To look good or to be comfortable? That’s often the question when it comes to figuring out which clothes to bring along. A lot of times, the destination determines the answer—I packed differently for Paris than I did for Pakse. But there are a few items I’ve found to be so indispensable I’d include them for almost any trip, and that goes for guys as well as gals.
- Merino wool – the beauty is that it adjusts to body temperature, and it doesn’t retain
body odor. It’s thin to pack, great for layering, doesn’t wrinkle, wearable even in moderately warm weather, and barely needs to be washed! You can get short-sleeved, long-sleeved, and tank tops. My favorites are made by Icebreaker, and I buy the previous year’s stock at sale prices from a variety of online outdoor gear sites.
- Convertible pants with a passport pocket – made of nylon, these zip off just above the knee and become instant shorts. They fall into the category of ‘quick dry,’ as in, rinse them in the sink, hang them up, and they’re dry within hours. Style-wise, they’ve come a long way from the early days, when the only colors available were variations of khaki. And now, I always look for a pair that has a zippered passport pocket because I despise wearing money belts.
- A corduroy hat – when I don’t want to look like I’m going on safari or to the game of a
franchised American sports team, I choose a cap of corduroy, cut in a military style. It’s a little more stylish than a regular baseball cap shape, and can get scrunched in a suitcase, no problem. Carhartt makes some good ones.
- Slip-on shoes with good support – okay, don’t pack these. Wear them to the airport and make your stroll through the TSA checkpoint a little less annoying. With all of the selection out there now, I am *so* over laces. Two of my go-to magic shoe-making companies are Keen and Jambu.
- A shell – not conch or clam, no. A rain shell. As in, super thin and unlined with taped interior seams to keep those raindrops out. And then, you can wear a week’s worth of Merino wool tops layered underneath all at the same time if it gets cold! Perfect.
Alright, I snuck one in just for those of my own gender.
- Sarong-slash-shawl – what can’t it do? It’s a bathing suit cover-up, a shawl or head
covering in countries that require such coverage, a skirt (but recommend using a safety pin in this scenario), a pillow case, a hobo sack shopping bag, and a curtain. Choose a fabric like rayon or a silk-cotton blend that can be rinsed in the sink and will dry quickly, or take two: a wool blend for dress-up (which are also amazingly warm) and a rayon one for kicking around.
What pieces of clothing have you come to love as part of your vacation wardrobe? And what, if anything, completely failed you?
Caleb Pirtle says
Forget the travel brochures. Your advice is the soundest advice I’ve seen for traveling. Packing for most, including my wife, remains the great unknown, which is why we always wind up with more suitcases than we need.
Laura Zera says
Thanks, Caleb! Although I didn’t mention that I usually begin to pack about 45 minutes before we’re due to leave, which *beyond* annoys my husband.
Dimple says
Great tips! I always end up packing too much for a trip. Haven’t learnt to travel light.
A foldable UV umbrella comes in very handy on most trips.
Laura Zera says
Yeah, well, a girl’s gotta have her shoes, right?! 🙂 I like the UV umbrella idea. No more sun damage!
Molly Greene says
My only addition: Something super comfy (and easy to pack) to lounge around in while I’m in my hotel room!! … and the shawl is perfect for napping under on the plane, so I pack mine in my carry-on. Thanks Laura! Love your posts.
Laura Zera says
Funny, because that’s what I usually *forget* and then end up wearing my regular clothes in my room. Thanks, Molly!
Diane Hughes says
I already use many of these: quick dry pants (and shirts!), rain shell and the sarong/wrap/shawl. I would add that packing cubes (shameless promotion here for Eagle Creek) are awesome! I’ve got to check out that Carhartt corduroy hat. 🙂 (No time to deal with bad hair on vacation. Just get it out of the way!)
Vladimir (@socialmediatry) says
Good mood is the best thing to “pack”.
Laura Zera says
Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by, Vladimir.
Claude Nougat says
Very sound advice! I would only add: travel in winter not in summer so as to avoid the crowds… and therefore change all your clothes to one thick parka!
Laura Zera says
Choosing a season is a tough one — I like the idea in principal, but when we were in Istanbul last October and it was rainy and windy and freezing cold, I wasn’t a happy traveler. Yet the thought of Istanbul in the tourist season makes me shudder! Note to self: make it a SUPER thick parka…
Jon Winebrenner says
My Brother-in-Law would beg to differ that the sarong is a female only item. After his trip to Indonesia, he’s become quite the sarong fashionista…much to the family’s chagrin 🙂
Laura Zera says
That’s funny! It can work, though. I’ve seen it working on some men. Has he ever been introduced to the Utilikilt?
Jo Carroll says
The sarong – I wouldn’t travel without one. I’ve also got a small fleece blanket, for bus journeys where the air con is over-enthusiastic, and chilly hotel rooms with thin blankets.
Laura Zera says
Good ones, especially as I have memories of freezing on overnight trips on air-conditioned buses! You get on wearing shorts because it’s 38 degrees Celsius outside, then you wake up in your seat in the middle of the night and you’re blue! 😛