I didn’t really take any “outfit photos” in Afghanistan, because, well… that would have been kinda weird. I also didn’t bring any actual cute outfits. But, because this is at least partially a fashion blog, I thought I should show you at least a little of what I wore.

I got some not-too-tight jeans at LOFT to bring with me, and wore a pair of those with this new blouse from Anthropologie on the flight there. I ended up having to wash the blouse in the sink (because I’m pretty sure the laundry people at the base boil the clothes), but it was worth it.

When I first arrived, it was ridiculously cold and snowy and muddy, so I wore a really dorky black fleece hat and a supposedly wind-proof black jacket a lot, along with leggings (some Smart Wool, some Under Armour) under what Toby calls “action pants.” And waffle-y long-sleeved shirts (you can kind of see my purple one above) and wool sweaters. I still froze.

It finally warmed up a tiny bit, so I switched to alternating between a gray fleece and the light blue vest, which seemed to go with just about everything I brought.

 

I really did try to pack light, but with the (really heavy) body armor, sleeping bag, towel and cold-weather clothes I had to bring, that didn’t work out so well.

 

 

I didn’t bring a hair dryer, which was a mistake. And I probably could have left a few more things at home, although I ended up having to buy a (hideously ugly) towel and fleece blanket. But because of the weather, the mud and the laundry schedule (it was a two- or three-day turnaround), I’m glad I brought a lot of clothes, and that almost everything went with everything else. That is helpful.

I think my favorite thing, though, was these boots. As not-cute as they are, they are very warm and comfortable, and they kept my feet dry. Plus, they do have at least a little purple on them. That’s something, right?