From the Flight to Vintage Shops, Here Are 4 Essential Outfits I Packed for Tokyo

Welcome to Weekday Wardrobe, a series in which one Who What Wear editor or staffer will snap a pic of the outfits they wear from Monday to Friday. We’ll break down where you can shop it all to inspire your own everyday style, no matter what’s on your weekly agenda.

If you’ve been looking for a sign to book a trip to Tokyo, take this and run with it. I’ve heard my colleagues sing the praises of Tokyo’s food, culture, vintage shopping, and immaculate public transportation, and I am so pleased to report the rumors are true. It was as close to a perfect trip as it gets. I am returning from this experience refreshed, inspired, and plotting plans to return again, but before I hop back on a flight, I have to share the details with you all. From the flight to vintage shopping, hotel hopping, and eating the most delicious food of my life, here’s everything I wore on my trip to Tokyo.

Thanks to United Polaris, this was the first time I deplaned a flight feeling refreshed and ready to take on a day full of exploration. Door to door, it took about 16 hours to get from NYC to Tokyo, and I think I nailed the perfect airport outfit. I’m not a PJs-on-a-plane kind of girl, no matter the length of the flight, so I chose a look that balanced comfort and style. The base of my outfit was a butter-soft tee from ALO and comfortable lounge pants from Vuori. To top it off I added a cozy cashmere sweater and a barn jacket so that once I got to Tokyo, I could check into our hotel, enjoy afternoon tea, and still feel put-together. United Airlines has a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, so the first hotel I checked into was the Autograph Collection’s Mesm Tokyo. From the lobby and rooms being decorated with bespoke Japanese art to an afternoon tea experience inspired by the famous artwork, this hotel is a beautiful introduction to what makes Tokyo such a special place.

The next day was my first full day dedicated to shopping. Don’t worry, I saw important cultural sites as well, but I wouldn’t be a fashion editor without scoping out Tokyo’s shopping scene. My phone counted about 20k steps that day, and not once did I feel uncomfortable in my choice of footwear and apparel. I could live in these Levi’s jeans, the sneakers supported my feet, and my Melie Bianco bag held everything I needed without feeling heavy on my shoulder. This look can be shopped out below, but here are my favorite stores I visited: Johnbull (Harajuku), Qoo Vintage (Shibuya City), and any of the thrift stores in Shimokitazawa and Omotesando.

After only a few days in Tokyo, I was already influenced to dress in more oversize clothing. Everywhere you looked, there would be a stylish local in an outfit that was just the right amount of baggy. This combination of a sporty sweatshirt and comfortable cargo pants—paired with my trusty Onitsuka Tigers—survived another day of walking, eating, and lugging my suitcase to our next hotel: The Westin. This chic hotel is located in the upscale Ebisu district of Tokyo, which I recommend staying in to have easy access to the train, cozy restaurants, and Haneda airport.

I mixed and matched every look I’ve shared in this story, but this last outfit was my most worn. Denim on denim is the most true to my personal style and, once again, it was great for travel. This day was all about traditional Japanese cuisine, from The Westin’s Restaurant Mai to Context Tour’s Shibuya food crawl. Plus, I had to make one last pit stop at Amore (Omotesando) to admire its wide selection of Chanel bags.