Travel Recommendations for Hot Climates
Hey MFA first time Q&A looking for general recommendations for a more travel focused capsule wardrobe that easily washable. Looking for something of higher quality for hot climates. I normally wear slimmer jeans and pants with shortsleeved shirts but looking to update style (maybe?). I wear mostly earth tones now with black pants. looking for something that wears well on 6’1 -6’2 and 185lbs with bigger shoulders and long arms. Looking for mostly casual but nice looking!
Any advice or suggestions or questions I can answer?
Thanks!
13 Replies
Linen and cottons are your friend for hot weather. You said you might update your style so I’d like to ask, what is your current style?
Pants with short sleeves can apply to a lot. I’d say bermudas would work given your height and proportions. Pair with linen shirts. They can be hand washed and air dry quickly.
My emphasis when I travel is avoiding cotton and packing things that I can wash in a hotel sink and dry quickly.
Core for me are: synthetic underwear (Uniqlo airism), wool socks (smartwool), and merino tees (smartwool).
Uniqlo also has a fully synthetic white tee that is plain and not too "athletic" looking.
I have some synthetic polos work fine, but aren't great fashion-wise.
I'm seeing if I can find some synthetic button-up shirts I like more.
For shoes, I'd recommend some sneakers like my NB993s.
Pants are tough too. I have some gorp-y synthetic pants from Orvis that are nice but don't look particularly great
I think Uniqlo has some lightweight parachute pants that are mostly synthetic that seem worth trying.
Outlier makes a bunch of different cuts of pants in different materials that are great for travel. They have a few nylon pieces that are pretty stink and wrinkle resistant
And tops as well
Expensive but good. Can also find their stuff used
I just got back from Italy and packed for warm weather in one carry-on. One pair each of jeans and chinos. Two pairs of shorts. Mostly short sleeve button-up shirts. Cubavera is having a sale and has some attractive designs that are priced well. You can either go with linens for that summer feel or their synthetics to avoid the need to iron. I took several Cubavera shirts, one Freenote Cloth, and one 7Diamonds.
Also some nice leather sneakers and a pair of hiking shoes. Saxx underwear, Calvin Klein deep v-neck undershirts, socks from Bombas and Balega. And a Marmot rain jacket, just in case.
Cubavera slept on
Depends on the specific hot climate too. I'm most familiar with a tropical equatorial climate, so I'll answer from that perspective.
Cotton isnt the best but it does cool you down in hot and humid conditions.
Synthetic airism stuff wash and dry easier but usually look uglier style-wise (I have no experience with this)
Layering is possible when it's hot but when you're travelling, fewer layers are more convenient. Invest in hand-held fan and a water bottle to help cool you down. And a cap for shade doesn't hurt
my style for now is mostly simple solid color t-shirts (ath-leasure) style with black jeans or short-sleeve button up shirt
wearing jeans, black or otherwise, while traveling in hot climate is a bad idea, in my experience.
I did that in SE asia and just about died. Or maybe "wilted" or "melted" might be a better description.
If you already wear tees, I stand by my recommendation to get some merino or 100% synthetic tees for travel.
For pants, Outlier is recommended above, but expensive. Here are the ones from Uniqlo I mentioned: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E460268-000/00?colorDisplayCode=56&sizeDisplayCode=004
UNIQLO
Wide-Fit Parachute Cargo Pants | UNIQLO US
Shop men Wide-Fit Parachute Cargo Pants at UNIQLO US. Read customer reviews, explore styling ideas, and more.
I don’t normally wear cargo pants and do you have any recommendations for more chino style or 5-pocket but synthetic?
yeah im def looking at SE Asia for this and looking a linen and Synthetics although I do have one wool shirt from Ministry of supply.
Elsewhere in the thread, we mentioned Outlier and Orvis. Orvis is not very fashionable. Outlier is, but expensive.
But, basically, there are lot of synthetic pants out there, usually advertised as hiking or outdoor or travel pants.
Anyone have feelings about https://www.oromen.com/
OROMEN
OROMEN: Sustainable Men's Clothing Store
Welcome to Oromen.This is your story, our story, and the story of our wonderful planet. All our shirts are made from cotton, natural linen, and Tencel™ fabrics. As we stitch each shirt, we aim to stitch together a better, more sustainable world.
Gave a quick browse. Looks like aloha shirts in mostly Tencel with linen, or 100% linen.
I'd say this would be great for a beach holiday, but I'll advise against making it the bulk of your hot weather travel wardrobe
Because imo it could look touristy if it's not a beach? Also not the most practical for a capsule travel wardrobe