I’m in my early 70s. Will be traveling solo with a 40L backpack thru Eastern Europe in July. I don’t do t-shirts, so is there a good brand of very wrinkle-free (1) collared short sleeve untucked-style shirt, (2) pant, and (3) collared lightweight jacket or windbreaker for evenings…you would recommend? Thx.
I was just at the mall yesterday and noted that Uniqlo and Old Navy have a lot of clothes that have a lot of poly in them and would be ideal for travel. Tops and pants. You can always get a more trad shirt at a department store, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc.
It's hard to fine a true wrinkle free shirt after it being in a suitcase or backpack. Merino Wool is good but expensive.
For the past few years, I've been wearing a mostly, blended polo shirt from JC Penney. Since it is a cotton/polyster blend, all I need to do after taking it out of he suitcase is to spray the wrinkles with a small amount of water from a small bottle and give it time I usually do this the night before and the next morning.....no wrinkles.
UNTUCKit sells men’s shirts and pants that they claim are wrinkle-free as well as sport coats that are wrinkle resistant. No experience with their men’s line but I am happy with my purchases from the women’s line. Not cheap though.
https://www.untuckit.com/collections/polos?pf_t_fabric=fabric%3Awrinkle+free
https://www.untuckit.com/collections/shirts?pf_t_fabric=fabric%3Awrinkle+free
https://www.untuckit.com/collections/pants?pf_t_fabric=fabric%3ATraveler+Tech
I don't know your preferences or tolerance for synthetic fabrics, but Columbia, LL Bean and other similar stores have lines of "sporting" shirts for fishing, etc with sunblock, that can look very nice and are quick drying.
I'm a fan of collared shirts from Kühl (available either direct from them or at REI). They tend not to wrinkle, dry quickly, and look good.
Similarly I've bought collared shirts from Royal Robbins, Patagonia, and Prana that fit the same bill.
None are all-natural material if that's a concern for you.
My husband has several shirts from Zero Xposur that are exactly as you describe. He LOVES them. They’re hard to find, but will probably work for you.
You might also find them at Kohl’s.
Rob, you might want to look at Vermont Country Store—they have a number of shirt options—styles similar to LL Bean.
Just wear linen - being wrinkled is a feature, not a defect. Also seersucker.
Thank you everybody for your many useful suggestions. I’m following up on them. Will only take three shirts, to include one long sleeve for evenings. Traveling light. Now I move on to casual but slightly formal looking shoes…too old for sneakers…then I’m mostly done! I’ve added going to Kyiv by train to see an old colleague, he says it’s safe enough with certain precautions. Thanks for the advice!
Rob, look at Skechers for their not too casual, but not sneakers shoes. Many are slip in style, too. My husband loves them. Wears with khaki pants or dresses down w jeans. He has a pair something like these
https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-mark-nason-casual-glide-cell---duncan/205317_RDBR.html
I search for shirts with mandrin collars, so that there is no collar to wrinkle. And, as has already been posted, linen or linen blends look good with a bit of wrinkling. I do pack an empty spray bottle that I use to spritz my wrinkled cloths with water. It really does get out most wrinkles.
Now I move on to casual but slightly formal looking shoe..
You might look at Timberland - they have two waterproof Oxford style shoes - have a moderately lugged sole - they work on sidewalks, on the trail, and can get by at the opera in the evening. You'd be ready for anything.
One example: https://www.timberland.com/en-us/p/footwear-0100/mens-britton-road-lace-up-waterproof-shoe-TB0A69T9W01