The Fancy Style Of Clothing You May Want To Avoid Packing On An International Trip

When you pack clothes and accessories for an international trip, you have to make some hard decisions about what to bring and what to leave behind. Although you might want to showcase your best looks while exploring new destinations, one thing you should reconsider packing is designer items. Unfortunately, high-end, expensive designer clothes and accessories can be impractical and problematic when traveling abroad. If you want to avoid the trouble, the Hermès Birkin bag, Rolex watch, and Versace sunglasses should probably stay at home. 

One of the biggest concerns about traveling with designer items is the risk of loss or theft. Airports, hotels, and tourist destinations are prime locations for opportunistic thieves. Designer clothing, especially when paired with blingy, branded accessories, can make you a target for pickpocketing. Anything with a glaring luxury logo or a slogan usually signals that you're a tourist and wealthy — a massive "rob me" billboard for petty criminals.

While some "luxurious" destinations, such as Paris or London, may seem like the perfect setting for designer outfits, not all places share the same fashion culture. In countries with higher rates of poverty or where people dress more modestly, wearing flashy items is insensitive and will make you stand out in ways you might not want. Blending in with the local crowd is always a safer approach. In Europe, for example, locals usually wear subtle branded items, while fashionable people in East Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea proudly wear branded luxury items in public. 

Designer clothing, while stylish, is not always the most practical. Some pieces may be delicate or require special care (like dry cleaning), so you'll need to find suitable laundry services abroad, which can be both expensive and inconvenient. International trips — with long flights, 20,000 steps a day, and fluctuating weather conditions — demand clothing that can withstand wear and tear. This fashion designer says you should ditch the heels, particularly if you're traveling to Europe and plan to stroll its cobblestone streets. Clothes that can be easily washed in a hotel sink or tossed in with the regular laundry will save you time, money, and stress.

Plus, even if you're extra cautious, there's always a chance of misplacing or damaging your expensive items. A splash of tomato sauce on your white Chanel sweater in Rome will surely ruin the day, and the last thing you'd want is to lose, rip, or damage an expensive piece while exploring a bustling city like Hong Kong or hiking through Europe's largest national park. Prioritizing comfort and practicality without necessarily compromising style will make your trip much more enjoyable.

However, the separation anxiety from leaving behind some of your favorite luxury items might be too strong. To safely bring these designer pieces abroad, start by investing in high-quality luggage with a secure lock to ensure that everything is well-protected during transit. Store delicate clothes in garment bags and have protective cases for shoes or handbags. Do not get cheap travel insurance. Instead, invest in travel insurance that covers high-end items, and keep a record of all your designer pieces, including receipts and photos, for proof in case something happens. Most importantly, be selective about what you bring along; less is more.