Test Import
The Best Fabrics
for Travel
A Guide to Stylish, Comfortable Journeys
SHOP
I used to pack for trips with one goal in mind: make it fit.
Now? My goal is make it last, feel good, and still look chic after 10
hours of trains, tuk-tuks, and tap water rinses.
After dozens of passport stamps, humidity-filled arrivals, over-
packed bags, and last-minute dinners with nothing to wear — I’ve
learned the hard way that not all fabrics are meant for travel.
Here are the five fabrics that have earned their spot in my suitcase.
The ones you can trust to stay soft, breathe easy, and make you feel
like you’ve got your life together even if your itinerary’s loosely
scribbled on a napkin. And the reasons why I’ll never pack without
them again.
Let’s get into it.
Beautiful, Unbothered,
and Ready for Anything
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
TENCEL™
Gentle, fluid, and soft in a way
that feels romantic — like the
lightest breeze on bare skin.
The first time I wore TENCEL™
was in Paris — I slipped on our
‘Wrap Me Up Dress’ in black for
a walk through the Marais, not
realizing how much I’d lean on it
that week. It was crisp in the
morning, warm by afternoon,
and the dress somehow worked
for all of it.
TENCEL™ feels like silk, breathes
like cotton, and freshens up
easily—even after hours spent
folded in a suitcase. It’s made
from sustainably sourced wood
pulp, so it’s kind to your skin and
the planet. I wore it to coffee, to
dinner, and even to an
impromptu rooftop moment. Not
once did I feel underdressed. It
just floats with you, wherever the
day goes.
The “I Woke Up Like
This” Fabric
why it travels well:
Wrinkles fall out easily,
moisture dries fast, and it
always feels fresh—even
after a long flight.
How I wore it
tory burch - $298
KIRA SPORT SANDAL
loewe - $1200
x Paula's Ibiza
gorjana - $195
14k Gold Basic Chain
lspace - $88
Isadora Bucket Hat
foreign fare - $198
WRAP ME UP DRESS
anea hill - $221
first class SUNGLASSES
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
Nylon
Smooth and sporty.
Lightweight, slightly slick,
and ready for action.
why it travels well:
Water-resistant, packs small,
and dries in minutes. it is
virtually indestructible. Zero
complaints, zero stains.
Sometimes I want to look
effortlessly feminine. Other times
I just need to get through
customs with dignity. That’s
where my packable nylon jacket
comes in.
Nylon is tough — like “I hiked
through rain in Croatia and still
looked decent” tough. It’s water-
resistant, wind-blocking, and
somehow manages to be
lightweight and durable.
I always keep my nylon
‘Jetsetter Jacket’ with me during
trips — especially on travel days
when I’m hauling snacks,
passports, and receipts I swear
I’ll organize later since it has so
many little pockets to keep my
things close.
For When I’m Not in a
Dress Mood
How I wore it
vince - $88
Crewneck T-Shirt
new balance - $150
9060 sneakers
NY Yankees - $26
‘47 unisex cap
Alo yoga - $98
Alosoft High-Waist 7/8
foreign fare - $198
jetsetter jacket
rimowa - $1600
Cross-Body Bag
saint laurent - $350
Pilot-Frame Sunglasses
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
POLYESTER
Lightweight and flexible. Sleek but durable. Can mimic silk, cotton, or even athletic wear.
I used to avoid polyester — mostly because I associated it with fast fashion. But some brands (like us) do it right, and now I’m a believer. Doing it right means using high-quality, breathable polyester to create pieces that last — the kind you can wear for years, style countless ways, and still be excited to pack. A real staple, not a throwaway. There’s always that one day on a trip where everything’s up in the air — the weather, your plans, your energy. Made from that elevated, easy-care polyester we swear by, it’s what I reach for when I need something that moves with me. One minute it’s long and layered over sneakers, the next it’s cropped and styled for dinner. Proof that function and beauty can absolutely travel together.
The Secret to Quick Wash + Wear
why it travels well:
Wrinkle-resistant, holds color, and built for long wear. Some blends even wick away sweat—thank you, technology.
How I wore it
sam edelman - $200 SYLVIA KNEE HIGH BOOT
chloe- $595 BRACELET BELT
chloe - $2390 SMALL PARATY 24 BAG
zara - $229 LONG FITTED COAT
loewe - $390 Rectangular sunglasses
foreign fare - $250 zip away vest
the frankie shop- $195 UMA CROPPED SHIRT
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
Merino Wool
Soft and non-itchy, provides warmth without bulk. Helps regulate your temperature.
why it travels well:
Adapts to temperature changes, odor-resistant, allowing for multiple wears between washes, and wrinkle resistant.
I hiked to Hanakapi’ai Falls in Kauai wearing the same black merino tee I’d thrown on at breakfast. Hours later—muddy trail, river crossings, jungle heat—I still wore it to grab poke in Hanalei. Should I be embarrassed? Probably. But I wasn’t. It didn’t smell, didn’t stretch, and still looked pulled together. Merino wool is magic. It regulates your temperature, resists odors, and never feels itchy. This is the kind of shirt that makes you look like the type of traveler who packs light, hikes early, and always knows where the best snacks are.
My “Wear-It-Three-Times” Hero
How I wore it
mango - $100 LEATHER SANDALS
tuckernuck - $245 CLARE V bag
hermes - $460 Equestre scarf 70
valentino - $520 vlogo belt
unbound merino - $88 Ultralight T‑Shirt
foreign fare - $228 paperchic pants
quay - $95 ANYWAYS Sunglasses
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
cotton
Cotton is soft, breathable, and gentle on the skin, making it ideal for warm climates.
Let’s not pretend cotton isn’t still queen. Yes, it wrinkles more than some, but cotton’s breathability, softness, and versatility make it a staple in every travel wardrobe — especially if you’re heading somewhere warm. That’s because cotton is a natural fiber often blended with synthetics or modal to increase performance. When I was wandering the souks of Marrakesh, I wore a simple cotton sundress and felt totally at home — covered but cool, minimal but not boring. Cotton can do that.
The Breathable Classic
why it travels well:
Allows air circulation, keeping you cool. Simple to wash and dry. Suitable for various styles and occasions.
How I wore it
hoka - $150 Clifton 10 Sneakers
foreign fare - $228 soft landings jacket
anea hill - $248 muse sunglasses
foreign fare - $35 CARRY-ON CAP
cos - $99 MIDI T-SHIRT DRESs
fendi - $1750 FF Jacquard Fendi Melon
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
modal
luxuriously soft, almost silk-like but stretchier, skims over the body and doesn’t cling
why it travels well:
holds its shape beautifully, While it can get lightly wrinkled, most creases fall out within minutes of wearing
I didn’t expect to love modal. But one afternoon in Barcelona changed that. I was running late for a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, and the dress I packed was a wrinkled mess at the bottom of my suitcase. I threw it on anyway, fully prepared to look disheveled. But somewhere between the cathedral steps and a quick café stop, I caught my reflection in a shop window — and somehow, I looked… pulled together? Despite the suitcase crumple and the rush, my modal dress draped like I’d actually planned ahead. It moved with me. It felt like wearing clouds. And it still looked good after hours of tapas, vintage shopping, and getting lost (on purpose). Since then, modal has become one of those fabrics I always pack — no matter the destination.
The Undercover Hero of Travel Fabrics
How I wore it
on - $160 cloud 6 sneaker
foreign fare - $98 soft landings shirt
beis - $118 Expandable Backpack
foreign fare - $198 soft landings pants
monos - $275 carry on luggage
fabric details
name:
how it feels:
linen
dry and crisp at first, but softens with every wash and wear, keeps you cool
Linen and I had a rocky start. I used to think it was too wrinkly, too laid-back, and too “beach vacation.” But then I wore a linen button-down in Singapore — one of those nonstop days of hawker stalls, sky gardens, and crowded MRT rides — and suddenly, I got it. It was crisp but breathable. Effortless without looking sloppy. The sleeves were rolled, the buttons slightly undone, and the creases? I embraced them. Linen looked natural in the humidity — like I belonged there. And I wasn’t drenched by noon, which is really all I ask. Now I always pack at least one linen piece. It’s the fabric equivalent of saying, “I didn’t try hard, but I still understood the assignment.”
Linen: Imperfectly Perfect
why it travels well:
it’s breathable weave makes it unbeatable for hot, humid weather. absorbs moisture and dries quickly
How I wore it
jacquemus - $1450 Le Bambola Woven bag
foreign fare - $228 paperchic pants
tkees - $90 chloe sandal
anea hill - $221 first class SUNGLASSES
the avenue - $178 MASON'S DAUGHTER Andrea Top
Build Your Wardrobe Around the Fabric, Not the Outfit
I didn’t always think about fabric. But somewhere between a suitcase that wouldn’t zip in Lisbon and a suitcase that did zip but felt all wrong in Tokyo, I started paying attention and I realized that what your clothes are made of is just as important as how they look. Because when your clothes move with you, when they help you feel at ease — you’re not thinking about pulling at straps or re-tucking waistbands. You’re just there. Fully present. And isn’t that the whole point? We built Foreign Fare for women who want to move through the world with grace and ease. Who value beauty and practicality equally. Who want to be the kind of traveler that sits in the window seat with a scarf around her shoulders and a story ready to tell. That feeling starts with the clothes that support you. Fabrics like merino wool that regulate your temperature without ever looking bulky. Or polyester done right — like in our Zip Away Vest — that lets you change your look midday without skipping a beat.
You don’t have to be an expert in textiles to travel well. But knowing which fabrics breathe, which resist wrinkles, which can survive being crammed into a carry-on and still look good the next day? That’s a kind of wisdom we’re happy to share — and design with — so you don’t have to learn it the hard way (read: melting into a café chair in Rome while pretending everything’s fine). So next time you’re packing, look at your clothes not just as outfits, but as tools. Do they move with you? Do they keep you cool? Do they let you say yes to a last-minute dinner invite without worrying what you’re wearing? That’s the Foreign Fare way — travelwear that earns its place in your suitcase and makes you feel like the most you version of yourself, wherever you land.
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travelwear
Love for Foreign Fare
"I have received so much compliments on this jumpsuit, especially on the side print. It is very comfortable and the fabric is luxuriously soft." Elizabeth G.
Five Stars for Quality!
This jacket is always in my purse! I originally purchased it for a trip but the functionality is perfect for every day as well (if you're cold in a restaurant or a grocery store). Plus, it is stylish and I don't feel underdressed.” Alicia O.
style & funcionality
"I felt this dress fit right in on my trip to France! I appreciated the elegant look especially in nicer restaurants and museums. I usually wear a medium but the small was a better fit for me. The exchange process was easy.” Mary R.
love the versatility