What are the best fabrics for travel clothing? You do not want to have to spend your precious time ironing when you arrive at your destination – that is if you have actually have access to an iron! And what should you wear in different types of weather? Here are some ideas on the fabrics that work well for travel – think about these on your next trip.
Avoid wrinkles
For wrinkle free clothes, choose fabrics such as microfiber, silk, wool, knitwear and polyester. These fabrics are wrinkle resistant, which is a great first step. Many travel clothing manufacturers have wrinkle-resistant products, so read the product descriptions to find out. If you do have a few wrinkles you want to get rid of, try hanging the garment in the bathroom while you are having a shower or bath. The steam from the hot water will help smooth out the wrinkles.
Hot weather or cold?
What are the best fabrics for travel clothing in hot weather? White or other light colors will reflect the heat of the sun, and lightweight fabrics will not weigh you down. Cotton is one of the best fabrics to wear in hot climates as the material will wick away perspiration, and light cotton will dry quickly too. Of course, cotton can be wrinkle-prone, but there are cotton blends that combine wrinkle-resistance with the light coolness of cotton.
How about travel clothes for cold weather? First, you need to pay attention to your underwear. Packing thermal underwear for a trip to a cold climate will definitely help! Thermal underwear is lightweight but can keep you wonderfully warm. It is usually quick drying as well. It is best to wear layers in cold weather. So instead of taking a big heavy coat that makes you look and feel like a snowman, you can get the same warmth with layers. Start with some thermal underwear, then a shirt or turtleneck, a sweater or fleece, and top it off with a weather-proof jacket. You could wear all four items if it is really cold and be as warm as toast. And if you get too hot, it is easy to adjust your layers!
Wool is a good insulator even when it is wet, so it is a good choice in cold weather. Cotton is a poor choice if you are going to be out in the cold. If you are wearing cotton and it gets wet, you can be left shivering with cold, so save your cotton clothes for a warm weather trip. And if you really want to keep your hands, feet and head warm, you can buy thermal gloves, socks and a hat. Just like thermal underwear, they will keep the cold at bay and will be quick to dry if you need to wash them.
Prepare for wet weather
No matter where you are going, it is wise to take a waterproof outer layer. Even in the desert, it does rain sometimes! Just let the typical forecast guide you in how serious to make your waterproofing. If you are heading somewhere that seldom rains, take an inexpensive, lightweight, waterproof jacket, or even one of the cheap plastic rain ponchos. In this case, it is not worth spending a lot of money on rain gear.
But if you are headed to a place known for rainy conditions, then you would want to take more precautions. This is where Gore-Tex is a great choice. This high-tech waterproof fabric will keep you dry, while staying breathable at the same time so you are comfortable. Invest in a pair of rain pants as well as a jacket, if your travel plans involve being outside a lot (like a walking trip in Ireland). Gore-tex will cost you more than a cheap rubberized jacket, but it can make all the difference in being comfortable on your vacation. And with the amount you spend for the vacation, is not that worth a little extra?
Double your outfits
A handy way to have extra outfits in one is to wear reversible clothing. That means you can wear the shirt or jacket inside out as well and it looks like you actually have two different shirts or jackets. This can be helpful when you want to get more looks out of a single suitcase – and who does not? It is also handy if you drip spaghetti sauce on one side and can not get it out. The other side may still be usable, hiding the stain on the inside. Nobody else needs to know!