Why Filipino Travellers Love to “Overdress” (And Why It’s None of Our Business)

Months ago, netizens made fun of Filipinos overdressing on their trips. People called them tryhards and social climbers. They even compared them to white people who usually just wear tank tops and shorts when they go backpacking (or should I say ‘begpacking) in gentrified Southeast Asian islands and beaches. What’s worse is that those roasting comments came from fellow Filipinos, including those who have already migrated abroad. Somehow, just being outside the mainland made them feel superior to people who actually live there. Classic case of gatekeeping, insecurity, and straight-up judgment disguised as “honest opinion.”

Image credit: BLACKPINK Jennie Official Instagram

Now, here’s my two cents to all of you, judgmental people with a massive superiority complex. Travel is expensive. Flights, hotels, travel tax. Filipinos aren’t just popping on a plane for fun. They save, budget, and sometimes scrimp for months just to get there. Dressing up while doing it isn’t vanity; it’s celebration. Some people even go on trips to reward themselves after a dreadful month of work. That kimono in Kyoto, a snatched look at the airport, matching fits with your squad. They’re not trying to show off. They’re marking the moment and making memories.

Also read: What It’s Like to Travel Internationally for the First Time — We Asked Filipino Travellers

Photo ops matter too. TikTok, Reels, Instagram. These trips are often once-in-a-lifetime. People aren’t harming anyone by wanting to look good while holding their khao soi or standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. And let’s be real. “Overdressing” is subjective. For many, a T-shirt and shorts are everyday wear, so anything else looks extra. But extra isn’t a crime. It’s personality, creativity, and joy in motion. I mean who doesn’t want to look good in their travel photos? Those memories will live on forever. So, why not make yourself a little bit more presentable than usual, right?

Budget travel doesn’t mean boring either. Piso fares, hostels, affordable hotels. They find ways to see the world without going broke. And somehow, they turn these modest trips into runway energy. Effort counts and style isn’t limited to people with fat wallets.

And here’s why dressing up makes even more sense. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, only about 110,000 Filipinos aged 15 and over traveled outside the country in 2022. Of that, only around 62 percent went for vacation, while the rest traveled for business or other purposes. Considering the Philippine population was a massive 114 million that year, that’s less than 1 percent traveling, and an even smaller number traveling for fun. When you’re part of that tiny fraction getting the chance to explore, celebrating it with a cute outfit is only natural. It’s not excessive. It’s marking a rare and special moment.

Also read: I Saved Up to Travel Abroad For the First Time When I Was 25 & Here’s What I Learned

Image credit: Clauds Style Instagram

The irony? People who’ve got everything, privileged kids of politicians, heirs of wealth, travel using Filipino taxpayers' money, wear designer labels, and somehow can’t manage to look half as put-together. Effort is everything. Entitlement isn’t cute!

Also read: Claudine Co’s Dream Passport Collection of Countries You’ll Want to Visit

Why don’t we put our energy into the people who travel lavishly, rocking expensive designer clothes—and somehow still look chopped, by the way—funded by the taxes we all pay from our own pockets? At the end of the day, style, effort, and pride can’t be bought. And that’s the tea.

Featured image credit: Dua Lipa Official Instagram