encore: warm weather travel wardrobe tips

This post originally appeared in March, 2014.

Warm weather travel wardrobe
Ah, Venizia. Don’t forget your straw hat, and be sure to stop for a Spritz.

Clockwise, from left: Dress | Shirt | Hat | Tee | Bracelet |Pants | Sandals | Sandals

I’ve had a few requests to put together some warm weather travel wardrobe suggestions. For a variety of reasons, we’ve tended to travel during cooler seasons, but our trip to Italy in 2011 was during one of the warmest Springs on record, so I did get some practice at dressing for a non-resort vacation when temperatures were reaching into the mid-90’sF/34 C with some regularity.

The concepts of lightweight layers and building on a core of one or two neutrals still hold. While the fabrics for warm climates might be different, you still may be dealing with temperatures that fluctuate from day to night, or from outside to over-air-conditioned interiors. (Caveat: I run cold. While everyone else is sighing with relief under that blast of a/c, I’m the one reaching for my sweater and scarf.) Personally I find that being more covered, in lightweight pieces that fit slightly away from the body is most comfortable, especially under mid-day sun. A straw hat with a decent brim is indispensable.

There is one overriding suggestion I will offer: think linen.

Linen is lighter than cotton, will dry more quickly if wet, and breathes like nobody’s business. A big linen button front shirt is a fantastic warm weather jacket alternative. Roll up the sleeves and wear it open or tied over a sleeveless dress or top to keep the sun off your shoulders or for venues where more “modest” dress is required (like visiting the interior of churches and cathedrals). Yes, woven linen will wrinkle. If a casually rumpled look is more than you can bear, think about linen jersey. All of the benefits of linen, without the issue of wrinkles. Lighter colors of linen jersey may be less than opaque, so I’ll often add a featherweight tank or camisole underneath.

Other fabrics that can be lightweight and breathable include rayon (also listed as viscose and modal), tencel and even some modern microfiber polyester which has wicking properties. I have a couple of tanks from Adea that are surprisingly cool in warm weather, totally non-bulky and layer beautifully under my linen knits. Silk jersey tanks from Eileen Fisher are another option if you prefer garments that fit less close to the body. Some people find silk to be too warm; this has not been a problem for me, especially with tanks.

When it comes to footwear, I’ve found that sandals with a nubuck, cork or wicking fabric insoles are more comfortable in the heat. Arche, Mephisto, Birkenstock and Dansko all offer styles with this feature. Keep jewelry light and minimal.

Lighter colored fabrics are generally more comfortable under direct sun, but do have the problem of showing dirt more easily. Dust and dry dirt can often be minimized with a garment brush, otherwise you can carry some portable spot remover if doing laundry isn’t convenient.

What are your favorite wardrobe tips for traveling in warmer climates?

Note: I’ve updated my SHOP page with more warm weather travel wardrobe suggestions. You can also see my recent travel wardrobes (including one for Hong Kong and Thailand last year) HERE or click on the “travel” image in the right sidebar. 

KEEP COOL AND CARRY ON


 

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4 Comments

  1. I love reading these packing tips that you and Tish Jett write and have followed some of the ideas. The problem arises, suitcase space wise are the “toiletories”. They seem to take up the most space of all. Now matter how hard I try, I always have a bulky bag of skin creams and washing aids. Make-up itself is easy as I use mostly pencils and tubes, it’s the other stuff ?? Any tips here.
    Swan
    nowlivinginfrance.blogspot.com

  2. Thank you for your tips. It is so difficult to travel when it is really, really hot. I felt like a wet rag when I went to Rome and it was 104 degrees with 50% humidity (back in 2012)…

  3. Having just been in Malta for 10 days where it was up to 37C with high humidity I agree absolutely about the linen. I ended up buying several linen dresses and a pair of linen shorts as my capsule wardrobe ( which worked very well in England and Ireland) did not work well in this degree of heat.

  4. Thanks! I’m traveling with my mother to England. It’s not hot there like it is here (105 all week!), but I’ve been floundering a bit on what to pack. This is super helpful!