# The Silliest Question You'll Read Today: What Would Be the Best Outfit for Time Travel? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770 "2011-10-15T23:48:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/1 "2011-10-15T23:48:22Z")
Spawned by a conversation I was having with a friend. The premise: you have a time machine- it can be the TARDIS or the one from H.G. Wells or anyone you like, but let’s suppose it only goes backwards, though it will return you to present time. However you do have to travel light. Also it’s not always reliable so you’re not really certain where you’ll end up. What outfit could you wear that would let you blend in to the most places with the most peoples? Robes would be fine for many, maybe most, eras of Arab lands, a good wool tunic would get you through most ancient world situations, but you’d look really silly wearing either to 1950s Detroit or 1740s Berlin or really any time after antiquity in most places. Perhaps a lightweight leather. You still see it sometimes. Might be out of place in Rome under the Caesars or Beijing under the Ming but out in the country you’d probably find somebody wearing it. I’m thinking a long off-white “I can’t believe it’s not wool” shirt and leather pants with moccasins for men. And of course men and women have different answers. Any suggestions? It’s fine to wear something reversible also, or that can be quickly accessorized. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/2 "2011-10-15T23:50:07Z")
I’ll need a 12’ long scarf. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/3 "2011-10-15T23:57:39Z")
No idea when in history I could show up? Dark, plain, hand woven natural materials stitched in the most basic functional pattern, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/4 "2011-10-16T00:06:55Z")
I’m thinking BDUs would work well in many places. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/5 "2011-10-16T00:14:20Z")
If it’s truly a random time and earth place, then I pick scuba gear. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/6 "2011-10-16T00:15:32Z")
Heh. Nice. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/7 "2011-10-16T00:22:11Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > If it’s truly a random time and earth place, then I pick scuba gear. 😉 … under an Eskimo outfit. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/8 "2011-10-16T00:30:46Z")
As we all know from TV and movies, all people during all time wear/wore one piece silver body suits, slutty version for women. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/9 "2011-10-16T01:39:13Z")
For a woman, maybe a loose-fitting full cut wool dress? Plus a large shawl that could be draped in different ways to connect it to whatever local style shows. You’d look mildly eccentric pretty much any time, but you’d be warm in winter, not too sweaty in summer. Maybe a few belts/straps, again to change the cut to blend with local flavor. I’m thinking the ability to be modest according to various different social standards would come in handy. Make sure to include plenty of pockets!! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/10 "2011-10-16T01:44:02Z")
I’m also thinking that a good bet is to think down-market. Not necessarily rags, but nothing ostentatiously nice. Whatever the outfit is, wear it around for a few months so you get used to it, and try to break it in - slightly worn cuffs, some slight sun fading, anything to make it look truly your own. ---
**Author:** ![Chipacabra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Chipacabra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chipacabra)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/11 "2011-10-16T01:55:43Z")
Just go naked. First person you come across, you take them out and wear their clothes. This can’t possibly have any negative repercussions on the timestream. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/12 "2011-10-16T03:36:49Z")
Make a Plan A and a Plan B. Wear shorts, t-shirt, and shoes under a robe. The robe will look appropriate in most eras and if you happen to arrive somewhere it isn’t, you can take if off. The t-shirt and shorts are appropriate for many eras where a robe isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/13 "2011-10-16T03:45:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Make a Plan A and a Plan B. Wear shorts, t-shirt, and shoes under a robe. The robe will look appropriate in most eras and if you happen to arrive somewhere it isn’t, you can take if off. The t-shirt and shorts are appropriate for many eras where a robe isn’t. I’d say slacks and a dress shirt instead of tee and shorts. Anywhere in the Western world after 1960 you’ll be slightly overdressed, anywhere before until about 1800 you’ll be underdressed but only slightly eccentricly. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/14 "2011-10-16T04:07:34Z")
A wool t-tunic and trews, with boots and a wool cloak. Even today, you’ll just look like a SCAadian or Faire fan. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/15 "2011-10-16T04:12:13Z")
If you can’t count on a return trip, I’d suggest [this shirt](http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QW-CHEATSHEET&Category_Code=QW). ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/16 "2011-10-16T05:50:14Z")
Plain black pants and shirt for men and a plain black dress for women. Cotton probably. As few styling details as possible. No colors because someone will ask how it was made. No synthetics. The ‘new’ black is still the old black. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/17 "2011-10-16T06:19:39Z")
Full Batman costume including utility belt. Cuz nothing’s going to fit in every time period, might as well have fun with it. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/18 "2011-10-16T08:07:35Z")
The turtle neck and tight pants would give one that nice “Time Tunnel” look. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/19 "2011-10-16T08:18:57Z")
For a man? Dark brown natural fiber monks robe, plain. Very generic clothing worn by both monks and pilgrims on a trip to a religious location. Commoners also wore similar clothing. Utilitarian [you can hide all sorts of other stuff under it including small weapons] For women, a nuns habit with the veil not the funny hats with odd shapes. Probably chocolate brown or black in a natural fiber. Counts for modest clothing in pretty any culture and timeframe. Religious habits even though 11th century and later would still work for much of the world pretty much any time through history - though in the later end would mark you as clergy. There is no problem in dressing modest anywhere for women, it is in the unmodest that problems could crop up. [and I would highly recommend learning the Lords Prayer and perhaps Apostles Creed in latin to ‘blend in’ to avoid problems with being considered evil.] ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770/20 "2011-10-16T12:50:10Z")
It doesn’t matter what I wear, as long as I bring my towel and know where it is at all times. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silliest-question-youll-read-today-what-would-be-the-best-outfit-for-time-travel/599770.md?page=2)