The Fashionable Backpacker: Egypt

The Fashionable Backpacker is a story in four parts, make sure not to miss Part 1 (australia/east-timor), Part 2 (bali/kuala-lumpur/sri-lanka), or Part 3 (spain/morocco/south-africa).

In the final fashionable installment, G takes us through Egypt, looking, as always, supa dupa fly...

Pyramids of Giza: "riding at the pyramids in reeboks!! haha"

"I know how we feel about sneakers but pack a pair, you never know when you may need them for riding a horse through the vineyards of South Africa or the Pyramids of Giza...or for riding a camel."

(we hate sneakers)

In Cairo

Pyramids at Giza in a Ralph Lauren belt, in Alexandria in James Perse

"One of our favorite things to do while traveling was spotting tourists clad in hiking boots, techie pants (preferably the zip-off to become shorts kind) and large, practically bug-netted hats strolling chic city streets and announcing 'Safari [insert city here]!!' Just because you're going someplace where they may not speak English, or even if it's categorized as "less developed" than the US, does not mean you're going to the Serengeti. You don't want to be THAT American at a fancy restaurant looking like doof."

In Cairo: "p.s. I saw a woman in the Cairo ariport wearing a  faux  chanel burka. I died and thought of  you so we snapped a pic. Shameless!"

and the last piece of advice from the oh-so-fashionable backpacking babe? "Always leave room for a little shopping along the way."

I hope everyone enjoyed and learned a little from this series of posts.  Thanks everyone for reading, and thanks G, for all your pics and tips.  

If anyone reading has some travel/fashion advice/insight leave it in a comment! I'd love to hear it.  xo Caitlin

The Fashionable Backpacker: Spain, Morocco, and South Africa

More pics and travel tips from the Fashionable Backpacker!

At Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain wearing skirt from small Italian company I bought for 15 euros, Theory tank top.

"I'm in Marakesch and it's fabulous. I eat constantly and drink yummy wines at exotic rooftop bars and the whole city is covered in beautiful trees with purple flowers."

Marakesch, Morocco: in a Velvet top, and at the former home of Yves St. Lauren

"Accessories are an essential part of packing for a super long trip, they keep you from feeling like you're wearing a uniform when you're constantly repeating outfits and they don't take up much room at all."

   

In South Africa: Horseback riding in the vineyards, at Table Mountain in a Rebecca Taylor sweater, at the Cape of Good Hope in J Brand, James Perse, Marc J. sunglasses and Theory flats

"Additionally, scarves seconded as head coverings and shoulder wraps in Islamic or more conservative countries (and when it got cold). A black pashmina was indispensable to me as a blanket for those cold airplane flights and a chic way to stay warm when going out."

Stay tuned for the final fashionable installment: Egypt!

xo Caitlin

The Fashionable Backpacker: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka

The Fashionable Backpacker takes it to the beach! More awesome tips from my personal international fashion journalist, haha.  If you didn't catch the first post in the series you'll want to check it out here.

"Bring a reversible bathing suit. It's a great way to feel like you have more things to wear and take up less space in your suitcase."

In Bali

 

Free people dress, and in a $30 dress from Love and Lies and Paul Smith eyeglasses

"2 more fashion lessons: on Sri Lankan roads, the best accessory is by far a helmet, and never leave home without a black bikini."

Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

"I tried to bring lots of jerseys and cottons, mostly just anything that didn't wrinkle; also, definitely try and limit things that have to be dry cleaned."

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in American Apparel tee-shirt

That's all for today bebes! 

Check back tomorrow for Spain, Morocco, and South Africa!

xo Caitlin

The Fashionable Backpacker

This past Spring one of my best (and most fashionable) friends took an amazing multi-country trip with her boyfriend.  They visited Australia, East Timor, Bali, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Spain, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.  Initially, upon hearing of the trip, I was consumed with jealousy... then I realized the situation could be mutually beneficial.

G is a fellow fashion lover, a New York City girl, and has contributed to this blog on many occasions be it through reader mail, our conversations on fashion and style, the many hours spent on gchat sharing links to pants we aren't sure we if we wanted, a dress one thinks will look great on the other, or insider sales and coupon codes, and mostly through all her support and encouragement of along the way.

While G was off travelling the world, she was alos e-mailing me pictures and travel/fashion advice all for the purpose of this four post feature: 

The Fashionable Backpacker

"We were away for 3 months total with the first being spent working at the Ministry of Finance in Timor-Leste within the Directorate for Aid Effectiveness, and the rest was a real whirlwind (e.g. 5 to 10 days in each location). I inititially had a hard time reconciling feeling like myself (in a fashion sense), and not a 18 year old backpacker, with a packlist that was practical and condensed (I literally had one Kelty backpack), but found that neutrals, quality cottons and the right accessories were the right balance for such a long trip."

The Fashionable Backpacker: Australia and East Timor

First is in Melbourne, Australia, with Banana Republic bag, James Perse tee, J Brand stretchy jeans, and Corso Como sandals.

"I hope you're impressed that I did a dusty road trip in a Pucci headscarf and Marc sunglasses AND that I managed to find a real champagne flute in Timor-Leste (which I drank from in a wrap DVF)! If anyone can appreciate these things, I know it's you."

Timor-Leste in area Branca in DVF (and champagne)

I love how G absolutely remains true to her personal style, looking as chic as ever, while living out of a backpack.  Throughout the next few posts you'll see how she's turned a few key pieces into a wardrobe suitable for nine incredibly different countries, and kept each outfit looking fresh using accessories, and a little creativity.

That's all for tonight my loves, but make sure to check in tomorrow 

for Bali, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka!  xo Caitlin