Safety should be a key consideration no matter where you travel, and part of staying safe in an unfamiliar place is dressing to blend in. Before you get out your suitcase, here are five things you may wish to leave in your closet as you pack for your next trip abroad.
Flashy Jewelry- Never wear expensive, flashy jewelry abroad, unless you want your diamond rings, pearls and pricey watches to be tagged for someone else's collection. Since there's probably no need to impress anyone that much on your trip abroad, leave the valuables at home.
Strong fragrance- Traveling is NOT the time to be experimenting with cologne or perfume. Be respectful of the other passengers on board-they might have scent allergies or maybe are not a fan of your new favorite scent du jour. This rule also applies to bringing food on the plane.
Religious Imagery, Curse Words or National Flags- Avoid clothing sporting religious or military symbols, swear words, national flags and any words or symbols written in a language you cannot translate. There's no need to unintentionally spark an emotional debate while on vacation. It's also not a bad idea to leave religious jewelry, even cross necklaces, at home. If you must, wear them under your clothes so they're not visible to anyone.
Complicated shoes- The more complicated a shoe is to take off, the longer the passengers behind you have to wait in security. Also, airports are large places that sometimes require a lot of walking and/or running to gates says Town and Country Mag. Skip the stilettos and reach for a comfortable pair of loafers or fashion-forward sneakers.
Religiously Immodest Clothing- It's wise to dress conservatively in any country holding deeply religious views, such as those in the Middle East. Women in particular should avoid miniskirts, tank tops, bra tops, short-sleeved shirts, shorts, revealing dresses and cleavage-bearing necklines and sometimes even capri pants. According to The Independent Traveler, Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops in many Middle Eastern countries or when entering a church or other holy place.
