Yes, but what shall I WEAR?

DMACK

What is wrong with wearing the clothes you wear each day at home? Travelling doesn't require special clothing.

ditto the above- and at risk of reigniting old tensions, try taking "one to wear, one to wash, one for spare" - especially of bulkier items.

Lay out what you think would be good... then have a look at each item- get it down to the basics, and don't worry about taking too little- you can always buy more.

titanium_geek

Oh yes, fast drying light fabrics are good. :) But you probably already have this sort of thing.

yes, I should have been more specific --

The problem with my current wardrobe: it's office-wear, and can't hold up to much activity (nor is it really quite comfortable), and I won't be taking dry cleaning in on the road. My non-working hours I spend in shorts and tshirts (and, to be honest, in bed asleep) - and not only is that the 'grunge' i'm trying to avoid, but shorts aren't acceptable everywhere. I do have quick-dry clothing which I'll surely wear in Africa, but safari style will be a bit odd in the cities of Europe (not to mention cold), or even Latin America.

Plus, I'm visiting many new places, and don't know what to expect... are jeans acceptable everywhere? Black is good because you can dress it up a bit, but I don't want people to think I'm in mourning or anything! Comes down to the fact that I actually don't own many clothes! I work so much it's all I've got - but I'll be wanting (and needing) a change of "style" when I leave the office behind, and want to have some ideas in mind in time for the fall and holiday sales. :)

When I travel I usually take one of those walking trousers that dry fast and can be turned into shorts by unzipping the bottom. I usually also have a pair of cotton loose fitting trousers, they have very nice looking ones, it's better than jeans, because jeans material takes so long to dry, is heavy and takes up a lot of space, I would advise against jeans. Otherwise I usually have a few T-shirts, there aswell, you can take nice ones if you are worried about style, and also 1-2 long sleeved T-shirts, and a fleece jacket. For all these items, they have very trendy and fashionable ones, so it's up to you to go and have a look at what you like.

I live in Switzerlan, and when I'm not at work, I often dress in a grunge type of way because I do a lot of hiking, it doesn't disturb anyone here, and I don't think it would in other european countries, unless of course you want to enter a VIP club or something.

I'd agree with #5 on the jeans. Not that there really is a problem with wearing them if that is what you have and want to take. It's just as #5 has said, bulky, ages to dry - that is a factor if you will be moving a fair bit.

Try going into a 'camping/trekking' type place, Paddy Pallin, Mountain Designs or the equivalent where ever you are. Along with the backpacks, day packs, boots and trekking sandals etc. they also have a range of clothes as well, light weight, quick dry, the stuff that doesn't really need ironing. I'm only mentioning it since you say you mostly have business attire, you right that really will not go well, unless your travelling in 5 star all over the world.

You do not have to buy there if you do not want but it may give you some ideas. The pants that the legs zip off are great as #5 suggested, I also have some.

Depending on where you go in Europe, light cotton trousers may be too cold. Furthermore, I do think that zip-off pants are OK in the country (and when trekking, of course), but not in cities or at dinner.
I'd take them, for sure, but also pack something else. I own a pair of very thin jeans which I will take. They are oldish, so I'll throw them away if I happen to need more space in my pack.
Leandra is right, go to a trekking outfitter. They'll be able to supply you with shirts and trousers that dry quickly, don't need ironing - and with all the designs they have, you'll surely find stuff that looks suitable outside a safari park. Bought some cool Fjäll Räven trousers made from a particular fast drying fabric, cut like Levi's 501 jeans, plain black.

As a woman, I always bring 2 skirts, a sturdy one for the daytime and a better one for the evening. Knee-length, of course. A skirt always looks well-dressed, is comfortable and great when it's hot.

Be careful with black of you go to the tropics - it attracts moscitoes.

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<hr>Depending on where you go in Europe, light cotton trousers may be too cold.<hr></blockquote>

ahem... thermal underwear. :)

I agree with #8. If you are going to cold places you are better off taking thermal underwear which can be used with all your usual clothes than having an item for each kind of weather. When you are trying to travel light, layering is the secret!