Thailand, Vietnam or Bali? It doesn’t matter where you holiday in South East Asia because it is hot and humid all year round so your wardrobe for a holiday needs to be cool and comfortable with a minimum of fuss. Lightweight cotton sundresses, flowy styles, sarongs, kaftans, cover-ups, shorts and singlet tops, cossies, sandals and thongs are the order of the day.
So after holidaying in South East Asia on many occasions I have discovered what works well in your holiday wardrobe. I personally like to wear loose fitting dresses in lightweight fabrics that you can get away without ironing. Look for fabrics like crinkled cottons, cotton-synthetic blends, light jersey fabrics or knits. Leave at home heavy denim, dresses with synthetic lining, silk camisoles or blouses and long pants (unless they are extremely lightweight).
Here is what I wore this year on two separate South East Asian holidays:
Shorts and Singlet Tops. Left: Country Road Striped Singlet, Piper Shorts, Orthaheel Thongs & Sussan Boho Handbag Right: Seed Singlet, Piper Soft Palm-Print Shorts, Myer Brand Crossover Sandals & Sussan Boho Handbag.
Left: Beach Cover-up from Byron Bay Markets & Straw Hat from New Orleans Right: Black & White Cossies are Sea Folly
Beach bumming Left: Finch Embroidered Detail Coverup Right: #Ooted Drop Sleeve Batik Print Dress & Kikki K Tote.
It is important to also be wary of the sun factor in these places as it is easy to get sunburnt just by walking around the streets. It is a good idea to wear dresses or tops with sleeves to cover your shoulders, a good sunhat and lots of sunscreen, even if the sky is a little cloudy.
Dinner Dressing Left: Ile Geometric Print Shift Dress, Seed Drawstring Bucket Bag & Nude Chunky Heel Sandals Right: Target Crochet Detail Drop Shoulder Dress with Plaited Leather & Pearl Belt from Byron Bay Markets & Soft Grey Clutch Bag from New York
Comfy & Easy-care Dresses Left: Tiger Lily Jersey Tunic, Sussan Boho Handbag & Myer Brand Crossover Sandals Right: Seed Crochet/Pom Pom Detail Coverup & Orthaheel Thongs
I have found that as I have got older I am more inclined to cover up from the sun rather than wear skimpy clothing to avoid further sun damage to my mature skin and also to cover up a multitude of sins like flabby upper arms and a wrinkled decolletage. It is much more flattering to cover up rather than having excessive flesh exposed at my age.
Many dresses and tops have short or 3/4 bell sleeves, dropped sleeves (exposing a little shoulder) or little capped sleeves. These styles not only look great but give you some sun protection on the shoulders and cover the upper arms.
Sightseeing in comfort Left: Little Lies Batik Print Blouse & Witchery Soft Drapey Pants Right: Wish Palm-Print Drawstring Waist Button-up Dress
A lot of people struggle with packing shoes and handbags when travelling. Due to the casual and relaxed style in South East Asian holiday resorts, you really only need to wear thongs or flat sandals during the day and maybe a dressy pair of sandals for night time. Take a roomy day bag, a large beach bag and a small clutch bag for evenings and that will do. Also don’t forget to pack a broad brim sunhat.
So you can travel to South East Asia without a lot of luggage or fuss. Remember easy-care casual resort wear is the best type of clothing for these types of holidays.
Have you travelled in South East Asia? What are your holiday packing tips? I’d would love to hear them.
Comments are closed.
Melissa and Brenden (@allaroundoz)
July 26, 2016Great advice and outfits for travel anywhere that it’s warmer. All your outfits would work well in Australia as I think we generally have a fairly laid back approach to holiday clothes.
Kathy
July 27, 2016Yes these outfits are what I also wear when I’m on holidays in Australia or even just for everyday wear here on the Gold Coast. I like dresses obviously because they are so cool and comfortable. :)
Anne Erez
July 26, 2016Yes this is exactly what I had with me on my recent 8 week backpacking trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I took only 3 pairs shoes, sandals, trekking boots and thongs and the most important item for me always was my scarf which I used as a sarong, towel, beach cover, fashion statement and as a cover in chilly buses, trains and planes.
Kathy
July 27, 2016Oh yes the scarf idea is a good one. I took two sarongs which like you say double as towel on the beach or to put over your shoulders in air con. Did you do some trekking in Cambodia? :)
Kristy
July 26, 2016I lived in Bangkok for two years and I think you look great, but would warn potential visitors not to wear shorts and singlet type tops if they’re touring around. You won’t be allowed in any temples with so much flesh on display (many of the day tours take in temples and palaces), though some will hire you appropriate clothing for the visit. I prefer wide legged linen trousers to be more respectful and a loose cotton scarf with a cotton or linen tunic type top. Enjoy your travels! :-)
Kathy
July 27, 2016Thanks for the advice Kristy. Yes the shorts and singlets have caught me out several times in Thailand. I now carry a sarong with me everywhere I go whilst sightseeing. The linen trousers are a great idea too. :)
Kristy
July 27, 2016Great idea to take a cardigan or a big scarf to the movie theatres in Thailand if you go (and do go, they’re so cheap and clean compared to other countries), it’s always FREEZING in there – and don’t forget to stand up for the King when they play the video of his continuing good works at the start of each movie (or you’ll go to jail). :-)
Kathy
July 27, 2016They are mad about their king in Thailand for sure! Yes a light cardy is always a good idea for air con. I remember also on our cruise ship the air con was very cold. :)
Janet Camilleri (@middleagedmama1)
July 27, 2016It sure does get hot and humid in Asia! I would suggest also packing a little cardy because for some reason the air cond in hotels etc is always set to freezing!
Kathy
July 27, 2016Yes always a great idea to pack a light cardy because the air con on planes is also freezing sometimes. You can almost get away with cossies, a sarong and thongs in some South East Asian destinations! :)
Anne Erez
July 29, 2016The only real requirement is loose natural fibres that wash out well in hotel sinks. I bought several silk & cotton cheap shirts in Hoi An Vietnam and they were wonderful because I could wash them out in the sink & they were dry the next morning. Remember nothing too revealing and some places require sleeves and clothing to the knees, so no strappy tops and no short shorts. The humidity and heat is a killer.
Kathy
July 29, 2016I agree totally Anne. Easy-care garments are the best and as you say natural fibres always breath better in a hot climate. :)
Johanna A Castro (@JohannaACastro)
July 30, 2016Wow you had it sussed! Some great suggestions, and I love your floaty numbers – so great when the heat ramps up. I hate having anything clingy on me when it’s hot and humid. You looked absolutely gorgeous in that little black dress by the way x
Kathy
July 30, 2016Thanks Jo. I’ve been to South East Asia so many times now so I should know what to wear! Lol. I love the black dress too. It is so comfortable to wear and I think the belt accentuates that I still have a waistline of sorts. :)