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Summer is here, and your well-deserved fun in the sun vacation is booked- Woohoo! Now all you have to do is decide on the best lightweight travel clothing, and off you go. But how do you choose? There are many options when deciding on the best lightweight travel clothing for hot climates, but it is imperative to know what to look for to avoid costly and sweaty mistakes.
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You can start planning your warm-weather vacation packing list after you decide where you are going and what activities you plan to do. In this packing guide, along with plenty of suggestions, and convenient shopping links, I am sharing useful fabric knowledge to give you the tools to choose the best lightweight travel clothing for you!
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How to Stay Cool in Hot Weather – Know your Fabrics
Fiber Content
When finding the best lightweight travel clothing for hot climates, it’s essential to look at the fiber content to know what to expect. All fabric is not created equal; even if two garments look (and sometimes feel) the same on the outside, their fiber content (treatment or construction) may be entirely different, which means their performance will be different. Reading the content label and understanding fabric characteristics is the best way to choose appropriate clothing for hot climates.
What is a fiber content label?
A label required by law discloses the generic names and percentages by weight of the constituent fibers in the product (along with a few other things) (source). The fiber label is usually sewn into the side seam or attached to the neck label. Checking the fiber content label is a great way to be an informed consumer and means you are one step closer to choosing the best lightweight travel clothing for hot climates!
Fabric Characteristics
In addition to fiber content, understanding fabric characteristics is beneficial when choosing the best lightweight travel clothing. Below are a few graphic tables listing some popular summer fabrics and their most attractive and least desirable features. It is good to familiarize yourself with these fabric properties to help choose the best clothing for hot and humid climates.
You may notice absorbancy is considered an advantage and a drawback when choosing the best summer clothing for hot climates, but mainly for those planning to sweat during intense activities.
The main difference between water-absorbing (natural) and water-repelling (synthetic) fabrics is that absorbent fabrics, such as cotton hold moisture next to your skin, making your garment wet and heavy. Excellent at cooling you down, poor at keeping you comfortable.
On the other hand, water repellent materials such as polyester pull moisture away from your body and trap the wetness between your skin and the garment. You will sweat more, but your shirt will stay dryer than cotton. Polyester won’t make you cold but may become clingy and smelly with excess moisture and won’t breathe as well as natural fabrics.
Although basic poly and cotton have their problems, innovative high-tech polyester and performance cotton fabrics now have moisture control and wicking properties built right in. These fabrics pull sweat to the outside of the garment, allowing it to evaporate, keeping you cooler and dryer. These innovative fabrics are a great choice when choosing lightweight clothing for hot and humid climates, especially when working up a sweat.
Read More:
- Cotton Incorporated | 100% Cotton Moisture Management – Can it be done?
- Cotton Incorporated | Technological Innovation In Cotton
Some popular performance brands:
- Under Armour ISO Chill®– Helps disperse body heat to provide cooling power.
- Nike AeroAdapt– Designed to help keep athletes at their optimal temperature so that sweating, overheating, or getting chilled won’t interfere with a workout.
- Patagonia Capilene® Cool-Patagonia tech tees keep you comfortable when you’re working hard in conditions ranging from cool to hot.
- Columbia Omni-Freeze ZERO™– Sweat-activated cooling technology to keep hot people cool.
- Cotton Incorporated TransDRY®– Combines the comfort of cotton with moisture-wicking performance that rivals any competitive fiber in the market.
Garment Fit, Construction, and Design
In addition to fiber content and fabric characteristics, garment fit, construction, and design are important variables to pay attention to while choosing the best lightweight attire for warmer climates.
- Fit-if you are planning to be active moisture-wicking clothing is best. Make sure it fits tight or it won’t be able to do its job.
- Construction– Breathability increases with looser weaves and open knits; while tighter knits or weaves create less breathable fabrics. Finer yarns and lighter-weight fabrics also affect breathability.
- Design– Mesh cut-outs, zippered air vents, retractable collars, and sleeves are designed into garments to improve features such as UV ray protection and breathability.
Pro Tip: D.I.Y garment breathability test; in a well-lit room, hold the garment up and see how much light passes through. More light=more breathability.
The Best Fabrics to Wear in Hot-Humid vs Hot-Dry Climates
Generally speaking, loose-fitting clothing and breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen are the best choices for staying cool in hot, humid weather. However, when choosing apparel to wear in warm weather, it is essential to select fabrics right for the type of activity you are doing and the type of heat you are experiencing. Humidity means more sweating, so depending on your activity, you may opt for tighter fitting, wicking clothing (summer wool or tech-polys) over naturally absorbent materials. In some cases, cotton is preferred for its natural cooling abilities, although it will become wet and heavy with excess moisture and eventually make you cold.
If you are an avid hiker, you probably have heard the popular rule of thumb “Cotton Kills.” Most hikers avoid cotton because of its absorbency, slow drying, and failure to regulate body temperature. In any case, always ask a professional if you are not sure what type of active clothing to choose for hot and humid climates.
Read More:
- SaltStick | It’s Hot: Humid vs Dry Heat
- REI | What to Wear Backpacking
Lightweight fabrics to consider (for leisurely activities)
- Cotton
- Linen
- Rayon (Viscose, Modal)
- Lyocell (similar to rayon but more environmentally friendly)
- Seersucker (a type of cotton)
- Chambray (similar to denim but lighter and cooler
- Lightweight Blends (cotton + viscose(rayon) or Linen + Cotton)
Your fabric wearing cheat sheet for hot and humid climates
Loose-fitting, breathable natural fibers keep you coolest | Polyester doesn’t breathe as well as cotton | Linen is exceptionally breathable but is harder to care for | Silk is very lightweight but does not wear well in humidity | Loose weaves and open knits allow air to circulate keeping you cooler | Poly-tech fabrics are great for active sports and exercising | Wear tight fits in moisture-wicking garments or the technology won’t work | Synthetics and wool are naturally wrinkle-resistant | Summer wool is excellent for hiking and naturally blocks odors | Avoid cotton when hiking, it will make you dangerously cold | Avoid polyester in linings; it will make you sweat | Wear lighter colors that reflect heat to keep you cooler | Darker colors absorb heat | Darker colors will help conceal moisture marks on cotton
How to avoid wrinkled clothing while packing
If you are traveling avoiding fabrics that wrinkle easily is ideal but the best lightweight clothing for warm climates is usually made of natural material which wrinkles the easiest. Silk is most prone to wrinkles but it does remove easily with steam and heat but sweat marks are very easily absorbed. Linen is also prone to wrinkles and takes a lot more effort to remove but the natural look of linen is not smooth and lite wrinkling can sometimes look natural.
Natural fabric blends with wool resist wrinkles very well, (usually seen in hiking apparel) while 100% linen, silk or cotton/linen blends are naturally more wrinkle-prone. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and spandex are very wrinkle-resistant but not always the best choice when in hot-humid climates. The best way to avoid wrinkles is to carry a hand steamer in your luggage or ask for iron at your destination. It is nearly impossible to avoid all wrinkling when packing a suitcase tight.
Tips for avoiding wrinkled clothing while packing:
- Use sheets of tissue paper between clothing and roll rather than fold or lay flat.
- Roll multiple garments together keeping the most prone to wrinkles garment on the outside
- Use Dry cleaner bags to wrap each outfit in before packing
- Once at your destination hang all clothing immediately
- Hang garments in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. Make sure doors are closed so the garment can absorb the moisture to help remove stubborn wrinkles.
Pro Tip: Never fold linen, if you have to, fold it along seams only. It will produce deep wrinkles if folded into luggage. Laying flat is the best option, and rolling is the 2nd best option to avoid wrinkles as best as you can.
Clothing Options for Hot Climates
Ultimately, there are many options when choosing the best lightweight travel clothing for hot climates and a lot of opinions on what works best depending on destination, activity, and personal style.
Here are some of my favorite outdoor options great for hiking and enjoying the outdoors in hot temps.
Tops:
North Face Class V top– Long sleeve sun-protecting top that dries quickly
Back Country Sun Crew Tops- Has a hidden pocket and has a UPF 50+ SPF sun rating
Under Armor Iso-Chill long Sleeve Top–
Bottoms:
North Face Class V Lightweight Shorts– Great for water activities. They dry quickly and come in fun prints.
Patagonia Elda Short– These are super lightweight and have pockets
Back Country on the go pant-Great for all day with a bit of moisture repellent technology and large cargo pockets.
Socks:
Smartwool Performance hike lite cushion– You may not think of socks as being an important hiking essential but the right socks can really make or break foot comfort. Odor is a big issue with sweating feet and these smart wool socks have held up for years. They are a great thickness for summer hiking.
If you are on vacation you may want a few fashional pieces for a day on the beach a night out or happy hour overlooking a sunset.
I look for lightweight and loose-fitting pieces for these types of occasions. I prefer to allow a bit of airflow to help cool me off in hot climates and love cotton blends.
These are some of my favorite fashionable pieces to pack for warm weather
Dresses:
I love the Australian brand Rove Designs. They make a lot of lightweight dresses out of recycled linen and cotton and some fabrics have a crinkled texture that looks great and works well at hiding wrinkles.
Easy to wear tank dress from Treasure & Bond
Rip Curl loose-fitting Mini Dress
Tiered lightweight and loose-fitting Maxi dress from J. Crew
Bottoms:
I love these lightweight chino pull-on shorts from J. Crew
Tops:
Vuori has a ton of great built-in bra tops that are my go-to in hot humid weather. Any time I can get away without wearing a bra- I absolutely do!
Buy on Amazon
It is hard to find quality fashion pieces on Amazon. The majority of what they sell is fast fashion and doesn’t hold up for very long. These are some of my favorite summer pieces that have actually lasted.
Pro Tip: Lightweight dresses are great, but if they are unlined (and sometimes even if they are), you might end up showing more than you bargained for. Try a slip or these comfortable stretchy sports shorts below as an undergarment alternative.
UPF Protection + Performance
Hot temps usually mean intense sun, which is best taken in moderation to prevent sunburn, wrinkles, and premature aging. Living in Florida, with a fair complexion and freckles, I always do my best to protect my skin from too much sun exposure. Lightweight clothing with a UPF factor is a great way to enjoy the sun while blocking UV rays. Although all fabrics have a level of UV protection, not all fabrics are UPF protectant. Elements such as weave, stretch, wetness, color, and finishes determine how well a garment will protect you from the sun.
Columbia’s PFG Tamiami shirts are my go-to sun-blocking and moisture-wicking shirts when spending the day outside in the hot sun, especially on a boat. They come in so many colors, are lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to throw on when you start to feel the burn, plus they are wrinkle-resistant, which makes them great for traveling!
I am also a fan of Patagonia’s tech-tee line Capilene® Cool. This is their “most versatile performance knit for use on trails or the water.” This tech-tee provides 50+ UPF sun protection and HeiQ® Fresh durable odor control. Their styles range from tanks, and short sleeve tees to long sleeve hoodies and are available for men, women, and children.
For really active trips or long hiking days, summer wool is a must! Gone are the days of wool being a cold-weather garment only. With its moisture-wicking, breathing, and odor-fighting natural properties, merino wool has now evolved into a year-round staple. Wool also resists wrinkles, so it is another great option for traveling.
Voormi and SmartWool both do a great job creating high-performance clothing, as seen in their line of Summer Weight Merino Wool Tees. Merino wool is more costly than its polyester competitor but well worth the money if you want something that works well and lasts. Shop some of their products below.
If you are looking for something a little more stylish, Coolibar® is a great option. Their tech fabric innovations offer quick dry technologies along with soft, comfortable, lightweight, and breathable styles great for a hot and sunny day at the beach.
Bathing Suits and Cover-Ups
Rip Skirt Hawaii is a brand I discovered after reading an article about women entrepreneurs. This water-repellent skirt allows you to cover up easily and quickly after a day on the water without the dreaded wet butt stains. They come in three lengths and a variety of colors. I just ordered my first one and can’t wait to try it!
Rip Skirt Hawaii Length 1
Rip Skirt Hawaii Length 2
Rip Skirt Hawaii Length 3
Ondademar, a Columbia Swimwear brand, is one of my favorites. I love the prints and luxurious feel of their Nylon+Spandex suits. You can sometimes find older styles discounted on Amazon in limited sizes and discounted prices. Trina Turk is another swimwear brand I can’t get enough of. They offer many prints, colors, and styles to fit many personalities.
Andie Swim is a new favorite. They have many full and moderate coverage suits that pair great with shorts making it easy to go from the beach to a restaurant.
Long sleeve suits are quickly becoming a staple in my swim-dobe. For one, it’s the best way to avoid using sunscreen. Rip Curl and Billabong introduce a few new styles every season and are my favorite sporty swim brands. Some of the cheaper Amazon brands don’t hold https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=el&merchant_id=b5770911-39dc-46ac-ba0f-b49dbb30c5c7&website_id=61bd0505-2e34-4656-95c7-10adbd1a676e&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backcountry.com%2Fbody-glove-smoothies-chanel-paddle-suit-womensup but are great for casual wear during low-impact activities.
Pro Tip: Long sleeve bathing suits are great for wearing under a wet suit when scuba diving. They help the wetsuit glide on and off your body without riding up like a rash guard.
Travel Essentials for Hot Weather
Great for the Beach
Water Resistant large zip-up tote bag
Sand free and waterproof beach mat
Keep your water icy cool & BPA-Free
Great for Blocking Sun
Ultra Soft, quick-dry hat with removable sun shields
Super Wide Brim hat, UPF50+Waterproof
Foldable, UPF 50, wide brim beach hat. Great for traveling!
Great for Staying Cool
Fast cooling headbands
Enjoy being cool, with Chill Pal cooling towel
Keep cool outdoors in 12 different ways
Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Don’t forget your lips! I always carry SPF chapstick.
My go-to for daily sun protection + moisturizer on my face
Reef safe body sunscreen. There is a tinted version, but it sweats off brown.
If any of these products are a great fit for you, I am extremely grateful for your support by purchasing from the included links. As an Amazon Associate, my blog earns a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you -thank you for your support!
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I hope this post gives you more insight on how to choose the best lightweight clothing for any hot and humid get-a-way. The biggest takeaways should be to wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable garments. Enjoy your vacation!
Additional Packing Guides:
