Fast Drying Women's T

Hi Lulu, I asked this question a few months ago.

Here are some of the helpful responses I received -- https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/quick-drying-women-s-t-shirts

I found that the lighter weight shirts made a big difference in terms of packing and drying time. Good luck!

Hi,

I use exoffico camisoles. I like them, they are great in the summer. For me, they give enough control without that sucked in feeling.

Don't know if that helps..

Mary

Hi Donna, thanks. Which one did you find to use? I like shirts that aren't so close to my neck, rounded where i can wear a necklace. I really liked the Royal Robbin's Noe one, but there is no white anymore at REI.

I have several of these Ex Officio tees:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E1F0YZQ/ref=twister_B00FAN8CTS

I showed the blue one but Amazon also has it in white. The neckline is lower than a regular Tee and goes well with an 18" necklace. The sleeves are a good length for churches. For travel I wash them in the sink and they hang dry quickly (press out moisture in a towel). it has a nice trim fit. I am petite and the XS fits perfectly. If you are tall you will like the length.

Thanks Lola, I'm going to run to REI today for other things, and will look for these. I did click on your link, unfortunately Amazon doesn't have a white in size medium..so will have to find it other places.

The fast drying underwear is often made of synthetic fibers. And nylon just burns me up.

100% cotton is the way to go if it's touching my skin.

We are going to REI today too, to get some stuff for a backpacking trip and look for Icebreaker or Patagonia tees for my husband. They are having a sale this week. Good luck!

If you don't find something you like while you are out and about today, I have had really good luck with Lands End cotton/modal Tee shirts. They are great for layering and dry overnight.

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shaped-layering-scoopneck-t-shirt/id_217519

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shaped-layering-crewneck-t-shirt/id_210336

I first saw these recommended for layering on Vivienne Files blog several years ago and now they are all I travel with...short and long sleeves.

http://www.chicos.com/store/product/savannah-cotton-tee/570140554?color=177&catId=cat3660013&fromSearch=true&scPos=3-6726-7985

This is what I bought to take with me, I like the neck. I went to take a look and it's all cotton. The one from Lands End looks like it's 56% cotton, but I really l like the looks. I guess what I'm concerned about is it being hot and then having a smelly shirt if all cotton. I know that cotton is cool, so I suppose a cotton/modal is better than something without cotton, correct? What is the main benefit of these types of shirt besides it no wrinkling as much? Are they lighter weight? Can I wash it out and it's dry the next day? Seems that wouldn't be the case having cotton in it. Sorry for all the questions? Just trying to figure out what to get.

The 6% Lycra should help a lot with the quick-dry aspect.

I am hoping the fabric is thin as I ordered one to try. Nalsomhoping Lands End has adjusted their sizing as In the past their smallest size was still too big.

Maybe Pam can clarify the fabric weight?

Hi Lulu, I took a couple of the Lands End layering T-shirts (http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shaped-layering-crewneck-t-shirt/id_210336) and the cotton crewnecks (http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shaped-cotton-crewneck-t-shirt/id_182283). I washed them in the sink and both styles dried overnight. I think the first one (layering crewneck) is the cotton modal one that Pam mentioned. They are super-lightweight.

I just bought 2 Under Armour shirts (https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/womens-ua-locker-tshirt/pid1233719-600) that are very casual but light and comfortable. I plan to take them on a beach trip later this summer.

Lulu, I hope you find something that works for you.

Just to throw another option out there, but I now often travel wearing lightweight wool t-shirts. My favorite brand is Ibex, but other companies (IceBreaker and Smartwool) make them as well. They are cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold, and not itchy. They wick moisture, dry very quickly (overnight or faster) and do not get smelly as quickly as a regular t-shirt, so are always good for multiple days' wearing.

This is a personal choice, of course, but although white is neutral/goes with everything, I no longer travel in white clothing. It's as if I am just asking to be a stain magnet for coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, you name it!

They are thin but not transparent if that makes sense. I find the cotton/modal ones dry much faster than some of the older ones I have from LE that are all cotton. The all cotton ones I have have a slightly heavier feel.

I do usually do a trial run at home with a new shirt and at least thoroughly wet the shirt in a basin, roll in a towel like I would do while traveling and hang to dry. Yes, I am so nuts I actually time how long it takes and check it in 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours etc.

That Chico's shirt looks nice. The LE shirt has a straight hem not the curved one like the Chicos and is not that long.

Without giving you TMI...it was hot as heck in Rome last Sept and I wore these shirts. I was hot and sweaty when I came in but after the shirt aired overnight it was fine for another day, whereas I definitely needed washing, lol! It does not hold smell like some of the synthetic products.

Pam, thanks so much and it's defintely not TMI. I also like that it's thinner. I do like the scoop neck, and it's on sale! I might have to take that Chico one back.

Well, if you order the LE one, keep the Chico's one til it comes so you can compare, then decide. LE ships pretty quickly.

Hi, looks like you've received a lot of good links for options. I'll just second the response that I was so much more comfortable in cotton tops last September in Italy than any synthetic fabrics. By the time we reached Grosseto & Rome, I was only wearing a couple of cotton tops during the day & dresses in the evening.

My daughter had some great advice for me when I was narrowing down my choice of clothing to take. From her recommendation, I replaced a couple of T-shirt neutral style tops for a couple of tops that had some design to them. Then I didn't need to also wear a scarf or jewelry with the top - keeping me even cooler.

Enjoy your trip to Italy!

I agree with Kyra...merino wool tops are my favorite no matter whether it is summer or winter. Merino wicks away the sweat and are good for multiple days of wear without washing it, which also means you do not have to pack as many tops. Ibex is my favorite brand as well, but Icebreaker and Smart Wool also make some nice merino wool tops, too. Cannot comment on finding a white t-shirt as I would spill something on it and that would be a waste of space for me to take a one-time wear item. A merino wool t-shirt will easily dry overnight if hung up on an inflatable hanger. For 10 days, you could easily get by on wearing 1 and packing 2 or 3.

Jean, I have been thinking the same thing about all my neutral tops. I think I'm going to swap out a couple with tops with patterns. Right now there is a huge heatwave in Europe. I know I have 2 months to go, but if it's anything like last September (my friend went and it was unusally hot), I won't want to be wearing scarves or necklaces during the day either.

The price on the Lands End scoopneck tee is down to $9.99 for colors ( not neutrals like black, white, and navy). Lots to choose from, though sizes may be limited (I could not find my size in the color I like).

I'll just add a vote for silk. The camisoles from WinterSilks take zero luggage space/weight and dry pretty quickly. When line dried they get a little "boardy" just like cotton often does, but as soon as you put the garment on the "boardiness" goes away. I find they provide the ideal under-layer to keep me comfortable in cool weather.