What to wear for Tacky Tourist Day at School

March 25, 2025

Tacky Tourist Day is one of the most fun and creative spirit week days at school! It’s your chance to dress like a vacationer who’s gone a little overboard with loud shirts, big hats, and funny accessories. Whether you’re going for a beach vibe, a clueless traveler look, or just want to make your friends laugh, there are tons of ways to put together a great outfit. Need some inspiration? Check out these fun and silly ideas to help you put together the perfect tacky tourist outfit.

What is Tacky Tourist Day at School?

Tacky Tourist Day is a fun spirit day at school where students dress up like silly, over-the-top tourists. The goal is to wear clothes and accessories that a tourist might wear on vacation, especially if they’re trying too hard to look like a traveler. Think Hawaiian shirts, socks with sandals, big cameras, and sun hats. It’s all about being creative, looking goofy, and having fun with your classmates.

Tacky Tourist Day Outfit Ideas

Tourist Clothing

Tacky Tourist Day is all about having fun and dressing like an over-the-top vacationer. Think of stereotypical tourist clothing, like Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts. The louder and sillier your outfit, the better! Check out the list of outfit ideas for tacky tourist day!

• Hawaiian shirts (the louder, the better)
• Tropical print dresses
• Cargo shorts
• Khaki shorts or pants
• Brightly colored t-shirts (bonus points for souvenir logos)
• Tank tops with palm trees or beach scenes
• Mismatched patterns (like plaid with florals)
• Oversized polo shirts
• Button-up shirts half-tucked or fully untucked
• Tourist hoodies or sweatshirts (check tour closet to see if you have any hoodies or sweatshirts you bought on vacation)
• Safari vests or fishing vests
• Windbreakers in neon colors
• Tie-dye shirts
• Bathing suit coverups
• Pajama pants with a beach print
• Socks pulled up high (especially with shorts)

Footwear

For Tacky Tourist Day, your shoes can be just as funny as your outfit! Try wearing socks with sandals, chunky white sneakers, or even flip-flops. Crocs, hiking boots, or any shoes that look like you’re ready to explore a theme park work great too.

• Socks with sandals
• White sneakers (bonus if they’re chunky)
• Flip flops
• Hiking boots
• Crocs
• Slide sandals

Headwear

You’ll need some sort of hat to complete the perfect tacky tourist look. Consider wearing a bucket hat or baseball cap that you have in your closet. Even better if you got that hat on vacation!

• Straw hats
• Bucket hats
• Oversized sun hats
• Baseball caps (especially souvenir ones)
• Visors (bonus if worn backwards or upside-down)
• Safari hats with chin straps

Tourist Outfit Accessories

You can really get creative with tacky tourist accessories! You can bring things you already have at home, such as a neck pillow, or you can DIY some accessories like printed airplane tickets! Check out the following ideas of accessories to take your tourist outfit to the next level.

• Fanny packs (worn around the waist or across the chest)
• Camera around the neck
• Binoculars
• Neck pillows
• Oversized sunglasses
• Lanyards with fake ID cards
• Fake tourist maps
• Travel brochures
• Travel guidebooks
• Folded road maps hanging out of pockets
• Disposable cameras
• Large plastic water bottles
• Cheap souvenir keychains clipped to belts
• Postcards sticking out of pockets
• Clip-on hand sanitizer bottles
• Passport holder necklace
• Fake airline tickets
• Lei (flower necklace)
• Seashell necklaces or shark tooth necklaces
• Inflatable pool float worn as a belt
• Beach towels draped over the shoulder
• Small suitcase on wheels or backpack
• Umbrella (for “sun protection”)
• Fold-out paper fans
• Sunblock smeared on the nose (use white face paint or zinc)
• “Tourist group” name tags or badges
• Fake money belt
• Travel-size sunscreen bottles
• Fake sunburn (light makeup or face paint)

Conclusion

Similarly to other spirit week days like pajama day, or anything but a backpack day, Tacky Tourist Day is all about having fun and not taking yourself too seriously. With the right mix of bright clothes, funny accessories, and a playful attitude, you can create a look that stands out and makes people smile. Whether you go all-out or keep it simple, the most important thing is to enjoy the day and show your school spirit. Don’t stress too much about your outfit, the important part is to have fun during spirit week!