I Want To Share: Travel Clothes
 

I just received a copy of Travel Smith (travelsmith.com)catalog (funny, I don't even remember ordering) Anyway, the clothes are AMAZING! At first glance I thought the prices were a little high, but then I realized the exceptional quality. You definitely get what you pay for!

I am going to purchase a "Two-way Microfiber Raincoat"(more like a jacket) It is reversible, wrinkle resistant, 100% waterproof ("it provides total protection even against drenching rain"), machine washable AND packable ("when you don't need it, it packs in its own pouch and tosses into your carry-on") ... I know I am going to end up with more than this! (but it is a good start) ;)

I needed to share. :)

The raincoat sound great, I'll look into it....

I get TravelSmith, and a lot of the stuff looks good, but I balk at buying something that I may end up wearing only while traveling. In terms of clothes like in TravelSmith, the fabric content is different than I choose for my everyday stuff - that's why it dries quickly, or doesn't wrinkle, or whatever. I'm also not so enthused about buing something that I already own, even if what I already own is not quite so travel-friendly.

How about the rest of you - do you buy "travel clothes" (often higher-priced than a version not marketed as travel gear) that you only wear while travelling? Or do you just make do with what you already have, or buy "regular" clothes that you wear while traveling?

I like your question, LexMa.

I don't buy "travelclothes" (tho did buy a raincoat from TravelSmith once which I used for travel and real life) for cities, I live in a big city & just pack the more packable things I already have. The thing Atlanta is thinking of buying sounds like the coat I bought, which I was quite happy with.

If I were going somewhere sort of physical, like a walking or hiking trip, I think I would buy a pair of pants and a pair of shorts made of weird travelclothes fabric, maybe - if the trip was long enough that I would expect to want to wash them. Because regular trousers etc. that I'd wear here would take a week to dry in my imaginary tent.

I like to travel with just carry-on luggage and appreciate clothes that are easy to pack, washable, dry quickly, and wrinkle resistant.

As far as purchasing travel clothes from travel catalogs, I would advise caution. MY experience has been that the sizes and fit aren't comparable to what I buy in stores. I have also been disappointed in the quality of the fabrics and construction, especially with regard to the high prices.

Instead, all year round I keep watch for store sales and items that would meet the needs for travelling and things that I can try on for proper fit.

There may be some special items that you can only find in the catalogs. So you can take a chance on ordering if you don't mind risking the shipping costs. The items are usually returnable except for shipping costs.

If you don't have the time or desire to shop in stores, you can see what you think of the catalog clothes.

If you do order clothes from the travel catalogs, I hope you will have better luck than I. They must be very popular because it seems they keep selling.

My seatmate on one tour had a long Travelsmith woman's raincoat, retail $189, and it was a marvel, maintenance free, aeration under arms. packable, waterproof, but came only in black or olive. That is a bit pricey to me, and at just over 5' I doubt it would be a good length for me.

Personally, I steer away from travel clothes because what makes them carefree is a synthetic fabric that I find clingy, stifling and as identifiable as jog suits in Miami, I just go for breathable fabrics and coolmax. I may yet spring for one of their black dresses, tho.

I'm with Lexma... I'm reluctant to buy clothes (well, expensive clothes) just for "travelling" not only because I wouldn't wear them in my "real" life, but I often don't like the styling. My monster-in-law loves to bring stuff from Travelsmith and Lands End and the like... I just think it's a bit dowdy and far too expensive. To me, all that money would be better spent on my travel, or a great restaurant, or a nicer hotel room. And besides, I think you can always spot the "travelsmith clothes" when you're out. (No offense to those people who do use their stuff.)

If you're going to be somewhere where their utility of quick drying or functionality of zip off pants to shorts makes sense (I dunno, Africa, hiking on a tour thorugh Tuscany or Provence) then maybe it's worth it. But if you're going to any number of large lovely cities in Europe your own clothes are just fine.

I will admit to going to Ross or TJ Maxx, though, right before the trip, and look for some lightweight skirts or tops (especially some of the trendier looks I might not normally buy full price) because they pack light and if they get trashed on a trip they're disposable. I always struggle a little bit with wanting to dress nicer on vacation than I do in my real life (stay at home mommy who lives in capris and tshirts) so I occasionally bring one really nice thing for dinners out. But I essentially bring the same stuff each time and I have always been able to travel lightly and feel good about the clothes I bring... lots of nice lightweight cotton/lycra tops, 1 pair of jeans, a dressy black trouser, a few coordinating skirts, and a black sweater or jacket. And the more time I spend here at Fodors I seem to have lost my need to feel like I look like a local or wear what's "in."

~kat

I guess I have a "travel wardrobe"..but only from necessity. We live in FL and only travel in the late fall and winter. So the wool pants and jackets are classics that I can wear from year to year..providing I don't gain weight!

I never thought I would buy "travel clothes" either ... but living in Georgia where it is very humid (and I sweat A LOT) some of these clothes seem a smart investment for travel as well as "at home wear". (BTW, most of the clothes I saw were made of regular fabric (cotton, spandex, lycra etc.)

Plus, I take one good trip a year and I think I will get my money's worth. (especially the raincoat which I will probably get quite a few years worth out of) - As far as wrinkle free stuff blouses etc. I can buy my Liz Claiborne that I am partial to anyway...but these prices are about the same. (I do like the Tshirt with the UPF 25!! Only $28 - I've seen Tshirts at the mall for a lot more ... I don't usually buy them, but they are there)

I saw this catalog and wanted to share. I was trying to be helpful. If it isn't something you are interested in, then ok. (I am not paid a commission)

There is really no need to turn this thread into an anti-travel clothes thread (not saying that anyone has ...yet)

Most of these clothes do not work in hot weather because they are not all cotton or linen nor netty nylon. They are also not fashionable which is ok, if you are not into fashion as some of us are. I wear Lacoste dresses and tops and buy when they are on sale. I can roll them in my 22"and I carry a load of cotton tops to go with three skirts that are netty or sheer that don't wrinkle that are for maybe fine dining and three cropped pants. One I wear on board with a jean jacket and a pashima shawl in my backpack with a change of outfit, underwear, bath products, in case the lugguge is lost. I look all year at sales for no ironing , easy wash clothes.

Oh dear, I just found out I'm not stylish :( I was looking at some of these clothes and thinking they looked really good. Oh well. ... At least "I" will FEEL pretty in my Air-Conditioned Shirt.

I think I need to step away from this forum for awhile. It's not so fun anymore. ... Why am I starting to feel bad about posting something when all I wanted to do was pass on some information that others may find useful? (But I DO feel bad)- Come to think of it, I feel "bad" on this forum more often than I feel happy. Such is life.

I'm going to be busy for the next few days anyway. I'm finally starting to feel a little healthier, so I promised to help out with my 3month old niece. :)

I'm off to better things...

I would never buy clothes I could only use traveling. That said, I have loved a couple of items I bought from the TravelSmith catalog. A crinkly long shirt used to layer an outfit has been terrific. Packing it is a no-brainer for traveling. I wore it to a baby shower today here in the suburbs and got nothing buy raves. Some of the catalog items do have style to them. Another item I love is a tee with lycra and a bit of spandex. These are cool(for me) miracle fibers which can handle the normal hot and humid Chicago summers. The items are pricey, but they have served(and continue to serve) me very well.

Of cource not!!! all the clothes should work for you eveyday, like shoes, you can tell if they hold up to your trip

FromAtlanta... oh my... certainly didn't mean to imply you're not stylish or criticize you for sharing. I actually got the impression that you had just discovered TravelSmith and were considering buying stuff and wanted our feedback... on rereading your OP I see I was mistaken.

I am the first person to admit I'm not terribly sylish... I don't have the budget or the sense for it, really.

And my only reference point for the travelsmith clothes are the ones that do have the zip off legs or that have all these gadgets and pockets and things that to me are a bit overkill for dinner in the Saint Germain des Pres... which... oddly... whenever I'm in Paris I see at least a handful of couples both decked head to toe in that stuff. But some of the things you're describing sound nice... maybe I'll check them out, though I doubt I'd be willing to spend that kind of money.

Sorry if you took my post (or any of them here) as mean spirited. Mine certainly wasn't intended that way.

~kat

FromAtlanta, Travelsmith has been around for some time and is frequently mentioned here on this forum. No one is condemning you or even being remotely critical of you if they disagree with your opinions about this company.

I have purchased two of their products (outerwear) and have used them for a few years. No complaints about the quality but I wouldn't call them amazing.

Jeez Atlanta, do not ever take a posting on faSHION PERSONALLY!!!pLEASE!! WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AS OUR FEET ARE WHEN IT COMES TO SHOES ABOUT TRAVEL. .

FromAtlanta,
Now, now, please don't quit posting. I've found you to be an interesting poster.
I like the clothes in TravelSmith and don't think them at all dowdy but I'm in my 40's and think the styles are appropriate for someone older.
I know women who wear short mid-driff tops, hip huggers & short skirts in my age bracket and I can't help but think, "old tarts".
If you are young, then you need a wardrobe adjustment but if you're not, your fine.
I'm not a cataloge shopper myself, but my husband loves TravelSmith clothes and has purchased a few items from there for me. I personally like to feel and try on clothes before I buy them (and return them with little hassle.)
The raincoat is wonderful.

mcgeezer and atlantic, better catalogs are J.Jill, Sundance, Territory Ahead- (the women's catalog I think, is named Isabelle Bird named afer a famous travelling woman.)My problem with travel smith is that the prices are high when they never update the clothing.

FromAtlanta,
Please, do not ever let someone else make you feel bad or not good about yourself. No one has the right or should have the power to make you unhappy, at least, not on a Travel Board!
Now that I live in Florida, I might have to do what Jody does and keep a wardrobe for travel, since I will have little use for my woolies here ~sigh~ I like my woolies.
When I lived in NYC, it was so easy to know what to take on a trip, the same clothes I wore at home! But now- no one dresses the way they do in cities, so it will be a challenge.
I think you should look through your favorite stores and just go for the outfits that will go with everything else and that wrinkle less than others.
Layers are always needed when traveling, that is easy!
I do think though, from browsing some cataloges, that when they Name the articles of clothing as Travel wear, that just allows them to charge more for them. You can get the same things in the stores.
So now that you are feeling better, get out there and SHOP!!
Scarlett ((F))

I like to drop in at Chico's once in a while to peruse their sale rack. You may also buy them on-line.

The travelers collection microfiber tank and t-shirts are my favorites. I take them on every trip, wash them in the sink and use an inflatable hanger to dry them. I have found that if you wait until they are dry and then quickly pull them (using both hands) at the side seams and then at the top and bottom, all the wrinkles magically disappear. I discovered this by accident - they won't tell you this in the store.

I wear these tops with a basic travelers pant and jacket (black). This saves a lot of space in my luggage to have these pieces!