The Perfect Attire For Your Summer Study Abroad Adventure

By Amanda Cohen on April 24, 2016

School is coming to a close. We are all packing up our closets and stripping our rooms of the fun and personalized flares we so carefully added in August, so that the shoebox in which we reside feels a little more like home.

While some people are returning to their original zip codes, others are anxiously awaiting their fun summer travels. Whether you are going to study abroad in South Africa, Greece, Italy, China, India, or anywhere else, it is of utmost importance to pack the right wardrobe. As I plan on embarking on my own summer adventures abroad, I wanted to share some advice on what you should include in your luggage.

Here are some of the fashion tips I think are most helpful when studying and traveling abroad!

Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are comfortable, flattering and super stylish. They are essential when traveling for a variety of reasons (other than the ones I have listed above). Skinny jeans can be paired with a casual top or a fancier blouse depending on what event you are going to. If you are unsure about the weather, wear skinny jeans and if you get hot, just cuff them! You can go for the simply blue-denim jeans or go for cool colors or camouflage.

Photo via. favim.com

Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans are a more casual variation of the skinny jean and are great to wear when touring Rome or working with kids in the Dominican Republic. Pair these pants with a loose graphic t-shirt or a tight tank top with a cardigan over your shoulders. Put on your Converse or Keds and you’re ready for the tour!

Photo via. http://cdn.gurl.com

Elephant Pants

Elephant pants are probably not the best option when walking around Europe, but in Asia and Africa they are both trendy and popular. The summer heat can be exhausting, but elephant pants are loose fitting, breathable and cute. Style your hair in a high ponytail or some cute French braids and voila, you have the perfect outfit!

Photo via. http://www.styletabblog.com

Lightweight Sweaters

Some of the foreign countries visited in the summer have opposite seasonal schedules than the United States, and even if the one particular place you are venturing to does not, it always gets a little chilly at night, so best be prepared and pack some lightweight sweaters.

I’m not telling you to pack your warmest grey and black sweater that you rock in the tundra of the winter, I’m telling you to pack white or pastel colored cardigans and pullovers. Literally, you cannot go wrong when choosing a white or beige sweater to cover your shoulders. When wearing dresses or rompers, opt for a cardigan rather than a pullover.

Photo via. modwedding.com

Workout Clothing

Going abroad is not all studying, wining and dining — there is always some aspect of exercise involved. You aren’t going to want to hike up mountains wearing skinny jeans (talk about discomfort). Pack a pair of your Nike or Lululemon shorts and/or yoga pants and get moving! Since it can get hot in the summer (obviously) maybe go for light colored yoga pants or shorts instead. Bring a few workout long sleeves to wear over your racer-back tank tops and you’re good to go.

Photo via. https://fitnessontoast.files.wordpress.com

Loose Dresses and Rompers

If you don’t like wearing jeans, or prefer to wear clothes that are more “forgiving” of the large amounts of fun and exotic food you will be eating, I would suggest wearing a loose dress or a romper. You don’t have to get super extravagant when choosing which dresses and rompers to pack: go for solid colored choices that you can jazz up with a cool hairstyle or some fun accessories!

Photo via. thehunt.com

Jumpsuits

Let’s be real, when you go abroad you are probably going to take advantage of the younger drinking ages. When hitting the bar or the club, you don’t want to show up in a Brandy Melville loose dress (nothing against Brandy, but that’s more daytime attire).

A jumpsuit is the perfect combination of embracing abroad fashion while still feeling comfortable. The jumpsuit is fun, trendy, flirty, and honestly just plain cool. Bring out your inner disco and put on some wedges and go rock the town.

Photo via. http://www.mnkosha.com

When studying in a country that has a different culture than your own, remember when you dress yourself to make sure you are respecting the culture around you. Cover up when it’s necessary, wear a dress instead of pants if that is the norm, but still do it in a way that honors your own individual style and uniqueness.

Oh, I almost forgot. The most important thing to pack in your suitcase for your summer abroad is some comfortable pajamas that remind you of home just in case you get a little bit homesick. Whether your pajamas are simply grey sweatpants and a t-shirt or a matching Victoria’s Secret flannel set, just bring something that gives you a little taste of what you will be returning to after your summer adventure!

Photo via. http://s9.favim.com

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