While it’s still fresh in my mind, and since we have some pictures to illustrate, I thought I’d outline the way I packed for our recent trip to Japan.

My packing strategy for our travel adventures is usually the same. I watch our destination’s weather like a hawk right up until the day before we leave. The day before, and not a moment sooner, I pack a mix-and-match capsule with a few extras. 

I don’t pack light because I like to have outfit options, and I do not want to do laundry while we’re on the trip. I wear clean tops almost every day, pack lots of layers, add in the odd dressy piece, and take an extra pair of comfy shoes in case my feet start complaining. I stay well within the baggage allowance and there is always room to bring home some goodies that we find along the way.

Excluding the days that we traveled to and from Japan, we were away for 8 full days. This meant packing a relatively casual capsule of at least 9 outfits, along with fancy outfits for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, plus underwear, socks, sleepwear, accessories and toiletries.

Here are the items I took:

Everyday Wear

• 3 Bottoms: Yellow tartan skinny trousers, jodhpur jeans, zippered blue skinnies
• 1 Skirt: Polkadot midi (a dressier item for the evening)
• 7 Tops: Two white button down shirts, denim shirt, chambray linen shirt, animal print blouse, striped knitted tee, navy and cream striped silk blouse.
• 2 Vests: Black sleeveless top, patterned sleeveless top (for layering over some shirts)
• 2 Jackets: Cropped black jacket, ink blue blazer
• 1 Coat: Cream trench
• 1 Scarf: Burberry
• 2 Pairs of walking shoes: back & white flat oxfords, gold loafers 

Rehearsal Dinner

• 1 Bottom: Red Dress Pants
• 1 Top: Scarf print blouse
• 1 Blazer: Floral 
• 1 Pair of shoes: Cream patent booties

Wedding

• 1 Dress: Blue sheath
• 1 Cover up: Citron trench
• 1 Pair of formal Shoes: Citron stilettos
• 1 Formal handbag: Red clutch 

Basics

• 10 Pairs of knickers
• 3 Bras
• 6 Camisoles
• 7 Pairs of socks and 3 pairs of nude knee highs
• 1 Pair of textured black hose
• 2 Sets of pajamas

Accessories

• 2 Pairs of specs
• 1 Pair of sunglasses
• 1 Pearl necklace
• 1 Gold watch and wedding ring
• 1 Umbrella

Note that these are the items that I packed. For the flight to Japan, I wore a pair of black straight leg jeans, houndstooth button down shirt, a tunic cardigan, grey booties, black doctor’s bag, white specs, and silver watch and wedding ring. I don’t re-wear the clothes that I fly in, but I do re-wear the shoes, bag, specs, watch and wedding ring. So in total, I brought three pairs of walking shoes, two bags, 4 pairs of eyewear, and a change of watch and wedding ring. On the way back, I wear an outfit that I’ve worn on the trip because I don’t feel the that I need fresh clothes for a less than pristinely clean plane flight.

I wore all the bottoms and two pairs of walking shoes several times over, and some of the tops twice. I wore both vests multiple times as a fun extra layer. I wore one of the jackets or my trench coat each day. On some days and nights, I wore my jackets under the trench coat. I wore my scarf with half of the outfits. I wore the polkadot skirt a few times out at night and matched it with a top and jacket. I carried the same black bag day in day out, but swapped out my specs daily. Some days I swapped out my watch and wedding ring. I didn’t end up wearing the gold loafers because it was too cold, but I wore the heck out of the rest of the capsule. 

I only wore the outfits for the rehearsal dinner and wedding once, as these items were not brought to mix up with daily outfits. Below are pictures of one of the outfits that I wore each day. What isn’t shown are the ways that I remixed these items for the evening.

Manidipa suggests browsing through The Blindhem, a blog that unites fashion with feminism. 

MaryK recommends reading a great essay on Already Pretty that discusses how to deal with style commentary from your peer group. Coincidentally, Sally and I were on the same wavelength — I also wrote about style commentary that day.

Laurinda, who is fascinated by the world of colour trend forecasting recommends reading an article in Slate called “Sneaking Into Pantone HQ“. How do colour forecasters predict which colour will be the next big thing? 

Modgrl, found a super article in the Atlantic that discusses social media’s small, positive role in human relationships. She mentions that her life has been enriched by the YLF community, but that she’s not the only one! 

Inge is very taken by the pattern mixing, gorgeous modern classic looks, and striped loafers in Tory Burch’s Spring 2012 look book. 

Rae read in Styleite that the Gap is ready to turn over a stylish new leaf. 

SarahA was fascinated by an article in the Wall Street Journal that suggests Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, might be America’s most unlikely business guru. 

Sylvie was most impressed with Audrey’s tips from Putting Me Together on building a remixable wardrobe. 

Last but not least, this slouchy trouser outfit captured by the Sartorialist is no doubt fabulous. But it’s the location that I love most about the photo — Hennessy road in Hong Kong is very close to my heart.

Some retailers refer to this style as culottes, others as gauchos, and others as wide leg capri pants. At this stage I am unsure how to correctly describe them because they all look like culottes to me. However, these styles share common attributes: they are soft, cropped to just below the knee or calf, and wide in the leg. Hence I am referring to them as soft & cropped wide leg pants. 

I love this style of voluminous bottom, as long as they are cropped to the shorter lengths shown below. They swoosh as you stride, are super breezy, quite practical, and have an elegant air to them. They look a lot like flared skirts, yet they’re pants, which makes the style a little more interesting. Soft cropped wide leg pants also keep you cool and covered if shorts and slim fit clamdiggers aren’t your thing. 

Wear them with a top as simple as a form fitting tank or knitted top, tucked in blouse, or roomy cropped top. For a harder edge to the overall soft look, add in a cropped denim jacket. Due to the wide nature of the style, you might feel more grounded wearing the silhouette with some form of heel (high or low), although it is not essential. 

These loafers have been winners for my clients this season. Add an orthotic for extra support and an insole for extra cushioning as desired. Remember to browse through all the colour options.

1. Born Dorota Loafer: These loafers are so comfortable it’s ridicuous. I bought them in metallic as my new “go to” casual shoe for Summer. I’m going to wear them with jeans, clamdiggers, tapered Bermuda shorts, dresses and skirts. You might need to size down half a size. 
2. Nine West Squareone Loafer: This style has a lower vamp, which might be more to your taste. It has a dear little wedge heel and is quite comfortable. It’s available in more colours on endless.com. 
3. Asos Macabee Patent Leather Loafer: This style is available in orange, white and a two-toned black and tan. It’s a really good looking high vamped loafer, that’s just that bit dressier. If I hadn’t been so set on a metallic pair, I’d have bought these in white. 

Although the loafer style is a classic, it’s looking very fresh this season, especially when combined with a more fashion forward outfit. If you’ve bought loafers recently, feel free to share the brand and style in the comments section below.