jaspertl

I'm starting to fine tune my packing list and am having trouble with what to take for "dress up". We'll probably go to a few nicer restaurants where I'll want something a little nicer then cargo pants and my merrells. ;0)

I really try to limit packing stuff...a 22" for 2 1/2 weeks has worked in the past nicely. I was hoping to wear the same things in both cities.

I know that Hong Kong is going to be much cooler than BKK. For both places I was hoping to bring a pair of linen pants, (natural color) a cable knit sweater and light jacket to wear out in Hong Kong, wearing the same thing in BKK minus the sweater and jacket...a cute cotton shirt for replacement.

My question is, is it OK to wear a light color linen in Hong Kong & BKK at this time of the season? Or do they dress seasonally?

jaspertl

OK...I think I've answered my own question.
I don't think linen is going to work in Hong Kong in winter.

Guess I'll stick with black jeans and layering for both cities.

Kristina

When are you going?
Bring linen (though it does wrinkle) or cotton pants for Bangkok. You will probably be uncomfortable in jeans. Bangkok will be much warmer than HK, even at night.

jaspertl

we leave next thursday....i was hoping to get away with one outfit for both places.....

Kathie

I don't think one outfit will work for both. Jeans are way too hot for Bangkok.

jaspertl

I know I've read jeans are too hot....but....listen to this...!

these aren't denim...they're a lighter weight black cotton jean straight leg to be worn only at night...

now how do you like it???

might that work? with a light weight top and ballet flats for BKK and a sweater and light jacket for HK?
I'm thinking highball (don't cha love that word) at the Penn/Oriental or tea at the Penn in HK.

Cicerone

Sorry I could not log on at all yesterday, was frustrating. Yes, women in Hong Kong dress seasonally (we have wool, boots, turtlenecks and winter coats on currently, I wore <i>gloves</i> on Sunday for hiking but that was unusual). If you are bringing linen pants, I would bring black linen rather than wearing a light colour (even the linen is not really worn now, but in black won’t be so noticeable, I assume they are not capris). The black cotton pants you described would also be fine, as again the material would not be so noticeable. You probably don’t want to bring boots just for a few days in Hong Kong, but if this really cold weather continues through next week, ballet flats make my feet cold just thinking about it. It is hard to predict the weather of course, but generally Jan is our coldest month, and temps at night are cooler still. Even normal daytime temps are only in the mid-60s F (it has been in the low 50s since late last week.) You may want a shawl (they are good for the plane rides as well, I always find the planes freezing. I don’t mean a small pashmina, I mean a larger/heavier wrap shawl or ruina.)

jaspertl

OK....ballet flats with wool socks?
just kidding...

I'll bring a comfortable loafer. that should do it.

thanks so much for all the input...


10 days!!

rhkkmk

karen wears linen and cotton all the time in bkk...slacks and capris...she does not take a dress or skirt any more and we go to very nice places....bkk is very casual..

HK is a bit more formal in fancy places we find....not jeans at nite in a nice restaurant...but then last weekend we were at a very nice boston restaurant and all the 30-somethings had jeans on...

a shell or blouse works well at nite in bkk...a wrap too for the a/c...

rhkkmk

btw , K used a 22&quot; for 8 weeks in SEA last spring

jaspertl

K's got the right idea. Once you start packing light you never go back.

thanks guys! &amp; and gals!