Clothing for those who get hot easily...

try www.lucy.com
They have lightweight clothes that don't wrinkle easy. They are a bit pricey, but the sale section has good choices.

Look for loose pants made of a cotton/linen blend. Loose clothing is cooler than tight clothing. Wear a couple of layers on top so you can remove the outer clothing as you warm up. Women who know swear that skirts are cooler and more comfortable than pants.

First of all - layer. Wear your lighter weight clothing items, and then a sweater or some top that can be easily removed when hot.

Weather in October is wonderful. Good time to travel. Warmer in the south than around Florence, etc.

Shop REI, or find a travel store that specializes in travel apparel. They can help you find the correct fabric for your needs.

For brands, you might seek out Ex-Officio, ISIS for women (they have this at REI) or just look to your own wardrobe...what do you wear at home when it's hot? That will work in Italy! you don't necessarily have to run out to buy new stuff just to travel. I know it's exciting to get that new piece, but really, you probably already have what you need.

Lands End, REI and TravelSmith all sell shirts, pants and underwear that have wicking capabilities. October weather in Italy is great...I don't think you'll find the weather very humid at that time.

For really hot and humid weather, I like very lightweight, loose cotton. (If they're lightweight enough, they're also easy to wash out and drip-dry overnight). I've gotten some fantastic pieces at REI, and also just browsing at discount stores like Ross and TJ Maxx.

Italy in October, though, isn't really all that hot and humid (though I'm comparing to, say Indonesia or SE Asia during hot, humid weather).

I understand about thinking sythetics get hot, but , they make some special sports shirts now( some of which look like nice t shirts with a bit of style) that are meant for runners etc, that wick the moisture away from you and apparently keep you cool and dry.

I have also relied on lightwieght cotton seersucker material( I think thats what its called) you know the type that looks sort of wrinkly( but in a pattern) so you don't have to worry about ironing it, which is why cotton as a rule sucks for travelling. Also cotton eyelet material works , lightweight and doesn't show wrinkles too badly.

When it's super hot I prefer super lightweight cotton like a previous poster wrote. I'm curious though, when I've worn linen I get super hot. It doesn't seem to breathe at all, even when it is loose fitting. I stopped wearing the 2 pieces I have cuz I got unbearably hot in them. Is it just me?

Thanks for your suggestions!!! I hope its not humid in October but you never know these days.

Living in coastal Texas, where we deal with the heat and humidity much of the year, I just cannot wear the sticky hot polyester blends, the microfiber, the "traveler" items. I travel with cotton or cotton blends... just take item out of suitcase, spritz with a bit of water, smooth out wrinkles, let hang overnight, and wear.
Ciao!

Hi Susan: It's not just you. I also get too hot when I wear linen in hot weather. It just doesn't work for me.

I too tend to be hot these days...I love wearing long flowing skirts with an elastic waist. I get them a size too big so the band is not tight!

I got a great reversable one last year from Coldwater Creek. Very comfy, looked nice, and two skirts in one!

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who gets hot with these new microfibers!!!!!!!!

Hazel

Hazel, up until the time you leave, monitor the weather and pack accordingly. Be ready to add or delete clothing based on the weather forecast. I was in Italy last year in mid-Sept, and it was about 75 degrees, and not too humid, very nice. I lived in a nice cotton skirt and stylish t-shirt, and of course, sandals.

Thanks Janet! I'm glad to know it's not just me :)

Hazel...one of my favourite topics! I "run hot" too. I echo the comment about "seersucker," after discovering Arnold Palmer shirts a couple of years ago. And I've found the best compromise for travelling (in addition to the AP shirts) is a 65/35 cotton-poly blend....lets me "let off steam," but also dries overnight after being washed! A tip for that...lay the washed clothes in a towel, roll it up to squeeze the water out, shake out the clothes and hang them up to dry completely.

Ah, yes,how do you layer when you barely want one layer? Try rayon or rayon blends, with the warning that sometimes rayon shrinks. Make sure you give the clothes some trial washings first. Rayon is very absorbent, but cool and light. On a side note, you can find bed sheets out of rayon, beech, or bamboo, and they are wonderful.

Ditto to very light cottons and cotton blends in "crinkly" textures. I took several of these with me last Oct. and they wore like a dream. They also rinsed up well in the sink, added almost NO weight/space to the suitcase and dried quickly. You can find these everywhere and don't have to spend a fortune on special brands. October will be beautiful - you probably won't have to worry about being too hot.