also help you avoid bringing too many bags and/or luggage.
Moreover, Jocson said to choose clothes that are "fun and easy," as long as they're under your luggage allowance. She also reminds bringing other necessities, like thermal wear, underwear, socks, tapies for women, and comfortable shoes, among others.
