Fat travel to Spring

I’m still thinking about travel wardrobes after my ‘Fat Travel Planning’ blog (which was posted a little while ago now) and decided to mock up a travel wardrobe now that I can sew.

I’ve been thinking of some past holidays which have been marred by wardrobe issues, and I’ve been thinking about “re-packing” for those trips- what I would take now that I have options available to me!

Up first, I’m repacking for 3 weeks in Japan during early spring.

I remember being too cold and too hot and feeling so under-dressed and so un-stylish in Japan. I remember incredibly painful chub rub, sore feet, clothes that I felt didn’t pair together, and so many other wardrobe malfunctions. I definitely remember thinking that discomfort and pain were unavoidable when you’re fat and travelling (rather than thinking that I could have been comfortable if my wardrobe hadn’t let me down).

So, here’s a little thought experiment for what I’d pack for my Spring trip to Japan if I had my time over again. I’m not sure this would be a ‘carry on baggage only’ amount of clothes, but I’d take a lot of clothes in my carry on because if they lost my bags I would have absolutely nothing to wear (where does one source plus-size clothes in Japan, exactly?)!

Comfie Unders

Undergarments I’d pack

• Merino Kapunda Undies
• Bamboo Duclie Boxer Briefs
• Merino Banksia Bralette
• Merino singlets, don’t have the perfect pattern yet

Perfect travel pants

I put a pic of my natural linen Glebe Pants here, but I’d probably choose a dark-colour (but I have kept these natural linens surprisingly clean even though they look like they’d be dangerous). I’m enjoying the idea of wool suiting pants for the excellent qualities of wools (and wearing the Dulcie Boxers to ward off itch)! I’m also quite smitten with the idea of even more pockets (cargo Glebe).. This needs more thought!

Pants I’d pack

• Dark neutral-for-me Glebe Pants (linen)
• Dark neutral-for-me Glebe Pants (wool)

Tops

Styles for tops

Since I spent most of my time in Japan feeling pretty under-dressed, I’ve had a think about what I think can elevate tops for me and I think it comes down to particular silhouettes and nice fabrics; drapey knits, silk noil, fabrics in particular shades.

Mix-and-matchability

Reading through the comments on my Fat Travel Planning blog, it got me thinking about how the tops I pack could be layered under or over one another to provide additional warmth and also outfit flexibility.

Tops I’d pack

• A long-sleeve more-fitted knit tee, maybe with a mockneck or turttleneck (merino)
• A relaxed boxy knit tee with long-sleeves (merino or cotton) which would layer over the fitted tee (so open neck or an open funnelneck)
• A long-sleeve boxy button-up shirt (silk noil) perhaps collarless
• A shirt in a heavier fabric which could double as an outer (as suggested by Wendy on my travel planning post).
• A boxy merino sweater (maybe a RTW sweater rather than something I’ve sewn) with open side splits which layers over all of the above

Sleepwear

For chilly places, I like to sleep with a knit turtleneck (probably a shortened Hexham Dress). Silk Spinifex PJs bottoms would roll up super small, but M-C commented on my last post to suggest making the PJs bottoms from fabric that could be day-wear in a pinch. I like that idea A LOT so would probably do daytime-appropriate linen or cotton PJ bottoms.

Sleepwear I’d pack

• Silk Medlow Robe (a small luxury that I stand by)
• Spinifex Bottoms and a Hexham long-sleeve turtleneck top

One comment on my blog suggested that robes were only for people who sleep naked and another said that the robe was useful for an extra layer in bed to protect against the chill! My Medlow rolls up so small and I know it fits me and looks great on (so would have no problem answering the hotel room door, etc in it)

Outer Layers

I run hot, especially when I’m moving about, so what has got me the most wear while I’ve been touristing in chilly places is a quilted puffer vest. I had a RTW one from Land’s End (like above) but would like to make myself one and I’d like to make it a bit more inconspicuous, if that’s possible. I particularly like the secure zipper pockets, but my me-made version would have even more pockets (some internal and maybe a big back pocket too). Although it was quite handy that it was slightly water-repellent, I’d probably use breathable fabric and batting instead of feathers (maybe wool or cotton). Of course, it needs to be easy to pack into a bag if I’m too hot to wear it.

The other outer layer is a rain ponchos (directly related to drizzly autumn weather and dog walking), and I’ve done A LOT of rain poncho research and I’m pretty sure I know what I want for myself. The benefit of a poncho is that if you’ve got a handbag or backpack or anything else, the poncho covers all!

Outerwear I’d pack

• A cosy vest, possibly quilted
• A RTW waterproof hooded jacket (or a me-made rain poncho which folds up really small)

I’ve also snuck in a sweater, and a shirt which doubles as a jacket in the tops section, in case you’re worries about me staying warm.

Shoes

I’m not exactly sure here- I think a pair of comfortable but ‘stylish’ sneakers (like Onitsuka Tigers), but I’m not sure if there needs to be a backup pair of shoes!

Extras

You never regret a swim! Or having warm hands.

• Pair of me-made togs
• Scarf or pashmina which is large but rolls up small
• Backpack rain shield (if no poncho)
• Gloves and beanie (in vest pocket)
• potentially some kind of dickie**
• Merino socks

**I’m not sure if I’m ready to admit that I might be in to dickies but I can kind of feel it happening

My packing proposal is:

• Merino Kapunda Undies x3
• Bamboo Duclie Boxer Briefs x2
• Merino Banksia Bralette x2
• Merino singlets, x 2
• Dark neutral-for-me Glebe Pants x2
• Long-sleeve Hexham knit tee (merino)
• Boxy Hyde knit tee with long-sleeves (merino or cotton)
• Long-sleeve Waikerie Shirt (silk noil)
• Warm outer-ish Waikerie Shirt/jacket
• Boxy merino RTW sweater with open side splits
• Medlow Robe (silk)
• Spinifex PJs Bottoms (cotton or linen)
• Hexham long-sleeve turtleneck sleep top
• Cosy vest, possibly quilted
• Rain poncho or RTW rain jacket (and backpack cover)
• Scarf or pashmina which is large but rolls up small
• Gloves & beanie
• Dickie?
• Merino socks x3