Travel Shirts ~ Blouses, Tops, T-Shirts
Travel Wardrobe Fabrics; Best Colors; How many tops to pack?
Travel Shirts How many blouses, Tops, T-Shirts to pack for a trip depends on where you are going, and for how long, and what type of traveling you will be doing -- Business trip, resort, cruise, staying put when you get there or on the move to a new city every few days.
Tops Only: If you haven't already, see Travel Pants and Travel Skirts, as what you choose for your travel outfit bottoms determines what travel shirts and tops you will need to coordinate with them. My tips for the 'top's part of your travel wardrobe are geared to holiday travel, but can be applied to business trips too. My travel clothing tips take longer to read than to implement :-) but bear with me. When you see what I mean, you'll choose and pack in a flash. Or see what new tops you need for your trip.
How to Choose Blouses, Tops, T-Shirts for travel
Choose travel shirts and tops that give you the most bang for your travel wardrobe mix and match buck. You should be able to wear each and every top -- blouse, shirt, T-shirt or golf shirt -- with each and every one of the travel pants or travel skirts you have packed.
Why Should Your Travel Wardrobe Match? If you spill your coffee at breakfast and need to change, you won't need to also change your pants or skirt. Any travel top will match whatever you are already wearing. The reverse is true; dribble sauce on your pants or skirt, and the top you have on is fine with whatever you change in to.
(See pictures on the How to Pack a Suitcase page.)
Matching Your Travel Wardrobe is a bit like playing Dress-Up: Lay out your travel wardrobe pants and skirts on the bed. Take one of the shirts you think you might pack, and place it next to each of the bottoms (pants, skirts). Does this top go with all the bottoms? No? Next! Do this with all the tops you are considering, and see how well each one goes with the travel wardrobe as a whole. It only takes a few minutes and is actually quite fun!
How Many Tops To Pack for a Trip?
One Week or Two Weeks Trip: You can easily get by with packing 4 to 7 tops for a one week or two week trip, if you will be 'on the move' and seeing new people every day. They won't know that you've worn the same top 4 times in 10 days -- for them, it's the first! Pack travel shirts and tops that can be rinsed out and will dry overnight. (Same applies to underwear).
Trips of two, three weeks, one month or six months: The same rule applies: 4 to 7 tops should do you, but add a few more even if they are duplicates: If you are packing a white T-shirt, then take one or two more. They are lightweight and don't take up much room in your suitcase. Add a scarf or two and your white T-shirt looks like a new travel shirt!
Do the Math:
3 travel pants/skirts X 4 travel shirts = 12 outfits
3 travel pants/skirts X 7 travel shirts = 21 outfits
4 travel pants/skirts X 7 travel shirts = 28 outfits
Good Fabrics for Travel Shirts: lightweight cotton knits, silk and rayon, cotton, crinkle cotton, silk knits and blends, quick-dry tech fabric, and ABL (anything but linen). Grab part of the top and squeeze it tightly in your fist and let go: If it wrinkles badly, or the wrinkles don't fall out fairly easily, move on.
Colors For Travel Shirts: If you've chosen your travel pants (trousers, jeans, khakis, slacks) in solid, neutral shades such as BLACK, BEIGE - KHAKI, BROWN, GRAY or NAVY, then choose your travel shirts to go with all of those colors. Print shirts and tops are good, but look for prints that coordinate with all of the bottoms. Bonus with prints: They don't show dirt or wrinkles, which is nice for a long bus or van ride, or hike in the woods.
Solids, prints and stripes, it's your choice, But remember to make sure every top will go with every one of the bottoms. This will make an enormous difference when it comes to selecting what to wear for the day. Coordinating any outfit is easy! To see pictures of how I did this for one trip, see How to Pack a Suitcase.
Long Sleeves? Short Sleeves? Three Quarter Length or Roll-up: Travel shirts sleeve length is up to you:
- Consider Climate: If you will be in a cooler climate, then long sleeves may help keep you warm. If in a hot climate, then short sleeve or sleeveless tops may suit you better; Long sleeves offer a bit of sun protection.
- Consider your destination: If you will be in traditonal, conservative or especially religious countries, or plan to visit temples and churches, etc. make sure you have something to cover your bare arms if needed.
I personally prefer three quarter length sleeves. or long sleeves that I can roll up to my elbows or a bit higher. For me, long sleeves are more practical, offering warmth, some sun protection, and, if I want to go into a temple or church, my arms and shoulders will be acceptably covered.
Travel Shirts With Collars: If you carry a camera or glasses around your neck, or a day pack / backpack when touring around, then a collar on your shirt helps keep the strap from rubbing on your bare neck, which can get really irritating after a few hours' walking in a hot, humid climate.
Camisoles and Tank Tops: The test for whether or not a camisole or tank top is suitable to wear in public is this: Does it look more like lingerie or a T-shirt? Bear in mind I do a lot of solo travel, so my goal is to blend in, not stand out as a tourist. In many cultures, women wearing camisoles or tank tops in public send a message they may not intend. If you are at a beach resort, fine. But if you go into a city, or a fine dining restaurant, then do put on a shirt with sleeves, or cover up with a light jacket or sweater, or wear a dress. Leave skimpy clothing at home or take it as sleepwear.
These few items should see you through several weeks, and, since tops are usually less bulky than pants, you have room for more tops than bottoms in your suitcase.
More Travel Wardrobe Tips: Pants * Skirts * Shoes, Sandals, Socks * Bathing Suits: * Underwear * Sleepwear * Rainwear Ponchos
More Travel Tips By Destination:
Holidays to Dominican Republic - most tropical resorts or hot climate travel >
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