BEFORE YOU LAND
Will clothes bought in LA look odd in Taipei?
That amazing jacket you bought in LA? Worn once back in Taipei. This breaks down why things look off (humidity, occasions, how people look at you, weather), then sorts what works in both cities, what should stay in LA, and what works in both with a small tweak.
Translated from Jasmine’s original Chinese. The illustrated slides are on the interactive reader.
Key points
- Why does it look off? ① Humidity: For Taipei, pick linen, thin cotton, quick-dry.
- Why does it look off? ② The occasion: Pair a matching set with a shirt or a blazer and it works for a Taipei commute too.
- What works in both cities: Basics are a migratory bird's best friend.
Full text
Why does it look off? ① Humidity
LA is dry, so heavy cotton, knits and leather all feel great; Taipei is humid, and that same heavy tee is stuck to you ten minutes after you step out. For Taipei, pick linen, thin cotton, quick-dry.
Why does it look off? ② The occasion
In LA, workout clothes go to brunch, meetings and the airport; in Taipei, workout clothes usually just mean you're working out. Pair a matching set with a shirt or a blazer and it works for a Taipei commute too.
Why does it look off? ③ How people look at you
In LA, nobody's watching what you wear; in Taipei, dress too wild and people on the MRT will look twice. 'In LA it's being yourself; in Taipei it might be "what's up with her today?"'
Why does it look off? ④ The weather
LA swings a lot between morning and night, so a jacket is a must; Taipei summers are too hot for a jacket, then the AC indoors is arctic. Both cities need a light jacket, for totally different reasons.
What works in both cities
Good-fabric white and black tees, a linen shirt, straight-leg jeans (except in Taipei summer), a light blazer, clean sneakers, one good tote. Basics are a migratory bird's best friend.
What should stay in LA
UGGs and suede (Taipei rain will ruin them), heavy knits (two months of wear a year in Taipei), a very matchy yoga set (people will ask 'are you heading to class?'), a giant straw hat.
What only works in Taipei
A good compact umbrella, waterproof shoes, quick-dry breathable clothes, a light jacket that fits in your bag for the AC, and comfy walking sandals.
Tweak it and it works in both
Swap a shirt over your matching workout set; a denim jacket is your evening layer in LA and your AC layer in Taipei; a dress goes with sandals and a straw bag in LA, sneakers and an umbrella in Taipei.
The migratory bird's two closets
The LA closet holds jackets, knits, workout clothes, denim; the Taipei one holds breathable, lightweight, easy-wash, quick-dry. Flying back and forth, bring only basics plus one or two 'I want to wear this this time' pieces.
The migratory bird's suitcase formula
Don't bring what both closets already have, only what you'll wear this trip, and leave half the space for the way back. 'The lighter the suitcase, the more you feel like you're walking between two homes.'
What people will say when you're back in Taipei
'Why are you wearing so little?' 'Aren't you hot like that?' 'Are you going to work out?' Dress too casually and you'll also get 'so American.'
Two-city mirror
In LA, I dress like I'm headed to the beach; in Taipei, I dress like it could rain any minute, and both are me. 'Living between two cities, even my closet learned two languages.'
In this series
- The LA Weather Dress Code
- Dress Like the Neighborhood
- LA's effortless look actually has a formula
- One suitcase, one week of LA outfits
An original JSLALALAND field guide by Jasmine Chang (@jslalaland).