Okay, let's be honest. When I plan a trip, I want to experience the culture, not just be that tourist. So, before my trip to Mexico City, I was obsessing over one crucial detail: what to wear. My biggest fear? Screaming "I'm a tourist!" with my clothing choices. Especially my hat. I knew a good hat would protect me from the sun, but I also wanted to choose wisely. I wanted to fit in, or at least not stick out like a sore thumb. My quest for the perfect, non-touristy hat began!
Naturally, my first thought was, "I need a hat!" The Mexico City sun can be intense. But what kind? I pictured myself strolling through vibrant neighborhoods, wanting to blend in with the locals, not attract unwanted attention. I even considered a stylish Panama hat. But after doing some research (and realizing I knew nothing about hats!), I quickly realized I was heading down the wrong path.
After some digging, I discovered the key to not looking like a tourist in Mexico City: simplicity. Forget the fancy hats. Forget the wide brims. The overwhelming advice I found was this: baseball caps. That's it. Apparently, sporting a fedora, especially as a foreigner, is a major faux pas. It instantly labels you as a tourist. The same goes for safari hats or anything too elaborate. I realized then that less is more when trying to blend in.
I was amazed at how unified the advice was. The consensus was that anything other than a baseball cap (and even those are more common in the US) is instantly tourist-coded. I even saw comments joking about how sunscreen would be a better choice than certain hat styles!
So, I ditched my initial hat ideas and went for a simple, slightly worn baseball cap. I also learned that denim is a staple in Mexico City, even in the heat. I paired my cap with jeans and a t-shirt, aiming for a casual, everyday look. I wanted to look like I could be a local from Polanco, even if I wasn't! I realized that trying too hard to look "authentic" can backfire. Sometimes, simple and understated is the way to go.
Here are some tips I gathered from my experience and what others suggested:
While my trip to Mexico City was focused on warmer weather, I recently stumbled upon something on Wholecustomdesign's homepage that I wish I had known about for cooler destinations. I found their collection of winter hats, and I was particularly drawn to this Fashion New Korean Hooded Bear Beanie Lady Winter Hats Big Fur Scarf Warm Thick Hat for Women Soft Gloves Kitten Cap Ski Hat in Khaki. It's not exactly Mexico City appropriate, but it's super cute and looks incredibly warm.
The beanie from Wholecustomdesign features a hood, a big fur scarf, and even comes with gloves! It's the perfect way to stay warm and stylish during the winter months. While it wouldn't help me blend in in Mexico City, it definitely would be a great option for a trip to a colder climate. It’s also a great alternative if you’re looking for something beyond a simple baseball cap and want to make a fashion statement without screaming “tourist.” I'm seriously considering getting one for my next winter vacation. It's a blend of fashion and practicality that I appreciate.