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One of the biggest factors in choosing the best travel clothing is in the fabric. How an item’s fabric weighs, feels, folds, packs, and looks has everything to do with creating the perfect capsule wardrobe for travel.
Watch the Secret to Packing Light to learn more!
Natural Fabrics: Pros and Cons
Natural fabrics tend to have some of the most ideal properties for travel. These include merino wool, cashmere, and silk. TFG’s readers love these premium travel fabrics! Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is the super fabric. It keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. It can pack light, wicks moisture, and repels scents. The downside is that clothing tends to be anywhere from $50-$100 on average – keep an eye out for winter and summer sales! Find more benefits here.
Merino Wool is ideal for:
Long term journeys such as RTW trips, active travelers, women who want to pack as light as possible; or if you’re going to extreme climates (hot or cold).
Merino Wool should be avoided if:
You’re on a tight budget; you rarely travel; you’re not active, or you never hand wash on your travels.
Where to Buy: TFG Readers (and me!) LOVE Icebreaker. Read about its benefits in our cold weather gear post!
Cashmere
Cashmere is a luxurious fabric that keeps you warm in the cold without the bulk. It looks lovely and packs light. The downside is that it’s expensive and you have to be extremely careful with it.
Cashmere is ideal for:
Short vacations that are under 2 weeks and travelers that want to dress well while packing light.
Cashmere should be avoided if:
Long term journeys such as RTW trips; active travelers; or budget conscious women.
Where to Buy: TFG Readers recommend Wool Lovers for good value on cashmere and wool clothing.
Silk
Silk is a luxurious fabric that keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. It looks beautiful and packs feather-light. The downside is that it’s expensive and stains are almost impossible to remove. Find more benefits here.
Silk is ideal for:
Short vacations that are under 2 weeks and travelers that want to dress well while packing light.
Silk should be avoided if:
Long term journeys such as RTW trips; budget conscious travelers, and if you’re prone to staining clothes.
Where to Buy: TFG Readers recommend Silk Body Online for their large travel product selection.
The problem with merino wool, silk, and cashmere is that they are very delicate. You can’t just throw them in the washing machine and items need to be hand washed or dry-cleaned. They can never go in a dryer.
However, by choosing the right brands that are geared towards travel, these fabrics are the best choice!
For more tips on travel clothing, please read the following:
- How To Choose Travel Clothing
- Step by Step Tutorial: How to Hand Wash Clothing when Travelling
- How to Choose the Best Fabrics for Travel
One point about Icebreaker merino clothing that you have overlooked is that is IS machine washable on a cold setting. I have had some Icebreaker merino tops for about 5 years and they are still going strong. Machine washed and hung out to dry. They do take some time to dry however which I think is the only downside of the fabric for travelling if you are moving each day.
GREAT POINT! Will definitely add to the post. Thanks!
I definitely recommend Icebreaker for fantastic merino. I have a black tank top and a long-sleeved round neck top which I wear TO DEATH. Please don’t be grossed out but they are so great at keeping me cool, I can go a week without needing to wash them! I just hang up to air out overnight. And I always throw them in the washing machine, and they’ve lasted me years. Now I just need to save my money for some cashmere and I’m all set…
Ice Breaker is pricey but definitely worth the cost per wear – love super fabrics!