We were just getting ready to go run some errands when my husband said something that highlighted one way things have changed for us here in Panamà.

“I guess I’ll dress up. I’ll put on shoes.”

Now, I don’t mean to infer that Mr. Relative Outlier is out there running around barefoot. But the default footwear for both of us are our Keens.

Our day-to-day wardrobe has changed considerably over the last four-plus months. Even though our last stop was Houston, another high humidity place, our wardrobe has evolved in ways we didn’t expect.

It’s one of the things, that when I’m asked, “What would be bring/not bring if you could do it over?”, the answer would definitely be the clothes I brought.

I was expecting a tropical climate. I knew it was a tropical climate. After all, we’d done scouting trips to make sure we were prepared for the weather. But still….

I have discovered that any top that’s longer than a short sleeve is just too warm. Even in air conditioning. I brought several very cute tops and dresses that have three quarter sleeves. They will be destined for the donation pile. I may keep some for when we travel to northern climes.

But back to the dress code. We’re finding we have three levels of general dress.

For me:

• Level 1: shorts, top that requires a sports bra (and no sleeves). Shoes: Keens
• Level 2: shorts/skort, top/shirt that may have buttons, maybe short sleeves. Shoes: Running shoes with socks or sandals
• Level 3: dress or linen pants with top that is not worn during a workout. Shoes: Fancy(ier) sandals
  
  (Note: this does not include those occasions where we need to go to a government office, where a strict dress code is enforced: covered shoulders, no short skirts, closed toe shoes. The guards will literally not let you in if you’re not dressed appropriately, and there is a denim jacket of shame that is provided for women who show up without sleeves.)

For Mr. RO, his levels are a little more nuanced.

• Level 1: shorts, top without buttons. Shoes: Keens
• Level 2: shorts, top with buttons (polo or full button up), running shoes with socks
• Level 3: pants, top with buttons (polo or full button up), running shoes with socks (or his pair of Cole Haans if it’s really fancy)

Because of what we wear, we are almost always tagged as expats when we’re out and about. The reason? We wear shorts. Panamanian adults, especially men, do not wear shorts. So, if we want to strike up a conversation and have a reasonable chance of guessing whether someone speaks English, we look for the people wearing shorts.

The saying goes: The clothes make the man. They definitely tell a story about us (and others) here in Panamà.

Photo credit: Teo Uratadze via Dupe