It’s easy to assume that the most challenging parts of travel are navigating different timezones and languages and ensuring you arrive at transportation and pre-booked activities on time. While these tasks can certainly be stressful, many people find organizing their travel outfits equally so.
From keeping expensive outfits in good condition in your suitcase, to ensuring you’ve packed for all weather conditions, there’s a lot to consider! In this helpful guide, you’ll learn tips for keeping your travel wardrobe woes to a minimum.
Take Care with Expensive Garments
If you’re traveling to attend a special occasion, such as a wedding, you don’t just need to think about how your tux should fit, you also need to consider how you’ll travel with it to keep it looking in excellent condition.
Whether you’re bringing a tuxedo, a tailored suit, a wedding dress, or a ball gown, they all require special handling. Place the suit or dress into a garment bag, which helps protect its shape and minimizes wrinkles.
If you’re carrying it onboard, ask politely during boarding whether you can hang it in an available closet. If you’re checking it in, place the garment bag in the middle of your luggage and surround it with soft clothing. Avoid placing shoes on it.
Be Mindful of Materials
Rather than choosing outfits based on style, choose them based on the most appropriate fabrics for your travel itinerary. For example, merino is a great choice for flights, hiking, and everyday wear, as it’s lightweight, resists odor, and wicks moisture for excellent temperature regulation.
If you plan to do a lot of hiking and other adventure-based activities, pack performance synthetic clothing made from nylon and polyester blends, which are wrinkle-resistant and dry quickly. Cotton blends are perfect for casual sightseeing and comfort, while linen is ideal for hot climates due to its cool, breathable nature. Filling a suitcase can often become a much easier task if you consider these features with each piece you pack:
- Stretchability
- Moisture-wicking properties
- Wrinkle resistance
- Fast-drying properties
- Neutral colors for mix and match
Create a Comfortable Travel Outfit
Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or will be traveling for long periods, your comfort is important. Create outfits that become your official ‘travel’ outfits in your suitcase. These outfits can consist of stretchy trousers, a merino wool or performance t-shirt, and a light sweater or zip hoodie paired with a light jacket over the top. You can also pair this comfortable outfit with supportive sneakers and compression socks for a long-haul flight.
When traveling for longer than a few hours, avoid tight jeans, heavy boots, thick belts, and bulky coats.
Layer for the Weather
It can often seem easier to simply pack a heavy jacket if you suspect that you’ll encounter cold weather on your travels. While a heavy jacket can be important for colder climes, it doesn’t allow for easy adaptation. Rather than relying on a single outer layer to keep you warm, dry, and insulated, layer your clothing.
Pack a merino or synthetic base layer and pair it with a sweater, fleece, or hoodie mid-layer. Finally, add an outer layer, such as a windbreaker, waterproof shell, or down jacket. Adding multiple layers makes it easy to adapt from airports to outdoors.
Be Intentional with Footwear
As tempting as it can be to pack all your favorite shoes, it’s not always practical when they take up a great deal of space in a suitcase and add considerable weight. Instead, limit yourself to around three pairs: one for formal occasions, one for walking, and casual shoes or sandals.
When packing your shoes, place them in shoe bags with their soles facing outward. To maximize suitcase space, stuff them with socks, device chargers, or other small items.
Pack for the Climate
Most people research their travel destination to learn more about the people, culture, activities, and best tourist attractions. Take the time to consider the climate so you can optimize your comfort and avoid buying a whole new wardrobe!
If you’re expecting hot weather, pack merino t-shirts, linen-blend garments, shorts, and a light rain jacket. Don’t forget your sun hat and sunglasses! For cold weather, pack merino base layers, an insulated jacket, and warm accessories like gloves, a beanie, and wool socks. For comfort in rainy locations, you’ll need a waterproof jacket, quick-dry trousers, waterproof shoes, and a small umbrella, where practical.
Prevent Wrinkles
Wrinkles are among the most frustrating things about tightly packing garments in suitcases. These tips may help you avoid the worst of them:
- Roll your casual clothes
- Use packing cubes in your suitcase
- Unpack your garments when you arrive at your destination
- Hang garments in a steamy bathroom for 10 minutes to release light wrinkles
- Fold your structured garments
There is much to consider when planning a trip, and your suitcase isn’t always given the thought it deserves. To ensure your comfort during your travels and to improve your chances of clothing arriving at your destination in good condition, take note of the tips above. You may be surprised by how much of a difference it makes to consider material types, pack for the climate, and wear comfortable clothing du
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