The article was just as interesting to read as all the comments in this thread, with all the different approaches and thoughts everyone has on the topic.

It made me realise that I don't seem to have a consistent approach to dressing for vacation! I have worn dramatic, flowy dresses in Italy (all while driving a rented bright red Fiat 500) because that's how I felt great at the moment. I have worn no-nonsense "ugly" hiking gear in Bali because that's what was practical for our agenda. I have had a lot of fun planning very dressy outfits for evenings in an high-end resort in the Carribean.
I have been travelling too much for work in the last years though, and this has also had an influence on how I dress when I happen to travel for vacations : I prefer to blend in but I don't mind looking like a tourist. Anything that does not make me feel like I'm on a work trip!

As someone who is currently on vacation, this article was very interesting, as are all the comments!
I tend to dress for function and ease of dressing rather than fashion when traveling.
I am currently on a cruise in Norway and tomorrow we fly back to the USA from London. For the horrendously long flight(s) I always wear something I can sleep in (even though I don’t sleep) - not pjs, but nice joggers and a long sleeve tee.
For the actual vacation, I do kind of have a separate wardrobe for dressier activities, which consists mostly of slim fit pants (not skinnies), and tops to go with that pack well and don’t wrinkle. Nothing bulky that takes up a lot of “suitcase real estate.” Everything mixes and matches. I really never wear these clothes at home, but in my defense I travel a lot so the items get a lot of wear, and I’m tired of wearing them when I get home.
The only items I wear both at home and when traveling are my hiking clothes, or shorts that I might bring for warm days.

What a fun discussion! I am with Carla - planning is half of the fun!

I think I do dress a little nicer on vacation than I do at home but I still have to feel like me or I would be uncomfortable. I will buy new clothes but only if they are items I will also wear when not on vacation. I agree that I try not to stand out but don't worry too much about looking like a stereotypical tourist.

As far as packing, I am not a carryon only person, at least very rarely. For one thing, as a short person I am intimidated by the overhead storage and hefting a bag up there, and for another, my hair products alone are not small enough to get through security! And with picky wavy hair I can't just use whatever I find in a travel size

Currently planning a 12 day British Isles cruise with bonus 4 days in London and this is getting me excited!

It was an interesting read. I generally don’t worry about whether I look like a tourist or not when traveling. I dress first for climate, and secondly, to please my own self. I also try to dress, walk, present myself as someone who is a difficult mark for pickpockets or scammers. For me, that means bags that zip, are worn close to the body, and have thick straps that are difficult to quickly cut. And clothing that is easy to move in.

I usually do carry-on luggage, because I learned the hard way, many years ago in Paris, that elevators and escalators in older cities are not to be relied on. (I give myself permission to acquire a small bag and check my carry-on heading home, if I see something I’d like to bring back).

Funny recent story about carry-ons getting checked (on my trip to Dublin last year, coincidentally)… I flew JetBlue out of Atlanta, connecting at JFK, then on to Dublin.

They started checking bags three people ahead of me, while boarding in Atlanta. When the attendant reached for my bag, I quickly said, “I’m going to Dublin!” The attendant reached in her pocket, scrawled “dub” on a paper tag, and tied it to my suitcase. Nothing digital, attached to my ticket, to let me track my where my bag was - and my partner had my AirTag in his luggage.

I think I hyperventilated all the way to JFK. But I had a change of undergarments, an extra pair of socks, and PJs in my backpack. I popped into a surfwear store at JFK, and bought the cutest tee I could find, just in case my bag was delayed. So I figured I could get by with what I was carrying on my person. Happily, though, my brave little carryon arrived in Dublin when I did. I kept that hand scrawled tag as a souvenir.

In Dublin, I wore my emerald and pale green sweaters, because that’s a big part of my wardrobe palette, and it makes me feel happy. Nobody remarked on it. I generally found Dubliners to be easy, comfortable and enjoyable to be around. It’s a pretty cool vibe. I think if your green dress makes you feel beautiful, you should consider it.

Interesting thread! Great stories. Lisa, I’m cringing with you at the LA story!

I’m first and foremost a practical traveler. Mostly. Most of my trips involve hiking and physical activity so I lean on gear and can usually coordinate a travel capsule around athleisure pieces.

However, when my husband and I take more urban trips — NYC, Prague/Vienna/Budapest, London — I think more in outfits even though I try to make things mix and match. I’m most concerned about outfits being weather- and activity-appropriate but I want to wear things I love and feel like myself too! So for those trips I will embrace the checked bag and pack a bit more generously.

If I look back through my travel selfies, there’s not a lot of difference in what I’m wearing in a picture in La Vegas or Seattle or Paris or Cape Town. I see that as a good thing, since my main goal is to feel like my best version of myself, rather than being concerned with “fitting in” or “standing out.”

I’m getting ready next week for a little more than two weeks in France (a few days in Paris then Provence for a women artist retreat!), so this is timely. The amazing photographer friend who put this trip together is having a birthday in Paris, so I started to fret about what to wear for that. Then I remembered she basically travels with little more than a backpack for her clothing, she relies so heavily on a uniform of black pieces, her statement jewelry, pretty scarves, and functional shoes. And she’s fabulous with her silver hair and sparkling eyes. I may be taking a cue from her on this trip and attempting a minimal packing strategy! Summer in Arles and Aix is quite warm anyway, so I shouldn’t need much clothing.

Oh wow Janet you are going to Aix! That’s where our second daughter’s French boyfriend is from. They went there in summer last year for his sister’s wedding. Beautiful looking area.

I do embrace fantasy lifestyle a bit when on resort holidays! My joke about my wardrobe for Cuba last winter was that I was channeling Tanya from White Lotus Of course both my outfits and the resort were of a very different price point, lol! But I have a small collection of pretty, flowing, floral/fauna patterned items that don’t get much use in ‘real life’ that I hang on to for these trips. They make me happy so why not?

I guess I don't really change my clothes for vacation much from what I wear on the daily. I tend to overdress most of the time in the rural town I live in, but I seem to fit in much better in most urban settings, whether that's in Amsterdam or New Orleans. As for whether people can tell I'm a tourist? Well, probably because my camera is out at random times! I'm not under any pretense that I look like a local in any particular place, but I don't look like a stereotypical tourist, either. Regardless, I DO feel and dress like "me".

This resonates with me. My biggest problem when travelling is making sure my footwear will go the distance and be comfortable. I then structure my travel clothing choices around the footwear. I'm particularly happy that there are so many fashion sneakers available - as sneakers and boots are my favourite travel footwear.

I aim to be a considerate traveller. I don't expect that anyone would think that I was a local, I hope they think I have manners and am respectful to the local culture. I find knowing a few very polite phrases in the local language goes a long way to being forgiven any faux pas.

The only place I travel these days is to visit my dad in FL, but the line about how much we want to belong struck me. Floridians don't wear black, and I happily do while there. I wear the same things there as I do at home- and I'm definitely Team Carryon.
That said, when I go to festivals, I tend to buy things, so am participating more with the vibe. I'm sure I would to a point if I went on a proper vacation too.