Some travellers aim for the destination. For me, one of the most important parts of the destination is the drive. The whole process of getting there – the journey – is an integral part of the experience and one that sets the tone for an unforgettable adventure. From pre-planned playlists for a South African road trip and snacks that have been packed for every hour to the excitement of outfit prep and road trip dressing – it all forms part of the journey.
When it comes to road trip dressing, merely adopting the approach of packing items that won’t crease will not always result in you feeling (and looking) your best. In essence, one should be able to dress for a day that can change completely between breakfast, a long drive, a farm stall, a wine estate and an al fresco lunch. But how?
In South Africa, one could face the temperatures and temperaments of all four seasons in just one day, which merits proper wardrobe planning for a cross-country road trip. The challenge: dressing for all of this (and more) without packing your whole wardrobe.
Building a Well-Considered Travel Wardrobe
When it comes to a capsule wardrobe that is versatile enough for a South African road trip, there are three principles to consider: comfort, versatility and layers. Comfort is probably the most important, as long drives demand clothing that moves with you. Every item should also work in more than one setting, which is where versatility comes in. Lastly, South Africa’s weather can change dramatically throughout the day – especially as you travel from the north, through the Karoo and down to the Cape – which means layers are a must.
Ideally, you want to pack less, but well. You want to pick pieces that earn their place in your suitcase – those pieces that speak slow, sustainable comfort and versatility, but also those pieces that make you feel good wearing them.
High Fives for Hero Pieces
If there is one piece that should be getting a high five for being the hero in the wardrobe, it’s the lightweight jacket. Think early morning departures, air-conditioned cars, chilly evenings, farmstall stops, wine estates and casual dinners – you’d want to have it handy every time.
Style a lightweight utility jacket with a linen shirt, relaxed trousers and sneakers and you’ll definitely look the part for a South African road trip.
It’s also an easy outfit to transform into a chic look for lunch, or even a more elevated outfit for sundowners. By adding a headband, a tote bag and perhaps some red lips, lunch will not only be lavish, but also very in vogue. Elevate the outfit for sundowners by bringing in a hint of bling through a pair of kitten heals or elegant slip-on sandals, some big, bold earrings and a matching clutch. A silk scarf is always handy too. It serves as one of the best road trip essentials, whether you use it as a headband, tie it around your waist, or add it to your bag as that one final touch that completes the look.
The Perfect Road Trip Trousers
Quite frankly, there is nothing as uncomfortable as trousers that are too tight. Especially when you’re on a road trip. When considering what to wear on a road trip, choose trousers that are comfortable around the waist, breathable, not too restrictive and easy to style. Of course, it also helps if your trousers are as crease-resistant as possible. These could include relaxed, tailored trousers, wide-leg trousers, chinos, linen-blend trousers, elevated cargo trousers or even denim for cooler destinations.
If you still want to look polished even after sitting in a car for four hours, picking the right pair of pants will definitely get you far.
The One-Outfit, Thee-Stops Outfit
When you’ve mastered the art of the one-outfit, three-stops formula, the journey to your destination is bound to be even more exciting (and a lot smoother).
Here’s a simple example:
Stop 1: The Open Road
Wear something comfortable and uncomplicated like a white T-shirt and relaxed trousers, paired with trendy sneakers and sunglasses.
Stop 2: Farm Stall or Coffee Stop
Add a lightweight jacket, a crossbody bag and a hat to your outfit to instantly look more polished.
Stop 3: Wine Estate / Farm Lunch
Swap the sneakers for some fashionable sandals and replace the T-shirt for a linen shirt. Add some earrings or a statement necklace and see how the game changes.
In the end, you don’t change your whole outfit – you simply layer and accessorise for it to fit the occasion.
Shoes – The Road Trip Trifecta
Whilst I love shoes, they do take up a lot of space in a suitcase and therefore, I always try to stick to a maximum of three pairs when travelling.
You’ll need:
- A pair of sneakers, for driving, walking and exploring.
- A pair of sandals / loafers for lunches, wine estate visits and elegant evenings.
- A pair of adventure shoes, depending on the destination. This could be anything from hiking sneakers or walking shoes to ankle boots.
Choose shoes that are already in your wardrobe and shoes that you wear regularly. Don’t buy a new pair just for one trip.
Ace it with Accessories
Accessories really are the key to success when it comes to road trip fashion. At the top of the list is sunglasses, of course, as it’s not only a necessity for style, but also for protecting your eyes from the harsh South African sun. A hat is another must as it also has the dual purpose of protecting your skin whilst giving you an instant style lift. Other recommended accessories for you to be road trip ready include:
- A crossbody bag, which is great for hands-free travel and practical exploration. Even better if it can clip off and be used as a clutch bag for late lunches or dinner dates too.
- A lightweight scarf, which always comes in handy on chilly mornings and in air-conditioned cars. It’s also a great accessory if you’re looking to add some colour to an outfit.
- Jewellery. Just a few simple pieces can take an outfit from road trip to restaurant in no time.
Beauty on the Road
One thing that is non-negotiable on a road trip (or any other kind of travel, for that matter) is SPF. As previously mentioned, South Africa’s sun can be quite harsh and therefore, keeping a travel-size SPF in your handbag and reapplying it from time to time, comes highly recommended. I also pack lip balm, moisturiser and face mist for hydration. If you’re worried about dry air and wind, a leave-in conditioner or hair oil could also come in handy. I mostly keep my hair tied up, as it’s simpler and less drama when I need to transition from an outfit for the car to an outfit for the bubbly bar.
If you’re one for easy and quick make-up fixes, here are my top 5 for a five-minute road trip to restaurant glam-up:
- Tinted moisturiser / SPF
- Concealer
- Cream blush (I love the Soft Touch Mousse Blush from essence, which I sometimes even use for a touch of colour on the eyes as well)
- Waterproof mascara
- A lip tint / lip gloss
In the end, the best road trip beauty tip I can offer is that the only beauty routine that works for long-distance travel, is the one that doesn’t require constant maintenance.
What to Leave at Home
Do you also sometimes fall in the trap of packing too much, because you ‘might just need this,’ and you ‘should perhaps just bring that too’? Here is a guideline of what not to pack for a road trip:
- Uncomfortable shoes
- Anything that works with just one outfit
- Clothes that require complicated care like ironing
- Too many accessories
- ‘Just in case’ outfits
- Anything you don’t really enjoy wearing
The secret to the perfect wardrobe is to be in love with every single piece you own. That way, you’ll always want to wear everything!
Remember, before buying anything for your road trip, ask yourself whether there isn’t perhaps something in your wardrobe that could do the job just as well.
Packing for Your South African Road Trip
Ready to hit the road? Here is a mini checklist – a 10-piece capsule – for a two to three-day South African road trip:
- Lightweight jacket
- White or neutral T-shirt
- Linen shirt
- Relaxed trousers
- Comfortable jeans or chinos
- Casual dress / jumpsuit
- Comfortable sneakers
- Sandals or loafers
- Crossbody bag
- Hat
Add some accessories and beauty essentials and you’re ready to go!
Style That Allows You to Live the Journey
In the end, the ideal South African road trip wardrobe is not necessarily the most fashionable one, but rather the one that allows you to be comfortable and to concentrate on where the road is taking you. So, choose those pieces that move; choose items that are good for layering; and pack with intention. Also, leave a little room for the unexpected, because when the open road is part of your destination, your wardrobe should be ready for anything!
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