Clothes and Accessories

I’ve said it before and I may as well say it again here - try to keep your clothes to an absolute minimum. This is where most people lose the battle against excess weight.

Remember also that all of your clothes are going to get some hard use. One school of thought says that because of this, you should bring old stuff; another says that because of this, new things would be better. I prefer to bring new things; after a few weeks on the road I look scroungy enough without old or worn clothes adding to the effect. Also, remember that you can always buy clothes on the road if you need them.

For both men and women, the list should look something like the following:
- One pair of long pants, preferably not faded blue jeans if you intend to do some stepping out. Also, long pants or skirts are required in some churches, most notably St Peter’s in Rome. New black Levis have served me well but are a bit hot in the summer. I usually buy something lighter when the weather gets hot and shorts are inappropriate. One belt as well.

- One nice short-sleeved shirt with a collar.

- Three T-shirts all in good shape, and none of them white. Bring one “nice” T-shirt, and two that are as light as possible without being flimsy. Use the first type for everything up to and including going out, and the second for those days when all you need is something to keep you from being topless. Again, don’t bring white! (Thanks and a tip of the hat to Chris in Denver.)

- One long-sleeved Oxford-type shirt, definitely not white, or a similar shirt for women. Women might also want to include one more long-sleeved top for use in countries where bare female skin is frowned upon in public.

- One hooded sweatshirt or a fleece jacket. A nice-looking dark sweater can also serve many of the same functions, and can also be worn on a more dressy occasion. Sweatshirts with college names look touristy, but can be good for trading with European students.

- Two pairs of shorts, again non-white.

- Five sets of underwear. Add a set of long underwear if you are going somewhere cold.

- Five pairs of socks. If you’re going to a cold area, make two pairs of these wool.

- One pair of no-kidding, fully functional walking shoes. See p.50 for more on this.

- A pair of solid walking sandals (rather than a pair of cheap thongs),for slimy showers, the beach, or kicking back.

- Your rain gear. Again, see p.50 for more.

- A hat with a brim. If you’re going into the mountains or to a cold area, a wool watch cap also.

- A bandanna or two. The red kind, usually seen around the necks of golden retrievers, has 1001 uses. Women should also include some form of head covering to wear in churches and in some of the smaller Mediterranean villages.

- A bathing suit, preferably one that can be used as extra underwear or shorts.

- A skirt for women, preferably long, loose, light, and opaque. Not too long, though, as you will probably be climbing stairs in it.

- A coat in some form, loose enough to layer over other things. If this can also serve as your raincoat (see below), so much the better.