Wear it right

Worried about too much skin, or too little? A fashion-and-budget-conscious traveller offers help on dressing appropriately.

It might come as a surprise to many of you that the most common question asked of a travel and fashion blogger isn't about staggeringly beautiful places or unusual street food; it is about packing for 'conservative' countries, like Morocco, Turkey, Pakistan, Tunisia, Oman, Kenya. The universally accepted solution to this dilemma seems to be a pair of denims. I don't like that solution. Answer me this would you be happy to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich everywhere you went? No? Then why wear jeans in every country you visit? Wearing a turban in Africa, ethnic prints in Morocco, and breton stripes in France heightens the travel experience in the same way as sampling a tagine in Morocco, scouring Foie Gras in France, or devouring Bunny Chow in South Africa. If you are travelling this year, try to incorporate kitschy prints, quirky accessories, and colourful scarves into your wardrobe.Dress

Colourful scarves in Lanzarote (Dec 2012)

Now, this can be your best friend in conservative places. Just pop it in your bag and use it to cover your head, shoulders, or legs, if need be. We suggest packing colourful tie-and-dye scarves — layer them with maxi dresses, shirts, and vests to create stunning, avant-garde looks for times when you're not wrapping them around a leg.Cosplay Wigs

For instance, I carried a number of scarves and necklaces on my trip to Lanzarote, a tiny island just off the coast of Africa in December last year. I used a bright bandhini scarf to pull my hair out of the way on a hot day. I've also had to use scarves to cover my neck in Marrakech, head at the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul and shoulders at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) in Bangkok.Women Wigs

Statement accessories in Lanzarote (Dec 2012)

Pack your choicest ethnic accessories to lend interest to lightweight and simple ensembles. We suggest bejewelled wrist cuffs, rings, and tribal necklaces. Longdraped necklaces and turquoisehued rings are perfect to dress up a flowy maxi dress. Don't be scared to clash colours and layer necklaces on holiday — it accentuates the bohemian look.Silk Scarves
Scourge for accessories not just online, but at flea markets to nab a bargain on ethnic and vintage jewels. Follow your gut instead of pandering to trends. Wear a bejewelled cummerbund to accentuate your waist, pile on armlets to add interest to your torso, or a bright headscarf to draw attention to your face.