Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories for Your Travel Wardrobe

I’m no slave to fashion. I wear clothes that launder well, are made mostly from natural fibers, and are lightweight. For my feet, I like a sturdy sole on shoes I can walk in all day long. Yes, I pack a skirt and a nice shirt in case I have to clean up — the husband usually packs one button down — for the rest, I rely on common sense and the indulgence of hosts who know I’m living out of a suitcase. There are a few items I never leave home without; you shouldn’t either. Note: All links are Amazon affiliate links which means if you click and buy, I get a little something and there’s no extra cost to you.

Long underwear: Go ahead and laugh, but when you’re freezing your behind off in Volcano National Park and I’m snug and toasty, you’ll be sorry. I always, and I mean always, pack one pair of merino wool leggings and either a silk or merino long sleeved shirt. It takes almost no space in my bag, washes and dries in no time (even with the hotel sink method) and natural fibers mean no weird stinky smell after you’ve been in it for a day or three. For merino wool, I have three different brands and they are all excellent: Ibex, Smartwool, and Jones Wear. Mine has held up for years, no kidding, so it’s worth the expense.

Smartwool Socks: The best damn socks on the planet. Just get some. While you’re at it, get some for a friend, they make a great gift.

Sport Sandals: I’ve got two pair, a battered pair by Ahnu and a pair by Chaco.The Ahnu pair have some neoprene on them, making them great if you’re going to get wet, but also, they can be sort of hot if you’re going to be somewhere with higher temps. I’d avoided Chacos for a long time because every outdoorsy fit vegan in Seattle is wearing them and I didn’t want to be that girl, but the PR rep sent me a pair and now, we’re inseparable. (Back off, vegan boys.) They’re the next best thing to barefoot. People love their Keens, I hear, but they simply do not fit my feet and plus, I think they look like clown shoes.

Mary Janes: Mine are by Merrell. They’re cute, they’re comfortable, I can walk in them all day long, and they are good enough for dress up if that has to happen. Bonus, they’re slides, so they’re great for the annoyance that is airport security. The only time I don’t wear them on the plane is if I’m wearing my hikers. Speaking of which…

Hikers: I’ve sworn by Montrail ever since the universe left that pair that was practically brand new and exactly my size on my front porch. I went through three pairs after that. (That is a true story. If it was guerrilla marketing, it worked.) But a sale at a local gear store put my feet in to a pair of Vasque low rise hikers and they fit like they were made for me. Hikers are tricky, you might want to go all old school retail and try on a few pair before you buy just to make sure you’ve got a good fit. I get about two years out of each pair.

Rain shell/windbreaker: If you packed your long underwear — you did, right? — and you add one of these, you’re ready for just about any weather the Pacific Northwest has to throw at you. I’m no brand loyal — in fact, the first one I got was branded swag from an employer. I’m currently shopping for a replacement. Buy it big enough to wear a sweater or fleece under just in case it’s really cold. And note that this doesn’t make up for having a Real Coat if you’re heading to serious winter weather.

Pashmina: Wear it as a scarf, okay, but also, wrap it around your head on a cold windy day if you don’t have a hat, tie it around your waist as a beach wrap, throw it over your head as an airplane blanket… this is the most useful, versatile item in my kit, I always bring a wrap of some kind. I have a few in solid colors and I’ve thrown them in the wash to little detriment. A pashmina is another nice gift for your traveling friend. Don’t cheap out, get real cashmere, it will last longer.

Everything else: A lot of my travel attire is thrift store scores. I buy cargo pants and capris, button down and pullover linen shirts, natural fibers, natural fibers, natural fibers. I read labels for what the stuff is made of and don’t pay any attention to washing instructions because the Cambodian laundry is not going to follow them, nor the one in Vietnam, so what’s the point? Buying second hand for travel keeps me mellow about my clothes. Also, often I end up leaving stuff behind — it’s nice if there’s a good cause you can leave your worn but still very usable clothing with. It’s smart to travel with clothing you’re not attached too, that way if your luggage goes stray or there’s some other kind of wardrobe malfunction, you can just let it go.

1 thought on “Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories for Your Travel Wardrobe”

  1. A woman after my own heart! I have an almost identical list, but would add soft foam ear plugs….”rooster? What rooster?”, a cheap, airline-giveaway eye mask (can wrap foam ear plugs inside and put them in your pocket), “no curtains, no window shade? No problem!” A Smartwool neck gaiter, thin and soft as cashmere, doubles as a hat, bandanna, headband, eyeshade, and takes up no room in your carry-on bag. Thanks for the list; happy trails!

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