The 20 Best Women’s Travel Shirts (I Tested Them!)

In the past, I’ve been plagued by my collection of travel shirts that show sweat, and patterned blouses that I can’t (or shouldn’t) be memorably wearing in trip photos. I pray that none of my travle shirts will wrinkle. I strive to have shirts that could be worn more than once without washing.

My struggles have led me to testing and reviewing more travel shirts that lots of women swear by. In my latest trip, I tried my best to nail the travel shirt dilemma by bringing a range of shirt styles from a range of brands.

Here are a wide variety of travel shirts I’ve tried, and my opinions on them! Make sure to check out the photos of me wearing them, to see if these are fits and styles that will be easy to wear on your next trip.

Mott & Bow Slub Crew Tee & Relaxed Slub Tank

I started wearing the Mott & Bow slub tees and tanks this year and packed a few on a trip to the Catskills in Upstate NY. Because they’re pretty thin, and good for spring and summer, you can pack quite a few of these into a packing cube, and they don’t take up a lot of space at all! (I actually really enjoy folding them into little squares).

They’re made of soft pre-washed cotton, and come in basic neutral colors that’ll match everything. I didn’t think I’d gravitate toward Military green, but I did, and it’s my favorite slub tank besides the white one that I find goes with every summer outfit.

As for the fit, the slub tanks are nice and loose, so I wear a cami under them. The tees are much snugger and fit the form a bit more. Both styles are very affordable and can go right into your pack for your next adventure to wear with your travel pants of choice.

Bluffworks Threshold Crew & V-Neck T-Shirt

The Bluffworks Threshold fabric is the important part of this basic tee for travel.

I specifically like to wear the Threshold shirt when I’m flying, because I tend to get sweaty and icky. I’ve found that the breathability and ability to dry quickly helps me feel a big fresher when I walk off the flight.

I tend to like V-necks better sometimes, and the Threshold tees also come in flattering “V” necklines version. For me, I find it simple to dress up either of these with high-waisted shorts, some jewelry, a cardigan or cute shoes.

lululemon Love Curved-Hem Crewneck T-Shirt

The Lululemon Love T-Shirt fit me perfectly when I put it on. I was wondering if it would look OK with leggings (my travel pants of choice), and because of the curved hem, it provided the coverage I wanted. I’m happy to dress this one up with a high-waisted skirt, or shorts, and some flats and a necklace.

The stretch feels awesome when I’m wearing it. What I like is that for my build, it fits in both the shoulders and the bottom hem without specifically being sized ‘petite.’ It’s not skin-tight, even though the fabric is thin, so I feel comfortable in the fit if I’m having a day when I feel a little bloated (like some days when I travel).

Ibex Women’s Paradox Pocket Short Sleeve Tee

The Ibex Women’s Paradox Pocket Tee (formerly the brand’s “Merino Tencel Pocket Short Sleeve Tee,” as a tip) makes me feel down-to-earth and relaxed. This shirt is so soft and lightweight, which pleasantly surprised me when I wore it for the first time!

This travel shirt is totally versatile and has a comfy and relaxed loose fit (not body-hugging) that works best for me with high-waisted shorts or pants. If you find it too cropped, I recommend layering a cami tank underneath for either warmth or modesty. My key recommendation is to grab your size and chosen color without delay, becuase it frequently goes out of stock and is a best-seller.

Foehn Women’s Keats Merino T-Shirt

I’m newer to the Foehn brand and I like the novel European feel that all the products have. The Foehn Keats Merino T-shirt is one of the first merino wool tees I’ve owned, and from the start, I saw how easily it went with other clothes I already owned for my trip gear.

It took me a little while to get into liking the Keats Merino Tee originally, and that’s because I wasn’t sure how to style it. But after wearing it with my Free Fly high-waisted leggings, I realized BAM: this is a cool travel outfit.

I was surprised how nicely it worked out with my Public Rec All Day pants, which you can see in these photos.

Bluffworks Threshold Cowl Neck Top

Much like the rest of the Bluffworks women’s apparel for travel, the Cowl Neck top is a classy and dressier travel top that I tried out. It’s made of the Threshold fabric that I know from the crew and V-neck tees.

As a note for petite women like me, this one comes in petite sizing! I’m 5’2” and wearing a size Petite XS. Honestly, it runs a little long, but that’s ideal for tucking it into a skirt or some slacks. My favorite travel feature is the secret zipper pocket at the side for handy essentials or valuables. It’s basically a theft-proof shirt for women, and it’s about time we had one! (Also, a tip: it’s on sale quite often.)

Public Rec Essential Tee

Public Rec’s Essential Tee is like a perfect basic travel shirt that packs up small in my bag. I’ve worn mine with jeans, joggers, patterned bottoms and gym shorts.

I like how “fine” it feels, and the fit has always been perfect on me from the start, even though I have a short torso and wear petite sizes. It’s a cropped fit, but it fits me how I like my shirts to fit: hitting right before the hip. When you pick your fit, keep in mind that it’s true to size (in my experience).

In my full review of the Essential Tee, you’ll see more photos of the fit. One more tip: Hurry up, as it’s being discontinued and you’ll only fit it in one or two sizes!

Mott & Bow Crew Marcy tee

Mott & Bow’s 50/50 Pima cotton-Modal tops were what I first tried as travel shirts. My Marcy tee packs up teeny tiny in my bag when I take it on a trip in a packing cube. These Marcy tees are simple basics, which is something I’m always on the hunt for, especially as a quick decision for an outfit when I’m on the road.

The Crew Marcy tee comes in a lot of colors, which makes it hard for me to pick. I went with some basics.

Take my tip on buying yours: you can load up on a few with the bundle of 3 or 6, and save anywhere between 20-27%. If you’d like to see more of what Mott & Bow offers as a brand, I’ve reviewed a lot of the products in this guide, with photos.

Seadon W’s Traveler Merino Tee

I hadn’t heard of Seadon until I tried the W’s Traveler Merino Tee, an ultra lightweight, soft and stretchy shirt, in XS. Finally: a true-to-size XS top that I can wear as a perfect fit travel shirt (although it runs a little long on my short body).

Seadon makes women’s and men’s apparel, as well as accessories like totes, beanies and underwear (which I tried, and genuinely recommend because it’s so soft!).

What I like about Seadon so far is that they will send your products in plastic-free packaging. My Seadon apparel arrived at my house in a biodegradable envelope mailer, which can even be composted in your compost bin.

KUHL Konstance Shirt

KUHL’s outdoorsy Konstance top is a best-seller made from a polyester and Tencel-spandex blend. When I wear it, I layer it under a zip-up hoodie or a windbreaker, and I’m be ready for hiking the trails with Dan in no time.

Even as a petite woman, I find that this shirt is only a “little” big in the shoulders, and it doesn’t run too long. Keep in mind that I’m 5’2” and about 110 lbs. It’s a spacious shirt with somewhat boxy shoulders, so maybe it’s kind of unique. The standard runs sizing, according to how this one fits me.

Quince 100% European Linen Short Sleeve Shirt

Coming from the brand that makes my Quince hard shell suitcase, this lightweight and loose button-down linen shirt is a fan favorite from Quince’s travel collection. As with all Quince tops and blouses, the price is unbeatable and the quality is “affordable luxury,” like everything Quince makes.

This travel shirt is what I’ll put on for a day on the streets of Lisbon, or for a dinner outdoors on the water at a resort or on a boat. It has a boxy fit and a laidback vibe, with the three buttons, wide hem and timeless collar style. The 100% European flax linen makes it heat-regulating and breathable.

Public Rec Go-To Muscle Tank

Public Rec’s Go-To Muscle Tank is a pretty athletic-leaning top that I just started wearing for travel. I like the performance fabric that kept me cool on a rather hot day in summer when it was really humid. This travel tee is specifically good for layering, and I like the slimming fit and the unique sleeve design.

Regarding the fit, it’s a bit tight around the middle. I haven’t worn it with high-waisted shorts or pants, but I’m thinking it may work best for this type of styling.

Nike Sportswear Club Essentials Women’s T-Shirt

This simple and easy “50/50” T-shirt from Nike is a shirt I wear when I’m home, as well as away from home. The 50/50 blend makes it easy to care for, so I throw it in the wash after breaking a sweat.

Regarding the fit, I wear an XS in other Nike products and those have been perfect. I find that in XS, the Club Essentials shirt is a dab wider in the shoulders. That’s because Nike has updated the fit of this item for an “updated look:” a slightly shorter body, slightly wider shoulders and a slight curve at the bottom.

As a short disclaimer, Nike gave me this product to try, and the opinions above are completely my own.

Icebreaker Merino Granary Short Sleeve T-Shirt

The Icebreaker Merino Granary has a lounge-style aesthetic and is a TOTALLY oversized style, which I found out when I put it on. It’s a very relaxed fit that was not a good look on me (with my short torso and short build), but for taller women, it’ll be a chilled-out style for flight days. In the photos here, see how small it can fold up in muy carry-on (I’m not including photos of me wearing it because even in XS, it was too big).

Because it’s 100% merino wool, I’ll provide you with my best tried-and-true care recommendation: don’t put it in the dryer! Hang it dry instead. If you’d like to see more Icebreaker products, check out my list of the best products for solo female travelers, as I included Icebreaker’s Siren Bra, also made of merino wool.

Paka Apparel Women’s V-Neck

I wore my Paka V-Neck travel tee for the first time on my trip to Colombia! I couldn’t wait to wear it in some of our travel photos because I love how it fits and how it feels. I like that it’s soft and durable, and I think the timeless V-neck scoop is flattering.

This special company works with artisans in the Peruvian Andes and all the products have a unique “handwoven tag.” While the V-neck is currently hanging in my closet, it’s coming on all my trips in the near future. Plus: despite the fine alpaca fabric blend, it’s machine-washable.

Everlane Pima Cotton Shirts

From the Pima Cotton collection at Everlane comes several options for your next trip, including this awesome long-sleeve bodysuit with a unique square neckline that’ll have your friends asking where you got it.

At a very affordable price point of $45, and made of Supima cotton and elastane, it’s a cool item to be wearing under high-waisted pants, loose jeans or any other type of comfortable travel pants.

As a clarifier on Supima cotton, it’s a special type of cotton grown only in the US and because of its long fibers, it absorbs moisture better than regular cotton.

For a tank-top style bodysuit, there’s the Cutaway Tank Bodysuit (note that a main difference is the cut in the backside).

prAna Cozy Up Scoop Neck Tee

From travel brand prAna, a company featured in my guide to the best travel dresses for women, is this scoop neck tee made from hemp, recycled polyester and Tencel Lyocell.

Because of the fabric, it has natural odor-reducing abilities, and with the laid-back scooped neckline, it’s a great item to have in your pack for summer and early fall when days are still warm.

prAna designed this tee to be a closet staple, or rather, an essential item in your packing cube. As for fit, this product comes recommended for busty women who may have trouble finding styles that fit otherwise.

The North Face Dune Sky Shirt - Women’s

The affordable The North Face Dune Sky Shirt - Women’s from one of my favorite outdoors brands, The North Face, is a plain and simple shirt for travel days or as a hiking layer. It comes in quite two bold colors, and you’ll see it’s available in an all-encompassing array of inclusive sizing from XS to XXL.

Through its recycled polyester build (with FlashDry™ materials), it’s lightweight and has anti-odor technology. This is a superb combo for when you’re out getting some activities in, and then you hit a brewery or lunch spot with travel friends right after.

Free Fly Women’s Elevate Lightweight Tee

I’m excited about the Free Fly brand, which makes apparel for life and travel on the water. The Elevate Lightweight Tee is a special type of featherweight shirt that’s super soft to the touch and made from the brand’s four-way stretch and drirelease® tech. When I put it on, it felt airy and almost like it wasn’t there!

The fabric and the style are the best parts of this shirt to discuss. The material has HeiQ® Fresh odor control, a durable TENCEL™ blend that feels light as air and a timeless crew neck with a semi-crop hem. I look forward to it keeping me cool in really hot climates and pairing it with some high-waisted bike shorts!

Pair it with the Free Fly Reverb Shorts, which you can see in my guide to the best women’s travel shorts.

Jack Wolfskin Pre Light Chill T

As the last T-shirt in this list, the Jack Wolfskin Pre Light Chill T is an activewear shirt for a sporty traveler. I tried it in size XS, and my suggestion for you when you pick sizing is to size down, as Jack Wolfskin runs big.

Jack Wolfskin is an outdoors and adventure apparel brand that I’ve come to know from products like their jackets, like in my Jack Wolfskin Down Jacket review. Just like the packability of that coat, the Pre Light Chill T packs up tiny in my packing cubes. It’s made from a technical jersey fabric that stretches and moves, with odor protection and functional features like TEXADRI sweat absorption.

How I chose these shirts for travel

Over the years, I’ve pretty much figured out what I don’t appreciate in travel apparel and travel shirts. I can’t stand shirts that show perspiration, wrinkle after coming out of my bags, smell after getting sweaty on a bus ride and/or don’t fit in a flattering way. Based on these setbacks, I’ve decided what I do like my travel shirts to do for me.

What I’ve developed in this list is a range of shirts from those that could suit business casual events to the ones you want to wear for your next hike or trek. Some are for both! Here are a few of the things I’ve considered.

Brands

The shirts in this list come from my favorite travel brands. Some of these brands I’ve been able to try out first from their travel pants or travel dresses, and some I’ve been recommended by friends or found online. I trust these brands for making quality gear, and I hope you will too.

Cost

These shirts come in a range of prices. I’ve absolutely included shirts at every budget, from the really affordable ones in the $30-40 range, to the ones you’ll want to dish out for at the $80+ range. My budget for travel clothes has changed throughout the years, and I expect that the women reading this guide will have varying budgets for travel clothes.

Fabrics

From merino wool to recycled polyester to hemp, there are quite a few looks to consider for travel apparel. The same goes for travel shirts. The sportier shirts are stretchy and are made from quick-dry blends, whereas the merino wool shirts are high-quality and usually sustainably-sourced items with marks of excellence.

Technical features

I always appreciate a travel product with really impressive features. That might be the thoughtful hidden zipper pocket in the Bluffworks Cowl Neck Top, or the asymmetrical or square necklines on some shirts and bodysuits you see in my list.

Style

The shirts in this list range from relaxed tanks to bodysuits to tunics to simple tees. Every woman has several lenses of her style, and the same goes for me. Some days I’ll like a simple crew neck top, and other days I’ll be in the mood for a top like the Public Rec Muscle tank. I am also assuming you’ll be taking a few shirts in your luggage for your trip (but if you have only one shirt for travel, I’ll be truly impressed).

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of travel shirts and even if none of them work for you this time, I hope you’ve learned a bit about the types of shirts that are out there for the future.

Why trust me?

I’m someone who, despite years of travel, can never decide which shirts to bring on a trip. I think I’m finally in a place where I have my go-to travel shirts (from this list!) and those are the ones that will be my travel staples.

I’ve been traveling independently since my early 20s, from Asia and then to Latin America, and later, from Europe to Africa. I’ve been in all types of weather and elevation levels and I’ve been on tons of different methods of transport. For me, having a travel shirt that doesn’t make me sweaty, stinky or annoyed, is what I need!

From this list, I hope you were able to figure out some travel shirts to try and I hope they become useful for you in your next adventures.