Packing essentials: The clothing you must bring along on any trip

Packing your luggage for a trip can be a lot of hassle. You don’t want to end up overpacking and having to haul a large suitcase with you, but bringing too little clothes can also be quite uncomfortable. You don’t want to be stuck doing laundry all day or discover that you haven’t got an extra layer if the weather gets chillier. Packing a suitcase perfectly is a fine art, and if you’re not accustomed to going on trips very often, you probably don’t have the sixth sense necessary to pack the perfect luggage. Here’s some helpful advice that can help you make sense of it all. 

Performance fabrics 

When you start packing your luggage, you should pick versatile pieces that can be worn in more than one type of weather. It will save space in your bags, and it also means that you’ll travel light. Choose a Car Rental Schiphol to ensure your journey and experience are relaxing and stress-free. Some of the must-have items you must always bring along are garments that allow you to be active and comfortable at the same time. 

Performance fabrics are designed to be easy to clean and dry, moisture-wicking, resistant to stains and durable. That makes them the perfect choice for items to bring along on your next trip. They are typically a blend of natural and synthetic fibres. Activewear is the most well-known example, but there are several other items made from performance fabrics. Acrylic, olefin and polypropylene are both used extensively in performance clothing. 

Due to their antimicrobial properties and mould-resistant properties, you don’t have to worry about having to wash your clothes regularly during your trip, and since they’re both thermoregulating and breathable, they can be worn in more than one type of weather. 

Neutral colours 

Neutral colours are very popular with fashion lovers, who appreciate the versatility of these tones and the fact that they always create a cohesive outfit. Just as bringing athleisure can help you save space, making sure that the clothes you get are in neutral tones ensures you can take fewer items with you overall. Although bright colours can make a lot of impact in any ensemble, they are more challenging to pair than black, grey, brown or white. 

If you bring bright green or yellow clothing, you’ll also have to get extra tops or bottoms to go along with them. But neutrals coordinate well with everything so that you can pack less. Remember that a holiday trip isn’t the best time to showcase all your new outfits, and you mainly want to be comfortable. If you don’t have any special events planned, such as a dinner or an evening at the opera, there’s no need to bring anything flashy or luxurious. 

Wrinkles 

Anyone who’s travelled at least once knows how annoying it is to open the luggage after arriving in the hotel room and seeing that all the clothes are crumpled and wrinkled. It seems that no matter how much you want your clothes to stay fresh-looking, there’s just no way to maintain them in good form in your luggage. Luckily, fabric that is resistant to wrinkles has become more commonplace. Synthetics like nylon, polyester and acrylic are naturally crumpling-resistant since they don’t absorb moisture as much as other materials. 

For the wintertime, you can always count on wool to remain wrinkle-free. The material’s properties come from the microscopic features of the fabric. Since the fibres resemble coils in their natural shape, they naturally return to their original shape after being bent. Cashmere is also mostly immune to wrinkling, but make sure to keep it away from hot water to maintain its properties. Merino is another good option since it is elastic and, therefore, naturally equipped to be folded and placed in a suitcase. 

Extra protection 

Depending on when and where you’re travelling, you must make sure to bring clothes that are suitable for the weather. Checking beforehand is very important and can save you a lot of discomfort. You don’t want to get out of your BB&L car rental in Amsterdam and realise that you’ve only packed lightweight trousers and jean jackets for cold weather. 

If you’re going to an area that is bright and sunny, you should consider bringing along functional items that can protect you from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Although all fabrics provide a certain level of protection against UVAs and UVBs, there is unique sun-protective clothing out there. They typically come in darker colours, which absorb UV rays rather than allow them to go through. They are more densely woven to increase the protection factor. Anything with a UPF of 50 or over will provide excellent protection. 

Mosquitoes are also a nuisance everywhere in the world, but they are a constant threat in several areas. Some species can transmit pathogens that can cause life-threatening illness or life-long disability. Luckily, you can find clothes that shield you from insect bites and stings. You can find shirts, trousers, hats and socks that are treated with permethrin to keep the bugs away. They won’t only keep mosquitoes away but ticks as well. 

If you’ll travel somewhere with plenty of rain, bringing a waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes that can withstand high moisture levels is a must to stay warm and dry. For regions that see a lot of snow, you should bring a pair of snow boots along and beanies and gloves. To keep warm, you should dress in layers rather than just getting a thick jumper and your jumper. Layering allows you to stay warmer, regardless of how cold it becomes. 

Pockets 

There’s a lot of online discourse about how pockets are practical in clothing and how many items nowadays don’t have functional pockets. Having a shirt with pockets is an excellent option for tickets and other small items. It can also be a handy way to carry your sunglasses when you don’t wear them. Pockets on trousers and skirts are great for keeping your money readily accessible, as well as your ID or passport. If you don’t feel comfortable with this solution and feel like it could lead you to lose essential items, choose zippered pockets that offer better security. 

When travelling, you must remember to bring comfortable essentials and not take too many clothes. If you have to ponder whether you should get an item for too long, you should probably leave it at home.