Packing List > Wardrobe
Remember, the clothing listed here includes those items that you will be wearing (and some of these garments are destination/weather-specific). As with every other aspect of packing, always be alert for for dual-use items of clothing. And don't forget to read the page on Clothes & Laundry.
Comfort has its place, but it seems rude to visit another country dressed as if you've come to mow its lawns.
dressy jacket
A nice blazer is ideal for almost any dress-up occasion, and companies like Tilley and TravelSmith make them with fabrics and pocket arrangements that are specifically designed for travelling. Women who anticipate more formal events should consider the merits of a skirt and separate top; the popular "little black dress" has drawbacks for the serious traveller (black is much too hot for many areas, and the one-piece nature of the outfit makes it quite a challenge to deal with the security pouch that you should be wearing). A jersey wrap dress is another dressy option that travels well, though also limiting security pouch access.2 pairs trousers/skirts (shorts?)
Denim jeans make poor travelling clothes: they're heavy, bulky, and take forever to dry. Several companies make pants with zip-off or roll-up legs (which convert them to shorts, capris, etc.), a versatile solution that may appeal to you. And many styles of athletic/workout pants can also be used for lounging, sleeping, or general casual wear.
2–4 shirts
Have you ever noticed that the traditional garb in desert countries is not the bikini? Loose, light (in both colour and weight), long-sleeved shirts will keep you cooler than T-shirts. And, in most climatic conditions, cooler than short-sleeved shirts as well.
swimsuit
For males, the right kind of swim trunks can double as shorts. For women, a one-piece — or the more convenient tankini (see photo at right) — in a silky fabric can substitute for a body suit under a skirt and jacket.
dark (cardigan) sweater
A nice cardigan is an excellent layering item, and can also substitute for a jacket when a more formal appearance is required. Women might choose one that can be worn with nothing underneath; coupled with pants or a skirt, plus jewellery, this can make a nice evening outfit.
rainwear (umbrella?)
If you opt for a rain jacket/coat instead of an umbrella, and expect a significant amount of rain, you might want to think about a cover for your luggage as well. Campmor carries these, but an acceptable alternative is to pack a couple of heavy duty plastic garbage bags; they take up almost no space, and can serve other uses as well (such as dust covers).
parka, coat, or equivalent
3+ pairs socks
Despite the fact that it feels nice and is a natural fibre, cotton is just about the worst sock fabric available. Walking experts overwhelmingly recommend socks made of synthetic yarns (CoolMax, Capilene, PolarTec, and other polyesters are but a few) to keep your feet comfortable and dry. Blends that add wool or alpaca are also acceptable, especially in cooler weather; they don't wear as well, though. The main function of socks is to "wick" (draw) moisture away from the skin. Cotton, unfortunately, absorbs moisture, leaving your feet moist and more susceptible to blisters, fungal infection, and odour. It is also notoriously slow to dry, which can interfere with your laundry plans. So remember the sports adage, "Cotton is rotten, but plastic is fantastic." And finally, pay attention to fit, which can be critical on longer walks: steer clear of tube socks (which only fit tubes), one-size-fits-all types (they don't), stretch socks (too tight), and those with prominent toe seams.
Do you need special "flight socks" for long airplane journeys? In a word, no. Back around 2002, the media hyped the dangers of "deep vein thrombosis" (a blood clot in the leg). Those with specific risk factors (especially more than one) for this serious condition — the obese, folks over 6 feet 3, women on a hormone regimen, anyone with "Factor V Leiden" (a hereditary blood coagulation disorder) — should seek medical advice for their particular situation; common recommendations include the use of special compression stockings, and the taking of low-molecular-weight heparin (not aspirin, which won't help) prior to departure. But the vast majority of us don't — despite what some marketers would have us believe — need to run out and buy special footwear. Some foot & leg swelling during long periods of upright sitting (it has nothing to do with flying) is neither unusual nor harmful; it is caused by blood pooling in the leg veins, due to inactivity (some medications, such as calcium channel blockers, exacerbate the problem). The best course of action, particularly on trips longer than four hours, or when you are particularly immobile, is simply to follow good health practices: get up & walk around once in a while; occasionally exercise your leg muscles while seated (rotate your ankles, raise & lower your legs); drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration; avoid alcohol & sedatives; and don't sit with your legs crossed.
3+ pairs undergarments
Once again, look for fast drying qualities. Remember that nylon, which doesn't breathe, invites fungal infections in the tropics.
long (lightweight) underwear
Stores such as Campmor, REI, and the Sierra Trading Post sell very high-tech, lightweight underwear (often made of polypropylene to wick away moisture, and speed drying) that is ideal for layering. Look for dual usage products: many such items are sufficiently stylish to be worn as garments in their own right. The converse is true as well: women will find that tights can work well as underwear.
Note that what used to be called "long johns" are today more likely to be labelled "base layers"!
long T-shirt or sarong
A multipurpose item, this can function as a cover-up (for beach and bath) and nightshirt. In general, it's a good idea to consider what you will wear for trips down the hall to a shared bathroom, or building evacuations due to fire alarms and the like (both of which are much more common in the less-traveled parts of the world). Appropriate footwear and clothes that preserve some semblance of modesty are the prime requirements.
An ideal solution is the wonderfully utilitarian sarong (also known as a: boubou, canga, kain, kanga, kikepa, kikoi, lap-lap, lapa, lava lava, longyi, lungi, pagne, pakome, pasin, pareo, pareu, sulu, zulu, etc.), the traditional tropical garment of Asia, the Pacific, and east Africa (and where one is most easily acquired). A length of thin cotton cloth, roughly 1 × 2 (or 2.5) meters/yards, traditionally with a batik pattern, it can be arranged on the body in various ways to form a dress, a skirt, trousers, shawl, and even a hat. It also functions as a sheet, beach/picnic/airline blanket, towel, tote/laundry bag, shower/window curtain, pillowcase, changing room, tablecloth, and more. There are almost as many ways to wear them as there are Asian-Pacific cultures; if you see a style you like, ask a local to show you how to tie it. When buying a sarong, ensure that it's dyed all the way through (not just on one side); it's advisable to set the dye(s) by soaking the garment in cold water before you use it the first time.
necktie, scarf, hairband, bandanna
Accessorizing is a good way to stretch a wardrobe; for women in particular, a well-chosen scarf can dramatically alter the appearance — and thus multiply the utility — of an outfit (here are some examples). Costume jewellery also works well in this manner. For men, consider a bow tie; it not only packs smaller, lighter, & more wrinkle-free, it also transforms a blazer into notably more formal attire. (Think that tying a bow tie is a forbidding challenge? Nope ... it's the same knot most folks use to tie their shoelaces. And the nice folks at Beau Ties are happy to show you how it's done.) In colder weather, a long woolen scarf can be surprisingly effective.
I've included a bandanna here, but as another of the classic examples of utilitarianism, this could easily be a section in its own right. A large cotton bandanna can serve as a neck/head scarf, headband, hat (knot each of the corners), halter top (for the sufficiently thin!), sun shade (hung French Foreign Legion style from the crown of a hat, or low over the brow in front; also from a rolled-up car window as a mini-curtain), napkin, handkerchief, dust mask, sun/sleep mask, tablecloth, seating mat, towel, washcloth, scrub rag, bandage, tourniquet, hot pad, cold/wet compress, short cord, toothbrush, fly swatter, etc. A square bandanna also makes an excellent Japanese-style furoshiki for wrapping and carrying things. Sort of a little cousin to the sarong!
gloves/mittens
sun hat / knitted cap, hat clip
Choose a light, soft, floppy sun hat over one that's too stiff to pack well; if it doesn't have tie-down strings, buy (or make) a hat clip (a short cord connecting two strong clips, which fasten to your hat and shirt collar; Chums makes a good one). For cold weather, take a knitted cap instead; it's hard to improve on a traditional navy wool watch cap.
1 pair dressy shoes (laces?)
Don't break in a new pair of shoes on your trip. Also, learn to tie your shoelaces properly: roughly half the shoes I see are tied incorrectly, using some form of unreliable slip knot (if your shoelace "bow" tends to lie vertically rather than horizontally — that is, along rather than across your shoe —
Shoes likely represent the biggest packing challenge, especially for many women. If possible, find a pair that works with everything you're taking. Thin heels are problematic on cobblestones and when trekking uphill (despite the observation that plenty of Italian women ride Vespas — and Parisiennes traipse for blocks — while wearing stilettos); modest wedges and chunky heels are more practical. If you do take a second pair of shoes, be sure to utilize their interior spaces for packing purposes.
Women travelling only with pants will find heeled boots a practical substitute for dress heels (especially in the winter).
1 pair walking shoes/boots (laces?)
ibid. One can now find decent walking shoes that are dressy enough for most business occasions, so consider this multipurpose alternative to a second pair of shoes. Many women (and some men) find hiking sandals to be the optimal all-around footwear.
flip-flops or sandals
Teva river sandals (and similar brands) are more versatile than cheap flip-flops, but the latter will suffice for the beach, or toilet/bath/shower visits when at a hostel or B&B. In tropical areas, footwear like this is pretty much a necessity to avoid fungal infections (especially if you disregard my suggestions about sock fabrics).
Even thinner and lighter, at a scant three ounces, are "Ida's Ultra Soles" (available from Magellan's); buy them a size large, as it can be hard to get your foot in the mesh fabric section when it's wet. Some people also like to wear Ultra Soles when going through airport metal detectors.
Women can more effectively use less casual flip-flop-style sandals, to dress up an outfit, and wear with swimwear. Get waterproof ones, though.
belt
Make sure it fits the loops of all the trousers you're taking. As wet leather is very prone to mold and mildew, choose canvas or nylon belts when visiting humid regions.
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