Is Tourist Chic the Best Campground?

Tacky tourist suddenly became la fad. That’s right: the timeless look of American travelers having a fashion moment, key pieces slipping into even the most luxurious wardrobes. Don’t believe us? Let’s review the anatomy of the classic tourist style.

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First, of course, the headdress. A true tourist will choose a bucket hat or a truck driver’s hat, with no exceptions. Prada and Bella Hadid apparently have the same taste. The two high-end fashion symbols have featured their own iterations of the sightseeing staple, though not so far from the classics. At least there were no binoculars to accompany them.

Prada

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Tacky tees are definitely a must, even better if they showcase your intended purpose. The “I Heart NY” gear used to be the most banned. But guess what? Now trendy in the name of camp, especially if worn in Manhattan. And while a tourist would wear a pair size too big, style experts opt for a fitted top or even a handbag look instead.

Emma Chamberlain

Johnny Cirillo

But what do tourists usually wear before buying gift shop clothes? Button-down short sleeve top, clear. Extra points if Hawaiian prints are involved. Hailey Bieber opted for the look while in Las Vegas this July, no doubt prompting Gen Z thrift stores to copy her outfit. The more you look like Adam Sandler, the better.

Hailey Bieber

For ultimate utility, travelers opt for the coolest bottoms… cargo pants. Most often found in grandpa’s wardrobes around the world, trouser styles swing from sloppiness to alternative and cool with the seasons. Bella Hadid is a constant fan of cargo pants, especially if the oversized fit makes for a low-waist silhouette.

Bella Hadid

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Footwear is the cherry on top of any effective tourist-chic ensemble, and there are only two options: Birkenstock sandals or chunky “daddy sneakers.” Chanel and Proenza Schouler recently entered the cozy slippers room, even Herms accidentally too. While this version is much more chic than the actual tourist look, simply adding a pair of tall socks underneath can definitely get you there.

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Proenza School

Achieving sneaker dad fashion is easy. Just take the highly debated New Balance trainers or Balenciaga shoes. While they’ve become the definition of off-duty fashion over the past few years, chunky sneakers pop in and out of style as often as cargo pants. Fortunately, tourists will never let the trend die.

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Balenciaga

On the runway, the two recent shows have undoubtedly become total tourists. Balenciaga Pre-Autumn 2021 is set against a backdrop of sightseeing pictures around the world, from the Taj Mahal to the Tour Eiffel. Perfectly complementing every look in the collection, each quietly screams tacky-America-visiting-Europe meets high-fashion.

Announced by postcard, Menswear collection Dries Van Noten Spring/Summer 2022 channeling Antwerp tourism with a mix of retro and futuristic aesthetics. Cool tourist rather than tacky.

Anti-fashion emerging trends tend to sneak up on the industry once in a while. “Out of style” is a temporary label, to the point where denouncing an item of clothing is likely bound to future hypocrisy. The Camp app in ugly-that-somehow-works mode can be applied to any trend, but we’re obsessed with “in” vs. “go out.” Maybe the tourist-chic hospitality is an unexpected way to stay up to date.