Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with clothing and travel

Help me beat perspiration on vacation

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:10:17 -0800

How can I beat perspiration while I'm on vacation? I'm a fairly sweaty person and will be doing significant traveling in Europe in July. What tips do you have to keep me looking good without showering three times a day? I have a problem with perspiration, especially in my underarm and nether regions. Currently I use a strong deodorant/anti-perspirant and Gold Bond powder, but I still have to change my shirt when I get home from work in order to feel comfortable.

With this vacation upcoming, I'm concerned about all the time I'll be spending outdoors and in non-air-conditioned places. I'm planning on involving a significant amount of biking and walking in my sightseeing but I sometimes have issues with sweat visible on my clothing, especially in hot weather or when being physically active. I don't want to look like every other tourist in cargo shorts. I've also heard that many cathedrals frown upon wearing shorts, plus I would rather not have to spend time going back to the hotel before a nice dinner or cultural experience.

Any tips on clothing (especially a decent pair of pants), products, medication, or other strategies would be much appreciated. Anonymous comments can be directed to sweatytraveler@gmail.com.

How to dress (or not dress) on my visit to Cologne, Germany?

RedReplicant — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:33:14 -0800

I'm going to be visiting Cologne, Germany on a research trip at the end of the month-- how should I dress? I'm an American PhD student from an East Coast university, speak decent (but not flawless) German and generally I try to avoid the major pitfalls like bright white tennis shoes, obnoxious t-shirts and fanny packs. However, one of my professors keeps suggesting that if I wear any color at all I will look like a tourist. Generally my uniform is a nice pair of slacks or jeans, a colorful top and a jacket or cardigan. Is that going to look out of place? Any pro-tips would be greatly appreciated, as it's my first time going to Germany alone rather than with a group of students.
Thanks!

What trousers are best for enjoying the Caribbean?

jackypaper — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:03:16 -0800

I'm traveling to the Caribbean for two weeks next summer (July). I do not wear shorts. What brands of khakis make comfortable and practical alternatives? Are there any particular fabrics or other things to consider? My closet is full of nothing but suits and weekend jeans, so I'm starting from scratch when I build my wardrobe for paradise. Thanks!

Where should I shop?

epersonae — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:49:48 -0800

Going to Austin (from WA state) next month, have little or no warm weather clothing. Should I buy clothes here or there? I'm going to SXSWi (yay!) but since last spring I've lost 50 pounds and several clothing sizes. I really only own a couple of outfits at all, and they're pretty clearly for office wear in Washington in winter.

I'd like to have a few outfits to wear in 70+ degree weather. Should I do some shopping now, or take my first afternoon after I get there?

Now: more leisurely shopping, less jet lag, I know where I'd go.
Later: probably easier to find weather-appropriate wear, less to carry on the plane, could be fun.

Sales tax is about the same either way. I have no idea if I'll find things cheaper there or here (Olympia/Tacoma).

What else should I take into consideration? Also, general opinions welcome!

If I shop Austin, suggestions for places to go? (Mid-30s woman, tallish but not super-tall, dress size in the 10-12 range, somewhat fashion-impaired.)

I'm going to be renting a bike, so I'll be looking for relatively sporty clothes that also look good inside. (I'm thinking skorts/capris.) Also, that means that driving anywhere in Austin is out.

You're as cold as ice...you're willing to sacrifice our looooove!

mdonley — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:35:09 -0800

I'm moving to Latvia from Los Angeles/Orange County in a few weeks and I need recommendations for nice, professional, but not insanely expensive winter clothing. Size and style parameters inside. First off, I'm a 24-year-old guy, going to Riga to work teaching English at a private school and probably in some businesses around town.

Because I'm young for my field, I feel that (at least at work) I'll need to up the formality a bit and not look like a 16-year-old ready to hop on a ski lift, so I'm wary of bright orange Michelin-man ski jackets. But lots of what I've seen that isn't nine inches of thick down and Goretex doesn't look like it would be very effective against the cold, snowy/sleety/rainy, just generally horrible weather Riga gets in the winter (climate chart here).

I have so many questions here: for example, I really like this jacket from LL Bean, and it fits my budget, but how do I know if it'll be enough? What other accessories do I need? How do I keep my pants dry in the rain and snow, especially the cuffs? Do I wear big snow boots on the way to work and then change into work shoes when I get there, or are there, like, shoe...sole...cover...things that I can use to not slip and die on icy sidewalks?

And most importantly: what do I buy here in California (or online!) and what do I buy there? It seems like clothing is much cheaper in the States than it is in Europe, but winter clothes in LA (which I've only seen at places like sporting goods stores) seem to be limited to $400 snowboarding jackets and $100 technical microfiber sweaters, if I can find them at all.

Sizewise, I'm quite small: 5'7" (170 cm), 140lbs (63.5 kg), US shoe size 8.5/9. This means that lots of winter jackets that look fine on a model and hit their legs mid-thigh go further toward my knees and make me look even smaller; lots of clothing sized "small", especially outerwear like jackets, often has sleeves that are too long.

I already have a cashmere scarf, a beanie, some very futuristic-looking earmuffs called 180s, and a cotton jacket, all of which barely kept me alive during a trip to Chicago and Wisconsin in early March. I don't have any waterproof gear aside from an umbrella, and I don't have any waterproof/snow-appropriate shoes or socks, sweaters, other hats, gloves, or warm-weather underwear.

My everyday apparel for work wear in Los Angeles doing the same job would be a long-sleeved collared shirt, perhaps with a tie, non-jean pants (khakis or, uh, non-khakis), and non-athletic/sneaker shoes. Zara and H&M, as well as Banana Republic, stock my favorite things, but none of those stores have winter stuff in stock right now and I can't afford a huge new wardrobe either.

I've seen this question (clothes for a Floridian headed to Europe on a winter vacation), but many of the links are dead and since I'm moving there full time and working, I think my needs are a little different.

To review: winter outerwear and work clothes, a little more formal, flattering for a smaller guy, not too expensive (total budget for work/winter clothes less than $300-$400), available online or in Orange County and environs. Sorry if I rambled, but I'm a little freaked out about spending heaps of money and still ending up freezing cold!

Thank you!

A useful travel vest that won't make me look like my father-in-law?

jdroth — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:15:34 -0800

We're traveling abroad for the first time this year (UK, Ireland). My wife has decided that she doesn't want me carrying bags (camera, book, etc.) around with me when we're sight-seeing. She wants me to wear a vest like this one. I admit that all of the pockets are cool, but I'm not that keen on the idea otherwise. I think the vest looks dumb. And I doubt its practicability. What can you tell me about travel vests? Are they useful? What should I look for when shopping for one? Can I get one that actually looks good? Is durable and comfortable? I haven't checked my Filson catalog yet, but that's my next stop.

Clothes shopping in Taipei/Hong Kong: What to get where?

jonmartin — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 09:37:26 -0800

I am going on a trip next week to Taipei and Hong Kong, and would like leave with an empty suitcase and come back with a full one. Can you help me prepare for what to get where? I am looking for both off the rack and tailor made, from casual through clubwear to business suits & shirts.

I'll be in Taipei for 7 days and HK for 9 days, which may or may not pose issues for any tailor-made stuff.

First off, I am tall and slim (185cm, 65 kg) -- will I have trouble finding clothes that fit (i.e. jeans length 34"+, long-sleeve shirts)? This question may be obvious for anyone who has been to metropols in Asia, but this is my first trip to the Far East, and I'd like to avoid wearing the same pair of jeans for two weeks for lack of clothing my size..

Second, which city is best (price v. quality v. time) for tailors? this thread suggests some good tailors in HK, but would I be better off getting suits in Taipei? (and which tailor?)

Third, While I realise that I might have to have suits shipped to me as I am not staying long enough, will 3-5 days be sufficient to have all necessary fittings done for suits/shirts?

Last: Where do I go shopping in either city? Everything from good department stores, warehouses to hidden-away (cyborg/futuristic?)-clubwear shops is of interest.

Aidez-moi choisir les vêtements!

Jess the Mess — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:54:11 -0800

How do people dress in the summertime in the South of France? When I was in college I spent a semester in Paris and quickly realized that my colorful, American hipster clothes made me stick out like a sore thumb amongst the perenially black-clad Parisians.

Call me insecure, but I'd like to avoid that feeling of being la laide americaine again when I spend a month in Provence next summer. I haven't spent much time in the southern part of France and would like to know what kind of clothes I should bring. I imagine the style of dress down there is a bit different from that in Paris considering the milder, sunnier climate, but is it that different?

I'll be doing all the normal touristy things in addition to taking some classes and hopefully a trip or two to the beach.

Merci pour votre assistance!

How should a Western woman dress for Egypt?

Morrigan — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 15:32:34 -0800

Can anyone give me experience-based guidance on what clothing is acceptable for Western women visiting Egypt? The guidebooks and websites I've read and visited tend to vary widely between "don't be stupid: completely cover up" and "don't worry about it at all unless you are way off the beaten track." I will be very much on the beaten track and am looking for specific guidelines. Are open sandals okay? Jeans? Tee shirts? Non-scandalous (by Western standards) shorts?

Storing a sport jacket

beammeup4 — Mon, 01 May 2006 20:32:10 -0800

How do you properly fold a sport jacket to store in a suitcase for 3 months? So I'm leaving my first year of college on Wednesday and are starting to pack up all the junk I've accumulated over the year.

I have a sport jacket hanging in my closet right now that may not make it back home, therefore it will be placed with a lot of my other belongings in storage.

How do I properly fold and store a sport jacket in a suitcase so that it doesn't wrinkle and looks nice and neat when I pull it out of my suitcase if I need to present myself in front of an employer or high-status PhD in August?

Is travel clothing worth it?

Hash — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 13:55:33 -0800

The family and I are trying to equip ourselves with clothing for our year-long travels to mostly hot places. Is travel clothing worth it? The quick-dry no wrinkle synthetics I have looked at have been ugly and expensive. I have a coolmax golf shirt that looks great but after a while it smells terrible. Is cotton that much of a pain to wash. We won't be taking jeans but can't we take cotton Tshirts and underwear?