I have never been a fashionista. I’m sure my friends would tell you I barely hang on by a thread (pun intended) to what is fashionably appropriate depending on the event. I do love attending themed events where they tell me exactly what to wear. It is so much easier!
Living in an RV full-time brings about a greater constraint on my already limited dress sense. Boondocking takes it even further. As RVers, even if it is just for a weekend, wardrobe options are limited in comparison to your brick-and-mortar storage space. The smaller the space, the more people in the RV, the fewer packing choices you have.
If you full-time, you are probably carrying every season of clothing with you because you have nowhere else to leave it. We have become very eco-friendly. We are not buying expensive leathers and furs from around the country because we have learned to layer. Each season’s contribution to our wardrobe has to cater to at least 1-2 other seasons or the article of clothing must be abandoned.
Enter boondocking attire. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of slim and extremely brilliant clothing choices for small spaces and seasons. I have 50 hangers in my closet and that is my wardrobe selection—unless…I can roll it up very tiny and fit it into a drawer.
And then boondocking comes along.
Boondocking attire
If you haven’t been boondocking you should give it a try. It is as close as some of us will ever come to living like a pioneer. My extravagant outerwear on hangers goes mostly unused. Now I enter water conservation mode. You don’t want to fill up your gray tanks or you will be pulling up anchor and sailing into the nearest town. And you don’t want to make a trip into town, that is extra fuel and time. All of a sudden, that flannel shirt becomes your suit jacket for the chilly mornings, jeans are carefully folded and set aside for another day of wear and tear.
I haven’t even addressed the accessories. By accessories I just mean hats and shoes, maybe a belt, but sweatpants work too. Hats reduce the number of shampoos, slippers can keep your feet warm without using the last pair of socks. I’m sorry though—I draw the line with underclothes! Those go on clean every day.
One day I walked outside and the sun was shining. I spread my arms and took in a deep breath. I looked down and thought, “Oh my God, what am I wearing?!” Starting from the feet: I wore black slippers with white ankle socks, and sweatpants that didn’t quite reach down to cover the white socks. As an accessory, I had a white flour handprint on my hip from making breakfast. I had on a black T-shirt with the Creature from the Black Lagoon in green printed across the front. Atop this awesome outfit was a blue and white flannel shirt. On my head, a torn Harley Davidson baseball cap in gray. Nothing matched, nothing was sized right, and everything was a day or two used.
I started to run back in and change. But I slowly looked around and there was no one to judge. Instead, I stood there perfectly happy in what I now call my “Boondocking Attire.” You should try it. Maybe you have.
Don’t get me wrong. I still know how to fit into a social gathering. I still care about my attempt at ensembles. But if I think no one is looking, it’s Boondocking Attire all the way. There is nothing like saving the environment one outfit at a time and not offending a single person while doing it. Right?
##RVT1094
Lucinda, you hit the nail on the head! My boondocking attire choices are limited too. Whatever is the norm. Great article.
BABY WIPES! 😉
Traveling alone now (Biden and I are about the same age), there are days I don’t even get out of my pajamas.
I see nothing wrong with the picture or the clothing choice. We travel regularly, but well short of half-time. We live in a sticks-and-bricks when not traveling. Our own “fashion” choices while working around the farm probably approximate Lucinda’s as pictured; to each his own. 🙂 My clothing choices foremost are utilitarian, not “fashionable.” If they also can be deemed “fashionable,” then all the better
I usually wear my jeans for about 10 days. If it wasn’t for my wife I’d probably go for about a month. No one seems to mind.:)
We are full time with no laundry on board. We live by the rule we don’t change clothes, we change people. We are not dirty smelly people. But we wear clothing for several days until dirty unless we are seeing the same people every day. I also hate doing laundry so have enough undies to last 3 weeks. They get changed every day…lol
I absolutely love the Rule. That’s great. Change people, not clothes. OMG. Hysterical. ✌️🤣😅
Nobody seems to care what we wear in our winter RV park (on our 5th month now). Many a folks head to/from the bath house or out walking their dogs in bath robes. Men are often shirtless with towel and bath kit in hand. No dress code here other than clothing is not optional.
Camouflage clothing. It doesn’t show the dirt and holes in it from the campfire add patina to your outfit. It is supposed to be worn wrinkled. I have my dress up camo and camping camo. Wore it for years in the army and always looked good.
Sounds like my standard “around the house” wear. I worry about what I’ve got on only when I’m going “to town”.
I felt like you were describing some of my ensembles. My house shoes are so comfortable, I have forgotten and worn them to the store and just the other day to work.
personally I don’t care what YOU “wear”. I don’t want to see your private parts. I don’t show you Mine. Please wear underwear.
Too Funny!! F.T.R. I always wear Clean Underwear. My Mom taught me!!
Yes…you never know when you might end up in the hospital.
I ended up in the ER after I got hit by a car. The first thing they did was take off my clothes and underwear. They don’t care. Only Mom cares evidently.
Camping, to me, is my time to relax. And that means that I will dress, like you, in what is not only comfortable but what is the least likely to show dirt and will all wash up in the same load. All dark colors, nothing white or light. When I wipe my sooty hand on my butt after tending the campfire, I don’t want to have to worry about it showing, lol. I have clothes that “live” in my camper, designated solely for camping. I am at my most relaxed when in my camper and have learned not to be concerned whether someone else likes my outfit or not.
I’ll take it a step further. I dress for MY comfort. I don’t care if anyone likes it or not. I dress modestly but comfortable, period. Whether I’m camping or not.