As I’ve done after previous trips, I’m reviewing my travel wardrobe…what worked, what didn’t and making notes for the next time. Here’s my Japan travel wardrobe recap.
Overall
Heat, humidity and intermittent (though rarely heavy) rain were the weather themes for this trip, and I was glad I’d packed mostly lightweight pieces. I borrowed a tee shirt to wear for a couple of days while on the boat, but other than that didn’t feel I’d left out anything important. I had enough variety to cover our activities and to keep from feeling too bored with my wardrobe. Keeping the bottom half simple and using tops to mix it up seems to work best for me.
Did sink laundry a couple of times and had hotel laundry done once in Kyoto (mostly for a few of le Monsieur’s shirts, but I had two of mine washed as well).
MVP’s
While I wore all of the pants at least once, the Eileen Fisher stretch crepe and the relaxed cargo pants (from prior season, similar HERE) had the most wears. Both are comfortable in the heat, but the stretch crepe are also easy to hand wash and will line dry within a few hours. (The cargo pants are a bit worn/faded, and were relegated to casual wear only.)
Tops: Both the polka dot cotton gauze (worn with a camisole underneath) and my embroidered tee were my go-to’s for most days.
The red Longchamp bag performed very well as a day bag.
Pinch Hitters
The cropped flare trousers were perfect for the four or so evenings we wanted to dress up a little bit for dinner.
The silk blouse (similar) also worked well for evenings.
I did wear the black dress once out to dinner in Kyoto, but did not get a useable photo due to poor lighting. It was too warm for closed shoes so I wore with my sneaker sandals and went Full Funky.
Benched
The gold loafers. I’d somehow irritated my Achilles tendon walking around the first couple of days, and my left ankle was too swollen to wear them comfortably.
The utility jacket. Never got cool enough to need it.
The raincoat. Never actually needed it; an umbrella was usually sufficient.
Though I did wear it once, I’d planned to give the cherry print shirt to my SIL, as their boat is named after BIL’s wonderful children’s book, The Cherry Migration. She loved the shirt so it’s in her wardrobe now.
Wish I’d Brought…
Another pair of sandals, perhaps the Birkenstocks I purchased during the summer.
Perhaps another lightweight popover top or lightweight 3/4 sleeve tee. I had grabbed a second “wild card” on my way out the door, a linen chambray shirt (similar, though mine has a collar). It’s great for the heat, so I was happy to have it from that aspect, but I always feel a little frumpy in it.
And for a complete change of pace, in the next few weeks I’ll be planning a carry-on travel wardrobe for a late autumn visit to a favorite location…details soon!
What are your favorite pieces to pack for heat and humidity?
