Clothes

Choosing the Right Clothes

Choose clothes that are the light weight, smart looking, but discreet. It is best to look well-dressed but not to stand out from the local population . Take as few clothes as possible. If travelling on business, take two costumes with pieces that you can mix and match . It is best to coordinate your clothes around one or two basic colours. Black, navy, khaki and olive travel well. Use accessories such as a scarf or necktie to add a dash of colour! Don't bring or wear expensive jewellery.

Clothes that "expose" such as shorts, short sleeve shirt sleeve shirts, high hemlines and low necklines may not be considered decent in some countries. Military-style clothing, anything with a camouflage pattern, and even green clothing, can often be problematic in foreign countries. No too long ago, a Central American country confiscated any green backpacks or shoulder bags!

Clothes made of natural fibres such as wool and cotton are generally most comfortable, but new synthetic fibres such as Cool Max, tri-blends and micro fibres are very practical and wearable. They are easily washed and dry quickly and wrinkle free. Avoid heavy cottons such as denim which are hard to dry .

Be prepared for weather may be colder or hotter than expected. Take light clothes that can be layered according to changing conditions.

Some people take older clothes that can be discarded along the way. Old clothes can sometimes be an ideal gift for locals. Giving away clothes allows you to purchase new ones to take home.

Take enough underwear for about 10 days. Lightweight polypropylene long underwear should be considered for colder regions. Socks and underwear made of Cool Max or a similar material that wicks away perspiration are recommended. When washed, they dry over night in most circumstances. Women should avoid wearing underwear made of nylon or rayon which are uncomfortable in hot conditions. Cushioned socks made of wool or wool blends are recommended for hiking .

Clothing Check List

Socks and undergarments

Dressy jacket
If you might find yourself in any special social situations a more 'dressy' costume may be necessary. A dressy jacket might be worn on flights and not packed. Consider some of the special travel blazers for both men and women, that have hidden security pockets and can often be hand washed if necessary. If you are travelling to warmer regions, you might get by without any other coat.

Trousers or skirts/dresses
New wrinkle free cottons and cotton blends are available which make these items low maintenance. Knits are often better for wrinkle free clothes.

Convertible pants or shorts
Convertible pants can be stylish yet very practical when temperatures change over the day such as in the desert. Remember that shorts are often not acceptable attire for both men and women due to local customs.

Shirts
Cotton-polyester or tri-blend travel shirts with roll-up sleeves and security pockets are versatile. Again, look for wrinkle free materials.

T-shirts
Dressier style T-shirts, polos, henleys, mocks and turtle-necks are good choices for travel as they are lightweight and washable.

Light weight sweater
Think of how you are coordinating your clothes and about layering for changing environments. Washable Merino wool or Cool Max are good choices..

Coat
A lightweight warm jacket is generally best, but in hotter environments the main utility of a coat might be protection from the sun. In all circumstances it is good to have a coat that is "breathable" so it doesn't trap heat and perspiration. If you are travelling over water you must consider protection from wind. A combination of a "breathable" (GorTex, etc.) shell parka and zip in lining may be ideal.

Rainwear
Breathable (GorTex, etc.) shell parka, collapsible umbrella. Lightweight rubber travel rain slip-ons may be needed in areas where there is much rain.

Bed clothes
You may have certain sleeping habits at home, but you may find hotel bed sheets are not always the cleanest. If you do not like bed clothes that fully cover your body you might consider carrying a bed envelop. Envelops made of silk or Cool Max are pleasant for sleeping, compact for packing and easily washed.

Swimwear
Swim wear for both sexes should not be revealing or provocative as it may be seen as unacceptable attire. Remember a bathing cap may be required in some places

Necktie
For your personal dash of colour! A necktie may be required for entry and dining in some establishments.

Scarf
A silk scarf, a dash of colour for women! Don't forget a warm scarf for colder regions.

Gloves, mittens
These are items that are often overlooked. Light gloves are often desirable when hiking or travelling over water.

Sun/rain hat
Wider brimmed hats or ones with a veil that covers the neck are a better choice to maximize protection from the sun. A hat clip might be considered if the is a risk of loss and inclement weather.

Toque, ear band
Again, these items are often desirable when hiking or travelling over water. An ear band can double as eye blind for sleeping on aeroplanes.

Dressy shoes
It is a good idea to have two sets of footwear, one for walking all day and out the second as a refreshing change for the evening or for occasions when sometime a bit dressy is required. A second set of footwear is always welcome if you get your feet wet, while the first pair is drying. All shoes should fit well and be broken in to prevent blisters and corns. Women should consider low heeled shoes for comfort and safety.

Walking shoes/boots
Choose your walking shoes for comfort and foot support . While travelling in foreign countries you will find that you walk a great deal more than at home, often over rough ground. Cushion insoles may also be considered to prevent fatigue.

Thongs, sandals, slippers
Plastic sandals that can be used in the shower, as slippers, and on the beach are very practical. Compact folding travel slippers are available and they keep your feet clean on less than clean hotel floors and carpets.

Belt
A money belt should be considered for secure storage of cash and papers.

Shower cap
Always good to have when you have to shower in a rush for an early departure! Remember that a bathing cap may be required when swimming and this can double as a shower cap.

Palestine scarf
A piece of soft cloth and that one meter square can be used as a hat, a scarf, a headband, a halter top, a dust mask, a pillow cover, at table cloth, a towel, a bandage, a carry sack, a fly swatter... a bandage for many problems!

Sarong or Kanga
A length of light cotton roughly one meter by two meters can be used as a skirt, night clothes, a picnic blanket, towel, a sack, a curtain, changing room...

Clothes Cleaning and Maintenance

When choosing travel clothes one should try to find items that are as maintenance free as possible, that means repel dirt, stay wrinkle free, are easily washed by hand and dry rapidly. Finding and using a coin laundry can be difficult, time consuming and expensive. Many travellers have experienced surprises such as clothes coloured by residual dye from previous "washes" and clothes "burnt" in driers. Beware!

You can also get severely "burnt" by hotel laundry services! One traveller was staying at beautiful small hotel in Italy. He had a number of shirts and some underwear that needed cleaning so he sent it to the laundry service. The next day it came back impeccably clean and pressed, wrapped in tissue in a wicker basket. The bill... over $300.00!!!

Sewing repair kit
Your general repair kit should contain several sized stainless steel needles (won't rust), safety pins, threads and buttons (coloured according to your wardrobe) , shoelaces, , iron-on patches or mending tape. Sturdy nylon cord, duct tape or nylon reinforced tape may be useful for repairing luggage.

Laundry soap or detergent
Liquid cold-water detergent is available for travellers in leak safe bottles and sachets.

Spot remover
Solid stick type or 'soap bar' spot removers are generally effective, fabric save and easy to carry. If in doubt about the effect on a fabric, test in a hidden corner.

Universal (flat) sink stopper
Quite often sinks do not have adequate stopper so that they can be filled with water for washing.

Clothesline, laundry clips
Even using the utmost imagination, it is often hard to find a way to hang washed clothes in a hotel room. Travel clotheslines consisting of suction cups to anchor to walls of a bath and a special twisted multi-cord elastic that facilitate hanging clothes without pins are a marvel

Inflatable hangers
You might think that these are overkill until you have used them... essential for drying shirts, blouses, etc. overnight.