What My Fancy Mom Packed for Japan

Fancy Mom is going on a Fancy Trip.

Ok, so more housekeeping - just like I’m starting a Your Mom sub-substack, I’m starting a Fancy Mom section. I’m going to be sending a lot more missives from Fancy Mom, as well as content targeted towards “ladies of a certain age.” If you want to opt-in for those letters, go to this link, and toggle Fancy Mom “on” in your notifications.

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My Fancy Mom came to LA this week for basically one day, on a layover to a ONCE IN A LIFETIME trip to Japan. She’s going to spend about a week in Tokyo, a week in Kyoto, and then a week hiking and staying at all kinds of neat little Hidden Places. It’s a long trip, and because of all the shuffling around, she didn’t want to pack too much stuff.

You can read all about My Fancy Mom here.

I’m not going to get into what she’s wearing to hike, aside from she’s packing these pants, some old Patagonia hiking pants, two sun shirts, two tank tops, and two tee shirts, but we had a lot of fun today going through her suitcase, editing out things she’s over-packed, and putting together looks for her to wear in the cities. I’m so jealous of her I could die.

She and I have been going back and forth about this for weeks (I offer travel packing consultations for my styling clients…. you can email me (lp@laurel-pantin.com) about working with me one on one) and we were really fixated on keeping her packing A) edited, and B) versatile. We also had a lot of conversations about footwear.

Fancy Mom does not want to look schlubby and like a super American in sneakers everywhere, but at the end of the day, this was my advice to her - and maybe the wisest words I’ve ever spoken: If your feet hurt, your back will hurt, and if your feet and back are hurting, your trip is going to be a nightmare no matter how wonderful it is. Just wear the comfortable shoes and get on with it.

And ultimately, that’s what’s happening. Here’s what she’s packed, and the looks we put together.