One of the questions we all ask ourselves every time, before leaving for a trip, is this: “What should I wear?” Or: “How many clothes should I bring?”

In light of these premises and the mix of experiences that we all share, for better or worse, preparing your suitcase for a great trip may seem like a difficult task; nevertheless, when the baggage becomes intelligent the stress you have always experienced turns into a distant memory.

When traveling, especially if you go to a different country, it’s best to pack some light and functional clothing, suitable for all kinds of adventures, from city tours to wilderness exploration.

Let’s see together some basic tips for buying (and bringing with you, in your suitcase) perfect garments for every circumstance.

Travel clothing: choice of the most useful fabrics and features

To pack your suitcase in an intelligent way, it is essential to select some Jolly garments that you can wear almost anywhere and at any time of the day.

Let’s start with the identification of the fabrics.

Performance fabrics: breathable fabrics, which absorb moisture and are easy to maintain, can undoubtedly be counted among the smart choices for traveling.

To be truly performing, fabrics must breathe well, eliminate moisture from the skin and dry quickly.

For example, cotton, a solution that is always appreciated, even by those who are attentive to style and love to dress casually, is generally less suitable for travel.

In fact, there are far superior fabrics. Let’s see some of them:

Nylon and polyester: Most performance fabrics contain at least one of these synthetic materials.

• Pros: breathable, lightweight, absorbs moisture and dries quickly, resists pilling and abrasion.
• Cons: Feeling slightly less comfortable than cotton.  

Silk: Luxuriously soft, it is most often used in underwear.

• Pros: light, breathable, durable, ideal for hot climates.
• Cons: Less durable than other materials.  

Cotton: it is commonly used for casual styles and highly appreciated for its “being natural”.

• Pros: soft, durable, breathable, versatile and easy to clean
• Cons: does not expel moisture and does not dry as fast as nylon or polyester  

Cotton / Polyester Blend: Another commonly used solution for more casual wear, this blend seeks to offer comfort and performance.

• Pros: it is soft against the skin, breathable
• Cons: it does not expel moisture or dries 100%, like the completely nylon or polyester alternative

Bonded fabrics: The term “bonded” refers to double-faced garments, made with a material (for example cotton) on the outside, and with another type of material (for example, polyester) in the area in contact with the skin. This approach is designed to take advantage of each fabric’s best features.

Other features to consider

Neutral colors: space in your luggage is precious, in order not to waste it it is better to avoid less versatile items. Avoid bright colors and prefer neutral solutions like brown, black and khaki, especially for pants, shorts and skirts. These colors match easily, so you can take less stuff with you.

Wrinkle Resistance: Choose garments advertised as crease resistant. This does not mean that they will be totally wrinkle-free, but in all likelihood they will tend to crease less.

Style appropriate to the destination: standing out from the local culture usually doesn’t help, so even the clothes you wear can make you feel less “different”. Avoid clothing that is too tight or very short shorts and skirts. This type of clothing may not be accepted in certain contexts or cultures.

Sun protection: All fabrics block UV rays to some degree, but sun protection clothing has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) compared to UVA and UVB rays. A garment with a UPF of 50 blocks 98% of UV rays. Sun protection clothing is rated on a scale from 15 (good) to 50+ (excellent). This protection never washes off and does not interact with sweat.

Insect Protection: Insects can be a real nuisance. Some types of fabrics have among their characteristics treatments that make them repellent against insects. Effective against ticks, mosquitoes and dozens of other species, is permethrin, for example, which can be applied in spray form to both clothing and equipment.

Pockets: these are particularly useful when you are not traveling with special backpacks or fanny packs, but are starting “light”, only with a few t-shirts and pants. Let’s see them in detail:

• Shirt pockets: Useful for tickets, sunglasses or other small items.
• Pockets of skirts and trousers: in addition to the usual pockets, some have hidden pockets in which to jealously guard the passport or cash. Furthermore, this solution can be more comfortable than the alternative of wearing a separate seat belt, right under the clothes.
• Zippered pockets: they are equally practical and at the same time safer than button closures; when the pockets have buttons, the risk of losing objects or being robbed decreases significantly.

Which garments should never be missing

Below are some clothing that every traveler should consider for their luggage, regardless of the type of adventure they are preparing to face or the chosen itinerary.

• Travel jackets
• Pants / Shorts / Skirts / Dresses
• Shirts / T-shirts
• Fleece Tops and Wool Sweaters
• Hats
• Underwear and socks

1- Travel jackets

Jackets are especially useful in case of rain, when they help you stay dry and comfortable. They can be waterproof and breathable (the best solution), or water-repellent and breathable (a very valid alternative).

• Laminated waterproof / breathable shells are the best choice for a wide range of weather conditions and activities. However, these jackets are slightly more expensive than others, due to their excellent quality level.
• Water-repellent / breathable shells repel wind and light rain, plus provide excellent breathability when you’re on the go. They are less bulky and less expensive than other shells, but are not suitable for pouring rain.

Scopri le giacche sportive uomo e le giacche sportive donna

2- Pants / Shorts / Skirts / Dresses

Shorts, skirts and dresses are always a winning choice, even when traveling to a hot or tropical destination. Keep in mind, in fact, that long trousers protect better from the sun, insects and rain. Also, as mentioned above, it may be necessary to wear them for cultural reasons as well.

A super versatile solution are the convertible pants, whose legs that detach easily to transform into shorts. These models are also a great space-saving option.

Scopri i pantaloni sportivi uomo e i pantaloni sportivi donna

3- Shirts / T-shirts

Always carry a long-sleeved shirt / t-shirt with you, even if you are headed for a warm climate. As mentioned with regard to long trousers, in fact, even a long-sleeved shirt protects you from the sun, insects and rain.

Other considerations on shirts:

• Knitted shirts are elastic, comfortable and available in many styles; the fabric version usually has buttoning in the front and has air intakes to keep the body cool.
• If you can, bring technical or merino wool shirts with you. Cotton is only recommended for occasional activities or hot, dry climates.
• Fitness jerseys can be very useful when traveling, especially if you are traveling to hot climates, as they absorb moisture and keep you cool.

Scopri le T-shirt e le canotte da uomo e le T-shirt e le canotte da donna

4- Fleece tops and wool sweaters

• Fleece top and vest insulate well and wick away moisture. However, there is a downside: they can be bulky and don’t pack well in luggage.
• Wool sweaters keep you warm even when they get wet and don’t hold in odors like synthetic materials. Like fleece, however, some wools can be bulky.

Scopri le felpe sportive da uomo e le felpe sportive da donna

5- Hats

Always wear a hat. Also in this case you can choose between several options:

• The rain hats feature a wide brim, a waterproof / breathable construction and a chin strap. They also work well as a sunscreen.
• Sun hats are usually made of cotton or nylon to help with perspiration and have grommets or nets for good ventilation. Some models feature some sort of back cape to keep the sun away from the neck and ears.
• Casual hats include ball caps and hiking hats. A wider edge serves to ensure better protection from the sun and rain.

6- Underwear and socks

The same rules that we have extensively described regarding fabrics also apply to underwear and socks: a synthetic fabric is easier to clean than cotton, while merino wool products offer natural breathability and comfort. When choosing socks, be aware that synthetic fabrics and wool can help prevent blisters by keeping your feet drier than cotton socks.

Now you should have all the notions and much clearer ideas to prepare your next suitcase.

Non ci resta che augurarti Buon viaggio!

Scopri l’intimo ed accessori uomo e l’intimo ed accessori donna