From a northern winter to thirty degrees in six hours
Short answer: The body has no time to adapt, and the first two days feel warmer than the rest. Pack thin, loose clothing and avoid dressing as you would in August at home.
Adjusting takes days
The body adapts to heat over one to two weeks, not the few hours a flight takes. The first days you therefore sweat more than later in the holiday, even at the same temperature each day. See bamboo clothing for women.
Loose and thin beats short and tight
Loose clothing lets air circulate around the body and cools more effectively than less fabric that clings to skin. A long, loose dress can therefore feel cooler than short shorts, even though there is less fabric in the shorts. See bamboo dresses.
Underwear for humid heat
Seamless styles with a smooth edge chafe least when skin stays damp all day from sweat and heat. This is a detail you do not notice at home but that becomes clear after a week of constant heat and humidity. See bamboo panties.
A layer for the flight and the resort
The cabin and the hotel's air conditioning are often surprisingly cold compared to the heat outside. A thin layer in your hand luggage therefore gets used every day, both during the flight and at dinner in an over-cooled hotel. See women's long sleeved bamboo t-shirt.
The sun is stronger than at home
Just a few minutes of direct sun can cause sunburn in the first days, because skin is not used to the intensity. Cover shoulders and upper arms with thin clothing at midday, instead of relying on sunscreen alone.
The evening temperature drop is smaller than at home
Unlike a Danish summer evening, temperature drops only slightly after sunset in many warm destinations. That means the thin clothing worn during the day is often enough for dinner too, without an extra layer.
Washing and drying goes faster
Thin fabric dries far faster than thicker material, which makes hand washing easier and gets it ready for the next day. That is as much a practical advantage as a comfort one on a trip with limited luggage.
Feet swell in the heat
Feet swell easily in heat and after long periods sitting on a plane. Loose fitting shoes and soft socks in the first days are more comfortable than the shoes normally worn at home.
Shade on a balcony still counts
Even in the shade on a balcony or under a parasol, the air is warmer than a Danish summer day. Thin clothing therefore remains the right choice, even when the sun does not hit the skin directly.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the first holiday days the warmest?
Because the body has not adapted. Adjustment takes one to two weeks, so you sweat more in the first days than through the rest of the stay at the same temperature.
What should you pack for thirty degrees?
Loose, thin clothing, seamless underwear and a thin layer for the flight and air conditioning. The latter is often surprisingly cold compared to the heat outside.
Is short clothing cooler than loose?
Not necessarily. Loose clothing that lets air pass through often cools better than tight fabric, even though there is less material in the short piece.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
