If you've been following me on instagram, you know that last month I got married and traveled to Bali for my honeymoon. Beyond the bliss and excitement of traveling as newlyweds, I knew this was a unique opportunity to test out the long-term travelbility of the housedress. How many ways could I wear it? Is it comfortable enough to wear on a plane for 15 hours? Would the pockets be able to hold my passport, phone, sunglasses, and mini sunscreen for an entire two weeks?? I decided to put her to the test.

I packed two hosuedresses for my trip; the Grace Housedress in both Salt and Pepper Gingham and Summer Garden. The S+P Gingham proved to be a unique choice because of an important type of cloth that the Balinese use in their temples. This cloth is called kain poleng and it is often draped around statues, shrines, and tree trunks. The black and white checkered pattern symbolized the balance of good and evil in the universe. Wherever it is draped, a spirit resides within, so the kain poleng keeps the spirit of that energy inside. I wasn't fully aware of this tradition when I initially got to Bali, but I was so intrigued at the similarity and the meaning of the kain poleng.

Housedressing on an Airplane

I did end up wearing the S+P Grace Housedress on the first flight out. We had an initial 15-hour flight to Taiwan where we would then catch another plane to Bali. I layered her over a pair of leggings, high white socks, Birkenstocks, and a zip up hoodie on top. I personally hate pulling my passport and phone out of my baggage over and over again, so I knew the huge pockets would be able to hold all my stuff for easy access through security. It was like magic! Any time someone needed to see my boarding pass or passport, I was able to pull it right out in record time. And the pockets still had room left for my chapstick (which I am hopelessly addicted to) and my earpods.

The next test was the airplane seat. If you are at all like me, you have a plethora of things that you need to make a long flight successful; glasses, ear plugs, an eye mask, a moisturizing mask, chapstick, earpods, a second pair of wire headphones for the tv screen, a mini bottle of wine. And this is just the short list. I have a hard time, like anybody, bending over to reach my bag under the seat, so I tend to try to keep all these things close to me, usually in a secret third bag (that I end up getting called out for) or even worse, the germ-infested back seat pocket. Yuck! But with my housdress on I was prepared. I kept everything in the huge pockets, not worried once if something would fall out or get loose! I even slept for 9 long hours and all my knicknacks were safely secure when I woke up. I never had to access my tote bag under the seat or even touch the back seat pocket!

Housedressing for… Sunburn?!?

The housedress also did something for me that I didn't expect... she literally saved my skin from my sunburn. We spent one morning snorkeling through corals on the western side of Bali. While I had lathered up before we set out on the boat, I never reapplied, and I did not consider how strong the sun would be as I floated on my stomach in clear blue ocean water for 2+ hours. My back and buttcheeks were as red as tomatoes!

My housedress actively protecting my sunburn.

After the initial pain and groaning about my newly flushed cheeks, we had to spend three and a half hours in a car on the way back to the other side of the island. What about my tushy and my back?? I couldn't imagine the pain of sitting directly on the sunburn in a car for that long. But then I thought... my housedress! I lathered up my sunscreen with some aloe and I threw her on with, I admit, NOTHING underneath. The loose fabric was so comforting to my burnt bits and it let a soft breeze blow through. It also made it easier to reapply aloe when we stopped for bathroom breaks. I didn't have to take anything off, just lift up the dress and apply. Best of all, I was able to keep the little aloe bottle right in my pocket! The housedress made the entire car ride so much more comfortable than if I was in pants that wrapped around my sunburnt back. What a relief!

In addition to these practical purposes for my housedress while traveling, it was also overall just a great garment to have. I wore her for everything; as a beach/pool cover up, a robe getting ready in the morning, my outfit for all our included breakfasts, a nighttime look, to take naps in, etc. The list goes on and on. I was glad I brought two to put on a rotation.

So my Bali housedress test was a success. In terms of practicality and versatility, TIMH is THE garment you want in your suitcase, whether you're traveling 8,000 miles or just upstate for the weekend. And while I never recommend getting sunburnt, if it happens to you, TIMH is your best friend too. Just don't forget the aloe!