Looking stylish “put together” in a hotter climate

[Wanderlustnearorfar]

Hi, am after some help,tips. I am off on holiday to Vietnam and am in need of a wardrobe overhaul. I have several months so am on the look out for outfits that will help me look put together and not a walking mess 🫣 am slightly at a loss. I vaguely remember a thread a while back where someone asked for tips on how to look stylish and put together on holiday/hot climate and there were some brilliant tips,I’ve searched to no avail. So I guess my question is what sort of things should I go? for any tips? Will need to pack fairly lightly as it will be a fairly active holiday. Any tips ideas much appreciated. I’m early 30s, tall and around a size 14 pear shape. Thank you

Oh, I'm interested in answers to this as well. We're considering a trip to Vietnam at the end of April. I need to lose a bit of weight between now and then and will be on the hunt for new outfits.
I've read that simple colours, with no patterns are best for a stylish classic look.
I'm no expert, but with humid weather, it's always best to stick to loose clothes made of cotton or other light material. Definitely not polyester which just becomes smelly very quickly. Although cotton becomes very wet and obvious if you're sweating a lot. That's my practical advice, but can't help with the stylish bit.

Go for darker colours as they are less likely to show sweat stains and general travel dust. Fabrics with a small pattern on are really good for this.
loose tops in linen blend are good.
choose a ‘uniform’ and stick to it, eg linen shirts and boxy tops, long tunics and crop leggings, or midi t shirt dresses. Long linen wide leg trousers are great and can be dressed up for evening with a loose scarf print top.
avoid light colours, big prints and bright colours.
a pair of black teva sandals go everywhere and with everything

I usually stick to neutral colours, so white, beige, cream, navy, black. No load patterns.
Tan leather belt, sandals and bag. Cotton or linen where possible.
Some big sunglasses, a good quality hat, I've had a cream fedora with tan trim for years and still love it. Some classic gold jewellery.
I'm in my sixties though so my look maybe a bit boring if you're much younger

these responses are brilliant thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
@TimeForBedSaidZebadee this is exactly the kind of look I want to aim for,definetly not boring . Can I ask where those outfit screen shots are from?

Should have added, black linen blend culottes are your best friend.
I have a few pairs, some pricey, but my faves are from peacock!

Just google neutral outfits for hot weather and you'll get lots of ideas.

I grew up in a hot climate and unless you have amazingly toned arms don't go sleeveless, linen is nice but gets so creased so better for a shirt than dress or trousers. Cotton shorts longer, you don't want to stick to chairs or a skirt works well, a big floppy elegant straw hat. Don't over accessorise and cooler cours, blues, whites and natural/ neutral tones. I'd avoid dark colours they are hotter, get some good sunnies and if you are prone to a shiny/sweaty face, take some rizla papers (brilliant because they take up almost no space) and just wipe your face with them every so often so your skin looks fresh. Also tan sandals go with everything.

I was in Vietnam last month. My advice is wear moisture wicking and cotton. Check out Uniqlo Airism range. I bought a couple of dresses that worked a treat as they keep you cool as they are moisture wicking.

Wear comfy trainers as the pavements are not in the best condition and have trip hazards, so sandals may not be the best. Also the roads are chaos so you may need to run to get across!

Try the coffee and local beers. It's cheap as chips!

Some ‘looking good on holiday’ threads that might be helpful

Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5

Generally, the consensus is 1. dress like you’re in a hot city rather than to go to the beach, 2. wear linen and cotton, and 3. wear plain neutrals rather than florals or mad tropical prints.

Have a fab time in Vietnam, enjoy the pho! 🍲

I also do neutrals - khaki trousers, vest, linen shirt. Floppy hat. Highly recommmend bay to beakers trousers from free people for travelling in. Great utility pocket, very flattering and light.

When are you visiting? Hanoi is cold in February.

Pack neutrals as pp have said.
Vietnam is a great place to shop.HCMC has great boutiques around District 1.You can get a whole new wardrobe made in Hoi An.It"s known for it"s many tailors. I was last there in January 2020 and had a linen dress made for $30. Any favourite items of clothing can be easily copied.

I had a hot trip to Athens last year and I picked a colour and went wholly with that. So wide legged navy crops, navy and white knitted linen t shirts (cool but no creasing), a couple of long sleeve cotton tops in navy and white pattern, a couple of blue dresses and a navy cotton cardigan in case it got chilly. I wore my trainers on the plane so I didn't need to pack them and added a pair of smart but comfortable sandals and flip flops. A navy and white striped tote that folded down to nothing and doubled as a beach bag and a navy pliage for looking smarter travelling plus a small clutch which was handy in the ariport for keeping essential documents together inside a bigger bag.

I came onto this board today for the exact same purpose, finding some stylish basics for a holiday to Vietnam in March. Definitely hoping to get some clothes made in Hoi An and need easy stuff for the first half of the trip where we'll be more active. Last few days are in Phu Cuoc which I think will be mostly swimwear and coverups so am sorted on that front.
I've got a pair of the Uniqlo Airism trousers in my bag and already own some black cropped wide leg trousers. Might look for one more pair and then plan to use laundry services en route as I've heard they're very cheap.

My most worn items for a hot Italian trip were:
Arket linen shorts (just above the knee)
Arket sleeveless cotton vests
With an M&S 'beach shirt' worn open on top (I cut the arms off and stitched them, to make them short, rather than long)

Zara usually do very lightweight long cotton dresses - I had a couple of those which I wore a lot (cut the arms, as above)

I regularly travel to various parts of Asia and tend to go with the below.

Linen or cotton long length trousers and/or cropped trousers, cotton or linen t-shirts / tops, cotton t-shirt style dresses, and a lightweight cardigan / cover-up or similar for when it's cooler. I got some nice floaty long length trousers from Fatface this summer which were really nice.

I would take a mix of light and dark colours - easier to avoid obvious looking sweat patches. I prefer natural type fibres as they stick to you less if sweating. I think patterns are fine if it's not overdone e.g. pattern trousers and plain top, striped t-shirt dress. I got a few nice ones from M&S and White Stuff.

Footwear - I take a pair of comfy sandals and also take a pair of Toms - light weight, easy on feet if doing a lot of walking, and easy to clean in the washing machine post trip.

I wouldn't take anything too expensive- sweat, sun cream, mozzie spray, any dirt you pick up from traveling about etc can easily leave marks.

Can anyone who's been before confirm if wearing sleeveless tops is ok or if you are expected to cover shoulders?

@Bessica - moisture wicking is totally new to me - thanks for a very welcome new concept! Off to Uniqlo

You will need to cover shoulders and knees in places of worship. You are also not allowed to wear tight leggings! They made some of the women buy sarongs to wear.

Thank you, I think I'll go for mainly vest tops and take a couple of shirts to cover up. No chance of me wearing leggings outside the gym!

Oh wow I’m amazed by all the responses,thank you for taking the time to share your tips. I’ve taken your comments on board and am off in search off some staple pieces to put together some outfits that are elegant but work well.I need to find what works best for hot climates as I have always struggled with a summer wardrobe,winter i seem to know what works for me. Footwear is I think going to be my biggest struggle as I want something comfy but would ideally like them covered and not in open sandals for the day does anyone have any tips for footwear? We are planning to be fairly active throughout our time there

Skechers do mesh type walking trainers which are good in hot weather

I'll be in Nike Air trainers of some description (I have many) for daytime. They're just the most comfortable for being on your feet all day without compromising on looking good (IMO)