Holiday essentials - not maxi dresses

[Donewithitt]

DH and I heading to Thailand in August and I want to start buying 1-2 bits per month so I have a lovely capsule summer wardrobe.
Last time I was on holiday I felt I wasn't as nicely put together as I'd like to have been. I'd see so many people I really nice styled outfits and I just felt bland and un-stylish. I was definitely just dressing for the heat. Any suggestions of must haves?
I'm not a maxi-dress type of girl, just not my thing.
What are the key bits to have in a summer capsule?

Are you a dress kind of girl at all?

Yes 100%
Love a dress - just not a maxi

I love linen, loose linen trousers are great at keeping you cool and you can dress them up or down. I have a few long linen dresses I get from a local shop, plain ones that you can add accessory's to to change the look

Also linen tops, can use them as beach wear as well, I have many long ones that are buttoned so can also be used as a lightweight long jacket IFKWIM.

Bright colours are another essential thing for me (inc white), cotton kaftan type clothing helps keep you cool but can add a belt and a woven bag to go out in.
I live in a hot tropical country and we have quite a lot of Batik here, good quality items can be expensive but I prefer cotton to silk, which makes me sweat for some reason and hard to keep pristine! I tend to have longer length sleeves to help protect my skin as well.

One thing I never wear other than the pool is shorts and any kind of t/shirt, I really dont have the arms or legs for either! And I dont posses a backpack

Chunky wooden or colourful jewelry is something else I wear a lot. Silver, never gold just my preference

I wear different heights of espadrilles as well as flat gold/silver/bronze flat sandals and my trusty Birkenstocks in every colour, but tans/light brown go with many things.

Enjoy Thailand all the above I would wear there as well (lived there for a while)

I really like linen short sets - either shirt or tank top.
I'm thinking
A couple of beach cover ups
A couple of dresses (2 for day 2 for night)
I already have a few nice Camilla bits that I can work in, that are a bit more special.
A couple of sets
A couple of hats
Something nice to travel in
I have more swimmers than I can possibly wear!
I really want some Zimmerman shorts - but I'll look at them once I have the basics
Then I can build from that.
Don't do costume jewellery, just a few classic bits that I always wear.

@Hottethannormal - some great ideas and a good starting point!

Other things I do bring back with me are items from 100 stars, mainly as they are so light and pack well in packing cubes, throwovers that can be used as both clothing and beachwear, and kimonos which for me go well with trousers. Also the palazzo pants are great in the heat with an elasticated back waistband.

I have bought a couple of folding hats one just for the pool.

If your wear flip flops for the pool /beach, my choice is Havaianas, have all colours. There is an online shop called the Flip Flop shop bases in Sussex which has a great selection. The Gracie FitFlop toe post are great (love the silver ones) in the sale in the above website . I cannot spend a lot on shoes as the heat and humidity ruin shoes (except I splashed out on a limited edition pair of Birkies, they are well looked after!)

Would recommend Melissa Murrell on YouTube - here are a couple of her holiday capsule wardrobe videos from last year:

Just watched the first video above....a white outfit to travel in....an accident waiting to happen for me, dark colours for me to travel in!

....and a jumpsuit!!!!!

Think about some cuffed harem pants or Indian style trousers fitted at the ankle for the evenings, I am a mosquito magnet and these help avoid legs bitten to a pulp.

@Hottethannormal haha - I'm the same, cannot wear white or cream, let alone for travelling! Swap the jumpsuit for a matching top and trousers for the same look without the faff!

It was more for the 'capsule' wardrobe concept, and looking styled and put-together in the heat. I watch Melissa's videos consistently and have learned a lot about how to elevate a simple outfit to feel more stylish. Hope it will help the OP.

ohwhattodo1, I wear a lot of white (but its a pain to keep white due to the water), but never in a million years would I get on a plane in that outfit and I would sweat to death!

To the OP maybe a guide to budget would help as well given how expensive the Camilla items are you mentioned.

Hi OP,

Im putting together a similar wardrobe for this year. Last year I was in Italy and a beautiful woman in my hotel wore the most gorgeous linen shorts and matching top sets - and she was in her 70’s; so elegant. She wore black ones and beige. I decided I will have to get some for this year’s holiday. They worked for breakfast and also by the pool or popping out to the shops.

DD was in Thailand last year and she said there are so many amazing clothes there - you could possibly buy some outfits there; I always think swimwear is easier to buy on location because you get to see the ‘vibe’ of what people wear - is it surfer style; glamorous or sporty.

As it will be a long flight, and no one dresses up for flying anymore, perhaps some Lululemon flare leggings, a matching zip to and a light t shirt underneath? I wouldn’t wear linen while travelling and I am always too cold on a plane to wear shorts or skirts or dresses.

@Iloveshihtzus
Travelled in a Lululemon set last year - so will probably do the same.
I've never loved the clothes in Asia - so want to pack a capsule, and top up with fun bits if I spot anything.
Love the linen shirt set look - have a black one and about to get a neutral one too.
The whole shirt and short set just looks like PJ's - but love the idea of it.

Asia is a pretty big place to buy clothes!

But as your going to Thailand if your wanting any swimwear/beach/pool have a look at Phuket Mermaids, they do some lovely bright holiday vibe items.

I did not buy a huge amount of clothes when I lived there mainly due to sizing, but then if your in Bangkok or the main beach areas there can be some hidden jem's of boutique type places.

@Hottethannormal agree and I didn't mean to generalise but I've only ever bought a couple of items when visiting Thailand, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Will look for that swimwear brand - but that's the one thing I DON'T need 🤣

If you have Instagram you can search the location or beach or hotel you are going to in order to get an idea of the vibe and style of the place - I do this with everything, not just holidays just hashtag and the name of the place and there's a perfect style book already . You can also use google image search to check on stockists if there's something amazing you want to find

I really like short sets - but often think the can look like PJ's so thinking something like this?
Thoughts?

I absolutely love this one - but think it definitely has a touch of pj's about it!

Sorry, not at all keen on either, the large ric rac, reminds me of an oversized childrens set and the other really does look like PJ's.

But if you like them, why not!