The Latest Camping Fashions

You might think of fashion as something strictly for city life. When you’re out in the wild, you don’t need to dress to impress. Camping is about getting in touch with something deeper than the superficial concerns of seeing and being seen. However, that philosophy ignores the fun of fashion.

No rule states that you must look dowdy when you camp; on the contrary, what better time than a camping holiday to indulge your personal sense of whimsical style?

Camping fashion must transcend mere appearances and give a nod to practicality. No matter how adorable you may find a pair of flamingo pink hiking boots, they still have to stand up to the rigors of a lengthy hike while protecting your feet from the elements.

Let your personal style influence your camping gear with these high-style, but still practical camping fashions.

Across Body Bags

Few styles translate well from the red carpet to the back of beyond. Evening dress and platform heels certainly wouldn’t make the cut for camping, but one fashion trend that works as well in the wild as on runways is the cross-body bag.

Extra-long straps worn sash-style from shoulder to hip keep across body bags out of your way as you trek through the woods. Choose a leather bag with durable metal fastenings for greater longevity on camping trips. The style is ancient, but modern touches include brilliant colours and finishes that add a splash of originality to your camping kit.

Microfibre

One of the newest examples of textile genius, microfibre fabrics weave or press incredibly fine strands of material into cloth that wears beautifully, feels soft and wicks moisture away from skin. These fabrics have revolutionised camping and sporting gear with their practicality and comfort.

It doesn’t hurt that they look as good as they perform. Stretchy microfibre undershirts are a perfect first layer under your other clothing, while thicker microfibre such as synthetic suede is an excellent choice for jackets and other outerwear. Animal prints and vibrant colours are the hottest trends right now.

Visible Layers

If you’ve spent even a single night camping, you know the benefits of layering for warmth. Multiple layers let you add and subtract clothing as a brisk morning becomes a warm day or a mild afternoon turns crisp. What’s new now is making those layers visible. A hip-length tank-style undershirt with a high neck peeks out from beneath your t-shirt, which in turn shows under your unbuttoned flannel top.

Dressing in visible layers has two advantages. It lets you show off your style with coordinating colours and prints. It also gives you a more streamlined shape than a mound of clothing topped with a bulky jacket would.

Feminine Fashion

The trend toward ladylike looks in the city is carrying over to the campfire. Well-defined waists in jackets and tops, pastel hues and fitted jeans look distinctively feminine rather than like scaled-down versions of men’s gear. Appealing colours and shapely silhouettes are fashionable, but not frilly; these clothes are every bit as ruggedly practical as their dun-coloured counterparts.

Camping and fashion are not mutually exclusive. You may not care to see and be seen as you would in the city, but you can certainly enjoy looking your best.