by Jack Thornton

Created on: January 29, 2009

Looking good and feeling good in what you are wearing is just as important on the road as it is at home. We all want to look good and dress appropriately for what we are doing. When traveling, this is not only possible, but it does not require that we travel heavy. Even for a week-long trip, it is usually possible to limit everything to a single suitcase and one carry-on item without any problems.

The same rules for looking good apply while travelling, just like they do at home. Sweatpants and hoodie do not miraculously become good looking just because you are travelling - a fact that some of our fellow travelers would be surprised to learn. Instead, it is possible to dress very similar to normal.

LAYERING

The difference is going to be in layering. When traveling, it is not uncommon to experience extremes of hot, cold or both. To be comfortable in the full range, use a system of layers.

The base layer should be a comfortable, non-bulky outfit. This could be jeans and a decent shirt, a dress and a comfortable top, or slacks and a dress shirt. The key here is that it should be comfortable in room temperature or the hottest outdoor temperature you will be travelling in.

The second layer is an insulation layer. It is only needed if you will be somewhere cold. For example, a second layer is not needed when travelling by jeep between central African nations. It will be needed if in New York in January. Match the thickness of the insulation to this temperature. For informal travel, I recommend fleece as it is warm, looks good and is not super bulky. A suit jacket or a sweater are also reasonable insulation layers.

The top layer needs to be weatherproof. This can be a rain jacket or wind-breaker in warmer climates. Colder climates can range from a wool overcoat to a ski jacket. The key here is to keep any bad weather away from your inner layers.

This strategy is useful when planning any activity, not just travel, that will involve being outdoors. It is important for travel because layers give you the ability to adjust as necessary to meet the changing conditions. Lastly, all of these clothes should be in good shape and clean. This should not be a necessary warning, but you will meet travelers who do not heed this.

QUANTITY

When traveling, it is important to minimize how much you bring with you. This means taking time to plan the wardrobe carefully. Unless there is a known reason to bring something significantly more or less formal than you normally wear, do not bring it. If

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