As a lot of you already know, I LOVE traveling. I know I’m being basic when I say that cos literally every girl has that on their list of hobbies, BUT I truly love the feeling of being in a foreign place among strangers of different cultures. Perhaps it’s that freeing feeling of not being needed by anyone anywhere, or perhaps it’s that feeling of gratefulness that comes when you realize your own problems are not so big when compared to the vastness of the world that lies beyond your own. Or perhaps it’s just a much-needed shake-up to the same ‘ol day-to-day schedule.
No matter the reason, one thing I know for sure is I always learn something new when I travel, which is why I choose to spend my summers abroad. I’ve already mentioned this on the blog, but this summer I’m interning at an entertainment company called Mingyian in Shanghai, China!!
Another reason why I love traveling is the WARDROBE!!! Lol might not come as a surprise to you guys ahaha… Packing my travel wardrobe is always the best and worst part, confused?? Lemme eggsplain. I like to compare packing my travel wardrobe to planning a capsule wardrobe. With a capsule, the goal is to utilize pieces that you can make many combinations with, thus you only have a handful of pieces hanging on your rack. When packing your suitcase, you don’t have that much space, so of course you can only pack a handful of clothing. This is when packing for travel becomes frustrating. I spend half a day just standing in front of my closet assessing the situation and trying to envision all the outfits I can create with each piece. The pieces that I can make the most combos with are the ones I take along with me. I’m often so torn because I wanna take all my clothes but I have to choose very wisely.
On the flip side, I love packing my travel wardrobe because it gives me an excuse to be as extra as I can and wear outfits I normally wouldn’t be able to at home. This is when I can express my creativity to the max! The other day, I decided to do a photoshoot with all the outfits I packed for my Shanghai trip and it took so. much. longer. than I thought it would cuz I found I could create more outfit combos than I originally thought. After 3 hours of shooting, I got tired so this isn’t even the full potential of my Shanghai wardrobe. But I thought it’d be fun to show you guys (as well as myself) all the possible outfits I could create, and out of that was birthed… my Shanghai lookbook!! Enjoy!
~ M Y S H A N G H A I L O O K B O O K ~
let’s start simple!! this is a v casual bell-sleeve top paired with vintage high-rise denim shorts. i would wear this if i was simply going to the market downstairs and nowhere else.
TOP: some small boutique in Taiwan
SHORTS: Forever 21
SHOES: Rose gold firks from Target
betchu couldn’t guess that my top is actually a swimsuit hehe! I doubled this one-shoulder swimsuit from Amazon as a bodysuit and it actually works! We love repurposing things!!
TOP: Amazon
SHORTS: Forever 21
SHOES: Target
i’m going on a picnic!! Is what i’m communicating with this outfit.
TOP: Levi’s
RUFFLE CAMI: H&M
PANTS: Everlane
SHOES: Target
mocknecks in summer?? Practical? No. Cute? Totally.
TOP: Uniqlo
PANTS: Everlane
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Target
one of my absolute favs!!! a v classic + preppy look! Also flatters my body’s natural silhouette IMO
TOP: Everlane
PANTS: Uniqlo
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Adidas
did someone say… business casual??
TOP: Elle
PANTS: Uniqlo
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Daphne (a shoe store in China)
oversized blazers?? we love her. slowly growing my collection of blazers
CAMI: Target
BLAZER: Target
PANTS: Uniqlo
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Daphne
i look lyk a minimalist, sustainability-loving millennial. that is all.
TOP: Everlane
PANTS: Everlane
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Target
if you didn’t know, i’m a big supporter of button-downs. mkay now you know.
TOP: Tommy Hilfiger
PANTS: Old Navy
SHOES: Payless (RIP)
believe me when I say that everyone can pull off denim on denim. it just takes a little courage + boldness + confidence.
TOP: thrifted from Buffalo Exchange
PANTS: Old Navy
SHOES: Target
ready!! to explore the jungle!!! lol not really
TOP: Everlane
SHORTS: Uniqlo
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Target
still tryna figure out how to wear this uber-sheer top, but this’ll do for now.
CAMI: Target
TOP: Target
PANTS: Old Navy
SHOES: Payless
luv how this is both flirty and business-y!! getchu an outfit that can do both!!
TOP: Uniqlo
BLAZER: Target
SKIRT: Kohl’s
SHOES: Target
a v classic gingham summer lewk
TOP: Uniqlo
PANTS: Buffalo Exchange
SHOES: Target
y’all lavender is my love language. perfect color to make any outfit look cute n sweet!
TOP: Uniqlo
SKIRT: Charlotte Russe (used to be a tulle skirt, but i took off all the tulle layers until only the liner skirt was left)
SHOES: Target
again with the lavender… fact: I get uncomfy wearing sleeveless pieces so i normally layer a shirt underneath (with a few exceptions)
TOP: Uniqlo
DRESS: Banana Republic
SHOES: Daphne
a gingham lover’s dream!! I love that this dress goes all the way to my mid-calf and love the extra ruffle detailing at the hem!
TOP: Uniqlo
DRESS: Loft
SHOES: Payless
wasn’t sure about the square neckline, but i actually really like how it flatters my neck! also love this muted pink color, so adorbs!!
DRESS: Target
SHOES: Adidas
this is the exception i was talking bout. idk why i’m ok with this one. maybe cuz it’s the best way to accentuate the coveralls??
BUCKET HAT: Amazon
TANK: Target
COVERALLS: MyStyle (a store in China)
SHOES: Daphne
newspaper boy?? is that you?? the hat is called a newsboy hat and the pants are called paperbag pants. hMmMmMm. i’m sensing a theme…
HAT: Amazon
TOP: Uniqlo
PANTS: Madewell
SHOES: Target
a clean n classic lewk. just the way i like it!
TOP: Uniqlo
PANTS: Old Navy
SHOES: Target
there’s a lotta things going on here… we got the newsboy look and also a throwback fashion vibe??? but it works????
HAT: Amazon
CAMI: probably Target?? I forget hehe
BUTTON-DOWN: my dad’s closet
SHORTS: Forever 21
SHOES: Target
we goin to the beach, amigas + amigos!!! except i’m not a huge fan of beaches lele
BUCKET HAT: Amazon
SUNNIES: Target
SHIRT: Buffalo Exchange
BUTTON-DOWN: my dad’s closet
SHORTS: Forever 21
BELT: Amazon
SHOES: Adidas
a very girly vibe fo sho. one of my favorite colors to wear is blue if you couldn’t tell
TOP: Dressbarn
SKIRT: Target
SHOES: Daphne
ending this lookbook with a simply chic lewk. i thrifted these flare jeans for $3!!
SUNNIES: Target
TOP: Uniqlo
PANTS: Goodwill
SHOES: Adidas
lol i like how just based on this lookbook, you can tell the stores i frequent the most. anyways, thanks for joining me on this fun fashion experiment. see y’all next time!!
~jo