Since I’m still in a drawing obsession, I thought I’d illustrate a packing guide for Taipei, as this is where I’m settled for the rest of fall and into winter. (Mainly, I just wanted to draw some clothes and other girly things :P.)
I think fall is a lovely time to visit Taipei (just make sure it’s past typhoon season!). The weather is cooler, there’s a nice breeze, and the sun is not so harsh. It’s still a bit humid, but completely bearable without the added discomfort of a blazing sun.
Soooo, what to pack? Below, you’ll find my recommendations, guaranteed to make you fit in with the locals! Some of these items are my tried and true, while some are what I wish I had.
click for full size
1. A pair of flats | Flats are my everyday go-to shoes, and I love love love the Crocs Adrina jelly flats!! These are hands down the most comfortable (and durable) shoes I’ve ever owned. These have accompanied me all over the world, including to the Great Wall! I was devastated when I accidentally left mine behind in Los Angeles (despite them having completely faded), but no worries, another pair is on its way to me! In black, this time :)
2. An anorak | It is still quite humid in fall, so you may find that a light jacket is all you need to keep warm. An anorak will fit in with the local girls perfectly! I paired it here with a navy striped tee. Just pack a few layers, including a long sleeve, and you’ll be fine.
3. A purse | Pretty self-explanatory… what girl would leave the house without a purse? I selected a very bohemian fringed one, as I see so many of these cute bags at local night markets.
4. Hair accessories | Go as wild as you want in this category! Anything goes in Taipei… big bows, headbands, flower clips, bunny ear scrunchies…
5. A little dress | As it’s still a little warm, I’m getting a lot of uses out of my dresses. Slip on a pair of semi-opaque black tights underneath for slightly cooler weather. This one here is a romantic, flowy, gauzy little black dress with cut-out shoulders I spotted at my local night market (and kind of regret not purchasing).
6. Black leggings | It may be cold some days, but since it’s still humid, I do not want to put on jeans. Leggings will always be my bottom of choice. I absolutely love mine from American Apparel. Almost two years and still looks brand new. (But winter could get pretty cold, so pack those jeans as well!)
7. Makeup | Most girls in Taipei don’t wear much makeup. You’ll probably find that all you need is some eyeliner, mascara, and colored chapstick (I love the Fresh Sugar butter sticks
8. An umbrella | You never know when it’s going to rain during this season, so be prepared with a small purse umbrella. Okay, to be honest, I have a rain shell so I don’t pack an umbrella (and my airbnb provides them), but I couldn’t resist drawing a cute umbrella! And since this is Taipei, you can go as cute as you want! A cute umbrella is actually a good accessory for any season in Taipei, because girls use it to shield the sun also.
9. A camera | To take pictures of your amazing Taiwan adventures, of course. :) I recently bought the Cannon Powershot G7 and I LOVE it! It’s the perfect pocket size but has all these amazing features like a pro camera.
10. Walkable sneakers | Taipei and the surrounding areas have a ton of hiking locations, so you’ll want some comfy walking shoes. These colorful Onitsuka Tiger Serranos are another recent purchase and new love. Sneakers have never been so fun!
11. Sunglasses | Taipei is quite overcast at this time, but I still can’t go without packing sunglasses. I’m a Ray-Ban Wayfarers
12. A puffer | Since winter in Taipei could get unpredictably cold, it’s smart to pack a warmer jacket. My pick is a puffer (Uniqlo sells a few puffer styles in a crazy assortment of colors at very reasonable prices) since it’s super light, very warm, and practically packs down to nothing.
13. Smart phone | Another obvious one… Make sure to download the Line app, since it’s the locals’ favorite way of communicating!
What else would you add?
P.S. For a better guide of what to pack when visiting Taiwan, check out Ink + Adventure’s very detailed guide.
P.P.S. Some links are affiliates. If you click and purchase through the link, I will receive a small commission that helps with the upkeep of this site. You are charged nothing extra!
P.P.P.S. Illustration done with ink on paper and digital color.
I just wanted to say I’ve been loving your illustrations! What a marvellous idea x
Thanks so much Andrea! I’m having way too much fun doing them!
I’m loving your illustrations Anna, you’re so talented! My friend just had her Chinese wedding banquet in Hong Kong last month and just before it, she spent some time in Taipei and was telling me how much I’d love the desserts out there :) I’m all about the flat shoes so must try those jelly crocs and I also love having little dresses which can be transformed into winter attire with a pair of tights, a cardigan and a couple of other layers when the weather starts to change!
Thanks Shikha! I wear dresses practically year round too :). And yessss, I love the jelly crocs so much!! They’re seriously the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I can walk for miles in them, and even walked the Great Wall with no problems! And I think they’re really cute too. :)
Such a cute post.. and very useful for my trip in December/January! :)
Thanks Christine, I’m glad you found it useful! I’m not sure how cold it’ll get in Dec/Jan, but I heard that last year was really cold, while the year before, people were still wearing shorts. So bring layers!
Oh gosh, I am loving these illustration posts so much :D Love your new camera, I have a Sony that is similar; fits in my pocket but shoots like a DSLR :D
Thanks Marcella! Yeah, I’m loving my new smaller sized camera… so much easier to walk around with!
In Malaysia, umbrella is a MUST. You’d look like an idiot wearing a rain shell here. Plus it doesn’t work, the rains here can sometimes get brutal.
Ooh it is rainy in mid-Jan to mid-March? Maybe I’d better buy a purse umbrella before going there…
It can get rainy at any time of the year. You never know.
I’m not sure if you should get one from Taipei. Last time I bought an umbrella back from China, it was no good. The skinny frame could not handle the heavier rains here. You should probably look into getting one from here.
Yes!!!! I’m so with you. And so excited you’re becoming such a Taipei expert! The puffer jacket is a definite must… I went one year stupidly with just a few sweaters and boy was I cold! I’d even add a warm winter hat and possibly a scarf to the list ;)
Good additions! A scarf is good to have for any trip because it’s so versatile. I just bought a Uniqlo puffer to prepare for this winter, and I kinda can’t wait to wear it!
I’m preparing this kind of hypothetical trip to Asia for 2017 and I would looove to visit Taipei! Thanks for the guide – will definitely pin this for later :)
Oooh I hope that trip happens!! And I’m so happy that Taipei is on that list. It’s one of my favorite cities!
P.P.P.P.S I couldn’t resist reading this post just to look at your cute pictures!
Hehe thanks Kerri! Plenty more to come, since it’s all I do these days :P.
Anna… I love your drawings!!!! Some of them look SO real!!! :) I also use a good compact camera, small size and great quality, and have a uniqlo puffer, they’re great!!!
Thanks for sharing, and keep drawing :)
Have a nice weekend!
Thanks so much Laia!! I have more to come! I just bought a Uniqlo puffer and can’t wait to make use of it! I’ve been wanting a puffer for ages, and I couldn’t believe how cheap they were!
Is this the photoshop watercolor thing you were talking about?! and haha despite one opening in Chicago, I still haven’t check out a Uniqlo. I need to see what the big deal is!!
Yessss… this is all digital colored :). I’m still practicing and trying to get better (and faster, lol!). This was the first time I went to a Uniqlo. It’s not really my style because the clothes just seem really basic and plain, but they did have a great selection of cheap puffers! I love mine hehe.
I just went into one today! And it kinda is my style actually. I’m really into basics lately. The way they package things is just so neat and Japanese hahah.
What a cute post! Definitely agree with you on the hair accessories! There were so many cute hair accessories like huge bows and headbands when I was there that I bought a few, but in the US, no one wears them! And omg umbrellas are a must in Taiwan. I went through five of them during the five months I was there because they kept breaking, I kept losing them, and people kept stealing them!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, Lauren! :) I know… I bought so many hair accessories in Taipei and mainland China! That’s so cool that you lived in Taiwan for 5 months! Is it your home country? I really love Taiwan a lot!
I’m actually Filipino, but I’ve always been interested in Taiwanese culture. It stemmed from my love of Asian dramas haha so I decided to study abroad there in the spring of 2014. I definitely want to go back, and your blog is filling me up with so much nostalgia! If you don’t mind me asking, why are you going to be in Taiwan for three months?
I just really love it here! We’ve been traveling around the world, but decided to stay in Taipei for 3 months after we visited and fell in love with it earlier in the year! HAHA that’s so funny that you went because of the Asian dramas. I remember yeeeears ago, I watched some with Taiwanese actors.