Travel Clothes

[xeney]

Not crazy at all, although if you are packing light you might find that shampoo works just as well. My husband and I are into packing light, so we take only things that can be hand washed and that will dry quickly on a clothesline (they make special clotheslines to hang up in your hotel bathroom). I wouldn't take wool if you are planning to do that, because it takes too long to dry, though; there are synthetics that dry more quickly. For warm weather I like linen because it dries super fast, and if it's blended with a little cotton it doesn't wrinkle too badly.

We are going to Mexico for 2+ weeksin January and traveling around to four different locations, and I am carrying everything in one backpack (that would fit as carry-on if they still allowed carry-on luggage!), so I am being pretty ruthless about what is coming with me. If it doesn't wash and dry quickly, forget it. If it can't be worn with at least three other things I'm bringing, forget it. If it can't be compressed into a small space without coming back a wrinkled mess, it is staying home.

[Grog]

I also love many synthetics, do not misread me, but...

Wool is cool because actually you don't have to wash it!! At least not during a trip of less than a month, unless you wear the thing A LOT. Also, unlike many synthetics, it doesn't pick up smells so much.

This being said, even when washed, I'm surprised at how fast they dry. I'm not talking about the big bulky wonderful marvellous Guide Sweater here but about things like lightweight wool layers. When I take them out of the washing machine they're almost dry already (after the "gentle" spinning cycle). Of course, a lot of the synthetic stuff will be totally dry at the same moment...

Your mileage may vary...