A Commuter’s Guide To Stylish But Practical Essentials

From long lines to traffic jams, the daily struggles of commuting can often turn you into a sweaty, grumpy, and haggard mess before you can even arrive at your destination. Shirts can get wrinkled and shoes can get stained—which can be a bummer for people who need to look sharp and polished for work or simply want to appear stylish no matter where they go. But don’t worry, because with the right outfits and essentials, you can still enjoy a stylish but commuter-friendly look.

So how exactly can you strike the balance between looking good and staying practical while commuting? Here are some of our tips.

Wear comfortable and breathable clothes

Comfort should always be your top priority when putting together a commuter-friendly outfit, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice style. Clothes made of breathable fabrics like cotton, nylon, polyester, and linen can help you stay cool under the hot weather or feel less stuffy when riding public transport. If you need to follow a business casual dress code, you can choose from Collezione C2’s range of comfortable polo shirts made of cotton and polyester. Pair these with chinos or khakis for a cool but laidback look even after braving through the rush hour.

Enjoy 50% off on select polo shirts Collezione C2 in SM City Lucena. This promo is available while supplies last.

Carry a commuter-friendly bag

Forget wearing your backpack on your chest and use a more commuter-friendly style like crossbody bags to carry your items instead. With this bag style, you can easily keep an eye on your items, free yourself from potential back pain, and keep your hands free when you need to pay your fare or tap your Beep card. 

For added security, you can also opt for bags with zipper closing like the Grab Xola Crossbody Bag. This sleek fabric crossbody bag has multiple compartments to help you maximize storage space and an adjustable strap for your convenience. Get the Grab Xola Crossbody Bag at P200 off for only P299.75 at The SM Store in SM City Bacoor until October 31.

Shield yourself from the sun

Commuting in the morning exposes you to the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can damage your skin and eyes. Aside from always applying sunscreen before you leave your house, here’s a commuter-friendly style tip that can be your extra layer of protection against sun damage: Wear a baseball cap. 

This second line of protection also helps shield your eyes from the sun’s glare—and it’s a versatile accessory that can go well with almost every outfit. Regatta’s classic black baseball cap gives you an effortlessly cool look that you can mix and match with denim outfits, casual T-shirts, dresses, and even formal blazers. Cop this classic black baseball cap emblazoned with Regatta’s logo for only P395 at all Regatta stores in SM malls nationwide until October 31.

Switch to wireless earphones

Listening to music is every commuter’s way of busting boredom while traveling, especially when stuck in traffic jams. To save yourself from the hassle of tangled wires, opt for wireless earphones like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds2. These wireless earphones have stylish designs that can even make them double as fashion accessories—and yes, people view earbuds and headphones as trendy fashion pieces. These earphones also have a snug fit,  so you don’t have to worry about them falling out of your ears while you walk or switch vehicles.

From an original price of P7,990, you can get the Galaxy Buds Live with a P2,000 discount for only P5,990. The Galaxy Buds2 is also available for only P5,490, which is P1,500 less than its original price of P6,990. Enjoy these great discounts at 8telcom in SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM City General Santos, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Butuan, and SM City Davao until October 31 only.

Opt for wearable gadgets

Bringing out your smartphone to check the time or send a text message can be risky when commuting in busy places, no matter how quickly you can do it. Luckily, wearable technology like the Apple Watch SE GPS 40mm is here to save the day. This smartwatch has a GPS + Cellular function which lets you call and text even without your smartphone nearby.

As a bonus, the Apple Watch SE GPS 40mm also has a sleek design that can pair well with your work or school outfits. It also comes with an enhanced workout app and health features like heart and sleep monitors, which can help you achieve holistic wellness while performing your daily tasks. From an original price of P19,990, you can get the Apple Watch SE GPS 40mm at a discounted price of P14,990 at Power Mac Center in SM City Grand Central until October 31. 

Make your eyewear a statement piece

Flashy accessories, especially jewelry, are a no-no for commuters who value their safety. But if you still want to top off your outfit with a fashionable statement piece, you can take a subtler route by incorporating it into essential parts of your daily look. For example, you can wear designer eyeglasses to complement your school or office attire. If you wear uniforms or monochromatic outfits, you can opt for frames with chic colors and patterns to add some jazz to your look.

Enjoy a buy one, get one deal on selected exclusive eyeglass brands every Monday to Thursday of October at Executive Optical stores in SM malls nationwide. Participating brands include P. Charriol, Superdry, Ann Taylor, NY Yankees, Champion, Penguin, Tous, and Betsey Johnson.

Ease your worries with weatherproof shoes

The ever-changing weather is the bane of every commuter’s existence. There are times when wading in floodwater or stepping on puddles is unavoidable, and your footwear ultimately becomes the biggest sacrifice for this. Avoid wearing suede, canvas, or leather-soled shoes during rainy days, and forgo high heels to avoid accidents when walking on slippery roads. Instead of packing separate shoes to wear at the office and while commuting, you can just opt for jelly shoes which are also office-appropriate and easy to mix and match with any outfit. 

Buy two Mendrez Jellies footwear for the price of one at Mendrez in SM City Davao until October 31.

Get your commuter essentials now at low and discounted prices in SM malls nationwide. For more exciting discounts and promos, visit the SM Deals site or download the SM Malls Online app!