JoshI wasn’t looking for a wardrobe refresh. In fact, I was supposed to be cleaning out my closet.
You know how it goes. I pulled everything out, made a pile for donations, got distracted halfway through, and somehow ended up browsing online instead.
Not exactly productive, but that’s when I stumbled across some Japanese-inspired clothing and found myself going down a bit of a rabbit hole.
At first, I was just curious. I’ve always loved seeing how people dress when we travel. One of my favorite things about visiting a new place is noticing how different fashion can be from what I see at home. It feels like every country has its own personality, and clothing is often part of that.
Before long, I found myself bookmarking pieces and imagining what they’d be like to wear on our next family trip.
The Reality of Getting Dressed as a Mom
Can we just acknowledge something?
Most moms are not getting dressed for glamorous lives. I’m getting dressed for school drop-offs, grocery shopping, cleaning the kitchen for the third time that day, and occasionally trying to look presentable enough for a coffee date with a friend. There was a time when I bought clothes because they looked good on a model. Now I buy clothes based on a much more practical question:
“Will I actually wear this?”
That’s why I immediately liked a lot of the Japanese t shirts I came across. They felt different from the usual shirts I see everywhere, but they were still wearable for everyday life. I could picture myself wearing one while wandering around a new city, sitting in an airport, or even just running errands at home. That’s usually a good sign.
The Thing I Didn’t Think I’d Like
I’ll be honest. When I first saw a japanese mesh jersey, I wasn’t convinced. It looked cool, but I wasn’t sure it was really my style. Then I started imagining it as a travel piece. And suddenly it made perfect sense.
Travel days are long. You’re sitting on planes, carrying bags, chasing children through airports, and trying to stay comfortable while still looking vaguely like a functioning adult.
The older I get, the more I appreciate clothing that feels easy. Not boring. Just easy. The kind of thing you can wear all day without thinking about it.
Why I Always End Up Packing Dresses
Every holiday, I tell myself I’m going to pack light. And every holiday, I somehow bring more dresses than I need. I can’t help it, they are just so easy.
A japanese dress is exactly the kind of thing I love taking on a trip because it’s basically an entire outfit in one piece. No matching required. No standing in front of a suitcase wondering what goes with what. You put it on and you’re done.
As someone who spends most mornings trying to remember whether anyone has PE, swimming lessons, or a school project due that day, reducing decisions wherever possible feels like a win.
I’ve Stopped Trying to Dress Like Someone Else
I think one of the best things about getting older is that you care less about what you’re supposed to wear.
In my twenties, I bought things because they were fashionable. In my thirties, I started buying things because they were practical. Now I look for the sweet spot somewhere in the middle. I want clothes that are comfortable, but I also want them to feel interesting.
I want pieces that fit my actual life, not the imaginary version of myself who attends rooftop parties and somehow manages to keep white clothing clean.
The real me is usually carrying snacks, looking for a missing water bottle, or answering a question about dinosaurs. And honestly, that’s fine.
The Clothes We Wear Tell Stories
One of the reasons I love travel is because it introduces you to things you might never discover otherwise. A new food becomes a family favorite. A tiny café becomes your favorite memory from the trip. A style of clothing catches your eye and suddenly you’re curious about something you never paid attention to before.
Fashion doesn’t have to be serious. Sometimes it’s simply a reminder of a place you’ve visited or a culture you’ve enjoyed learning about.
For me, that’s what makes finding something a little different so much fun.
Not because it’s trendy. Not because it’s fashionable. But because it adds a little personality to the everyday. And honestly, after years of dressing for practicality, I think there’s something nice about that.