Travel Clothes
 

Looking for some clothing for an upcoming late-Sept/early-Oct trip to various parts of Italy and to Paris. As a carry-on traveller, I usually bring along comfortable, casual clothes that are near the end of its life with me (not in condition, but lack of desire). However, this next trip abroad will be a longer trip and I won't have enough "disposable" clothes set aside. Can anyone recommend some vendors who make travel-oriented, packable and versatile women's clothing? Petite sizes preferred.

Try travelsmith.com

Chico.com has nice casual clothes (normal fabrics) plus their Traverer's line (synthetic knit that does not wrinkle). Ditto the TravelSmith suggestion.

Besides the internet, if you're near department stores, I would go in person somewhere like Nordstrom or Macy's. Or wherever you usually shop for your every-day clothes, and just look for fabrics and fits that are travel-worthy.

I love Chico's Travelers Collection - I've been wearing them for years whenever I travel. They pack light, dry quickly and are blissfully wrinkle-free. They're all mix-and-match, too, and come in nice colors. Magellan.com also has a line of travel clothing similar to Chico's and Travel Smith, although I think that Chico's collection is the most stylish. If you go to Chico's website (www.chicos.com - I think the link above is wrong), they have some of their Travelers clothing on sale right now.

Sorry, after my mention of the dead link, I did it myself - it should be www.magellans.com

I think Chico's Travelers line is very fashionable and pack-friendly, but the fabric is 101% synthetic, so not something I'd ever use for warm or hot weather travel (but should be OK for this person in Europe in the fall).

Lucy.com sells workout clothes, but some of their pants also work well for travel. They are lightweight and come in different lengths. I first heard about them on another travel board. I've also found petite pants that travel well at LLBean.

The mention of LLBean reminded me of another good mail order resource, Lands End.

Actually, synthethic fabrics can be cooler against the skin than natural fabrics. Cotton fabric tends to draw in moisture and perspiration, which can be uncomfortable. That's why runners generally wear synthetic fabrics when running, rather than natural fibers--synthetics will "wick" the moisture away from the body and make you feel more comfortable.

Believe me, if you're somewhere really hot and humid, like SE Asia, you do not want to wear synthetics!

Most of my travel clothes come from my local mall. Macy's, JC Penny, Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, etc. You just need to look for fabrics that are climate appropriate.

I like to take at least one pair of knit slacks as well as a pair of stretch jeans (lighter weight than denim). They wear well, don't wrinkle and pack light.

I don't worry about wrinkles because most of the cotton or cotton blend fabrics I take are easily refreshed by spritzing with water and smoothing/hanging.

Years ago, when we started doing some serious traveling, I made all purchases with travel in mind and was not impressed with items at Chico's, TravelSmith, Magellans, etc.

I buy almost everything from LLBean and LandsEnd, mostly for their liberal return policies (though I've returned very few items), quality, fabric, fit, classic styles.

I live in black slacks (or skirts) and the Baysider twills at LLBean are fantastic. They're comfortable, have very deep front pockets (handy for travel), and drip dry overnight with no ironing required. They also pack extremely well. Wrinkles, if any, hang out quickly. I also love their quality tees and sweaters (ditto LandsEnd). I always pack a pair or two of LandsEnd sportknit pants (in black, of course) because they fit beautifully, are flattering, are versatile, and are very, very comfortable (especially on the plane). Great for lounging and double as pj's with a tee.

I always, always, bring an LLBean H2Off raincoat, essential for the unpredictable weather, waterproof and windproof. Hood precludes the need to drag an umbrella all about. I prefer unlined with a polartec or cashmere sweater under for extra warmth.

I only pack items I love wearing and won't mind repeating several times.

Trust me, you do NOT want to wear Chico's Travelers line anywhere warm, hot, or humid.

Great sources, folks! Found some great stuff at Lucy and also at TJ Maxx, though it took a lot of rummaging. Less luck at Chico's... they had nice stuff, but less was available in my size. Still working through the other suggestions, so keep 'em coming!

What would people suggest for hot and humid climes?

"What would people suggest for hot and humid climes?" - cotton! Synthetics are awfully uncomfortable in those climates. If it's part of a longer trip you buy when you get there, otherwise, take cotton with you.

If you are fond of bargains, you could check out the "Activewear" section at TJs or Marshalls. Nike and Columbia both have clothing that is designed to wick and dry quickly and doesn't wrinkle. I have added a number of these pieces to my travel wardrobe at very low cost over the last 5 or 6 years. I'm a very light packer who keeps separate travel clothes for their unique functional qualities rather than their appearance.

Amen to the separate clothes just for travel!! Me too, finally getting husband to see the light!

For hot and humid climates I travel with 100% cotton & a few linen pieces. I wear knee length shorts or capris with a tank top or sleeveless blouse, and comfortable but nice looking sandals.

But more than the weather, it depends what you will be doing on your trip. Is this to European city, a beach vacation, at a fancy resort, hiking in the jungle. In other words, your situation and what type of activities are as important as the weather, for your wardrobe choices.

Going to a wedding in July in tuscany and wearing complete outfit from Chicos and in fact most of my travel clothes are freom the Zenergy line from Chicos....very comfy and wash easy and dry by morning.

I've gotten clothes from REI, if you have one in your area.

Ah, "Zenergy" is good stuff. It's the "Travelers" line from Chico's I don't like because it's too hot (synthetic & heavy).

Just to clarify my question, I'll be travelling to Japan in July, which is very hot and humid. While getting appropriate shirts won't be a problem, I'm wondering what type of trousers I should get. I've tended in the past to bring heavier trousers (jeans, etc.) but I am thinking something thinner and lighter would not only be less weighty in the luggage, it may be more airier and cooler to wear, and better for a simple drip dry wash.

Sydney~ male or female? I like lightweight linen capri pants best for non-beach travel in hot/humid weather. Not sure what to suggest for a guy. But you definitely do NOT want jeans!!

When travelling for an extendedx period, I pick a color theme (lately, it's brown) and get two pair of slacks in brown, a few tops and voile!!! you're done...Black works too..two pair, stretch that you can roll in a ball, a couple sports tops and a lace for dinner events...you're done.

This doesn't answer the OP, but is for hot climate enquirers...

I second cotton or linen for hot, humid climes. I really feel the heat too. Twenty years ago, I made myself a top with straps and matching loose, 3/4 sleeve jacket with a collar and four deep pockets out of white cotton seersucker. Sleeveless is fine, but the sun does burn, and one needs to cover up from time to time. After twenty years ,I still favour this outfit when packing, and have yet to find anything as convenient or comfortable. Linen pants are comfortable, but do wrinkle. I've actually worn out linen and cotton holiday pants! Now I have three pairs of "cargo" pants, with lots of pockets, in a light cotton, and they are great. (Last trip was the Amazon)

I do as the original poster says and bring disposable clothes and jetison most of them at the end. I count on wearing my jeans twice and usually hand wash my tops. In all I carry half the outfits I need.

If I ever err on too much it is too many socks, but they scrunch inside things and don't take much room.

Try the Petite section of J. Jill. They have lovely mix and match items in linen and cotton. Their "wearever collection" is specifically for travel, but it is rayon and spandex, so not so great for hot climates.

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/pro...CF6AC&h=P&sk=P

Sydney2K, My husband travels with linen trousers and linen walking shorts and those lovely Hawaiian print shirts. They come in rayon and silk and some in cotton. They travel like a dream and can be quite dressy in black or cream color scheme as well as fun in brights.

Here's a good sight with lots of choices and many vintage styles.
http://www.mokuman.com/index.asp

Hi TC, thanks for the link. The shirts on offer seem to be a bit too noisy for my tastes :) but it does give me somewhere to start, along with the other links on this thread.

I agree with the person who recommended Chicos and Travel Smith. These are light weight clothes, that wash in a sink and dry quickly, don't need ironing and you always look good. I'm not a 'fancy' person, but I also don't like to go to Europe looking like the "ugly American." I've found that about 4 light weight skirts and a bunch of tops that wash well work great! I also saw a good packing list at www.nyc-visitor-discounts.com. Although it's for New York, it translates for other cities. they had some cool ideas of places to buy some unusual travel gear. Enjoy your trip. It sounds heavenly!

www.tilley.com for the best in travel clothes

Hey Sydney, I know the Hawaiian style shirts can be a bit itimidating with their bright colors and wild designs, but there are many (you just have to search) that are tasteful - even sedate. Such as this one in white with a pair of khaki colored or black linen pants or short.
http://www.famoushawaiianshirts.com/...9-2-white.html

These tasteful all-over patterns in subdued colors look wonderful with linen trousers in khaki.

http://www.famoushawaiianshirts.com/...079-black.html

http://www.famoushawaiianshirts.com/vihashbmachp1.html

My husband loves the black one that he has with a big leaf design on it. The black is really classy looking.

Two places that seem to have lots of these shirts at reasonable prices are the vintage shops (or Ragstock) and (believe or not) Kohl's.

Thanks for all the info, folks! I'm now going to expand on the side conversation about hot/humid climates... I now have a wonderful opportunity to go to South Africa next February/March. I'll need breathable, packable clothes that can stand up to wash-n-wear (i.e., no ironing!). I'm more so looking for pants - for a short person (5' 2.5").

I'm like jill1jill as far as not wanting to look like a sloppy or "ugly American," however, I just don't do skirts. I'll want pants or capris.

I know many of you suggested cotton (which I love) and linen (which I like), but both are so wrinkly. I'd love to wear those fabrics, so are there solutions I'm unaware of that would allow me to wear those and not be sloppy?

Linen is supposed to be worn "wrinkly" Its the look. I took both linen and cotton for a month in Tanzania. At each camp I had laundry done and everything looked fine. <u>They do iron things in the camps using charcoal irons.</u> It worked quite well. I just would not bring anything too delicate like silk.

I bought many things at Kohls. They have very nice, inexpensive capris and tees. Bought a few other things at Lands End. I don't do shorts either. Just don't have the legs for them anymore. But did like "skorts". They are cool but not as revealing as shorts so I felt covered when we climbed around the vehicles. The skirt aspect is a more flattering style on my figure.

See my Tanzania trip report for the whole packing list.

As above, linen is supposed to be a little (or a lit) wrinkly. They cost a fortune but Eileen Fisher has wonderful capri pants in basket weave linen that are very cool to wear, and hand wash and hang dry like a dream.

Generally speaking fabrics that don't wrinkle are synthetics, which are hotter and less breathable to wear in warm/hot weather.

narnya: have you looked at JJill petites? They have great linen capris. Just spritz them and smooth with your hand. Voila: no wrinkles.

Oh, JJill Petitese -- no, I had not. But sounds great! I'll check it out!

There's a J Jill near my boyfriend's place and they had lots of great stuff! Spent a lot of money, consequently, but I'm well-prepared now. Thanks for the tip, jubilada!

Try looking at Rick Steve's Website. Great packing tips for minimal luggage space.