Having travelled all over the world, I'm always on the lookout for a cool piece of clothing to remind me of my experiences in different places. There's something quite special about looking through your wardrobe and simply seeing a t-shirt with the words, "Japan", immediately bringing back the great memories of your travels there.
If I'm not travelling, the next best thing is to be reminded of some of the good trips I've had. The ethical minefield of buying a Vietnam sweatshirt online, not knowing where or how it has been manufactured is also an unsettling thought. At least buying a t-shirt from a street market in Thailand is supporting a local trying to make ends meet. You also can't beat the authenticity of buying something in the country itself.
I did however find that when returning back to cold and drizzly reality in the UK, these staple items of my travelling wardrobe were quickly demoted to the pyjama drawer after their first wash. Travelling gives you experiences that you treasure for a lifetime. Personally, I would always feel somewhat in debt to the local communities that were often so welcoming - significantly contributing to the experiences had in different countries around the world.
