It doesn’t matter where you are in the country or around the world -- on the way to the beach, in the grocery store or driving through Nebraska, far, far from the ocean -- you are almost guaranteed to see a SALT LIFE decal on multiple vehicles.

Salt Life is not just a brand. It’s not a place. It’s a state of mind.

That Salt Life state of mind includes fishing, but that’s not all. It encompasses the entire underwater world and everything that goes along with it, even just hanging out.

We’re headed on several salty adventures in ’23, starting with Guatemala in February, and I wanted to make sure that I was properly outfitted. Here’s what was included in my first order:

Matching tops and bottoms are in right now and Salt Life kept me on trend. I acquired the Juno Camo Jogger Performance Pants and the matching Endurance Lightweight Ladies Camo Performance Hoodie, both in blue heather. The hoodie has a front pocket, side vents, moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties. The joggers have an elastic waist with drawstring, front pockets, cuffed hems, also moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties.

How do they look and fit? Remember, I am short with an athletic build. What do you call that, thick and meaty? I wasn’t able to try them on and I guessed at my sizes according to other pieces I own. The joggers are a medium and fit perfectly and I am pleasantly surprised at their length. Anyone taller may need to size up. The hoodie is a large and I’m glad I sized up because it fits like a “normal” medium. The material is really soft and more of a springtime material rather than for the freezing weather we are all dealing with across the nation (I was so cold last night I slept in my knit hat).

The Ahoy Performance Hoodie is more of a jacket than a hoodie. It comes in natural with large blue plaid, quarter zip at neck, kangaroo pockets and side vents. I wasn’t aware that it is stain repellent and water resistant when I ordered it, but that’s a huge bonus. It’s heavier than a typical sweatshirt material and is extremely soft. The large fits fine although a medium would have looked a little better. I was afraid I might not get another layer underneath if I had gone smaller. Better a little big than too small and left in the closet to hang. It’s too cute for that.

I am most excited about my new Storm Front Fishing Bibs -- call me cray but they are amazing. I opted for the small/medium because I don’t need to be tripping over my pant cuffs when it’s raining.

They only come in white, are waterproof with double layer kneepads and back seat. The suspenders are elastic, adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day and not give you shoulder pain. There are pockets all over, double flap cargo with snaps, waterproof zip pockets and heavy duty cordura piler pockets for your pliers or scissors -- which won’t tear through the material.

They are very long, wide (to fit over your boots/shoes) and roomy but there is a Velcro closure at the bottom which when cinched will keep the water out. To get rid of the room in the top area there are adjustable plastic snaps at the waist, more at the armpit for me.

My new “fishing jumpsuit”-- told you Salt Life was trendy -- is easy to get on and off and will definitely make our next trip to Sport Fish Island Panama Lodge. These will keep the fish blood and slime off my clothes and when I get that surprise shower from one of the mates, I won’t have to dry off, just take them off (yes, there will be clothing underneath).

I am a girly-girl in some respects and a tomboy in others. Salt Life meets both of those personas, enabling me to be fashionable on and off the water while also in perfect position to catch the fish of a lifetime.