Whether you are trekking through Nepal, car-camping in the American West, or touring around Europe’s finest museums, there are a few traveling clothing items every woman must have regardless of destination. The best travel clothing is multi-functional, resists wrinkling, dries quickly, and doesn’t stink!
Cotton, while great for day to day wear, is not the best fabric for travel since it does not dry fast or wick moisture away from your skin. Look for quick-drying synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester or go with my personal favorite fabric – wool.
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1) Quick-Drying Travel Underwear
While cotton undies are great for normal life, they tend to retain moisture so they can be quite uncomfortable while traveling and they take way too long to dry.
Choose quick-drying travel underwear made from breathable, fabrics like merino wool and blends of polyester and nylon. Undies made from these materials wick moisture away from your skin keeping you plenty comfortable plus they will easily dry overnight after a quick sink wash. Spending $20-30 per pair for travel undies may sound crazy but they will last forever and be worth it in terms of comfort and convenience.
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2) Odor Resistant and Breathable Socks
“Wool socks in the summertime – YUCK!!!” were my initial thoughts. That was until I was converted to the awesomeness of wool.
Unlike cotton socks, merino wool socks are naturally breathable, odor resistant and can even prevent blisters by keeping feet drier than cotton! Wool is naturally anti-microbial meaning you can go a few days without washing them which is great when you are miles from the nearest washing machine or stream.
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3) Multi-Functional Travel Skirts
Every travel-loving woman needs a cute and multi-functional travel skirt. Travel skirts are great since you can hike around in them during the day and then dress them up in the evening for a night out on the town. Again, look for skirts made with polyester and nylon blends for breathability and comfort and a touch of spandex for ease of movement.
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4) Wind- and Water-Resistant Softshell Jackets
Unless you are traveling to the Atacama Desert (the purported driest place on the planet), you are going to run into some windy and wet conditions at some point during your travels. Having a lightweight wind- and water-resistant jacket in your packet will be a godsend and certainly make your travels more comfortable or shall I say slightly less miserable.
Why choose a softshell over a traditional rain jacket? Softshells are more breathable than a traditional hardshell rain jacket and they are lighter in weight too. Wind- and water-resistant softshell jackets provide excellent weather protection under a variety of conditions so they are sure to provide multiple functions during your travel.
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5) Packing Cubes and Organizers
Although packing cubes and organizers are not actual clothing items, I have found them as necessary as underwear and a good pair of wool socks. Packing cubes and organizers keep your clothing items organized and easy to find in your pack and can also help prevent wrinkles.
Packing cubes come in a variety of sizes so you can keep your undies separate from your shirts and your shirts separate from you toiletries. I also recommend placing a dryer sheet in your packing cubes to keep your travel clothing smelling fresh and clean.
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What travel clothing items are a must have for you?