Will be traveling where it will be hot and sticky. I don’t typically wear dresses, but thinking a jersey dress that is very packable might be a good choice. Any suggestions? I’m in my late 50s and don’t want anything too short or low cut. I saw one from travelsmith that might do.
Any other must haves?
Thanks!
Hot and sticky calls for tech fabrics. Look at Athleta, REI, and other retailers specializing in that kind of clothing. No cotton!
If you’ll be walking a lot, comfortable roomy shoes are in order. My feet tend to swell after walking and in humid weather. Also, hot and sticky may also mean mosquitoes (depending on where you’re going) so be prepared.
Lots of ideas - I’m in Asia now. Hot, steamy, periods of monsoon worthy rains! The past two years I’ve done Hong Kong or Singapore in July and August.
There are differences in countries regarding hem length. For example, In Thailand and Cambodia I don’t wear above knee although many younger folks do. In HK and Singapore, I do wear LL Bean " skorts" that are above knee and a couple linen skirts that are knee length. I like tops that I’ve purchased at REI - stylish options made for tropic climates.
I do like dresses and have sleeveless and short or cap sleeve styles. Generally knee length or just below. Dresses are various fabrics - I think linen, rayon, cotton blend. I’ve also worn a very modest sun dress in Hong Kong and Macau.
I am generally more comfortable in skirts or dresses with the steamy climate. I personally don’t wear shorts, but you do see them on young women. Lots of women our age wear Capris. I have some light weight cotton cargo pants and linen pants in black and navy. I like the darker colors for traveling, but you do see khaki and white as well. I have tropic weight hiking pants both full length and Capri. Some are zip off models.
I use a UV umbrella for sun. Sun hat is another option, but these make me too warm.
My wardrobe is always packed for the itinerary. If there will be temple visits of any kind, I’m more modest with length and shoulders. Hiking pants included only as needed for outdoor plans.
I wear sandals or ballet flats unless hiking.
Any business meetings? Ideas for you there also if needed.
Mosquito spray recommendation - Sawyer picaridin (no DEET) or Sawyer DEET lotion available from REI in 3 oz bottles for airplane
Sunscreen favorite - Blue Lizard. I order from Amazon, some Walgreens carry it
If you’re going to wear a dress, I would also recommend slip shorts/Bandlettes or a product similar to that in order to avoid heat rash on your thighs… Hot sticky weather always seems to make that worse.
Send your clothes out to be washed and pressed every day. LOTS of shirts as you might change several times a day.
My best friends when I was in China in July were what I call “harem pants” - these protected my legs from the sun, were easy and lightweight for packing, were easily washable and quick-drying in a hotel sink, and modest. I brought 4 pairs (I was away 21 days). I wore them with black sneakers and walked an average of 8 miles a day (I am a walker, even at home, 3-5 miles daily). I even had a plain black pair of these pants for “dress up” - I was on a tour, and the other women started looking for pants like mine while we traveled. Many restrooms outside of the hotels we stayed were “squatters”, so having an elastic cuff made it much easier to “roll” the cuff up and stay in place.
The shirts I wore were like the one in the link below, which I layered over a tank top (I brought 6 of each) - these items were all based on a previous trip I’d taken to India and seeing what men and women were wearing and staying comfortable in the heat. (for the record I’m nearly 60, and do not have a ‘perfect’ body) These were also incredibly lightweight for packing and easily hand washed and dried.
I also carried a battery operated mosquito repellent. No one on the tour thought it was actually working until one day we somehow were swarmed by little gnat-type bugs. Everyone was swatting and I was was not. Not one bug even came near me.
Which part of Asia are you traveling? Even though it’s hot and sticky, people (especially over 50 years old) don’t wear tank tops in Japan. Showing your bra strap is considered very unsightly and unclassy.
I recommend breathy skirts or dresses. Jeans will be too hot. Middle aged women do not wear short shorts showing their thighs. Shorts about 5 inches above knees are ok I guess. There are no strict set rules or anything but just don’t be too skimpy!! (again, no bra straps showing!!)
Above clothing rules might not apply to Southeast Asian countries.
Also, there is no paper towel dispensers at public bathrooms. You have to carry your own handkerchief to wipe your hands and sweats. Bring a couple of cotton handkerchief or small wash clothes. I’m strictly talking about Japan.
Foldable fan will come in handy but you can get it easily once you are in Asia. Enjoy!!
Thanks to all. I don’t wear short skirts or shorts so that is OK. Not sure about those harem pants.
Sleeveless (but covered, not low cut) OK in Japan? I found a nice light weight dress (black of course!) that seems like it would do.
My friend recommended bringing more bras and undies than typical because you will sweat through them pretty quickly!
No business travel. I don’t have an REI nearby, but going to check out a different outdoors store for the skirts/skorts.
A family member spent several summers in Asian and loves these, although you might find they are cheaper if you buy them while there: http://www.shiseido.com/sweat-and-oil-blotting-film/0729238724938,en_US,pd.html
Also some kind of powder like Gold Bond really helps in keeping cool and avoiding chafing, heat rash in hot and humid conditions.
Bring a compact umbrella for sun and frequent downpours.
Sleeveless is fine, just not spaghetti straps or sporty tank tops. People are more dressy than sporty. I live in Seattle area but REI or Northface fashion is too sporty for me. I think Talbots, Coldwater Creek, Chico’s are more in line with the general fashion for middle age Japanese women.
I understand why you want to dress “appropriately” as in skin coverage and that type of thing - but why is it necessary (or is it?) to dress like the general population - I mean, we’re not talking neon 6 inch heels or gold sparkly head to toe!!!
You should dress to be respectful AND you should dress to be YOU. REI or Northface can be as modest as can be if that’s what you’re looking for!
Over three different summers, we were in Seoul, Hong Kong and Beijing. We wore shorts and t shirts. Bring a hat and sunglasses.
Has anyone found an answer to bras for the perspiration factor? I’ve tried everything including sports bras and moisture wicking. I’ve finally just returned to my regular at home models, They must have lots of polyester type materials, they do dry quickly but I thought there might be a better solution.
Sorry, I’m just giving the general idea of what the local people wear. It is totally not necessary for tourists to dress like them! I guess my Japaneseness came out … you are not supposed to stand out from the crowd!!
REI sells more than just sporty gear. A dress like this one is modest and heat-comfy.
https://www.rei.com/product/111134/exofficio-kizmet-dress
BTW, that co makes amazingly fast drying undies.
We’ve been traveling to some hot and humid spots lately. I do like the new moisture wicking, quick drying anti stink fabrics. This Athlete skort is my go to item when bare legs are appropriate. http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=983365022&CAWELAID=120299870000029077&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=38662704857&CATCI=pla-307034249178&tid=atpl000001&kwid=1&ap=7&gclid=CPLb5ei0zdQCFYGUfgod5pIHUQ I have it in several colors. The navy blue version is easy to dress up and looks quite classy.
I’ve added a few dresses from Titlenine items. One of my favorites is this dress https://www.titlenine.com/product/dream-womens-travel-dress-print-130960.do?sortby=ourPicks. It is forgiving of the occasional lump and bump in the midsection area. It dresses up easily.
That said, I also love linen. Long, loose but still somewhat fitted linen pants are comfy and appropriate just about everywhere.
Be cautions when wearing long pants made from some of the quick dry fabrics. If they don’t breath you basically created your own personal, portable sauna.
Anyone mention Body Glide? Good against chafing if you go the dress route and are thick thighed. Also good against foot blisters.
Yes to BodyGlide! Also, this is a good alternative (I used it on my feet while training for marathons in the summer):
https://www.amazon.com/Lanacane-Anti-friction-Gel-1-oz/dp/B004X0AY5O
