World

What I was wearing in…

Our editorial team takes a look, for better or worse, at the outfits they wore in their travels. Even if only for the briefest of moment of time, each of these outfits were at some point kind of cool…either that or they weren’t. 

Tim McGlone - Deputy Editor

Year

2019

Location

Ghalat, Iran

Activity

Gazing aimlessly

Context

Taken during several days of trekking and arguably the most eclectic combination of apparel anyone worn in the Ghalat Mountains.  

Pants

Cheap Juventus FC knock-off tracksuit ($2) 

We were only at the base of these mountains but it was still pretty high, and therefore cold, and I didn’t have any pants that weren’t jeans, which aren’t great for hiking. Enter these cheap rip offs I found at a market prior to the hike, which didn’t even make it the whole trek before they ripped. RIP. Forza Juve.

Jacket

Yellow Raincoat ($50)

Whenever I feel like chanelling Paddington Bear, or if it’s seriously wet, I chuck-on this heavy-duty operator purchased in an op-shop in Melbourne. 

Umbrella

(unknown)

It doesn’t look that wet so I assume this was purely for the aesthetic. Nothing goes with a big yellow raincoat like a rainbow umbrella. A genuine mystery where it came from, or where it went.

Backpack

(FREE)

Stolen from my ex-girlfriend, this backpack continued to be worth the money she paid for it, until she asked for it back.

Tayla Gentle - Editor

Year

2016

Location

Mega Supermarket, Alaska

Activity

Perusing the gun section

Context

I was on a shoot for Kathmandu (the outdoor gear company) and they were unimpressed with the wardrobe changes I made. 

Hat

Beaver (price unknown)

When in Alaska, wear what the Alaskans wear… and apparently that’s a trapper’s hat made of beaver fur. Inclusive of the tail, obviously.  

Jacket

Kathmandu ($200)

Waterproof, windproof and probably made of GoreTex or something similarly fancy. I don’t remember ever being cold or wet so the jacket did its job. 

Glasses

Yangon Street Market, Myanmar ($45)

For several years in the 2010s I bought all my prescription eyewear from one market stall in Yangon. Weird, I know. At the start of the trip I’d do my shopping, then I’d go travelling and on my return to the city they’d be waiting for me. Specsavers, who? This particular pair were yellow and blue and I LOVED them.  

Purse

Cambodia ($5)

If you have never owned an embroidered coin purse that fits your lip balm, passport and phone—have you ever really travelled as a woman? This one was pink and blue, and so pretty I still own it today.

JUSTIN JAMIESON - PUBLISHER

YEAR

1994

LOCATION

Koh Phangan

ACTIVITY

Motorcycling

CONTEXT

Straight out of Uni and looking for The Beach before it was even written

SHORTS

Blazer (free – worked there through Uni) 

Potentially the most uncool shorts ever worn on a Thai island.

SINGLET/MUSCLE TOP

Mambo ($50)

Still not sure why I thought my chicken arms warranted this type of clothing. It did mean I avoided a t-shirt tan as all my arms were burnt to a crisp after that day.

SANDALS

Nike ($120)

Not the ideal motorcycle footwear and to be honest up there with the shorts as probably the least cool sandals to be worn by a backpacker in Thailand. I loved them though. They fit like a glove… for my feet.

SUNGLASSES

Oakley (expensive) 

A splurge purchase after a lucky run at the temporary casino in Melbourne’s old customs building (anyone remember that). I thought I was cool avoiding the Blades worn by most bogan cricketers however they really do fit well with the sandals and shorts as far as coolness goes.