Do you travel with linen clothes?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you travel with linen clothes?
I'm asking because, although I wear linen at home when it's hot, I've never taken it on vacation because of the rumple factor. I hate to iron at home and would never, ever consider taking a travel iron with. Plus, the types of places we stay are unlikely to have irons for use even if I were so inclined to spend my vacation ironing.
I'm asking because we leave this week for Turkey. I anticipate some parts will be hot and I would be more comforable in linen than in the more synthetic ex-officio travel capris I typically take. I learned the hard way in Vietnam this winter that synthetic fabric travel apparel may look nice and fresh, but it is not as comfortable. So, I am considering taking a couple pairs of linen capris.
If you take linen clothes, do you just ignore the fact that they will look awful after being compressed in a suitcase, worn for days, and then handwashed in a hotel sink? Just curious. Thanks.
I'm asking because we leave this week for Turkey. I anticipate some parts will be hot and I would be more comforable in linen than in the more synthetic ex-officio travel capris I typically take. I learned the hard way in Vietnam this winter that synthetic fabric travel apparel may look nice and fresh, but it is not as comfortable. So, I am considering taking a couple pairs of linen capris.
If you take linen clothes, do you just ignore the fact that they will look awful after being compressed in a suitcase, worn for days, and then handwashed in a hotel sink? Just curious. Thanks.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love linen and linen blends in the summer and always take at least one linen sundress and a pair of linen pants or capris. I'm not too concerned about the rumpled factor, but I do usually hang them up in the bathroom, run the shower on hot full tilt for a few minutes, and smooth them out with my hands/fingers. Works well enough for me (but mind you, I'm not aiming for that totally crisp look and would probably not wear those linens out for fine dining).
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I wear linen blends most of the summer. They look fine. Good linen blends don't wrinkle that badly.
I try to avoid seriouly dressy occasions in the summer so I don't have to fret over a few wrinkles.
I try to avoid seriouly dressy occasions in the summer so I don't have to fret over a few wrinkles.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like linen in the summer, too. I never iron it when I'm traveling, but I always pack a small spray bottle that I can fill with water.
I hang my wrinkled clothes up in the bathroom, spritz them with water, and the wrinkles come right out. If I'm in a hurry I blow the hairdryer on them for a minute. It really works!
I hang my wrinkled clothes up in the bathroom, spritz them with water, and the wrinkles come right out. If I'm in a hurry I blow the hairdryer on them for a minute. It really works!
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you tried linen blends, or silk blends?
I try to buy natural fibers when selecting all my clothing. Both linen and silk can be blended with cotton and it has less of a wrinkle factor. Luckily since Hollywood is finally on the green kick, more designers are using these materials and there are more designs to choose from now.
But I do have to admit, I bring along my travel size steamer (made in Italy)It is compact and all you do is add tap water. Looks like an iron but is a steamer.
I try to buy natural fibers when selecting all my clothing. Both linen and silk can be blended with cotton and it has less of a wrinkle factor. Luckily since Hollywood is finally on the green kick, more designers are using these materials and there are more designs to choose from now.
But I do have to admit, I bring along my travel size steamer (made in Italy)It is compact and all you do is add tap water. Looks like an iron but is a steamer.
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I could never bother with a steamer or an iron on vacation (part of the reason I do not look as neat as I would like) but I do often take black linen pants and shirts...I pack them with tissue paper and do not worry about the inevitable wrinkles.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought at first this was the same thread I responded to the other week asking the same question. I too am a linen lover and always wear it when traveling during warm months. I use tissue or plastic bags (like you sometimes get in stores with a new purchase, or from the cleaners) to pack it, which does help. I don't mind pressing a few pieces with my travel steam iron when needed. Our internist (who is also a friend) is a linen lover and told me one day that linen is chic even when wrinkled! I have to agree.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once the temperature hits 70, I am into linens. I think linen always looks chic, even when wrinkled. When packing, I use hangers and cover with dry cleaner's plastic bags and they always arrive relatively wrinkle-free.
#16
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I take linen blends - so the wrinkling is much less. And I do the hanging in the shower to minimize wrinkles. Also- cotton is very cool, either woven or knit - and wrinkles less.
(No ironing. If it's some sort of special event that I MUST be unwrinkled I have the hotel iron the outfit.)
(No ironing. If it's some sort of special event that I MUST be unwrinkled I have the hotel iron the outfit.)
#19
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi julies, yes I do wear linen or linen blend both here at home where it gets very hot and on vacations when the weather is hot. I have linen clothes I have purchased is Italy and they are still beautiful. All of my friends in Italy wear linen and they just don't fuss about the wrinkles. I don't like synthetic materials so linen, cotton or silk is my preferance.