Sue878

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

suze

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

Sydney2K

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.

suze

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!!

clarasong

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.

Carrabella

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)

palmettoprincess

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.

TC

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

TC

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

Sydney2K

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.

jill1jill

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!

bigtyke

www.tilley.com for the best in travel clothes

TC

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.

Narnya

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?

TC

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.

suze

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.

jubilada

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

Narnya

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

Narnya

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!

vzeitler

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