Where the Wild Things Are
April is the cruellest month.—TS Eliot
April showers bring May flowers. —Folks
Work is work. Sometimes play. And play is play. Sometimes work. But you must work and you must play, in an equal way. Or you will pay, someday. Vintage rose coat-unlabeled ($14, thrift store).
So for today, come away. Play. Even (and especially) on a rainy day.
The above printgasm is my go-to travel/goof off outfit. It has everything you could ever want for a delightful trip to where the wild things are.
Top Notch oversized polyester flower blouse ($2, thrift store). I normally don’t wear polyester, but when traveling, polyester is fantastic. It packs light and tight. It doesn’t wrinkle. It dries quick and won’t leave you wet in rainy weather. And when it’s loud and sized for an obese woman, you throw everyone off guard, even guards. It gets you through a trip unscathed and comfortable. Show a little more figure by adding a belt and shoving up the sleeves.
Gray animal print leggings ($3.75, thrift store). Leggings are the best travel wear ever, especially when they’re totally wild.
Steve Madden bondage sandals ($10?, Ross Dress for Less). In the winter, I wear the same outfit but with fleece-lined Merrell boots ($11, REI garage sale) that double for hiking and other action.
Now, for the most important piece of travel wear, the Turkish pashmina (gift, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul). A pashmina is a fine cashmere wool scarf. It looks classy as all get out, but it is like a swiss-army knife. Useful for so many reasons. Here are just a few…
To make you look like a damsel in distress, or at least, a maiden. (Also, sun protection.)
Then on the other side, pure villian baby. (Also, thief/Sharia Law deterrent.)
Use it for a towel or a turban. Sometimes simultaneously.
It makes the perfect blanket…
and pillow too.
Other often emergency-only uses not pictured: baby sling, broken limb sling, diaper, leash, sarong, tourniquet, umbrella and so much more.
Happy trails to you. May your path be filled with printgasms and pashminas.
Photos by Dan Costello, my favorite travel partner and park companion.
