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What to Wear On A Road Trip When You Don’t Want To Arrive Looking Like A Garbage Human

What to Wear On A Road Trip When You Don’t Want To Arrive Looking Like A Garbage Human
Carly Jacobs
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oad trips are a real Aussie thing aren’t they? Domestic air travel has never been super affordable here and you really do need to have a car in most places in Australia if you want to get around. Unless you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, public transport sucks pretty hard for out of towners.

I was raised in Canberra but I’ve been living in Melbourne for about 8 years. I go back to visit the old Canberry several times a year and despite the 7 hour long (incredibly boring drive) it still makes more sense for us to drive than fly there when we go for visits. It’s cheaper, we have a car when get to Canberra (essential) and when you take into account driving to the airport, finding a car park and potential plane delays, it really only takes an extra hour or two to drive door to door.

This means I’m trapped in a car for a 14 hour round trip several times a year. Sometimes these trips involve me arriving just in time for a party or a play so I need to look semi-presentable when I get out of the car. I don’t usually care much if I’m just going roll out of the car and sit on my parents couch but if there’s something happening, I like to look a teeny bit tidier.

what to wear on a road trip

Wearing

Dress from Melko – this dress is one of my favourites, it was gifted to me years ago and I’ve worn it to death. It’s like teflon – it just repels everything so it’s perfect for people who seem to attract grot like me.

Shoes from Trippen – I bought these in Germany last year and I adore them. They’re really comfy and I get compliments every time I wear them. I also get lots of non-compliments but that’s the price you pay for wearing weird shit. 

Wear something breathable

Polyester in a hot car feels like glad wrap. Don’t do it. Cotton is the way to go. Also wear long sleeves and take a cotton scarf. I tend to drape a cotton scarf over my legs and any exposed skin ares to stop myself from getting sun burnt as well as slathering myself in sunscreen.

what to wear on a road trip

Wear something that doesn’t attract dust and grubbiness

Having said that cotton is great, sometimes it’s not. I have a cotton dress I love but it seems to attract dust and weird white smears for no discernible reason. None of my other clothes do this so it’s really weird but I tend to avoid wearing that dress on road trips because cars and roads are filthy and road trips are full of both of those things. This dress is patterned so it’s awesome for hiding any road trip grub I picked up along the way and it’s a cotton blend so it’s cool but it also repels gunk. Winner.

Wear something that won’t crush

Either wear something that won’t crush or wear something that’s supposed to crush like linen. Crisp tailored stuff won’t be comfortable and definitely won’t look good by the time you arrive at your destination. This dress looks tailored but it’s actually stretch. Bonza.

Pack your make-up and do it in the car

I only wear sunscreen on road trips because if I’m the passenger, I will inevitably fall asleep (seriously I fall asleep instantly in cars) and my mascara will end up half way down my face. I always do my make-up a few minutes before we arrive. Tip: Save mascara for when the car is stationary. I’ve made that mistake many, many times.

what to wear on a road trip

Pack cute shoes and a pair of flats

On this particular road trip, I went immediately to a fancy baby shower. I packed flats for ducking into the petrol station and going to the toilet and my cute shoes for when I arrived. Sneaky right?

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What do you wear on road trips? Do you even go on road trips very often?

 

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8 Comments

  1. Emily Furlong 7 years ago

    I have a black thick t-shirt material body con dress (sleeveless) that I wear with a kimono jacket or one of my trademark linen scarves that I’ve tied into a vest along with cute flats. I say trademark, because I have four of the same scarf in different colours that I rotate through and wear one of them at least once a week. It’s an outfit that can be dressed up or down depending on accessories. If I don’t have to be somewhere presentable at the other end it’s denim shorts, t-shirt and sneakers.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      Bloody love a body con dress. I’m in the market for a few more of them actually because they look great under crocheted stuff!

  2. nonnuclearmaven 7 years ago

    Love that dress!
    Do you have any sunscreen recommendations? Do you use one that doesn’t smell like sunscreen?????

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      I have one with an orange lid that’s a sensitive one! Not sure what it’s called. I want to say Cedal Or Cetaphil or something?

  3. Missy D 7 years ago

    I’m going to start by saying that public transport is pretty damn good in Brisbane and Perth also (I work in public transport… so I know).

    But, that’s not the point of the article. 😉

    I grew up on the coast of central Queensland, so yeah, all over road trips – routinely did 10/12 hour trips to/from Brisbane at least four times a year back when it wasn’t cheaper to fly when you had a family of five. Generally, I DO feel like it’s cheaper to fly most places in Australia given our ridiculous price of fuel, meals on the road, accommodation etc. But having said that my partner and I love a good road trip. We’ve done Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains and few around South East Queensland wineries, Byron Bay etc. Next we’d love to do one to South Australia and visit the Barossa.

    All about jeans and a comfy shirt on a road trip.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      I NEVER find jeans comfortable. It’s just not a thing for me. Jeans are almost special occasion things for me it’s bizarre.

  4. Teresa 7 years ago

    I’m terrible I always wear super comfy yoga pants. A short sleeve tee and a cotton jacket for temperature changes. Easy on/off shoes for running in the gas station. I take a clean blouse with me in a zip lock bag because I’m messy. Love road trips.

  5. Louisa 7 years ago

    Awesome dress Carly ? I want your recommendations on cute flat shoes please?! I need a pair that are comfy, cute, and well made. Mine don’t seem to last long.

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