Kuala Lumpur in May

[Junglerum]

I’ve just found out I’m attending a conference/holiday with work in May in Kuala Lumpur, have no idea what to take as it says weather is generally hot but rains often. Also unsure whether I need to be covered, will be a mix of resort and trips out when not in conferences as well as banquets in the evenings.
Any advice would be welcome

Hot & humid, but rain every afternoon - doesn't last long, but very wet and heavy while it's there. So a light raincoat is good.

You don't need to be covered. It's not the Middle East! Just dress reasonably conservatively and you'll be fine. I used to go to KL on business a lot when I lived in Asia. For work, I always wore dresses (at the time Wallis was quite a good source for sleeveless dresses) and ballet shoes or very smart low heeled sandals. I wouldn't bother with a raincoat, just take a folding umbrella. I use to wear Vivienne Westwood rubber court shoes on very wet days (you don't want to get nice shoes ruined). For non-work, flipflops are most practical for rainstorms.

One of the highlight of work trips to KL for us was Sephora and Nandos (we had neither where we lived in Asia). Sad I know!!

Sorry I forgot to add, due to the humidity your hair may go frizzy (depending on your hair type) and your make-up may slide down your face if it's water rather than oil based. So be prepared to change hair styles or use products to combat it etc - or just go with it!

It’s too hot and humid to wear a raincoat there. Most people just duck out of the rain. Natural breathable fabrics are best like silk,cotton,linen . A t shirt and shorts are fine for weekends, leisure, shopping trips.Cropped tops are not a common sight though. Sometimes air con can be a bit fierce inside so a scarf or light cover up can be useful.

Pencil dresses (knee length or midi) would be great for working as they are airy and don’t require much thought (matching tops to bottoms etc). People don’t wear raincoats there - only ponchos if they’re on a bike, they use umbrellas so pack a couple of compact ones to bring, along with breathable flats or simple trainers for walking. For your leisure time out exploring I wouldn’t recommend any kind of jumpsuit/play suit, no matter if it’s a summer linen one or not, as you may still discover the public loo you’ve gone in is a squatting one and that is just too much fussing about to take a wee.
Always put a thin cardigan or large scarf rolled up in your handbag as the air conditioning can be fierce! My sister has thick curly-wavy hair that frizzes up terribly over in Malaysia so she tends to put a leave-in hair oil/cream in and then tie it all in a sleek bun or chignon. Ouai also do hair wipes, for frizz and flyaways! You can pick some up at Sephora there or online here.

I was also going to come on to say the air-conditioning will be cold! I actually usually need a light blazer inside the meeting rooms, which I then carry between.

Light, airy dresses, such as sleeveless wrap dresses are usually my go too, with ballet pumps. I also don't take a raincoat, just a brolly. When it rains it pours, so you wouldn't want to be out in it anyway! A brolly will get you to the nearest shelter. It's what everyone else seems to do and some of the buildings / metro stations are linked by covered walkways anyway.

I love KL, you'll have a great time!

Also, expect the banquets to be long quite formal affairs (although business wear not necessarily formal clothing): the ones I have been to have had lots of thank you speeches and a lot of respect given to any dignitary. We had a local mayor type person at one and we had to stand for him to enter and leave the room.

The food is absolutely delicious, if you can get your hands on laksa then do (the ones in the UK pale in comparison mainly because of herbs and spices that aren't easily available here). And nasi goreng (watch for the sambal being super spicey)...

Sorry, I know you asked about clothes and I massively digressed...

Yes, the food is fantastic with Malay, Indian, Chinese, Thai & American style food. Try the curries- I love beef rendang and Durian ( though it took me several years I’m addicted to it now). Also it’s very common to order food from hawker stalls.
If you’re into food you will come back a little heavier.