Wanderlust refers to a strong desire to travel and explore the world. This motivation can manifest in various forms of travel and is a theme relevant to many location-based aesthetics. Sociologists have distinguished between sunlust, primarily driven by the pursuit of relaxation during travel, and wanderlust, which emphasizes engagement with different cultures. Travel may be motivated by a desire for personal growth through experiencing unfamiliar environments and cultures, or by a wish to escape certain feelings or situations. The desire to travel can also be influenced by a dissatisfaction with one's home environment, particularly during adolescence.

Due to the luxurious and vacational nature of Wanderlust, its fashion is based on resort and traditional vacation fashion trends, such as in Vacation Dadcore . Some common elements of Wanderlust fashion include: