Travel Pro Samantha Brown Has A Warning About Wearing These Colors As A Solo Traveler

Solo travel involves an exciting sense of freedom distinctive from partner and group trips. That autonomy is precisely what captivates Travel Channel host Samantha Brown, who described the benefits of exploring alone on her website. "For starters, you get to set the pace. Not into museums? Guess what? You don't have to go! Enjoy browsing local boutiques? Take all the time you want. Nobody's sitting on a chair in the entryway, nodding off while holding your bags," she wrote.

That said, maintaining awareness of your surroundings is crucial when traveling on your own. Whether you're staying alone at a hotel or enjoying a solitary walk along the beach, you'll undoubtedly want to feel as safe as possible. According to Brown, your choice of clothing should be top of mind when you're out and about. She has discouraged solo travelers from making bold fashion statements, especially regarding bright colors. Wearing that hot-pink top may seem like no biggie, but doing so could actually be risky. "Thieves and pickpockets will scan a crowd for whoever grabs their attention and it's usually the clothes they're wearing," Brown wrote on her website. 

Samantha Brown's vacation tip about brightly colored clothing should not be taken lightly. In a 2019 interview with Forbes, she opened up about a terrifying experience she faced while traveling alone. During a daytime stroll in Belize City, Brown suddenly had an uncomfortable hunch. She revealed, "I walk down the street and very quickly I was surrounded by a group of about 15 men. They started pushing me and saying things, intimidating things." This scary scenario cemented the importance of taking practical safety measures as a solo traveler. "I think Americans have a tendency to dress in bright colors, and I think you want [to] dress down and wear earth colors," Brown told the outlet. 

Interestingly, the opposite is worth considering with brightly colored suitcases. Talking to ABC News, travel author Bob Arno examined why thieves end up stealing black bags. "If the thief is caught red-handed by the bag's owner, he only has to say 'Sorry, it looks just like mine.' And he's out of there. Scot-free," he explained. Yet, professionals are split about the safest luggage hues. In an article for Metro, security expert Shahzad Ali shared that a vibrant, colorful bag is more likely to catch the eyes of thieves. Needless to say, whether you wear neon or black, remaining vigilant and aware of your surroundings is crucial.