For those who know my wardrobe, it’s no secret: I adore skirts. But as my life has become increasingly defined by adventurous hikes and globetrotting expeditions, a question lingered: could my beloved skirts possibly fit into this lifestyle? Initially, the idea of a skirt as travel attire seems counterintuitive. Modern female adventurers often default to trousers, perceived as the practical choice. Yet, there’s a certain romanticism to the bygone era of explorers like Alexandra David-Neel or Harriet Chalmers Adams, who navigated uncharted territories with grace and style, often in skirts.
Harriet Chalmers Adams
Harriet Chalmers Adams, a pioneering female explorer, showcasing the timeless appeal of skirts in adventure travel.
Beyond historical charm, practicality has its place in our sartorial choices. As a traveler, blending into local cultures is often a desire. There’s an undeniable discomfort in sticking out, perhaps in overly revealing hiking shorts or pants, when local women are elegantly dressed in skirts and dresses. And who hasn’t experienced the slight indignity of being draped in less-than-appealing curtains at temple entrances in Bali or mosques in Istanbul, simply because our attire wasn’t deemed appropriate?
Driven by these reflections, I embarked on a quest for the elusive Travel Skirt. But alas, it seemed an impossible mission. The outdoor apparel market, overflowing with hiking pants in every conceivable style, was strangely devoid of skirts. Unfair indeed! The few skirts available in select stores were often too short for culturally sensitive destinations like rural India or Pakistan. Cotton dresses were occasionally offered, but they lacked the technical performance needed for active travel – heavy, slow-drying, and prone to wear and tear after weeks of rigorous use. Definitely not the image of a chic, intrepid traveler!
Discovering the Macabi Travel Skirt: A Game Changer
Disheartened, I almost resigned myself to the “seventy-year-old German tourist” look with ill-fitting hiking pants, abandoning my dream of finding THE perfect travel skirt. Then, I stumbled upon www.macabiskirt.com. A miracle! A website dedicated solely to travel skirts!
The brand’s story resonated deeply. Macabi Skirt originated from Carol Louder, an American woman who loved fishing in Yucatan. She envisioned a skirt that was “ideal for the climate, and more respectful of the local culture. But it would have to handle the heat and the sun. It couldn’t get tangled in her line. It would have to dry quickly after wading. After all that, it would have to stand up to cocktails and dinners.” Like me, she couldn’t find what she needed, so she created it herself. Excited by this discovery, I contacted Macabi, hoping they would ship a skirt to New Zealand, my current travel location.
To my delight, a week later, a red and white package arrived from the USA. Inside was my new long length charcoal Macabi skirt. The fabric was incredibly light and soft, and the stitching impeccable. Initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive. The real test, however, was to take this hiking skirt “into the wild.”
Conquering the Trails: The Travel Skirt in Action
The very next day, I eagerly donned my travel skirt over leggings and set off into the New Zealand mountains. It was mid-winter, and a significant snowstorm had just hit. What better way to test the skirt’s mettle than a snowy hike?
First try of the Macabi Skirt in the snow of New-Zealand
Testing the Macabi Travel Skirt in snowy New Zealand conditions, proving its adaptability to diverse climates.
The hike was a revelation. The skirt’s generous cut offered complete freedom of movement, even when ascending steep, snow-covered slopes. But the true genius lies in its versatility. Imagine needing to climb a ladder, or navigate icy rocks as I did. With Macabi Skirt’s ingenious clip system, the skirt transforms into trousers in seconds. Problem solved! Clever indeed!
When terrain is not easy or that wind is blowing, the Macabi Skirt can be turned into a trousers with a very simple clip system
The convertible feature of the Macabi Skirt, quickly transitioning from skirt to trousers for challenging terrains and windy conditions.
Since acquiring this versatile travel skirt, it’s become my constant companion on outdoor adventures. It has endured thorny bushes, muddy trails, and torrential rain. Yet, remarkably, it remains unscathed – no scratches, no wrinkles. It seems perpetually clean, surprisingly warm, and dries incredibly fast. The only minor drawback? On exceptionally windy days, the skirt can billow like a flag, potentially revealing a bit more leg than intended.
But Macabi has thought of everything. That same clever clip system also allows you to convert the travel skirt into shorts instantly. Perfect for beach strolls, wading in rivers, or even fishing in Yucatan, just like Carol Louder envisioned. Far more practical than cumbersome pants when crossing streams!
When you want to put your feet in the water, or just enjoy the sun, you can turn the Macabi Skirt into a short!
Transforming the Macabi Travel Skirt into shorts for warm weather and water activities, maximizing its functionality.
And let’s not forget the pockets! This amazing travel skirt boasts two generously sized, Mary Poppins-esque pockets on the sides. Inside these, secret smaller pockets, including a zippered security pocket, provide safe storage for valuables, eliminating the need for a bulky, easily lost handbag. As a final touch of brilliance, the entire skirt packs down into its own security pocket, taking up minimal space in your backpack.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend the Macabi travel skirt. I’m certainly excited to wear mine on my upcoming journey along the Mekong River!
Explore the full range of Macabi travel skirts, including various styles and even options for men, on their website: www.macabiskirt.com
Below, a visual journey of the travel skirt in action around the globe:
11- La jupe de voyage Macabi, modèle long couleur charcoal
The Macabi Travel Skirt in long charcoal, showcasing its elegant design suitable for various travel occasions.
10- Dans la neige !
Macabi Travel Skirt performing flawlessly in snowy landscapes, highlighting its warmth and adaptability.
4- La jupe de voyage en mode
The Macabi Travel Skirt in its full skirt form, demonstrating its comfortable and stylish design.
1- La jupe Macabi à la plage
Macabi Travel Skirt at the beach, easily converting to shorts for seaside relaxation and activities.
182 – Montenegro – Grebaje valley
Traveler in Montenegro’s Grebaje valley, wearing the Macabi Travel Skirt amidst stunning mountain scenery.
176 – Albania – Peaks of the Balkans
Exploring the Peaks of the Balkans in Albania, the Macabi Travel Skirt blending functionality with travel style.
194 – Theth old church, Albania
Visiting Theth old church in Albania, highlighting the Macabi Travel Skirt’s cultural appropriateness.
195 – Montenegro – Peaks of the Balkans
Hiking in the Peaks of the Balkans, Montenegro, showcasing the Macabi Travel Skirt’s adaptability to rugged terrains.
192 – Montenegro – Grebaje valley
Enjoying panoramic views in Montenegro’s Grebaje valley, while comfortably wearing the Macabi Travel Skirt.
197 – Between Albania and Kosovo
Traversing the landscapes between Albania and Kosovo, the Macabi Travel Skirt proving its durability and comfort.
208 – Between Albania and Kosovo
Exploring the border region of Albania and Kosovo, with the Macabi Travel Skirt as reliable travel apparel.
207 – Between Albania and Kosovo
Journeying through Albania-Kosovo borderlands, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering both style and practicality.
212 – Above Valbona – Albania – Peaks of the Balkans
Overlooking Valbona Valley in Albania, the Macabi Travel Skirt ideal for scenic hikes and photography.
214 – Above Valbona – Albania – Peaks of the Balkans
High in the Albanian Alps above Valbona, the Macabi Travel Skirt combining comfort and freedom of movement.
217 – On Valbona pass, Albania – Peaks of the Balkans
At Valbona Pass, Albania, the Macabi Travel Skirt proving to be a versatile and essential piece of travel gear.
22- Dali 3
Exploring Dali, China, the Macabi Travel Skirt adaptable to both urban and natural environments.
60 – Sunny afternoon on Ao Nang beach, Thailand
Enjoying a sunny afternoon at Ao Nang beach, Thailand, the Macabi Travel Skirt easily transitioning to shorts for beach comfort.
65 – At the white marble temple in Bangkok
Visiting the White Marble Temple in Bangkok, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering modest and respectful attire for cultural sites.
71 – In the Similan Islands National Park 4
Exploring Similan Islands National Park, Thailand, the Macabi Travel Skirt perfect for island hopping and outdoor adventures.
75 – Exploring old pagodas in Mrauk U
Discovering ancient pagodas in Mrauk U, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt suitable for historical and cultural explorations.
74 – On deserted Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
Relaxing on Ngapali Beach, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt easily adapting for both beach and town environments.
80 – Playing on top of old pagodas in Bagan, Myanmar
Exploring the pagodas of Bagan, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt allowing for comfortable movement and exploration.
84 – At Lumbini Buddha garden, in Hpa An area, south Myanmar
Visiting Lumbini Buddha Garden in Hpa An, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt providing respectful and comfortable attire.
83 – Sunset on top of a pagoda, looking at Htilominlo Temple, Bagan, Myanmar
Watching sunset over Htilominlo Temple in Bagan, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt perfect for travel photography and sightseeing.
88 – Inside ruins of an ancient temple in Inwa, Mandalay region, Myanmar
Exploring temple ruins in Inwa, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering practicality and ease of movement for historical site visits.
94 – Contemplating the peacefull atmosphere of the termal springs of Bayin Nyi monastery, Myanmar
Reflecting at Bayin Nyi monastery thermal springs, Myanmar, the Macabi Travel Skirt suitable for serene and spiritual travel experiences.
105 – Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
Exploring the majestic temples of Angkor, Cambodia, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering comfort and cultural appropriateness in hot climates.
107 – Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
Discovering the ancient wonders of Angkor, Cambodia, the Macabi Travel Skirt ideal for long days of temple exploration.
111 – Walking between Kratie and Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Walking between Kratie and Kampong Cham, Cambodia, the Macabi Travel Skirt proving comfortable for everyday travel and exploration.
125 – Somewhere, lost in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Lost in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the Macabi Travel Skirt adaptable to humid and tropical environments.
126 – Somewhere, lost in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Exploring the waterways of Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the quick-drying feature of Macabi Travel Skirt being particularly useful.
137 – In Tam Coc, the terrestrial Halong bay, Vietnam
Boating in Tam Coc, Vietnam, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering ease of movement and comfort for boat trips.
143 – In Ha Giang province, north Vietnam
Exploring Ha Giang province, North Vietnam, the Macabi Travel Skirt suitable for diverse terrains and cultural experiences.
147 – In the palace of the Hmong King, Ha Giang province, north Vietnam
Visiting the Palace of the Hmong King in Ha Giang, Vietnam, the Macabi Travel Skirt providing respectful attire for cultural visits.
149 – In Brittany, France
Exploring Brittany, France, the Macabi Travel Skirt versatile enough for European travels and cooler climates.
154 – Up the cliffs of Etretat in Normandy, France
Hiking the cliffs of Etretat, Normandy, France, the Macabi Travel Skirt proving its functionality in varied European landscapes.
160 – In Tehran, IRan
Exploring Tehran, Iran, the Macabi Travel Skirt offering modest and culturally appropriate attire for Middle Eastern travels.
159 – In Varzaneh desert, Iran
Venturing into Varzaneh desert, Iran, the Macabi Travel Skirt lightweight and breathable for hot desert climates.
