To be honest, I'm a little cynical about specialist travel-ware shops - for all but the most arduous or technical travel, this kind of equipment is not necessary, and, in any case, I'm simply not qualified to discuss the merits of that gear. Clearly if you're trekking in the Himalayas, or some other cold places, or travelling very light, you'll need to make some very careful choices and you'll be able to benefit from some of the recent advances in textiles technology. This is also the case if you have a lot of money to spend on kitting yourself out for travelling.

No, this advice is aimed more at the general kind of traveller and I believe that most people will be able to do very well with regular kinds of clothes. It's easy to think that, because of the bewildering array of technical and specialist travel clothes available, normal clothes just aren't acceptable. This just isn't true.

Modesty - When selecting your clothing, weather - and particularly heat - will be the most influential criterion. But, in many places, modesty - yours and that of the local population - is crucial. This is the case throughout the world, but particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia. For example, you won't be able to visit some places, particularly religious sites, if you're in shorts and this goes for men and women.

Some countries are stricter than others. Many predominantly-Muslim countries have quite strict views about what is decent and what's not, especially for women. It's not all about religion though - get into remote areas, and you'll often find that people are just not happy about scantily clad tourists appearing, irrespective of their religious persuasion. This can often be surprising when locals are often themselves semi-dressed.

Now, before you start railing against them, don't! There's nothing to be gained from it, and covering up when expected will make your life a lot easier. Even if your beliefs mean you can wear what you like, it's just not the case in some places. If you aren't willing to abide by the local rules or customs, then you should just forget your trip to that place!

This could get me going into a slightly deeper (and certainly long-winded) rant about travel attitudes generally, but I'll precis it by saying simply that I think travellers should usually be observers only, and accept the attitudes at their destination.

In any case, countries often have dress codes written into law, or regulation. Malawi was a good example of this (though its attitudes have softened considerably since the demise of President Banda). It used to insist that women wore long skirts and long-sleeved shirts, and that men wore trousers, not shorts.

It pays to find these rules or customs out before you travel, or at least to be sensitive to local attitudes. A friendly word with a sympathetic hotelier, or locally made friend will do the trick.

Laundry - The quantity of clothes one takes is related directly to the amount of time for which one is happy to be doing one's own laundry. Many people travel with one pair of trousers or shorts, one shirt, etc., and wash them every few days, drying them overnight. Personally, I have some kind of genetic aversity to doing washing, and thus I like to find a local laundry service. Clearly it is necessary to have a spare set of everything, to wear during your clothes' absence. Indeed, this holds true for all kinds of clothes.

It's usually possible to find a local laundry that will do a great job on your clothes for little money, and, when you're on a holiday it's money well-spent. I'd rather pay a little to have my clothes washed and pressed that I would spend an hour washing them. Aside from which, it obviates the need to carry detergent around. In any case, a local laundry will usually do a much better job that you can in your hotel sink!

The Value of some Smart Clothes - I like to have some fairly good-looking clothes. These are surprisingly useful - enabling you to go out for a "smart" visit, perhaps to a bar, or when invited to a restaurant, a wedding, or, as happened to me in Beirut, a trade fair (?!). More importantly, on an extended trip, you will inevitably find yourself visiting some kind of official or government office, to pick up visas, get travel permits or even get an update from your own embassy. I think it's just respectful to look moderately smart, and anyway you'll get better treatment! The same goes for other aspects of travel - entrance to an airport lounge, or a flight upgrade, are virtually dependent upon your appearance.

Natural vs. Synthetic - If you read some of the other articles I've written about clothes, you'll notice a pattern in my selection of textiles. Personally, I can't stand many man-made fibres, though I know that they have improved greatly of late. In particular, man-made fibres have some key advantages. The first is that they can be designed with specific attributes, such as wind or water-resistance. Some man-made fibres are almost indestructible, which can make for very hard-wearing clothing. They are also very light, packing down to virtually nothing. But, for all this, I can't help but remember the 70s and the hideous clamminess of tight synthetic garments.

Once again, I'll stress that man-made fibres are extremely useful for technical clothes. The now-ubiquitous combination of undergarment, fleece and shell garment is perfect for hiking and such activities, and consists entirely of synthetic materials. A good outdoor shop will be able to talk you through the various fabrics and garments on offer today. But, they don't come cheap, and, for all their advantages, they sometimes have the air of an expensive uniform.

Perhaps the key advantage of synthetic materials is their ability to be worn almost immediately after washing. Natural fibres take a good deal of drying - not a problem in a warm climate, but a distinct nuisance in wet or cold places. Man-made fibres seem to be dry just as soon as they've been washed and spun. Even drip-drying is faster with man-made fibres - they simply don't absorb water.