How many times have you checked in at your hotel, rushed upstairs to get changed and upon opening your case felt a pang of despair at what you’ve packed for your holiday? Maybe you’ve brought clashing separates that can only result in a fashion disaster, or you’ve left your comfy shoes for your sightseeing tour at home. On the other end of the scale, choosing the wrong fabric for the weather can leave you feeling icky in the sun or fed up in cold and wet conditions.
Either way, there are plenty of travel attire mistakes definitely worth avoiding. Putting in a bit of thought during the shopping and packing process will help to ensure you turn up at your destination with the right items to enjoy every minute of your hard-earned trip.
So here are the Flexicover team’s top mistakes to avoid when it comes to travel attire.
Not taking light outerwear to hot destinations When jetting off to a hot-weather destination the temptation is to fill your case to the brim with all the colourful vest tops, shorts and bikinis you’ve stocked up with for your trip. On trips to super-hot locations like Dubai, that’s usually fine. But at some destinations, the temperatures can dive once the sun goes down. So when you’re looking at the weather forecast, don’t just focus on the daylight hours - check what it’s going to be like in the evenings too. Most of the time a light coat, jumper or wrap will be more than enough to keep you warm.
Packing patterned clothes that don’t go with anything
With limited packing space, it’s important to consider whole outfits rather than just single items. A common mistake is to pack patterned separates, without working out what you’ll wear them with – and adopting an ‘I’ll work it out when I’m there’ mentality won’t do you any favours when you’re miles away from a neutral pairing. So if you’re a dedicated fan of bright and busy clothes, throw a few black and white separates in your case too. Otherwise, you’ll end up with items that you’ll never be able to wear taking up precious space in your luggage.
Wearing cotton in cold and wet conditions Cotton is a light, breathable fabric perfect for keeping you cool in hot weather but if you’re going to a cold or wet destination steer clear. To begin with, cotton isn’t great at holding in body heat, so if this is a priority, choose thermal items instead. Also, cotton garments absorb a massive 27 times their weight in water so if you get wet in a cold environment your cotton clothes soak up moisture and actively work to lower your body temperature. They also hold in sweat from your body, which means if you’re planning any activities or hikes, you’re also at risk of this unwanted cooling effect.
Packing the wrong shoes When packing for a holiday, we often just throw in our favourite shoes rather than functional footwear. How often have you felt awkward in your pumps in a fancy restaurant or ended up in pain because you’ve trekked around a city in ‘sensible’ heels? The best approach is to carefully consider the activities you’ll be doing on your trip. If in doubt or if suitcase space is in short supply, a pair of smart/casual all-purpose shoes works well, even if it’s not a committed look for your Insta pics. If your shoes are new, remember to wear them in first to avoid painful blisters too.
Wearing synthetics in warm weather Wearing synthetic fabrics can make for a truly uncomfortable warm weather experience once you start working up a sweat. Nylon, for example, is commonly used in tights and activewear and yet can cause serious chafing once moisture is thrown into the mix. With this in mind, prepare to bare those legs and avoid packing nylon items other than your swimwear. Polyester is another major offender. No matter how light the garment, this water-repellent fabric will hold your sweat in and leave you feeling icky. The message is clear: leave synthetic materials at home if you want to feel fabulous in the sun.
Wherever you plan on head to this year it’s good to know that Flexicover Travel Insurance is committed to providing you with the highest level of protection to ensure you’re safe and secure 24 hours a day when away.
Comments