When planning a tropical vacation in any exotic location where the weather can be hot, humid, and sometimes oppressive, you will want to pack tropical clothing that is suitable for that type of climate. If this will be the first time your first time in a tropical environment, chances are that you may not have anything in your closet worth packing, especially if you live in an area that is perpetually cool, dry and perhaps experiences some mild warm days. The good news about this is you can pack light when carrying tropical clothing and can find clothing for a tropical climate inexpensively. There is no need to pack coats, jackets, or heavy shoes. Dressing light is the rule!

So what exactly is tropical clothing? A novice traveler to the tropics may envision a wardrobe consisting of Hawaiian (or "Aloha") shirts, shorts, and sandals. Well, that's one way to look at it. Tropical clothing, however, is more common than you may realize. It's not really the cut or design of the clothes that make the garment "tropical" but the kind of fabric and colors used in your daily wear.

When you pack for a vacation in the tropics, it's important that you pack clothing made of natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk which breathe and help keep you cool. Do not pack any garment made with polyester as that is a synthetic fabric that will cause you to sweat endlessly and the discomfort is beyond oppressive. Also, it's suggested that you wear lighter colors as they reflect heat unlike dark clothing which absorb heat.

Although natural fabrics are well suited for the tropics, you'll still sweat more than you normally would back home. You may consider buying clothes made of silk and cotton which are washable. Silk needs to be dry cleaned and there may not be any facility for dry cleaning where you're going. With that in mind, it's best to be practical and take items you can wash yourself.

Finally, when shopping for tropical clothing, there's no need to be exotic in what you select. Many of the items you'll pack are items you can pull off the racks at Target or Macy's.