STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermes

I need your help, please!

Hermes

Gee. I am overwhelmed with the onslaught of responses. Thanks, ladies.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

I have never been to China yet (despite being Chinese) but I have gone to Taiwan man many times and it is ungodly hot and humid, and there are daily showers are the peak of the heat that last anywhere from a couple of minitues to and hour or so.

My family goes to China once in a while and while they tell me it is a lot nicer and cleaner now than before, it still isn't the place to bring all your fanciest clothes. Some more rural places still use "squat toilets. Also, you don't want to bring your nicest things to show off. If you're on a tour you'll undoubtedly get taken to shop in places where the price depends on what you look like you can afford. Also, the clothes run really really small in most instances. Try on before you buy.

That all said, I look forward to going myself as I hear it has improved a lot! I would recommend you bring shorts or capris. flat sandals and comfy walking shoes. no purses w/out zippers or some kind of closure. no backpack purses (i've had my wallet stolen once in a marketplace when my sister was right next to me - in a zippered bag!)

I say bring lots of camis and tanks, gauchos are a great idea, i personally like linen, sleevelss, and plenty to change a couple times a day. and extra underwear for the same reason.

hth

Collette · Chanel

My first thought would be a nice denim skirt

example

with a T for day time and then at night you can dress it up with something like this

I like the shoes you picked but I'm not thrilled with them in brown. I think you would be better off with a brighter pair of pumas. It's tought to pair a jersey dress with brown.

I think these pumas would be a bit more versatile and make an outfit more funky then frumpy

This dress by Ella Moss can be dressed up or down and it's jersey so it barely wrinkles

white denim mini from J Crew could definately be worn with tennies and a kitten heel slingback at night

again from J crew I have the skirt version and love it for travel it doesn't wrinkle like most linen I have with this cardigan over it for night

It's a start! Is this sort of what you are looking for?

Ok I have more now, I know you said no shorts but do you consider these shorts? This outfit would look great with puma/nike during day and heels at night

and here is a fun jersey dress

-- Edited by Collette at 15:46, 2005-06-06

Collette · Chanel

One more thing, if you are not set on Puma for sneakers I would really consider trying these on. They are the new Nike shoes. It's their run barefoot ones. They are meant to be worn without sox, they are really breathable for hot weather and sooo comfy, I just bought a pair myself for the summer. They come in a bunch of different color combos.

bex · Chanel

detroit: first of all, i am so jealous of your trip! have fun and please give a full report when you get back.

now onto the matter at hand. i travel a lot for my job and the things i love love love to pack are anything jersey knit. it doesn't wrinkle and i don't look like i just rolled off a plane or a car into my meetings. i have a pair of long jersey knit black pants and a pair of the "gauchos" (not rachel pally just some ebay pair) and i wear them a lot when i travel. i would say to bring one pair of black pants, a pair of black gauchos, a pair of jeans (you can roll them up to "capri" length) and perhaps a jersey knit dress for out on the town. the only person/people who will see the outfits are the people you are traveling with and since you can take those bottom basics and match anything with them- no one will notice. then on to tops, i would go with some sexy fun going out tops (maybe 3) and then lots of tees/tanks that are going to give you different combos for layering which makes each piece look different depending on what you wear it with.

as for the pumas, i like the goldish/tan pair, but i also dig some of the pairs that have been posted. i would say going to a B&M store would be your best bet and then you can get some ideas of different pumas that are out there for your trip.

i hope this helps. i pride myself on packing light. when i bought my tumi, the sales guy tried to talk me into the 26" and i was like no way man, i can totally handle the 22" and i can!

oh! if you do want an easy way to bring back lots of goodies, i would recommend getting a duffel bag that folds down to nothing (a travel store/luggage store should have them) and then you can fill it with your finds and bring it back as carry on or checked.

theotherjess · Chanel

I agree, I'd build your daytime looks around denim skirts, which I think would look much cuter with sneakers than a dress and also won't look wrinkly. Other than that you could just wear beaters or tshirts during the day and then pack a nice dress in a non-wrinkly material for nights or wear the skirts with some nicer tops.

rocky · Coach

I just wanted to warn you about wearing skirts to the Great Wall detroit. I went a few years ago with a friend, and the steps are extremely steep. My friend was wearing a skirt, and everyone could see up her skirt because of the steep incline. So bring at least 1 pair of shorts or cute underwear

tara t · Marc Jacobs

well, since i live in humidity hell, (south carolina) i feel as if i'm a pro at this stuff...

here are some things that i have bought recently that may work;

from express

and it's already wrinkled, so we don't need to worry about ironing :)

for night:

denim is an *okay* but i doesn't breath well, IMO

as for the pumas, i like them both and i don't think you'll look like an ass

jmango · Dooney & Bourke

i'm not much help on this topic, but i figured i would post some clothing options anyway-if you can find cotton gauze things, that may be a good option

both linen

jersey-also in purple/gray

as far as shoes,how about ballet flats as an option? I don't own a pair, but i've heard they are comfy and probably lightweight enough to carry a couple of colors, they will keep your toes covered like sneakers and u can find some cheap enough so that if you ruin them,u won't be upset

picture of ballet flat w/dress outfit idea

these are cool,cheap and neutral as well,$39 at laredoute

dressier shoe- in the brown with gold stitching-cute,neutral and ruinable as well at $75

hth!

shopgirl82 · Chanel

detroit, when i dated my bf long distance i was packing light and wrinkle free (i don't think he owned an iron!)... i found that the jersey material worked the best for me. i could roll it in a ball and it wouldn't wrinkle, also, if i get deordorant on it, i could wipe it with a wet towel. i found it at surprise surprise, bcbg (but i would try bcbg outlet if there is one by you because there was a ton from last year, i have a cute black skirt in mind), and also, max studio (i bought mine at tj maxx and marshalls).

i thought i would share my all time favorite traveling shoes...the brand is chaco, they don't fall off your feet, don't give you blisters (give you funky tan lines), not even the first time that you wear them. i have worn them on every vacation. they have been worn hiking, kayaking, and strolling the streets. they don't slip and slide when they are wet either.

Hermes

Thank you all so much for your tips and suggestions! Great clothing suggestions - I feel so much broader minded now about what to look for in the stores. I really like that travel dress too... hmmm...

I love the idea of the metallic flats vs. athletic shoes... I was able to find these (the rubber sole is good for walking and it looks like they have some cushioning):

berryahou35 · Dooney & Bourke

detroit wrote:

Gee. I am overwhelmed with the onslaught of responses. Thanks, ladies.

LOL!!¡@Anyway, I'm in Taiwan which has similar weather like Vivi said. I definitely agree with "don't bring anything flashy" because people really notice in a scary way. I don't know about China, but in Taiwan gauchos are very popular and it's alot cooler than regular capris because of the extra space. I know that in general people in China are very modest, so I wouldn't recomend halters, tubes, etc. The tiered skirt is a good option because it looks better wrinkled (at least mine does). Personally, I would rather wear flip flops than sneakers, but then again, the streets might be really dirty. As far as the heat, that's hard to combat. Alot of people bring umbrellas everywhere they go, so you'd fit right in! I personally don't use umbrellas that way, but I probably will when it gets too hot. HTH!

rlutz · Chanel

detroit-
I have those gold flats that you are considering...in silver...and they are very comfotable...they have a great rubber sole for traction and cushioning.... I wore mine walking a ton in London...