Fashion trends around the world

Young man traveling and taking photos | Source: iStock

We can sense your symptoms through the computer. Instead of focusing on the big work presentation that’s due next week, you’re finding yourself dedicated to a different goal: an impromptu vacation. In fact, you’re so committed to your travel fantasy that you’re checking airfares to Capri every two hours and are even trying to teach yourself some basic Italian. No, this is not a quarter-life crisis. Instead you have a case of wanderlust.

Not only is exploring a new country a great way to blow off some steam, it’s also inspiring: immersing yourself in a world of different cuisines, customs, and fashions is bound to amplify your creativity. Lucky for you, dear travel-crazed reader, we have a solution. You may not be able to call in sick and fly to Mumbai, but you can easily take some style inspiration from those destinations on your travel bucket list. Ease your wanderlust with these five international style tips.

1. In Mumbai, India: Experiment with unexpected fabrics

If you were to check the labels on every garment you own, you would probably realize that your closet is filled with mostly cotton, wool, and polyester. Sure, cozying up in one of these familiar fabrics may be the sartorial equivalent to a safety blanket, but they don’t make for the most diverse collection. Online retailer Strand of Silk, which has posts in London and Mumbai, boasts a wide variety of thought-provoking textiles.

From velvet waistcoats to raw silk kurtas, which an upper garment from South Asia, adding new fabrics to your closet is an easy and effortless way to spice up your wardrobe. Not to mention that an atypical top or pair of pants will double as a conversation piece. With what feels like a never-ending list of organic and inorganic textiles, finding the right match may feel like mission impossible. If you’re a fabric rookie, opt for a frills-free button-down in a light linen or silk. Ready to push the style envelope? A velvet blazer will add some much-needed pizazz to your wardrobe.