TOP THREE TIPS FOR TRAVEL DRESSING

Wear layers, dress neutral, apply sunscreen,
say experts at USTOA

Clothes can make or break a vacation, which is why many travelers get anxious when it comes to narrowing down their wardrobe to a few select pieces. The experts at the U.S. Tour Operators Association – who send 11 million travelers packing annually – and TravelSmith® Outfitters Inc., purveyors of travel clothing, accessories and gear -- say that the process doesn’t have to be difficult. 

With a little destination-specific and seasonal tweaking, the following tips make maximizing suitcase-space a breeze: pack layers, neutral colors and a few pieces that can be dressed up or down as needed. Lastly, bring sunscreen—sometimes it’s the invisible protection that we need the most.

Below are tips for various types of travel in different parts of the world from USTOA tour operators.

LAYER

Cruise Tour: Alaska
Dress like an onion. Weather conditions can range from cool and rainy to mid-80s. Always bring rain jacket and pants, sturdy and comfortable walking shoes, a fleece or sweater layer, sunglasses, camera, hat and gloves, recommends Cruise West. Leave your formal wear at home!

Tournament of Roses Parade: Pasadena
Southern California has warm daytime temperatures, yet the evenings are cool.  So, layered clothing is a must--a light weight jacket or parka is easy to pack.  Sunglasses are a must for viewing the Tournament of Roses parade, advises Mayflower Tours.

Motor Coach Tour: Ireland, Britain
Comfortable casual clothing is best; consider clothes that can be layered to match the weather. Include a pair of comfortable shoes and a light raincoat. According to Celtic Tours, deluxe properties require that men wear a jacket and tie for dinner.

City Package: Paris
Paris has distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Go-Today.com suggests you tailor your wardrobe to the weather by checking the forecast on Weather.com before packing. Summer essentials include comfortable lightweight clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat or visor.  Winter travelers will want a warm, windproof coat, gloves, winter hat, scarf, and extra socks. Year-round musts: sturdy walking shoes and an extra sweater for cooler evenings.

Motor Coach Tour: Israel
Plan to “layer and peel” in Israel, advises Isramworld. In Jerusalem, the evenings are cool and in Tel Aviv they are balmy. Pack short sleeve shirts, long sleeve sweaters and light jackets and “peel” as needed. Wear sneakers or other cushioned shoes for walking on cobblestone streets in Tel Aviv; bring rubber shoes for comfort and cleanliness around the Dead Sea and the beach. Women should bring a shawl to cover their shoulders at religious sites.

NEUTRAL COLORS

USTOA members agreed that neutral, solid colors work best for most climates.  Choose a color scheme for your trip, such as black and white, which is always fashionable.  Then you can match shoes, purses and sweaters accordingly, and add color with accessories. 
 

Motor Coach Tour: Europe
Get through a 15 day trip by packing neutral tone clothes that can be mixed and matched. Use a scarf or tie to expand your wardrobe, recommends Image Tours, Inc.

Lightweight soft cotton layers are the best for mixing & matching. Neutral musts for ladies: a knee-length dress that can be dressed up or down as needed (hint: rayon skirts are great and roll well), a pashmina, which is light and takes less room than a sweater, and a versatile handbag. Canvas wedges are more stable and keep back aligned for comfort and walking. Pack one pair of dress shoes or heels. Essentials for men—khakis, polos, white shirts, one travel blazer and a tie.  In general, it is worth investing in a few pieces of "travel" clothing (tan, black, white basics) from a specialist like TravelSmith - they are terrific, washable, drip dry & light weight, suggests Collette Vacations.

African Safari: East Africa
Safaris require comfortable, casual clothing in natural, “breathable” fabrics. Styles should be versatile and neutral as bright colors and whites can startle animals into hiding; black, navy or other dark colors tend to attract insects. Be aware, however, that camouflage is illegal in game parks and reserves. Walking shoes should be low, comfortable and have textured soles, recommends Abercrombie & Kent.

SUNSCREEN

Resort Package: Hawaii
Hawaiian vacations are all about the sun—so pack your sunglasses, a hat and wear 30 SPF at all times. Even if you’re just shopping, you’ll need some protection from those harsh UV rays, advises Classic Vacations.

Escorted Tour: India
Sun protection, especially between March and October, is critical in India. Don’t even think about boarding a plane without a bottle of 50 SPF sunscreen, a hat, and light, cotton clothing, counsels SITA World Tours.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE TIPS AND MORE

Once you’ve selected your wardrobe, packed your neutrals and your sunscreen you’ll want to know more about baggage requirements.  For helpful information on airline baggage and carryon allowances, visit the USTOA Web site, www.ustoa.com or www.ustoa.travel.  Most USTOA members also provide wardrobe tips in their literature, on their Web sites, and often with your travel documentation.