Are you ready to experience the best gastronomic offerings the continent of North America has to offer? Take your taste buds on an adventure of a lifetime as you find out about the most talked about culinary dishes in the region. Before you begin your journey, however, you need to prepare your wardrobe for the unparalleled North American foodie experience that awaits. Let’s find out what to wear on a North American foodie adventure!
1. A Foodie’s Tour of North America: What to Wear
Whether you’re an avid lover of epicurean delights or a novice of the food world, a foodie’s tour of North America has something to tantalize and intrigue the palate. It can be somewhat of a challenge to dress for a food tour – you’ll want to look stylish while staying comfy and sleek due to lots of walking and sampling. Not to worry – here’s a few tips clothing to ensure you look chic as you sip and savor.
Casual Essentials
- Jeans, capris, or shorts – choose the most comfortable
- T-shirts – opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics
- Sweatshirt or sweater – great for chilly nights and early mornings
Footwear Options
- Sneakers / tennis shoes – perfect for walking around to explore local eateries
- Boots – Western style or rubber boots, perfect for wetter climates
- Insulated slippers – great for colder restaurant visits
Accessorizing
- Fashionable hat – look cool, while staying sun safe
- Lightweight scarf – provide a chic accent in chilly climates
- Handy – but stylish – shopping bag – to carry your goods
Finally, don’t forget to pack a coat or rain jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen. Although the sun is probably not the first thing on your mind when you think of a foodie tour, it can be helpful for days spent exploring outside.
2. Travel Like a Local: Don’t Forget Your Sense of Style
Leaving your favourite sports sandals in the closet and packing a pair of stylish flats is the right move when you’re aiming to travel like a local. As an international traveler, you want to show respect for your destination and its citizens by presenting yourself in the best light. Once you don it on, you’ll be sure to become part of the cultural mix.
When you dress like a local it’s usually in the subtlety of the details. You don’t have to adorn yourself full of traditional garb; your outfits can remain simple and easy. Soft color palettes and a minimalistic feel are timeless and elegant. And don’t forget about accessories- which can easily up your game without going overboard! A few locals may take note and you’ll even more easily blend in.
For men, you’ll want to pack a few collared shirts, tailored trousers, a pair of easy slip-on shoes, and a couple of light jackets for those cooler days. Bare basics can still provide an edge of chic. Similarly for women, comfortable cut-off tops paired with jeans and scarves will brighten up any local you may bump into. Or add a maxi or wrap dress for evening events and timeless sundresses for days spent in the park.
Don’t forget to throw in a hat for those beach days too. Whether it’s a wide brim sun hat or a fun fedora, you’ll be providing a local vibe that won’t go unnoticed. Lastly, make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses. Not only do these make a fashion statement, they’ll also be beneficial for the many days spent outdoors.
- For Men: Collared shirts, trousers, slip-on shoes, light jackets
- For Women: Cut-offs, jeans, scarves, maxi/ wrap dress, sundresses
- Accessories: Hat, sunglasses
3. Summertime Dressing for North America’s Various Cuisines
As summer heats up, North Americans may find it challenging to dress for the array of cuisines available to them. Luckily, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind to help you stay cool and stylish.
Asian Cuisines
If you plan to visit a Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, or other Asian cuisine restaurant, you’ll want to avoid short shorts and skirts, and strapless tops. Instead, opt for something a bit more conservative like a sundress with a light cardigan, or nice fitting trousers with blouse. As always, stick to colors that are on the lighter side; this will help keep you cool and also help you to fit in to the culture.
Italian Cuisines
When it comes to Italian dining, you have more options. Here are a few options for Italian cuisine restaurants:
- Sundress with sandals
- Collared shirt with shorts or jeans
- Slacks and dress shirt for men
- Blouse and skirt
Men and women alike should avoid wearing overly casual clothing, such as t-shirts and shorts. Italian restaurants tend to be more formal than Asian restaurants, so keep this in mind when choosing your outfit.
Mexican Cuisines
Mexican restaurants tend to be more relaxed when it comes to dress codes, so you can be a bit more casual. Women can opt for a sun dress or shorts and sandals. Men may want to wear a shirt and shorts or jeans.
No matter which cuisine you visit, don’t forget to show respect by wearing something appropriate for the restaurant and culture. With these tips in mind, you’ll be dressing for summertime cuisines in no time!
4. Dress to Impress: Rock the Foodie Look on Your Trip
Back in the day, a foodie’s outfit was all about comfort. That meant a dull basic wardrobe of loose-fitting black, grey, and brown trousers and baggy shirts. But as the foodie movement gathers momentum – and inspires a proliferation of Insta feeds devoted to the most chic and creative culinary endeavors – so too does the fashion.
These days, the best foodies are rocking creative ensembles that make a statement. Whether it’s a bold top teamed with a statement jewelry or a stylish scarf, your outfit should be exciting and creative enough to reflect your passion for the culinary arts. Here are some tips to help you dress for the occasion:
- Mix & Match – Mix and match different patterns and colors to create interesting textures and silhouettes. Choose colors that are bright and vibrant and patterns that mix and match.
- Head-Turning Accents – The best way to show off your style is with head-turning accessories. Go for vintage-inspired sunnies, classic fedoras, and printed bags and scarves.
- Comfy Shoes – You’re probably going to be spending quite a bit of time on your feet, so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes. Opt for shoes with good grip and support to ensure that your feet stay in good shape throughout the entire trip.
- Layer Up – Layering can give your outfit a more interesting and pulled-together look. Start with a lightweight top and add a long scarf or vest and add on more layers depending on the weather.
Dressing up for your foodie trip doesn’t have to be an intimidating challenge. With these tips, you can now rock the foodie look with confidence.
So get ready to put together show-stopping looks and take your foodie style to another level.
From the sands of the Mexican coastline to the ice-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, North America is a continent that will tantalize and titillate your taste buds. Now you have the knowledge of what to wear while you explore the continent’s cuisine—so let your North American foodie adventures begin! Bon appetit!
