Those of you who get rid of clothing on vacation, do you actually throw it in the garbage? I can’t imagine doing that. I donate everything that can possibly be donated, even rags. There’s a local org that collects them for recycling.
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Sometimes. But not if I see a place where I can donate. In third world countries, it’s easy to give away wearable clothing you don’t want.
I have thrown away things like socks.
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I used to fold the item over the edge of trash can, with hopes it would go to a housekeeper family or maybe get sent to laundry and then to lost and found pile (which I assume eventually helps for tide-over to those with lost luggage). But based on feedback on other threads, this might get the employee in trouble … maybe accused of stealing. So I’ll be looking for better ways.
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I travel a lot both for business and personal trips. Often they are mixed. In the next few months, I have a conference at a South African game park and also a work trip to Nairobi. ShawWife will accompany me on one of those and we’ll take a trip post-work. In addition, I’ve got a work trip to Riverside County, CA. ShawWife and I will go out the weekend before and see ShawSon and DIL. I will probably also visit some Bay Area clients on the trip. So, my traveling clothes often need to be maybe a little dressier (not for the Bay Area clients).
I have gotten great stuff – short-and long-sleeve golf shirts and pullovers from Greg Norman. I don’t play golf but they are very well made. Technical material that doesn’t wrinkle and travels well. I’m cheap (or, more charitably, frugal) so I wait for the 40% off sales. But they are excellent to travel in. For pants, I have ordered some travel pants but none really look that good. So, I’m sticking at the moment with some Banana Republic black pants I got at Costco for under $20. They are stretchy and travel well. Would welcome suggestions
For warmth, it depends upon the kind of trip. I have a couple of puff jackets (REI and Patagonia, the latter swag from a company I helped found). I just got a Baerskin fleece hoodie. Many pockets, windblock, water resistant. I’m eager to travel with it as it is so comfortable, but a lot bulkier than the puff jackets. I will often take a Gore-Tex or equivalent jacket and, if I’m really going to be outdoors, pants (mine are Marmot). If I need something for business, I will instead take a black mid-length coat with a zip-out lining that covers a suit jacket.
Shoes are the hardest. Depends upon the kind of trip. I’ve got skechers slipons and Goretex La Sportiva low cut hiking boots. My favorite footwear are Keen sandals, but I find I often leave them home to save space.
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I have evolved to wearing my Merrell hiking shoes on planes to save space and just wearing them all the time (when it’s cold where I am going). If it’s hot where I’m going, I’ll throw in my black Oofos flip flops (versatile - can go with skirts, shorts) . I pack a pair of wool socks to wear around the house inside at the destination and black leggings roll up tiny and can go with almost anything.
This would not apply to a warm-weather destination, but when going somewhere cold, I wear a really nice, hooded, warm coat with multiple pockets (inside and out). Last trip I filled the pockets with socks, small Christmas presents, toiletries. Only needed a backpack personal item for a five day trip! 
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For warm weather, there’s this: SCOTTeVEST: It’s not Rocket Science. It’s Pocket Science!
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Sketchers GO WALK pants. They have 4 pockets that are great! Two side and two back. Fit like leggings but have different styles. I have boot cut style that doesn’t hug your ankles. Perfect for travel.
Reel Legends have some dresses that are SPF 50, non wrinkle (similar to Columbia) but they have pockets! And the pockets are actually deep enough to put a phone in.
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I love my go walk pants!
I typically overpack and then wear 1/4 of it, but on my last trip to my parents in Florida I only brought the things I usually wear - go walk pants (boot cut I think), a swing dress, leggings, bathing suit, linen pants, a cardigan, and a couple of tees. All birds and flip flops. The dress doubles as a cover up and I can wear it from the beach in the morning through a dinner out. I bring a large microfiber towel or a Turkish towel and a nylon tote with a little purse inside so I’m ready for whatever. Towels also work if it gets cold.
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Having trouble deciding what I’ll need in Mexico, our first time at an all-inclusive beach resort (also discussed in separate Puerto Vallarta thread). Multiple bathing suits for sure.
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A quick search shows that there is a lot of advice out there! Here are a few…
What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Trip to Mexico • The Weekend Fox.
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@Jolynne_Smyth - In the Italy thread, we talked about layering (fleece, windbreaker).
Here are some other things I might bring if concerned about weather that is cold (or windy or rainy).
- thin gloves from the Dollar Store… I even take them on summer trips because they can really help beat the chill if it gets cool
- headband (thin from running and/or thick fleece)
- hat of some kind
- disposable rain poncho
- thinking maybe a cloth face mask could be good… seem to have them in many of my coat pockets
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I’ve been in Japan for over a week. Things I have found very useful: Uniqlo heat tech leggings, nylon Weatherproof travel plants (they’re very quick drying), fleece jogger with zipper pockets, columbia fleece Omniheat vest & beanie, wool socks, ex officio blouses and panties—they wash beautifully (including hand washing). My blouses are easy care—the other day I spilled about a large amount of oily sauce on the blouse at lunch. Happily there were clean damp face towels available and I just dabbed the blouse where the sauce was and it ALL came out—can’t see it at all and it was dry before lunch was done. The blouse looks like silk but rarely wrinkles at all and the wrinkles easily fall out when the shirts are hung up.
The fleece vest is great—it keeps me toasty warm without bulk and I rarely need to wear my warm, heavy jacket! The wool socks dried well overnight when they were drenched by continuous rain all day.
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One other thing I’ve loved having is a case for my new iphone 13 mini. It has space for a few Ccards and receipts, room key or cash. It has also provided protection for the phone and camera lens. It’s a bright pearl pink so i can see if easily (unlike my dark phone).
It’s similar to this, in a bright color.
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I recently got a Patagonia fleece vest. For some reason I seem to have a lot of pants that have no pockets, especially the stretchy pants I like to wear on long flights. I like the fact that the vest, in addition to warmth, gives me some pockets for stuff like my phone.
I have 2 vests and a hoody fleece jacket from Scottevest especially useful for travels. It has so many pockets that at times, I don’t even need to take a handbag.
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Definitely on the pricey side, but I brought 3 IceBreaker lightweight Ts on my last vacation and they were fantastic.
100% merino - temperature regulating, non-stinky, and fast drying.
I
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I have 2 Smartwool T’s. I joke that I live in mortal fear of being cold.
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Lol! But they are weirdly not warm when it’s hot out, right?
I actually converted to Icebreaker underwear years ago. They are great!
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All such great ideas. I’ve been shopping all day and have yet to find a nice, warm, fitted vest that doesn’t look bulky. I tried REI but when the items start at $180 I just can’t, lol. Have heard so many good things about merino wool. Will have to try at some point!!
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Exofficio for underwear. It’s pricey, but dries very quickly…and packs in a very tiny space.
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