'Nother Giiiiiiirrrrrllllyyy Blog Post: Travel Wear

I've been thinking about the concept of "travel wear" a lot lately, though I don't know why - it's not like I've had much chance to travel lately! (Or probably will for a little while.) Still, it's something that's been on my mind, what with the approach of spring, which usually means out-of-town trips for Mr G and I, (mostly for weddings), and that has me thinking about travel clothes.
"Travel clothes," to me, generally means clothing meant specifically for travelling. I think I first became fascinated with such an idea when I was in first grade. I was reading a book about a little girl and her doll that came to life. I remember little about the book other than the fact that all the doll's outfits were all described in excruciating detail. Though I paid little attention to my own manner of dressing throughout my childhood, I had a deep interest in fashion and costuming, and, the book taking place in the Victorian period, it was pretty much right up my ally. One outfit that seemed to particularly fascinate me was what was called the doll's "traveling outfit." I still remember that she wore a dark grey dress with a green plaid coat and a matching hat.
Though that was the beginning of my interest in "traveling clothes," it was certainly not the end. I developed a fondness for films from the 30's and 40's, (one that's never ended), and I noticed that, back in that time, they, too, seemed to have outfits worn specifically for travel. Reading Jane Austen books, or watching the films based upon them, and seeing Victorian-era period pieces revealed that they, too, had pieces of clothing meant often exclusively for traveling in. These viewings also caused me to come up with, over time, a set of "rules" I associate with travel clothes, though this is the first time I've ever put my (very much unwritten) rules down in any sort of order.
My "Rules" of "Travel Wear:"
1.) Travel clothes must be dark-colored, but black should be avoided. Go for dark green, grey, or navy blue. Sometimes, dark brown. I suppose this "rule" came about because, whenever I would see people in travel outfits, or read a description of them in the book, they always seemed to be clad in these particular colors. I suppose that in the time of coach or train travel, this would have made perfect sense: darker colors would hide all the soot or dirt you'd get on yourself. Though there's no dirt or soot to worry about in airplane travel, this is a rule that has become stuck in my mind, though heretofore unconsciously, as I always find myself dressing in dark grays, blues, or greens whenever I take a trip. Given my penchant for spilling things all over myself, however, it may not be a bad idea for me to wear things that'll hide stains more easily when I travel, however.
2.) Travel outfits must be worn with some kind of outerwear. All travel outfits I've noticed, from the Regency period to the 40's, seem to have coats or jackets that go on over whatever dress or skirt-blouse combination the person is wearing. My guess is that this extra layer acted as further protection against dirt, soot, and inclement weather. As it is, I almost always find myself throwing on a lightweight sweater or jacket before heading to the airport, even for summer and spring trips. (Thank goodness for 3/4-sleeve jackets!) However, lots of people suggest bringing/wearing a scarf/shawl that can double as a blanket or pillow for the trip. Since I would find a scarf-plus-jacket to be a little too much layering for the spring and summer, I might try leaving the jacket at home next time, and just bringing a scarf.
3.) Travel outfits must be fairly wrinkle-resistant. Whether you're getting to the destination by train, coach, car or airplane, travel involves an awful lot of sitting! It's important, in my mind, that the outfit not display just how much sitting I've been doing. Though I don't know exactly what the ladies of earlier periods did to keep their clothes from getting all wrinkly on long trips, but for me, this means wearing stuff in a jersey fabric or something similar.
4.) Travel clothes must look nice. While this is mostly something of a personal rule, it also seems to have applied to those travel-clothing-wearing ladies of old. After all, you will meet with lots of people, and new people, on your trip. You'll want to make a good impression. Besides, I'd feel uncomfortable having to complain to all those well-dressed airport workers if I were wearing jeans, a t-shirt and nasty tennis shoes. If I dress a little more nicely, I'll at least feel a little less intimidated. To me, this means no ratty jeans, no tennis shoes, and, certainly, no sweatpants.
5.) Travel clothes should hit at the knee or below. They also should display as little cleavage as possible. I have terrible posture. When I'm bored, tired, or uncomfortable, it tends to get worse. Therefore, I am leaning all over the place whenever I'm waiting at the airport. Lord knows what kind of an eyeful I'd give people if I didn't abide by this particular rule! Plus, airports and airplanes get cold. Traveling women of the Regency period to the 40's also seem to have used this rule, but then, they tended to be careful about just how much and how they were showing some skin. For me, this means I usually wear pants or nice jeans, though I've worn a knee-length dress on a plane.
6.) Travel clothes should be comfortable. This is definitely a personal rule, and, to my own mind, the most important. Again, traveling, however you do it, usually involves lots and lots of sitting. Anything that digs into your back, or your stomach, or is really, really itchy, should not be worn while traveling. (Or at all, to be honest!) You have to be able to breathe on the plane, (or wherever), so it's important to be comfortable. Though jeans are usually comfortable enough for me, I also like the idea of something like drawstring pants in a sturdy cotton twill. With the right top you'll still look impressive, and you can always tie it more loosely on the plane. (So long as you make sure they won't fall off when you stand up!)

My perfect outfit I think would be a pair of dark gray sturdy twill drawstring pants, a jersey fabric higher scoopnecked shirt dark green or navy blue, with a lightweight jacket or long, lightweight cardigan, and maybe a shawl worn as a scarf, with a comfortable pair of ballet flats.