Travel Tips: Packing
The autumn vacation season is just around the corner, and it's an exciting time.
Before departure, there's a mountain of things to do, such as booking flights and hotels, and planning your stay, but the most important consideration is undoubtedly scrutinizing what to pack for the trip.
Many people constantly struggle with packing, saying things like, "I always end up overpacking for trips," or "I always forget something."
In such cases, the packing habits of designer Kawano, which we'll be sharing this time, might offer some useful tips to resolve your packing woes.
Kawano describes his own wardrobe as "minimalist. I gather the best items I can find and rotate them."
His actual belongings for a 14-day business trip to Europe were also a carefully selected lineup.
This time, we will delve into the packing habits of designer Kawano, who just returned from a business trip to Europe last month. *Returned in July 2024
The keywords for travel are "efficiency and speed."
Kawano: Before COVID-19, I used to travel abroad for over 90 days a year, and at my busiest, I would head to another country the day after returning home.
My keywords for such travels are "efficiency and speed."
Initially, I focused on how quickly I could prepare and how easily I could unpack at the hotel. However, as the number of business trips increased, I refined my approach, striving to eliminate "indecision" during my stay and to be able to tidy up immediately after returning home, pursuing an ideal.
Key points for choosing a carry-on case: lightweight and durable
Kawano: I prioritize "ease of use" not only for the contents of my luggage but also for the carry-on case itself.
Initially, I admired silver aluminum bodies, but given the weight of the case itself and the amount of luggage, I now prefer polycarbonate.
I have RIMOWA's SALSA model in matte black, which I believe are 94L and 110L.
I use them interchangeably or take both depending on the length of stay and purpose.
My summer business trip to Europe was a bit longer at 14 days, so I used the 110L one.
Matte black doesn't show scratches easily, and it's durable enough to withstand the rough handling often encountered at airports overseas.
It's also easy to open and close with a zipper, so I definitely recommend it to anyone considering buying a carry-on case.
For carry-on bags, a wide opening is key, with internal compartments.
Kawano: This time, for my carry-on bag, I chose the new Cotton Cabas (L size) from UNDECORATED, which I've been using for testing (scheduled for release soon).
I've always liked bags with a wide opening that makes it easy to put my hand in, and this Cabas has turned out to be my ideal shape.
When moving in and out of the plane, I prioritize efficiency and smooth movement, so this bag, which can be carried by hand or on the shoulder, was very useful as I could switch how I carried it depending on the situation.
With a large bag, there's a concern that "things I want to get out might get lost inside," but if you keep things organized in small compartments, it's easy to retrieve them and put them away.
Aesop's cloth bags are perfect for compartmentalizing luggage.
UNDECORATED's Reusable Bag is made of thin nylon taffeta material and can be folded small and tucked away, which is very convenient in case my luggage increases.
Carry-on: Minimalist + good luck charm
Kawano: Although I bring a large bag, the airplane cabin isn't spacious, so I try to bring as few items as possible.
Nowadays, Wi-Fi is available on planes, so a laptop is essential for checking emails and doing light work.
I download movies I want to watch on my iPad beforehand and bring it with me.
Since there's a lot of idle time, I also use it as a notepad for when ideas strike.
I don't usually get motion sickness on planes, but I once had a terrible experience with severe turbulence. Since then, I've carried motion sickness medicine as a "good luck charm."
I also carry a stomach medicine called "Hyakusogan," which contains herbal ingredients made in Nagano.
I started carrying it as a travel companion after Ms. Kurogouchi from mamekurogouchi told me about it.
I also bring cold medicine, kind of as a good luck charm.
Also, throat lozenges and Mintia are essential for the dry cabin, and for long flights, I bring a toothbrush.
Lightweight water-repellent outerwear: for cold and as an umbrella substitute
Kawano: When it comes to carry-on items, a light outerwear is essential.
And I believe a water-repellent nylon outerwear is the best.
The cabin is often cold, and as someone who prefers not to carry an umbrella even if it rains at the destination, it's a must-have item. This time, I brought UNDECORATED's anorak because it can be folded small and is incredibly light.
Also, since I sometimes fall asleep with my eyes rolled back and my mouth open, when I want to sleep soundly, I wear a cap pulled down low. Wouldn't want to startle anyone.
Creating a situation where there's "no room for indecision" by bringing only the same clothes.
Kawano: We've been talking about carry-on items, but now let's move on to the lineup of clothes I wear at my destination.
For me, choosing clothes while considering outfits during packing, or choosing clothes during the trip, is stressful. So, I make it a point to "only bring the same clothes, leaving no room for indecision."
A staple for summer wear is UNDECORATED's cotton pile T-shirt. The pile fabric on the back provides not only a comfortable feel but also excellent breathability, making it usable year-round and a true masterpiece.
On this trip, I wore this T-shirt almost every day, bringing five black ones and two white ones.
Since I wash clothes at my destination, I basically only bring about five days' worth of clothes, no matter how long the stay.
As long as I have a shirt, I'm fine.
Kawano: I mostly wear the same clothes on business trips as I do in Japan, but for places where I need to be a bit more formal, or when it suddenly gets cold, I believe "a shirt can always save the day."
UNDECORATED's cotton series shirts don't require ironing and can be styled to utilize their wrinkles, making them very convenient for travel.
If you choose not to change your bottoms, you also don't need to choose your shoes.
Kawano: For bottoms, I only bring one determined pair.
This time, I brought the 25SS Organic Cotton Jeans, which I've been wearing almost every day for testing.
If I don't change my bottoms, I don't have to worry about choosing shoes either, so it's two birds with one stone.
Sandals are essential even in winter.
Kawano: Since I only bring one pair of bottoms, I usually only bring one pair of shoes. I chose Vans Era.
Unless there's a party with a dress code planned beforehand, I basically only bring sneakers.
My other pair is Birkenstock Bostons. I use them on the plane and as indoor shoes at my destination. They're versatile enough to wear outside if I change my mind, so I bring them almost every time.
Socks and underwear: 5 of each, identical
Kawano: I've never heard anyone else recommend this, but I like the feeling of wearing new underwear on a trip, so I often buy new underwear for each trip.
For socks, it's definitely cotton pile socks. Of course, I only bring identical ones.
Pajamas for a good night's sleep
Kawano: In Japan, bathrobes and nightwear are often provided at accommodations, but this service is generally not available in places like Europe, where I recently traveled for business.
Moreover, when I sleep, I really want to "sleep in the same clothes as I do in Japan," so I always bring pajamas.
This time, I chose a shirt and pants set from the homewear collection.
Bringing "unnecessary" sunglasses
Kawano: While I say "keep the best things to a minimum," the only "unnecessary" item I bring on a trip is sunglasses.
Aside from recent years, the sun isn't so strong in Japan, so I don't get many opportunities to wear them. However, if I find a style I like, I can't help but buy sunglasses.
So, especially when I go to regions known for strong sunlight, I bring a lot of them to make up for not being able to wear them often.
To introduce them in order, the bottom pair is prescription glasses and sunglasses with metal frames from "EYEVAN," which I bought at an exhibition. I like that both have delicate frames and don't cause stress.
Above that are sunglasses from my friend's brand "BLYZAK." They hadn't seen much use for a while, but they were very active this year. The smooth matte metal frame feels nice against the skin and is perfect for summer.
And the top pair are "STUSSY" sunglasses I bought recently. I bought them because I heard the story that all the model names come from staff names, and I thought it was "wonderful." There's a slight discrepancy with my passion for clothes, isn't there? (laughs)
My favorite cosmetics, unchanged for over 5 years
Kawano: I'm not particular about cosmetics and have been using the same ones for a long time.
For perfume, I've been using "LE LABO" SANTAL33, which I bought in Paris 8 years ago, ever since.
I've been using "Aesop's" massage oil as hair oil for many years.
I like that "Muji's" toner and moisturizer can be bought anywhere, anytime. Also, although I rarely use it in the summer, I hate dry hands, so I brought "Aesop's" hand cream.
The most important thing after your passport
Kawano: For long stays or business trips, the one thing I absolutely cannot forget after my passport is instant miso soup packets.
Especially in Europe, where high-salt, rich restaurant meals are common, I really miss the taste of dashi.
I don't eat breakfast, so I drink miso soup in the morning instead. This time, it was my first long trip in a while, and I completely forgot to prepare them, so I had to hastily buy some at Haneda Airport.
Finally
Kawano: It was my first long business trip in a while, and I had many encounters and learned a lot.
While it's a convenient age where you can easily see any country and feel like you've been there using social media and the internet, I realized how important it is to actually go to the place and experience it for yourself.
I hope to fully utilize this experience in my future clothing designs.
Before departure, there's a mountain of things to do, such as booking flights and hotels, and planning your stay, but the most important consideration is undoubtedly scrutinizing what to pack for the trip.
Many people constantly struggle with packing, saying things like, "I always end up overpacking for trips," or "I always forget something."
In such cases, the packing habits of designer Kawano, which we'll be sharing this time, might offer some useful tips to resolve your packing woes.
Kawano describes his own wardrobe as "minimalist. I gather the best items I can find and rotate them."
His actual belongings for a 14-day business trip to Europe were also a carefully selected lineup.
This time, we will delve into the packing habits of designer Kawano, who just returned from a business trip to Europe last month. *Returned in July 2024
The keywords for travel are "efficiency and speed."
Kawano: Before COVID-19, I used to travel abroad for over 90 days a year, and at my busiest, I would head to another country the day after returning home.
My keywords for such travels are "efficiency and speed."
Initially, I focused on how quickly I could prepare and how easily I could unpack at the hotel. However, as the number of business trips increased, I refined my approach, striving to eliminate "indecision" during my stay and to be able to tidy up immediately after returning home, pursuing an ideal.
Key points for choosing a carry-on case: lightweight and durable
Kawano: I prioritize "ease of use" not only for the contents of my luggage but also for the carry-on case itself.
Initially, I admired silver aluminum bodies, but given the weight of the case itself and the amount of luggage, I now prefer polycarbonate.
I have RIMOWA's SALSA model in matte black, which I believe are 94L and 110L.
I use them interchangeably or take both depending on the length of stay and purpose.
My summer business trip to Europe was a bit longer at 14 days, so I used the 110L one.
Matte black doesn't show scratches easily, and it's durable enough to withstand the rough handling often encountered at airports overseas.
It's also easy to open and close with a zipper, so I definitely recommend it to anyone considering buying a carry-on case.
For carry-on bags, a wide opening is key, with internal compartments.
Kawano: This time, for my carry-on bag, I chose the new Cotton Cabas (L size) from UNDECORATED, which I've been using for testing (scheduled for release soon).
I've always liked bags with a wide opening that makes it easy to put my hand in, and this Cabas has turned out to be my ideal shape.
When moving in and out of the plane, I prioritize efficiency and smooth movement, so this bag, which can be carried by hand or on the shoulder, was very useful as I could switch how I carried it depending on the situation.
With a large bag, there's a concern that "things I want to get out might get lost inside," but if you keep things organized in small compartments, it's easy to retrieve them and put them away.
Aesop's cloth bags are perfect for compartmentalizing luggage.
UNDECORATED's Reusable Bag is made of thin nylon taffeta material and can be folded small and tucked away, which is very convenient in case my luggage increases.
Carry-on: Minimalist + good luck charm
Kawano: Although I bring a large bag, the airplane cabin isn't spacious, so I try to bring as few items as possible.
Nowadays, Wi-Fi is available on planes, so a laptop is essential for checking emails and doing light work.
I download movies I want to watch on my iPad beforehand and bring it with me.
Since there's a lot of idle time, I also use it as a notepad for when ideas strike.
I don't usually get motion sickness on planes, but I once had a terrible experience with severe turbulence. Since then, I've carried motion sickness medicine as a "good luck charm."
I also carry a stomach medicine called "Hyakusogan," which contains herbal ingredients made in Nagano.
I started carrying it as a travel companion after Ms. Kurogouchi from mamekurogouchi told me about it.
I also bring cold medicine, kind of as a good luck charm.
Also, throat lozenges and Mintia are essential for the dry cabin, and for long flights, I bring a toothbrush.
Lightweight water-repellent outerwear: for cold and as an umbrella substitute
Kawano: When it comes to carry-on items, a light outerwear is essential.
And I believe a water-repellent nylon outerwear is the best.
The cabin is often cold, and as someone who prefers not to carry an umbrella even if it rains at the destination, it's a must-have item. This time, I brought UNDECORATED's anorak because it can be folded small and is incredibly light.
Also, since I sometimes fall asleep with my eyes rolled back and my mouth open, when I want to sleep soundly, I wear a cap pulled down low. Wouldn't want to startle anyone.
Creating a situation where there's "no room for indecision" by bringing only the same clothes.
Kawano: We've been talking about carry-on items, but now let's move on to the lineup of clothes I wear at my destination.
For me, choosing clothes while considering outfits during packing, or choosing clothes during the trip, is stressful. So, I make it a point to "only bring the same clothes, leaving no room for indecision."
A staple for summer wear is UNDECORATED's cotton pile T-shirt. The pile fabric on the back provides not only a comfortable feel but also excellent breathability, making it usable year-round and a true masterpiece.
On this trip, I wore this T-shirt almost every day, bringing five black ones and two white ones.
Since I wash clothes at my destination, I basically only bring about five days' worth of clothes, no matter how long the stay.
As long as I have a shirt, I'm fine.
Kawano: I mostly wear the same clothes on business trips as I do in Japan, but for places where I need to be a bit more formal, or when it suddenly gets cold, I believe "a shirt can always save the day."
UNDECORATED's cotton series shirts don't require ironing and can be styled to utilize their wrinkles, making them very convenient for travel.
If you choose not to change your bottoms, you also don't need to choose your shoes.
Kawano: For bottoms, I only bring one determined pair.
This time, I brought the 25SS Organic Cotton Jeans, which I've been wearing almost every day for testing.
If I don't change my bottoms, I don't have to worry about choosing shoes either, so it's two birds with one stone.
Sandals are essential even in winter.
Kawano: Since I only bring one pair of bottoms, I usually only bring one pair of shoes. I chose Vans Era.
Unless there's a party with a dress code planned beforehand, I basically only bring sneakers.
My other pair is Birkenstock Bostons. I use them on the plane and as indoor shoes at my destination. They're versatile enough to wear outside if I change my mind, so I bring them almost every time.
Socks and underwear: 5 of each, identical
Kawano: I've never heard anyone else recommend this, but I like the feeling of wearing new underwear on a trip, so I often buy new underwear for each trip.
For socks, it's definitely cotton pile socks. Of course, I only bring identical ones.
Pajamas for a good night's sleep
Kawano: In Japan, bathrobes and nightwear are often provided at accommodations, but this service is generally not available in places like Europe, where I recently traveled for business.
Moreover, when I sleep, I really want to "sleep in the same clothes as I do in Japan," so I always bring pajamas.
This time, I chose a shirt and pants set from the homewear collection.
Bringing "unnecessary" sunglasses
Kawano: While I say "keep the best things to a minimum," the only "unnecessary" item I bring on a trip is sunglasses.
Aside from recent years, the sun isn't so strong in Japan, so I don't get many opportunities to wear them. However, if I find a style I like, I can't help but buy sunglasses.
So, especially when I go to regions known for strong sunlight, I bring a lot of them to make up for not being able to wear them often.
To introduce them in order, the bottom pair is prescription glasses and sunglasses with metal frames from "EYEVAN," which I bought at an exhibition. I like that both have delicate frames and don't cause stress.
Above that are sunglasses from my friend's brand "BLYZAK." They hadn't seen much use for a while, but they were very active this year. The smooth matte metal frame feels nice against the skin and is perfect for summer.
And the top pair are "STUSSY" sunglasses I bought recently. I bought them because I heard the story that all the model names come from staff names, and I thought it was "wonderful." There's a slight discrepancy with my passion for clothes, isn't there? (laughs)
My favorite cosmetics, unchanged for over 5 years
Kawano: I'm not particular about cosmetics and have been using the same ones for a long time.
For perfume, I've been using "LE LABO" SANTAL33, which I bought in Paris 8 years ago, ever since.
I've been using "Aesop's" massage oil as hair oil for many years.
I like that "Muji's" toner and moisturizer can be bought anywhere, anytime. Also, although I rarely use it in the summer, I hate dry hands, so I brought "Aesop's" hand cream.
The most important thing after your passport
Kawano: For long stays or business trips, the one thing I absolutely cannot forget after my passport is instant miso soup packets.
Especially in Europe, where high-salt, rich restaurant meals are common, I really miss the taste of dashi.
I don't eat breakfast, so I drink miso soup in the morning instead. This time, it was my first long trip in a while, and I completely forgot to prepare them, so I had to hastily buy some at Haneda Airport.
Finally
Kawano: It was my first long business trip in a while, and I had many encounters and learned a lot.
While it's a convenient age where you can easily see any country and feel like you've been there using social media and the internet, I realized how important it is to actually go to the place and experience it for yourself.
I hope to fully utilize this experience in my future clothing designs.
