Hello! we have just returned from our totally marvellous family holiday to
Japan! and I’ve had the last few days to thaw out and wash
everything: the washing machine has been going strong 3-4 times a day and now the small mountain on the laundry floor has just about disappeared.
Yay! Now… something I like to do is to look back at my
travelling wardrobe and do a little retrospective “did it or didn’t
it all work out OK?” analysis, so here goes…
Japan! and I’ve had the last few days to thaw out and wash
everything: the washing machine has been going strong 3-4 times a day and now the small mountain on the laundry floor has just about disappeared.
Yay! Now… something I like to do is to look back at my
travelling wardrobe and do a little retrospective “did it or didn’t
it all work out OK?” analysis, so here goes…
Time away:
15
days
days
Where to:
Japan
Season:
the middle of winter. The expected
temperature range was from rather cold to Really Cold.
Snow. Blizzards, for real!
temperature range was from rather cold to Really Cold.
Snow. Blizzards, for real!
Expected activities:
Our holiday was divided neatly into two distinct parts requiring two very
different sets of clothing, a City part and a Skiing part. First, a week
of city-based walkabout and shopping, some rural sightseeing and including one
day of bicycling; for all of which I wanted to look reasonably smart and put
together amongst the fashion savvy people of Japan. Followed by a week
of skiing and generally hanging out in a snow-laden village;
requiring heavy-duty ski/snow gear.
different sets of clothing, a City part and a Skiing part. First, a week
of city-based walkabout and shopping, some rural sightseeing and including one
day of bicycling; for all of which I wanted to look reasonably smart and put
together amongst the fashion savvy people of Japan. Followed by a week
of skiing and generally hanging out in a snow-laden village;
requiring heavy-duty ski/snow gear.
Colour scheme: a safe and
easily mix n’ matchable collection of wintery neutrals; greys,
black, chocolate and creamy ivories, with just a few warm and cheerful
colours thrown in there just to lift it all a bit
easily mix n’ matchable collection of wintery neutrals; greys,
black, chocolate and creamy ivories, with just a few warm and cheerful
colours thrown in there just to lift it all a bit
What I packed: (each
highlighted garment is made by me and linked to its original construction post,
unhighlighted clothes are RTW)
highlighted garment is made by me and linked to its original construction post,
unhighlighted clothes are RTW)
(left to right; top to bottom)
The “smart” city stuff:
lightweight charcoal cardigan, khaki cashmere cardigan
(middle) Noro striped knitted jumper and (below that)
2 “thin” ivory thermal tops
2 “thin” ivory thermal tops
(at left, below coat) 4 LS woollen Tshirts; ivory, burnt orange, dk
red, ivory turtleneck
red, ivory turtleneck
chocolate leather gloves
(below)
black leather boots (for the city), red thongs
(to wear to and from the hot tub), sandshoes (for the country and cycling)
black leather boots (for the city), red thongs
(to wear to and from the hot tub), sandshoes (for the country and cycling)
chocolate leather handbag
blue
bathers (for the hot tub)
bathers (for the hot tub)
The ski stuff:
red fleece neck-warmer, hot pink head-band, ski goggles, charcoal ski
jacket
jacket
4 “thicker” thermal tops, 2 thermal leggings
skiing mittens, 2 prs liner gloves, 3 prs ski socks
snow boots
not pictured; winter jammies, selection of underthings, toiletries bag
Thoughts:
Above is how it looked all packed away; the trip involved several very tight connections ‘twixt trains, buses and planes so I was pleased that it all was quite easily and quickly transportable up and down escalators and staircases and in and around multiple train stations. On the right is my check-in bag, and I always carried with me my handbag which tucks up under my arm quite securely and unobtrusively, and the other small black bag contained my little travel camera and a sewing/knitting project so I always had something to occupy my hands in any long travelling or waiting situation… and there were plenty of those!
Speaking of my sewing project, it’s very nearly finished…!
Thankfully
the clothing selection worked out extremely well! I think I packed quite
light but I still felt like I had a little
variety, I liked my outfits and was warm and comfortable always. All my daily outfits can be seen on my ootd
blog (15/1/14-30/1/14).
the clothing selection worked out extremely well! I think I packed quite
light but I still felt like I had a little
variety, I liked my outfits and was warm and comfortable always. All my daily outfits can be seen on my ootd
blog (15/1/14-30/1/14).
I
hired ski pants on site so was spared the bulk of those in my bag. So that was a
bit of a “cheat” since I wore those ski pants continuously during the
second week! I also never had to pack my grey coat, since I wore it
travelling. Two pairs of jeans was an indulgence, but it was nice to have
a choice.
hired ski pants on site so was spared the bulk of those in my bag. So that was a
bit of a “cheat” since I wore those ski pants continuously during the
second week! I also never had to pack my grey coat, since I wore it
travelling. Two pairs of jeans was an indulgence, but it was nice to have
a choice.
Having lots of thin Tshirts and tops was absolutely
brilliant!! for layering; I always wore two or three layers so I could peel
one off if I got too warm, which happened, um… maybe only once or twice?! Also an
outer or middle layer could be worn as an inner layer on another day,
minimising the dirty laundry pile. 5 people and laundry facilities only
available in the second week; makes keeping washing to a minimum a Very Good
Thing.
brilliant!! for layering; I always wore two or three layers so I could peel
one off if I got too warm, which happened, um… maybe only once or twice?! Also an
outer or middle layer could be worn as an inner layer on another day,
minimising the dirty laundry pile. 5 people and laundry facilities only
available in the second week; makes keeping washing to a minimum a Very Good
Thing.
Shoes
are always the bulkiest things; those snow boots! I stored my 2mm
bamboo knitting needles in them while travelling, to keep them safe from
snapping. That is, to keep the bamboo needles safe, of course… I didn’t even wear those thongs once, oh well, they didn’t take up
very much room.
are always the bulkiest things; those snow boots! I stored my 2mm
bamboo knitting needles in them while travelling, to keep them safe from
snapping. That is, to keep the bamboo needles safe, of course… I didn’t even wear those thongs once, oh well, they didn’t take up
very much room.
So
there was a little space for souvenirs, including some fabric!
I bought four pieces of fabric, and a Christian Dior plaid cashmere scarf
from a little secondhand shop in Kyoto. That’s the first RTW I’ve bought
in years and years! AAAAUGH! but it is secondhand so I’m still within my
wardrobe refashion pledge.
there was a little space for souvenirs, including some fabric!
I bought four pieces of fabric, and a Christian Dior plaid cashmere scarf
from a little secondhand shop in Kyoto. That’s the first RTW I’ve bought
in years and years! AAAAUGH! but it is secondhand so I’m still within my
wardrobe refashion pledge.
Oh I do love your travel wardrobe posts! They're great! I'm planning my glamping wardrobe this week, hoping to finish off, oh, four things before Friday! I might just have to do a little copy cat post – I just adore planning my wardrobe for holidays!
A great selection of clothes very fitting of your travel plans to give a bit of variety. Do you really think two pairs of jeans extravagant? Aside from your ski pants you didn't have any other options for the bottom half. I don't think it was extravagant – I think it was a well planned travel wardrobe.
Thank you for showing us inside your suitcase! Summer travelling is always easier, but you've inspired me to travel a bit lighter in the winter.
I love these travel packing posts – I'm terribke at packing, I'm hoping to learn something from you 🙂
I love your style 🙂
One cup of coffee could have made the second pair of jeans not an indulgence though I might have packed a corduroy (for warmth) or ponte (for weight) pair.
I do love travelling with carry on only! Except when I want to do loads of shopping… I tend to take a second bag to the US so I can bring cheaper stuff back to the UK. And of course when we are in Europe in the motorhome this doesn't count. Interesting that you used grey black and brown neutrals. I am just now able to happily mix brown and black, but I wouldn't do brown and grey. Still, it obviously worked out well for you. You're an experienced traveler of course. Must put Japan down for consideration…
A very impressive packing feat indeed! Where did you ski? Are you feeling better?
thank you BMGM, and yes 🙂 we skied at Mt Niseko-Annupuri. We all love it there, and it has something for all skill levels!
I need to learn from you, I always have way too much. Perhaps my wardrobe of clothes is wrong instead? These packing posts are so helpful and I always try to remember them when packing myself.
I think these are my favourite posts. I don't know if it's because I'm nosey or really bad at packing and seek to learn! Actually, where I live these kind of layers would be fantastic for 3 out of 4 seasons and I really like the idea of livening up neutrals with a pop of colour here and there. It looks like you had a lot of fun while you were away 🙂
I love seeing your travel wardrobes and hearing how they went. We tend to talk all our ski gear so that reduces the weight limit for clothes, but DH has got it down pat these days and I learned at lot about packing!! Isn't Kyoto gorgeous!
I tell myself that buying second hand does not count as buying new. I buy a fair amount of second hand stuff to remake/remodel. And I'm sure the scarf needs something done….
I have to confess; I've given it away to my daughter already!
A great travel wardrobe. I wish I packed as well as you always seem to manage 🙂
I have a board on pinterest dedicated solely to packing….that's how much I hate it! So I love these type of posts. Thanks Carolyn!
You have the amazing power to transform travel in a carry something simple! I am absolutely terrified every time I travel … it's totally chaotic! You are my hero!
luff seeing what outfits people travel with x