11 things to pack for a hot or humid trip
Determined to stay cool and composed in the heat this summer? These are the 11 smartest items to pack
Words: Lucy Thackray
20/06/2025
You’ve assembled your sunscreen and DEET, your passport is at the ready and your adaptors are in the case. You’re off to sunnier spots. But how can you pack smartly and stylishly for weather that can leave most of us flustered?
Firstly, think about dry heat versus moist humidity. A peak summer trip to a southern Mediterranean city demands different styling than, say, a week in the balmy Azores, Barbados or Florida. For the former, stock up on loose, breezy garments that don’t cling and offer good coverage for sun protection.
For the latter, aim for layers in breathable fabrics. Look out for specially designed ‘sweat-wicking’ material, adding in some light waterproofs or quick-dry items for active pursuits such as hiking. New technology to watch out for includes ‘UPF’ sun-protection fabrics and quick-dry webbing in place of leather sandals, for example. But crucially, you don’t need to cram in hundreds of items. A hot weather trip is the ideal opportunity for a breezy capsule wardrobe – a handful of light, quality hero products will keep you cool in the most challenging climate.
Your hot weather heroes at a glance:
- The linen shirt
- The breathable trainers
- The eco-chic shirt
- The ice-cool tee
- The city-to-beach sundress
- The double-duty shorts
- The non-sticky sandal
- The super-light swimwear
- The sweat-free sun hat
- The sun protection polo
- The versatile scarf
1. The linen shirt
If you see 15 of these wafting around the cabin on your flight out, there’s a reason: the loose weave and high absorbency of linen helps air circulate around your body, bringing a relaxed, rumpled feel to a classic white shirt. Aspiga’s premium European linen number (£105) is utterly classic on men, while its women’s range packs both sharp collared numbers and cotton blouses just begging to be taken to a Greek island.
2. The breathable trainers
If sightseeing is on the cards – whether in sultry Palermo or ancient Athens – quality trainers are a must to get you from A to B. Look for a breathable-technology design such as Geox’s Spherica Plus (£109.90), with light soles crafted to feel cloud-like on your feet. They’re shaped for a lightning-fast slip on and available in elegant summer hues including khaki, beige and charcoal.
3. The eco-chic shirt
If you want a relaxed, short-sleeved number you can feel good about wearing from beach to bar, try Passenger’s 365 shirt, which is made from recycled materials. Designed to be quick-drying and with an anti-odour finish, the brand’s denim-look shirt (£64.95) is more French Riviera, while the swirling blue print is evocative of atolls and reefs.
4. The ice-cool tee
Italian B Corp Slowear spent years researching and crafting its IceCotton material – a strong but breathable 100 per cent cotton yarn that makes your slim-fit T-shirt (£180) – yes, even in black – feel cool as a cucumber in the midday sun. It has options for men and women. If you find yourself in sunbaked Paris or Milan this summer, you can shop its quiet-luxury designs in one of a handful of boutiques.
5. The city-to-beach sundress
A white sundress and sandals are a no-brainer for breezing around a balmy destination. Clothes by small British brand My Cariad are sustainably handmade by a small, ethically run garment studio in Chennai. Its romantic white India frock (£190) comes in a lightweight cotton-linen blend, with puff sleeves and open-weave detailing around the bodice that invites that sea breeze in.
6. The double-duty shorts
For swim shorts, we're a fan of smart, quality pairs that work just as well in a beachside chiringuito or hot city market as by the pool. Take Orlebar Brown’s mid-length Bulldog design (£245). Just as at home paired with a light polo or cotton tee, they’re flattering trunks in feather-light recycled nylon, designed to dry quickly after a dip and take you on to dinner.
Price: £245
7. The non-sticky sandal
There’s nothing worse than slipping and sliding around a glamorous Italian or Balearic island in sweat-trapping shoes. Teva sandals are a hit with the active travel community for their lightweight soles and quick-dry webbing straps – some look slightly sportier than others, but all have the brand’s patented peppermint anti-odour treatment. Try the women’s Original Universal in Sand Dune (£50) for a cosmopolitan, city-friendly look.
8. The super-light swimwear
For women’s swimsuits, look for a light, textured elastane blend rather than thick, shiny stretch fabrics – The White Company’s textured square neck bikini (top and bottoms, £35 each) won’t trap in heat and looks effortlessly cool layered with that linen shirt as a cover-up. The square neckline is bang on trend, too.
9. The sweat-free sun hat
A barely-there straw fedora will save you those luggage-scale winces while keeping your scalp sweat-free by allowing air to flow in – as well as protecting your neck and chin with its wide brim. Homegrown retailer Cotswold Country Hats has elegant unisex numbers in a range of shades and brim sizes (from £29.95).
10. The sun-protection polo
Solbari’s smart polos for men and women have a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 50+, with many in moisture-wicking materials to whisk sweat away from your skin. This timeless polo (£69) – in a cotton-bamboo blend designed for sensitive skin types – has the highest sun protective rating available in the world.
11. The versatile scarf
While hot weather separates work best in heat-repelling white, beige and khaki, a splash of colour can be added with a diaphanous scarf. UK small business One Hundred Stars has more than 25 prints to choose from (£36) – use yours as a beach sarong, hair wrap, to cover up shoulders at an alfresco lunch or to layer up your daytime look when the evening cools to night.
Now that the packing list is sorted, why not book your summer holiday with ATOL protection and a generous baggage allowance?
