What is fashion as a Peace Corps Volunteer? Well for this Peace Corps Volunteer, it is comfort and not as much looking good. Don’t get me wrong, I still try very hard to look the best I can, but you are on your feet all day so you have to choose the comfort of fashion, and I am completely okay with that. So, let’s talk about what I wear.
Since I am an education volunteer, I have to dress nicely so I do have some form of fashion here in country. It consists of Lula Roe dresses and cassi skirts paired with a plain t-shirt, Kitenge outfits that I have made from local tailors, and maxi dresses. I usually pair those with my ballet flats, yoga mat shoes, or my tan heeled booties. So I can say that I have some form of style here while in service but the second I am done teaching.
I throw on leggings and oversized t-shirts. When people see me out and about, I am sure they think that I have absolutely no style. And you know what? I am okay with that! With the modes of transportation and the amount of walking I do, comfort is the most important thing to me, and as much as I love fashion and looking put together, I’d rather be comfortable. I am not the only one that feels this way. Most Peace Corps Volunteers wear the same style of clothing as I do --except, they add Chacos and Birks. I have yet to get those shoes, but believe me they are on my list and will be coming my way eventually.
I do want to say this really quickly though, I do have a number of really cute dresses that I wear to go out, but only wear them when I go out. They are a little too short to wear in any other situation because where I live changed my sense of modesty. Everything is too short in my opinion now, and when I see certain outfits, I am shocked because I am so used to wearing skirts and dresses past my knee so anything really short is a surprise. One of the most important things in Peace Corps is to integrate into their culture and depending on the culture clothes are an important part of that. This ends up changing your style once you get back to the states or even just within your Peace Corps service like it has for me. I don’t think I can ever where anything that isn’t below at least mid-thigh which is kind of a good thing in my opinion. Honestly, I think people wear clothes that are too short. I was guilty of that in the states and sometimes here in country I still am, but only when I go out, and it’s usually in places that are more western so most of the girls are dressed similarly.
Peace Corps fashion honestly, is whatever you make it as long as you are matching to your culture because integration is the most important part of your service because that is how you are going to be able to work and meet your goals as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
