“HOW do they live out of their backpacks for 11 months!?” Perhaps you’re a future World Racer preparing your shopping lists before launch or maybe you’re friend or family looking for a good giggle. Either way I hope this serves its purpose for you. Stay tuned at the end for my ~personal~ thoughts and advice!
Let us proceed to the runway…
Our first models are sporting India’s most elite World Race fashion goals, the “My host is an angel who offered me her culturally appropriate and glamorous wardrobe.” This is not a sure bet and will typically only knock out an outfit for one day of your 11 months but is one day less that you have to worry about packing for.
In complete contrast to the gold-embroidered sari’s above, the most common and practical pieces are your average Boyfriend-style clothes; ones that are easily washable with minimal emotional attachment because they will get dirty, stained, painted on, torn, bloodied by leeches, and potentially peed on by little boys in the slums (but you wouldn’t want it any other way).
Slightly confused but highly practical school spirit to help you out of “dark times.”
On Wednesdays we wear World Race shirts.
Some rare and gifted World Racers are able to find a beautiful, natural balance as they pick up culturally appropriate pieces along their travels. See below for this season’s, “I’ve got this, I’m a regular,” look. If you think they look like experienced locals, “You’re not wrong.”
Do your research. Did AIM tell you “NO LEGGINGS…”? Yes. Is India on your route? LADIES WEAR LEGGINGS EVERY DAY. And scarves when preaching and praying. Thanks for giving me your lularoe leggings at the last minute at launch, Mom. Sorry they will forever smell like curry.
Want to get a classic tourist t-shirt to a spot you never made it to? Just get your best bud to get one too and wear them on the same day. Your squad will be too entertained making fun of the matching married men to get around to asking you how the Annapuruna base camp was that you never visited. Still nervous they’ll catch on to your tourist-but-not-really Tshirt? Throw on a fanny pack as an extra social deterrent.
Married couple racers? Better make sure everyone knows it. MATCH. (Noticing a trend here Andy…)
Want to embrace abandonment head on and minimize your pack weight in the process? Try the Jack Twitty and pack one shirt per continent. Tip to making it socially acceptable to the masses? Just lie and say you “have more than one of the same shirt.”
A must-have for this season: hospital robes. It’s the latest evangelizing accessory.
If you survive each country, you get to take on the spectacle that is Travel Day. Yes, it has become a proper noun and essentially a public holiday.
You won’t make it very long on the World Race to show off your new fashion trends if you don’t immediately invest in the most important accessory out there: EYE BRAS.
You know what else is super on-trend this season? Self-care.
At the end of the month, you’re going to have worked up a well deserved adventure day, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be near a beach, springs, waterfalls, or rivers for some of them. What is a world traveler without a swimsuit thrown into your pack? Make sure it is “World-Race dress code.” Modest is hottest. You may be a liberal but your swimmer will be as conservative as the second amendment… If you’re even allowed a swimsuit…. oops sari.
Basically, some racers live off good old fashioned worn T-shirts and athletic shorts and others manage to amp it up a notch or add their own flare. Some have been on mission trips before and/or talked to folks that have been on the World Race and gotten their feedback on what life is really like out here. No matter how much you plan or how many blogs you read, you’re either going to have pieces that you wish you’d brought or left at home and it will be okay either way. The “free table” and markets in each country have been half the fun anyway!
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
