It’s not enough to pack enough clothes for a trip (without overpacking); it’s also important to pack the right clothes. I’ve learnt this the hard way on several occasions. There was the time I wore a cotton pink top to a tropical vacation and it highlighted all my sweat patches. I’ve worn a white tee to a hiking trip and it took a lot of work to get the stains out later. 

Each trip requires different kinds of clothes depending on location, weather and your itinerary. But there are some universal clothes that are suited to a wide range of travels. Get a collection of these and you are sorted for whichever trip you are planning. 

Dark Colored 

Dark colored clothes don’t show dirt, they also hide stains well and won’t display your pit stains for all the world to see. Make sure most of the clothes you pack are made with dark colored fabrics like black, charcoal, blue, gray and brown. 

Dark colors are especially helpful if you will be spending time outdoors or are planning to do a lot of exploration. They handle dust, dirt, stains and sweat much better than light colored clothes.  

Another advantage of dark colors is that most of them are versatile. You can match them with just about any other color and they’ll look great. So you can carry just a few clothes and mix and match them throughout your trip. 

Quick-drying  

Clothes made from quick drying fabrics are great if you are traveling during summer or going to a warm destination where you are likely to sweat a lot. Even when you sweat, the fabric dries quickly, ensuring you don't stay damp and uncomfortable. 

Quick-dry fabrics are also helpful for trips where you might be rained on. They can go from dripping wet to bone dry in a couple of hours. 

Another reason to pack quick drying clothes is if you are planning to do laundry during your trip. You can wash clothes in the evening and they’ll be dry by morning. At the very least, pack quick-drying underwear so you can quickly wash it in the sink and have clean dry underwear in the morning. 

So which are the best quick drying clothes? Look for those made from polyester, nylon or wool. These fabrics have the quickest drying times.

Cotton is breathable and wicks sweat, but it takes a bit longer to dry. If you expect to sweat a lot, we don't recommend wearing cotton clothes. Cotton can actually be deadly when it’s cold. It stays damp and can cause hypothermia.    

Hercleon has a collection of self-cleaning clothes that are perfect for travel including shirts, underwear and socks. Not only are they breathable and moisture-wicking, they don’t smell even when you sweat. You can wear them over and over without washing them (they are perfect for minimalist travelers).  

Breathable & Absorbent

No matter what kind of trip you are taking and regardless of the weather, always pack breathable and absorbent clothes. They will keep you comfortable. 

Breathable fabrics keep you cool particularly in warm weather. Even in cold weather, wearing breathable clothes keeps you from overheating when you bundle up. Natural fabrics like cotton, wool and bamboo have the best breathability. 

They also tend to have the best sweat-wicking capability, ensuring your skin doesn't get clammy with sweat.   

Comfortable 

Comfort over aesthetics — I always keep this in mind when packing my luggage for a trip. That pair of jeans would look great on me, but it’s not the most comfortable thing to wear for a long haul flight. 

Always pack your most comfortable clothes. Trust me, when you are dog tired from all the travel and walking and sightseeing, you won’t care one bit about being stylish. 

My go-to picks include sneakers, t-shirts and sweatpants (you can get some stylish ones that are still comfortable).

Lightweight 

Avoid packing anything that’s too bulky. It’ll just make your traveling more tiresome. 

If it will be cold or raining, focus more on layering. Rather than one thick jacket, pack a warm undershirt, a sweater and a lighter jacket. 

If you have to carry something bulky like a winter jacket or boots, wear them while traveling.  

Versatile

Finally, pack clothes that are versatile meaning you can use them for different occasions during your trip and you can mix and match them. 

Packing versatile clothes is one of the ways to avoid overpacking. Instead of an outfit for each day, you can just switch the top and wear the same two pairs of pants. Add a coat or light jacket to dress up if you plan to go somewhere fancy.