Chiming back in bc I used to have one just like the first LLBean one (mine was Joe Fresh) and it's the first thing I thought of for a skirt in hot weather. I always brought it on tropical vacations. It was the coolest skirt by far. Mine was soft, cut on the bias, and didn't stick out at all. Loved it. I'd give that a try too (personally would prefer a navy but blk could work).

Forgive me is this has been answered here already, but what exactly are you wanting the skirt for? Every day site seeing? Evenings out?

I personally would be very hesitant to travel with anything that was dry clean only.

Back to read properly later... trying to get some tennis in before the rain starts....

Thanks for all these ideas and thoughts, everyone!

Elizabeth, I want the skirt to serve a variety of purposes.

I would like it for daily wear (perhaps) -- as a cooler alternative to shorts. I won't wear it for hiking up the Great Wall or anything like that, but I would wear it within the city. I don't know our itinerary exactly -- but I imagine I will be spending part of each day in the classroom and part touring the city/ local sites.

I would like to be able to dress it up if necessary. I sincerely doubt there will be any extremely dressy events, but again, they haven't told us much, and I would hate to be caught out without a suitable outfit if there is a banquet or something of that nature.

I won't have time to shop while there, so even though I am sure I could (theoretically) find something, this is moot.

I never bother with dry cleaning. I always wash by hand (or actually machine in the hand wash cycle -- but on the trip it would be literally by hand.) The only things I dry clean are my wool coats and jackets. So the fact that a label says dry clean is meaningless to me.

I'm usually sized out of LLBean but Joe Fresh might be an option. Also, Jackie, I'm very intrigued by the Simons option. They have a grey linen skirt that might work at least for daytime wear in lieu of shorts. It wouldn't dress up all that well, but that's okay...

Suz, I was walking by Aritzia yesterday and they were featuring quite a few longer, fuller skirts this summer. The YLF collect doesn't work, but here's a link to their page:
http://aritzia.com/en/clothing.....38;start=3

The skirts are lycocell/linen and washable. Aritzia usually is well stocked in smaller sizes and the prices are lower than CM. Might be worth a look since the store seemed to be stocked with lots of blues and taupes. For the US fabbers, Aritzia is a Canadian chain much like Zara.

Gotcha.
Just an FYI on the sizing of the Bay one... I wear an M in the VC tube skirts, and kept the L in this one. While the M's probably fit similarly, the fact that this one is unlined, and I want it for summer, meant I felt more comfortable with a bit more looseness around my middle. The M was almost a bit too body con for my liking. So if you wear an XS in the VC, the Small in this MIGHT work.

A bit of a segue, but I admire your non-drycleaning philosophy. I'm always scared to attempt cleaning on my own, esp if the item was expensive. But I hate drycleaning. So I either don't buy, or seldom wear, items which say that. Maybe I should be more adventurous...

I like the look and sound (and price!) of the Club Monaco skirt best. The shorts would be neat on you, but I find shorts bunchy and warm in hot, humid weather (though most would disagree, I know.)

Just one more consideration re the CM skirt: I have found silk to be surprisingly practical for travel, especially traveling with minimal luggage. It's lightweight, takes up very little space, drip-dries quickly after washing, feels airy and comfortable on the body, and can be dressed up or down better than any fabric I can think of. The Chinese know all about this magical material, of course!

tulle, this was my thinking exactly. It's shocking how easily silk travels -- it takes up the space of a scarf. Hmm.

Elizabeth, I totally encourage you to wash in your machine. I use little mesh bags and throw it all in and then air dry and iron as needed. Works like a charm. Quite seriously -- silk LOVES to be washed in water and gentle soap. Mine do not wear out or fade with this treatment. It does take a bit more time, of course. But that just makes me appreciate the luxury a bit more.

Gaylene -- I checked Aritzia earlier and didn't find these skirts -- I wonder if they are a new addition?! I'm going to check again. I like the top I got from them.

Well, unsurprisingly I like the EF skirt best. I wonder if you're sized out of them though. I wear a small in EF and I'm a lot bigger than you.

The silk cm is nice too, but you have to see what the lining is. In this case I feel like you might be better off going cheaper since I don't think you want a lining or anything thick! Have you checked h&m? I don't know if they have anything in natural fibers but in the past I have gotten thin, unlined linen or cotton skirts there.

I don't think the shorts options would work for the potential banquet situation but they are nice otherwise. For another dressy alternative, would your loft trapeze dress work with something layered over it ( like a buttondown)?

ETA: I hand wash all my silk too! Only thing to be careful of is not to wring it.

Still on the segue...
Funny, I never used to be worried about silk... I remember my mother saying that silk was actually pretty tough, they made parachutes out of it in the war after all! I started hand washing all my "dry clean" sweaters years ago, or machine washing (front loading, on delicate) all my hand wash only ones, as I realized I just wasn't wearing them and it was worth the gamble. And they survived just fine. But the modern woven shirts have these finishes on them that make me nervous.

It's the other fabrics I'm more concerned about. You've had luck with them too? Viscose?

I don't own a ton of viscose, Elizabeth, but I do have modal items and those get the same treatment. Cheap rayon can shrink, I believe. But again, it hasn't happened to me. My only laundry mishaps have been a few shrunken sweaters because Mr. Suz missed them and popped in the dryer, and the infamous dying of the J. Crew tee, thanks to my stepdaughter's skirt.

Thank goodness it wasn't one of my silk shirts in there at the same time, LOL.

Diana, I also worry about being sized out of the EF. My weight is up a bit from before, but even so, I am definitely on the small end for her stuff.

Thank goodness I'm not sized out of EF...I'd be naked LOL.

Suz, I usually hand wash items that are marked "Dry Clean", but when they say "Dry Clean Only", I don't take a chance.

Thanks Suz. And Cheryl.

If time/shipping weren't an issue, I'd agree with the LL Bean rec, or something from Title Nine or similar. I just ordered two skirts from Eddie Bauer with a travel/practical vibe. I'm on my phone but will try to add links later. Or what about Athleta? They're a Gap company and I know Gap ships to Canada...

Suz, these were the two skirts I ordered from EB. They're on sale right now...

well just to throw a wrench....now that you have searched around does the original skirt appeal a bit more? I think it is a perfect travel item in terms of weight and fabric - and it looks terrific on you. I wonder if it might be worth considering.
I am also throwing in my vote for the shorts. I think they might prove their worth on your upcoming adventure.

I like the skirts Laura suggests, particularly the striped option.

From someone who actually lives in hot humid climate, you want something that breathes. No viscose or synthetic, nothing Georgette or silk that has a lining. Cotton works best! Linen a close second because I find they wrinkle too much when packing.

Don't you have a cotton A-line or sheath dress that can be dressed up with a gauzy scarf and soft clutch and worn with minimal accessories and comfy shoes for the day? I saw a few in Zara on Sunday. I'll find those links or images for you.

It's a shame you can't shop in China. Clothes will be far cheaper there plus ire weather appropriate. And you'll get a nice momento to carry home from there

But let's keep looking for options!

I love this dress: http://m.zara.com/ca/en/sale/w.....14038.html

I also like this skirt: http://m.zara.com/ca/en/sale/w.....02013.html

And this
http://m.zara.com/ca/en/sale/w.....70033.html

This striped one is all cotton. http://m.zara.com/ca/en/sale/w.....72501.html

Thank you, Maneera -- I will check our Zara online to see if they have. Now that the time for my leaving is getting closer, I'm thinking I am just going to do without anything new...I will try to show a travel capsule this weekend!

Thank you all for your help -- and I will return that skirt, but thanks for the sweet compliments, Glory....

Suz, I think that's a good idea - you have so many great clothes. I know that planning a trip often makes me feel like I really need xyz for it, but I think in the end it's just anxiety and the fear of being unprepared that makes me want to shop so much before trips.

Yes, Astrid, I agree, although in this case I am pretty sure that I might not have suitable things for real heat. But if that turns out to be true, I will figure something out for sure. In the meantime, at least I have the little dress, and it should work pretty well for me.

Very late here and I love skirts and dresses in the summer and for travel. While I'm not a handkerchief hem lover, I do love the silk CM one along with the CM silk shorts, although the latter one looks very similar to the blue ones you (and Angie) have.

I'm wearing a black skirt today with a cream and black bow J. Crew s/s tee and black sandals for a day trip to three-digit Palm Desert. I'm very comfortable in it (can't recall material). I also love dresses and just bought a sleeveless jersey Boden dress that I can wear with a denim jacket.

I agree that the tube skirts would be too warm and body-con. That's why I like A-line, knife-pleat or looser, flirty skirts that you can dress up or down.

How exciting you're going to China, Suz. Have fun.

Suz, the pictures and links I sent to you are from Zara Canada. You'll have to check sizes, if you still want something new.

When do you leave? Maybe once you have your travel capsule out, we'll get more ideas.

So, not reading the other replies to not be swayed

If you can get the EF skirt, that would be my first choice. My second would be the club Monaco one. I think the EF skirt fits your closet better, is lower contrast, works with more as it isn't patterned, and is a silhouette you don't have to gamble on before a long trip.

PS In China heat, at least when I was there, linen and silk are your friend. Avoid synthetic. There's a reason for the silk trade in China

Suz, for your life (and soon to travel) I like all from the first row you have posted in your thread! esp. nr 1 and 3. Nr 2 seems a bit dressier, if you need it.