Packing for Tokyo

Every time I have ever traveled to Tokyo I pull out all stops when it comes to my wardrobe. This is one of the most fashionable cities on the planet and I do not want to be mistaken for a tourist. Of course, I'm not a local either, but how about a fashionable expat at least? It is definitely true that I put more effort into thinking about how I am going to dress in Tokyo than in Portland, and I'm not alone. Many of my friends confess to me that they wear their best clothes on vacation. Short trips to other destinations provide us opportunities to temporarily live other lives, and those other lives demand other wardrobes.

For fashion trips like this I like to plan a theme. That helps me narrow my choices and helps me to make different outfits with similar clothes. This year, my Tokyo wardrobe theme is Summer Goth. Black is of course the main color, with floral accents and stripes. The challenge was to  find clothes that were model (protect me from the sun), breathable and cool (due to the heat and humidity), would show my sweat, and wouldn’t get uncomfortable after walking around in them for 12 hours. For accessories, I kept it very, very simple. Here is what I ended up with:

• 2 pairs of leggings: lace, solid, and lace shorts
• 2 belts: tie belt and Dior belt
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 pair of pants
• 2 tank tops
• 3 dresses: 1 maxi and 1 short and 1 self-made
• 3 jackets: 1 long sheer jacket, 1 short lace jacket, and 1 short sheer jacket
• 1 necklace
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 ring

Bag Check: Amsterdam and Greece

For my 16-day trip to Amsterdam and Greece I had to plan for both Holland's chilly evenings and Athens's sweltering afternoons. I had to plan for city walking and beach strolling and climbing the stone pathways of the village. I had to worry about heat and wind and comfort and sun and style. Again, I wanted a versatile wardrobe that could be worn multiple ways. 

Here's what I packed in one suitcase:

• 2 pairs of pants: black jeans and black yoga pants
• 1 pair of denim shorts
• 1 black shirt
• 2 tanks
• 3 dresses: 2 maxi and one short
• 2 scarves: for style and sun protection
• 1 jacket
• 2 swimsuits
• 1 sun hat
• 1 pair of thai fisherman pants (for pajamas)
• 3 large shirts (for pajamas)
• 3 pairs of shoes: 2 sandals, 1 sneakers
• 1 laptop
• 1 handbag

And now that I'm back, here are the results:

Things I am really, really glad I brought:

• sun hat (I wore it all the time)
• thai fisherman pants (I wore them as day wear around the island too)
• sports bras (I wore them more often than anything else)

Things I wish I brought:

• another pair of fisherman pants
• more comfortable shorts
• more comfortable sneakers

Things I wish I had left behind:

• my scarves (I hardly wore them)
• one dress (two was enough and I wanted to wear pants more often anyway)

Things I got along the way:

• Mosquito spray
• 2 tote bags

Packing for 6 months in Asia: The results

Packing was one of the aspects of my trip with which I was most concerned.

What if what I brought wasn't enough?

What if I bought a bunch of stuff and couldn’t fit it into my suitcase?

What is I get sick of wearing the same clothes for six months?

Well, now that my trip is complete, I have answered to all these questions, and more!

I am proud to say that, thanks to my meticulous research, my packing list was damn near perfect. I had everything I needed for the entire trip. That being said, I absolutely did get sick of wearing the same clothes everyday for 6 months. I was thrilled to be able to throw my ratty tanks tops and shirts into a trash can when departing from Chiang Mai with only the clothes on my body, and return to my home in Portland where a treasure trove of clothing awaited me.

I am also proud to say that I did not buy that much. I mean…compared to hauling an extra suitcase home from Dubai, what’s a couple magazines and fisherman pants? I sent one box of stuff home, and carried the rest with me. I do wish I had been able to buy more, but in retrospect, I didn’t really need anything. Having to travel light kept me from making unnecessary purchases.

Although I had everything I needed, there were a few things I did not use, and therefore would not bring on my next trip:

• contact lenses (wore glasses every day)
• goggles (didn’t swim much)
• money wallet (not needed)
• business cards (gave out, like, 2)
• sun visor (used twice)
• portable charger (everywhere had outlets)
• Sseko sandals (wore tennis shoes the whole time)
• Rain jacket (didn’t rain much)

There were also some things I am really, really glad I brought:

• an entire roll of hair ties (because I wore my long hair up every day, and I lose hair ties all the time)
• acne cream (because sure enough, my skin broke out all the freakin' time)
• twist ties for my electronics cords (they really kept cords from getting tangled)
• advil (for period cramps)
• tampons (they are really hard to find in Asia!)
• my small black pouch (used almost everyday)
• long sleeve shirt and hoodie (it got cold!)

If I could do it all over again, these are the things I wish I brought:

• cold and cough medicine (I got sick twice)
• more T-shirts and less tank tops (for modesty and sun protection)
• more socks (three pairs was the bare minimum)

There were a few things I got along the way, but I would bring them next time:

• plastic bags (for shoes and dirty laundry)
• a tote bag from freshness in Myanmar (used as a gym bag)
• face wash (my sensitive skin broke out a lot on this trip)

Six months in SE Asia: Packing

Here is everything I will possess for the next six months of my life. 

This trip will be a lifestyle change for me in many ways. I am a notorious over-packer. I  like to have outfits for all occasions, including matching shoes and handbags. I look for excuses to dress up and I pack things "just in case." On this trip I am taking only what I can carry on my back (and carry on a plane). This will be a temporary hiatus from of my "Daily Style" posts and "Collections". I am not dressing to impress. I am dressing for comfort, convenience, and movement. I once vowed never to wear Crocs. I once vowed never to wear yoga pants outside of a gym. I once vowed never to be a "backpacker." 
I think it's time I stop making all these ridiculous vows. 

 After looking at a few other travelers' lists I consolidated to these items:

Large Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 55 (40L backpack)

• Shoes 
• Nikes for running
• Crocs for the beach
• Sseko sandals for the city
• Tops
• 4 tank tops
• 2 short-sleeve shirts
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• Undergarments
• 1 regular bra
• 3 sports bras
• 3 pajama boy shorts
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 3 pairs of socks
• Outerwear
• 1 dress
• 1 light hoodie
• 1 rain jacket
• Bottoms
• 2 pairs of knee-length cotton shorts (for working out or lounging around)
• 1 pair of shorts (for the city)
• 1 pair of long pants
• 1 pair of yoga pants
• Other
• 2 swim suits
• 2 headbands
• 1 swim cap
• 1 pair of goggles
• 1 viser
• 1 small towel

Large Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 55 (10L day pack)

• Laptop
• Laptop case
• Laptop charger
• Kindle
• Kindle case
• Kindle charger
• Iphone
• Iphone charger
• Digital Camera (Canon S95)
• camera case
• camera charger
• camera USB cable 
• 2 16G memory sticks
• Ipod
• Ipod charger
• Portable charger
• Electrical outlet converters
• external hard drive
• Sony noise-cancelling headphones (for use on transportation)
• Small sony headphones (for jogging)
• medium size notebook
• small pocket notebook
• pens and pencils
• Eye mask
• Sunglasses
• Business cards
• Earplanes (for the airplane)

Not pictured:

• Water bottle
• Passport
• Copies of passport
• Copies of plane tickets, reservations, etc
• Cash in USD
• Driver's license and credit card

Toiletries case: E-bags pack-it-lat Toiletry kit

• Toiletries
• hairbrush 
• hair ties
• tweezers
• small scissors
• nail clippers
• razor
• tooth brush
• tooth paste
• dental floss
• sunblock
• soap
• washcloth
• black nail polish
• contact lenses
• bug spray
• shampoo
• conditioner
• deodorant
• tampons
• Beauty
• black eye brow liner
• lip balm
• blemish stick
• Health products
• homeopathic remedies
• Nuun tablets
• Ibuprofen
• charcoal tablets
• Malarone
• pepto-bismal
• Immodium
• Dramamine
• Zypan
• cortisone
• athlete's foot medicine
• first-aid kit with bandaids and gauze
• hand sanitizer

What I had to leave behind:

• hair straightening iron
• hair dryer
• makeup 
• shaving cream
• jewelry
• purses/handbags
• books/magazines
• dress shoes
• real lingerie

Pakistan and Dubai: The Packing Challenge

Going to West Asia this spring? Leave the tank top and shorts at home.

This trip has been a packing challenge like none other. For this trip I must pack clothing for two very different countries, and very different occasions. I must look ultra fabulous in fashion-crazed Dubai, but not too flashy for the streets of Karachi. I must also have two formal outfits for an extravagant wedding, but the rest of the days I want to be Über-casual. I also need clothes that are suited for hot weather, but are modest and do not show my shoulders or legs (it's the law!).

How do I achieve all of these goals without hauling two large suitcases with me?
In fact, I might even have to do the ol' suitcase within a suitcase trick. 


Here is what I am bringing:

Luggage: 

• 1 large suitcase 
• 1 small suitcase
• 1 laptop case
• 1 handbag
• 1 tiny purse

Clothes:

• Formal attire for the wedding in Pakistan (2 saris, 1 shalwar kameez)
• Casual attire for Pakistan (3 shalwar kameez)
• Casual attire for Dubai  (2 silk blouses and 1 pair of leggings)
• Formal attire for clubbing in Dubai (2 dresses)
• Swimwear for Dubai (2 one-piece swimsuits)
• Pajamas (3 sets)
• Gym clothes for working out in Dubai (2 sets)
• 1 towel
• 3 Pairs of Shoes (1 pair of Sseko sandals, to be worn with everything, 1 pair of heels for the club, and 1 pair of gym shoes)

Accessories:

• Jewelry for the wedding
• 2 pairs of sunglasses
• 1 wig (for the wedding or clubbing)

Electronics:

• laptop and charger
• external hard drive
• camera and charger
• iPhone and charger

Gifts:

• Chocolate boxes for my host families in Pakistan
• Girl scout cookies for my friend in Dubai

Yep, I could definitely use a lesson in how to pack lightly.

 

Bag Check: Scandinavian Challenge

How to fit two weeks worth of clothing into one carry-on luggage case, and not be seen in the same outfit twice?

This will be a test in mixing and matching:

1. American Apparel black tank

2. Vintage yellow scarf

3. H&M blue jeans

4. Gap sweater vest

5. Urban Outfitters denim shorts

6. Vintage striped shirt

7. Uniquo tops!

8. Self-made sheer black skirt

9. H&M Black skinny jeans

10. American Apparel black thigh-high socks

11. Vintage fur vest

12.  Guess white tank

13. Vintage cream blouse

  Basic tops (Uniquo)

Colorful accents (vintage)