I have travelled quite a lot. As I spent my first 40 years in England, I saw quite a lot of Europe: Belgium, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands (swimming and playing water polo) and Greece and Turkey for my summer holidays. I loved to watch cricket, so also travelled to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies to watch England play, for my winter holidays.
It was while I was watching England play in Trinidad that I met my future husband as he was an Australian International Cricket Umpire, and is the reason I moved to Australia - and whose cooking has ensured I am a lot bigger than I used to be when I was a single woman, and now I wear plus size clothing!! However, I can hardly blame him for the fact that I am over 40, and stylish.
With Darrell I travelled to cricket destinations, of England, Australia, NZ, SA, plus Italy, Malta, Ireland, Dubai and Sharjah. Sadly I never accompanied him to India or Pakistan and he does not go to Sri Lanka. So some of my inspirational travel outfits reflect places I haven’t been, and assistance from my colleagues, Dush, Rajani and Roshan.
This is my idea of what to wear when travelling in Pakistan – long sleeves, flat shoes, respectfully covered hair and legs, while still wearing bright colours in plus size fashion. Darrell brought this beautiful large Pashmina for me from Pakistan many years ago. This outfit is also good for travelling in as it is loose and comfortable, and I can wrap myself up in the Pashmina if I get cold.
Nepal and India travel clothing – this beautiful sari is Nepalese (thank you Sajani) and I was dressed in it Southern Indian style by Rajani with Dush taking the photos all during our lunch hour.
Places I have been
West Indies Travel Clothing – A Beach Ball is an excellent accessory both on the beach (it hides a multitude of sins) and at the cricket ground, but my tip is not to inflate it until you’re safely in the ground!! If you’re going to blow it up and throw it around be prepared to lose it if a steward gets it and sticks a pin in it. At various grounds in the West Indies there are party stands where the music is loud and everyone drinks rum and jumps up and down all day long! So take water to stay hydrated! It is important to wear a hat to go to cricket as you’re never sure if you will be in the shade or in the sun. It’s also good if it is stylish, like this one.
This beautiful suit is actually from Swish in Australia but makes me think of England because of the roses (but I wouldn’t recommend wearing linen while travelling).
My grandfather was born in Argentina and I have always wanted to travel to South America, so I like the Rubber Art print at Swish. For Argentina these look like stylish gaucho pants to me, and inspire me even more to one day go to Argentina.
I have always called this my Aztec top and it makes me think of travelling to Mexico.
So I have done a lot of flying – thanks to the International Cricket Council mostly in Business Class with the occasional upgrade to First Class. This has spoilt me for ever having to turn right on a plane again, particularly for long flights!!
It’s always good to wear shoes that are easy to slip off and slip on again even if your feet have swelled up in the flight, and my tip is to sit in an aisle seat if you are thinking of imbibing, as a mature bladder needs frequent emptying and even in Business Class it is possible to feel trapped in the window seat, and if you’re travelling alone you may not wish to straddle a stranger in your attempts to escape.
Or for more style tips, see our style tips page.