Note #11: Feeling like yourself when travelling
And how I approach it.
I wasn’t actually intending on this one making it to substack, but I had a lot to say on the topic, and I do think that feeling like yourself while travelling, and at home in your body is a very sensual thing, so here we are.
Earlier this week at the Underlena showroom, I hosted someone for a private appointment. While appointments previously formed the core of Underlena’s retail offering (this is my lingerie concept store), we are a ‘real’ shop now, so I just offer these after hours. They are perfect for a more specific need—in this case, a good travel bra repertoire.
With a trip to Japan ahead of her in August, and anticipating very warm weather, my customer wanted to find a couple of bras that would suit her trip: supportive, quick drying, easy to care for, comfortable, and made her feel like herself while on the road.
We struck up a lively conversation about what is often considered a good travel bra, and the amount of weird advice out there. There is a lot out written about stretchy crop top styles and bamboo blends, while vaguely supportive, a bit too thick for the breathability I’m after. And…ugly?
While I love a little pre-trip shop, I don’t think travel should require a whole new perfect travel wardrobe. The best trips I’ve been on, my clothes have felt like an afterthought, made me feel like myself, and allowed me to feel comfortable and at home in my body, so that I can be in the trip.
So the bras that I wear on a day-to-day basis are the bras that are coming with me on a trip, and that’s how I approached the appointment this week.
The customer left with a single-layer mesh underwire that is supportive, works under myriad colours, feels great and looks cute: this OHEN one. No lining or sling that might stays damp after a hot walk in the city, nice straps made from a firm enough elastic for support but still look good poking out of a tank (this Oscalito one, I take a few on all trips).
Now. I’m a natural fibre girl, but my hot take is that a cotton underwire when you’re out on a hot day doing things will get damp under the bust, and stay that way until you take it off. Mesh dries quickly because it isn’t absorbent: lightweight and open weave, it’s what most of my favourite bras are made of. Not all mesh is created equally though, but that’s for another day ;)
The second bra we landed on was by the same brand, their Teardrop Bra in a beautiful shade of brown, which is a classic full-cup number made from a single layer of lightweight, recycled nylon lace. A great t-shirt bra, that functions the same way as the first one.
Another consideration here is hand-washing: easily done in the shower at the end of the day, and hung out to dry either on a makeshift line, or tucked into a towel on a heated towel rail. In 40°C heat, it’ll dry in no time at all.
My customer already had some other favourites to take with her, so we didn’t go all in, but the other bras I would take with me on a trip to a hot city destination, 11 hours away are:
a flexible, very comfortable bra for transit, and mincing about accommodation, low-impact days: Kye’s Ikebana Bra. Great under a tee, or with a collared shirt. I don’t want to feel an underwire when I’m on a plane. (Some people do though, so I’d go for one of the above in that case).
The PATINA Translucent Bra: an elegant, double layered mesh bra with an adjustable slider in the back - great for low back tops and shirts alike. Breathable, lightweight, supportive enough and very chic. I can easily travel with just this and feel very happy.
Underwear made from lyocell is my favourite. I chose this fabric for the Underlena line because it’s so lightweight and fine, so it’s not only breathable and moisture-wicking, but dries very quickly if you’re doing a little hand wash. I like cotton but I prefer this for my underwear. So I pack a pile of the Brief and the G-String, and just wash them in the shower or the sink at the end of the day. I actually received a message this morning from a friend who was wearing her Underlena thong on a walk in the bush and loving them (love this).
And adjacent, the cotton tanks from Oscalito and the Recline Pant, again from Kye. Holy grail things that always come with me, no matter the destination.
To me, the perfect travel underwear is just your favourite underwear, and pieces that makes you feel like yourself when you’re away from your familiar routines.
I love a strong opinion and I’d love to hear yours — what’s your approach to travel underwear, and how does it help make you feel more you?
Yours in sensuality,
Maxine x
The links above are to my store and line, Underlena, so if you purchase anything through those links, I will indeed earn a commission from them ;) I’ll also be very grateful!
Some suggested reading, if you’re new here:
An interview with the sensualite, Lauren Gerrie, on sensuality as life force
Sexy beetroot: a recipe of Beetroot, Sumac Grapefruit Tahini Yogurt & Smoky Candied Almonds by Stacey O’Gorman
So so good!!