Checklist of what to wear and what to bring when to Hawaii. Also introducing recommended items from fashion magazine editors [Women's Edition]

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A magazine editor talks about the charms of Hawaii, women's edition. The advisor this time is Maki Shinjo, an editor and writer at the fashion magazine "CanCam". She has visited Hawaii several times for work and for personal reasons, but usually on a whirlwind schedule of 3 nights and 5 days. She says that even if she has to make the trip in between her busy schedule, she never compromises on the preparations for the trip, and her words show the attention to detail that only a fashion editor can have.

Maki Shinjo

Editor/Writer
After working at a major bank, she became a freelance editor and writer. She currently works on directing photo shoots and writing pages for women's fashion magazines, mainly for the magazine "CanCam" (Shogakukan). She also writes for web media and corporate advertisements, and produces social media for corporations, among other activities.

instagram@maki_shinjo

1. My rules for enjoying the "outside of the ordinary"

"The scorching sun, the gentle sound of the waves, the easygoing and cheerful locals... Hawaii is the perfect place for me to enjoy my time off. Because of my job, I'm usually pressed for time, so during my stay I'm not tied down to anything and can just do what I want." (Shinjo, same below)

Shinjo says that the most important thing to enjoy an extraordinary trip 100% is to "select a hotel" and "prepare for the trip." As you would expect from someone who works for the fashion magazine "CanCam" aimed at trend-conscious women in their 20s, he seems to be particularly picky when it comes to choosing items and places.

Hotel selection

Shinjo-san is often in charge of planning trips, and the first time he visited Hawaii it was for work.
"My trips to Hawaii are usually three nights and five days long, so I usually choose a hotel in the heart of Waikiki. There are so many hotels in Waikiki that I get excited just thinking about where to stay every time.

I like to enjoy a fresh stay each time, so I usually try two hotels on one trip. If you choose a hotel in the center of Waikiki, it's generally within walking distance, so you don't have to worry about the hassle of traveling or losing time. I recommend choosing hotels in different locations, such as on the beach and in the city, so you can enjoy the differences."

Moana Surfrider Westin Resort

"The view from the Diamond Ocean Front rooms is like paradise. You can immerse yourself in Hawaii all the time, even while you're in the room. The sound of the waves when you open the window is the best background music. You can spend a blissful time gazing outside or dozing off in a rocking chair."

The Laylow Autograph Collection
"Since its opening in 2017, this hotel has been getting a lot of attention in travel magazines and word of mouth, and I've always wanted to stay there. This room has a stylish Monstera pattern on the wall, and I would especially recommend it to women. The colorful, pop interior and playful amenities are also exciting."

Travel preparations

"The moment I pack my belongings into my favorite trunk is the happiest moment," says Shinjo. For her, a trip may begin from the moment she packs.
The trunk is 21 inches in size. It may seem a little small for overseas travel, but the clothes I'm taking to Hawaii are thin and not bulky, and they can be compressed to make them even more compact. Also, this size is enough for a 3-night, 5-day trip.

"My favorite trunk has been my travel companion for the past few years. I love the simple color scheme and design that goes with any color. I'd like to continue taking it to many different places."

Inside the trunk

As you can see, packing everything into separate bags makes it very neat. What's more, if you select a stylish pouch, preparation can be fun.

"I store my belongings in packing pouches or drawstring bags. I separate my clothes, underwear, cosmetics, and other items, so it's convenient to be able to quickly take out what I need. I also keep compression bags on hand."

For carry-on bags, it is recommended to use a large canvas tote that can store a lot of things. The opening is wide, making it easy to put things in and take them out, and it can be handled more roughly than a designer bag, so it is not a problem even if you place it directly on the floor.

"It's big, so it's useful for many things; you can put a neck pillow in it when you go there, and souvenirs that have overflowed from your trunk when you come back. You can also use it to put towels and other things in when you go to the beach."

2. Make Hawaii twice as fun! Selecting clothes and accessories from a female perspective

Fashion is one of the tools that makes a trip more exciting. You can enjoy it without being particular about it, but if you are particular about it, you will be more satisfied. So, what kind of items should you choose to make your trip to Hawaii more enjoyable? We asked Shinjo-san from the perspective of a fashion editor.

Resort-worthy dress

"If you've come all the way to Hawaii, you'll want to wear something that captures the summer vibe. I always bring a resort dress with me. I buy one for every trip, so each dress is filled with memories of that time. I encourage you to try colors and patterns that you wouldn't normally wear. In fact, clothes that are a little too flashy can lift your spirits and look great in photos, matching the Hawaiian scenery. It's also nice to be able to wear one dress without having to think about coordinating it."

"I wore the yellow dress to Lanikai Beach, known as the 'Heavenly Sea.' It matched the blue sea and sky and was extremely photogenic! It opens in the front, so it's convenient to take off quickly when you're wearing a swimsuit underneath and heading to the beach. But... I got so excited that I forgot to take my clothes off and dived into the sea (lol). I paired the black patterned dress with heeled sandals for a more mature look, and will wear it when I go to dinner at a hotel."

Swimwear

"Swimsuits are a must-have item in Hawaii. You can buy them locally, but rather than waste time looking for a swimsuit, you want to get to the beach as soon as possible. Also, it can be hard to find one that fits you, so it's best to bring something you're used to wearing. If you want to relax and swim around Waikiki, I highly recommend the Sheraton Waikiki Infinity Edge Pool."

"This pool, which appears to blend in with the ocean, is an adults-only pool that is only available to hotel guests aged 16 and over. I'd love to relax in it while looking out at Diamond Head."

Thin and lightweight shirt

"The air conditioning on the plane and in restaurants is so strong that it's cold, so I always bring something to throw on. A cardigan is fine, but I personally recommend a denim shirt. The casual, rough feel of a denim shirt matches the atmosphere of Hawaii, and it looks good with almost any outfit. A looser fit makes it more modern, so it's best to buy one size larger than usual. You can wear a women's large or a men's small."

Mini bag and sunglasses

"The bag I'll be using locally is a mini-sized one that can hold just my wallet, smartphone, and mobile phone charger. If you're thinking about storing it in your trunk, it's better if it's not too gusseted, but this bag folds up flat, which is very convenient. I also like the basket material, which has a great summer vibe. The sun is strong in Hawaii, so sunglasses are essential. That said, I don't need it to be super functional. Something that I can carry as a fashion accessory with a stylish feel is fine."

Thick Bottom

"Items made from soft, flowing fabrics are perfect for traveling because they don't wrinkle easily even when folded. They're smooth and don't stick to the skin, so you can feel the comfortable breeze of Hawaii as you walk around. They're easy to move your legs in, and they're cooler than pants that fit tightly against the skin. Plus, soft bottoms usually have elastic waists, so they're comfortable to wear."

3 types of shoes

"When I go to and from the airport, I wear sneakers and bring two pairs of sandals with me. I choose flat sandals that are not made entirely of rubber but have a more casual design so that I can wear them both on the beach and in town. I use flat heeled sandals depending on the occasion. Hawaii doesn't have a very strict dress code, but I still want to be mindful of the time, place, and occasion. Simple and light sandals don't take up much space when I'm packing."

3. Useful moisturizing items

Shinjo-san says that Hawaii is fun, but the dryness caused by the sun is a problem. When we asked her what would be useful to bring, she told us about some moisturizing beauty items.

In-flight moisturizing items

"It gets dry on the plane, so I want to make sure I'm moisturizing properly. I select mini-sized items to take on board. The mist lotion is 50g, within the regulations, and is fragrance-free, so I always try to be considerate of those around me. The polish oil is a dual-purpose type that can moisturize both hair and skin. I often use it on dry fingertips. The lip balm contains macadamia nut oil, which is said to be closest to human sebum, and is also fragrance-free."

Local use/moisturizing items

"In Hawaii, where the sun shines brightly all year round, hair damage and dryness are even more of a concern than in Japan. This hair serum is perfect for times like this. The organic plant ingredients provide plenty of moisture to hair damaged by UV rays and dryness. Immediately after applying, your hair will look wet and shiny, which I think is a great fit for the beachside atmosphere. What's amazing is that even though it's so moisturizing, it doesn't make your hands feel sticky."

Souvenirs: Coconut cosmetics

"The Marc Jacobs cosmetics line is sold at SEPHORA. It hasn't arrived in Japan yet, so I buy it every time I go to Hawaii. The makeup base "Coconut Primer" is one of my favorites and I've been buying it on repeat since my first visit to Hawaii a few years ago. You can buy it outside of Hawaii, but it's become a standard souvenir for me when I'm there. By the way, SEPHORA's original "Coconut" face mask and lip balm have a cute tropical design, so I often buy them as small gifts to give to others. I highly recommend coconut cosmetics, which have moisturizing and skin-beautifying effects."

4. A versatile pouch for grooming

It takes time for women to groom themselves. What's more, they use a lot of cosmetics, bath products, hair care products, accessories, and other items, so storing them can be a struggle. Is there a trick to keeping them all neat and compact?

Amenity pouch

"The amenity pouch, which we also introduced as one of the contents of the trunk, spreads out flat into three layers when opened. It has an S-hook at the end, so you can hang it on the bathroom counter and still use it, and it takes up very little space. The outside is cotton and the inside is polyester, so it's easy to wash if it gets dirty. I use it to store my cosmetics and bath products, and it's really convenient because I can store everything in one container. It has pockets, so you can store medicine and other small items as well."

Jewelry Pouch

"The flat interior is lined with storage pockets. Delicate accessories tend to get lost easily, but having this gives me peace of mind. I also store the accessories I bought in Hawaii right away in this bag. It doesn't become too thick even when closed, so it's easy to store things neatly."

What did you think? We hope you will take inspiration from Shinjo's advice that "the fun of traveling begins with packing" and enjoy a wonderful stay in Hawaii.