Yesterday, I accidentally fell into a TikTok rabbit hole (as one does at 11:47 PM when you “just want one video”).
And I saw a video saying:
“The most expensive part of traveling is not the flight. Not the hotel.
It’s the outfits you buy before the trip.”
Excuse me?
I paused. I reflected. I checked my bank account. Because I have never — not once — bought new clothes specifically for traveling. Not for Bali. Not for Singapore. Not even for a dramatic “airport fit.”
I just… open my closet. And pick something, revolutionary, I know. Apparently, some people prepare travel outfits like they’re entering Paris Fashion Week: Day 1 brunch look, Day 2 museum-core, Sunset dress, Airport influencer set, Emergency café aesthetic backup outfit.
Meanwhile, me? One comfortable outfit, One backup outfit and one “in case laundry goes wrong” outfit. Done.
Maybe it’s because I rarely take selfies when I travel. I mostly travel alone, so 80% of my camera roll is landscapes, buildings, random streets, and food. Very National Geographic energy. Zero main-character slow motion walking videos.
It’s not that I’m anti-selfie. I just don’t feel the urge to document my face in front of every landmark like I’m proving I was there.The mountain knows I was there. That’s enough.
But let me be clear — this is not criticism. If buying new outfits for travel makes you happy? Go for it, girl. We have free will. We have autonomy. We have online shopping. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, offend anyone, or involve anything criminal, live your best aesthetic life.
I just personally cannot relate. For me, the most expensive part of traveling is… actually traveling. Flights. Accommodation. Food. Not “Vacation Outfit Haul 2026.” So maybe I’m not fashionable. Maybe I’m not influencer-coded. But at least my suitcase is light. And my credit card is calm.
And honestly? That feels like luxury too. 😌✈️
