2 weeks in Malaysia. Losing sleep.

[WithIcePlease]

I'm going to a wedding in Malaysia spring next year. It will be hot.
I have felt uneasy about this wedding and was sleepless last night and the reason for my uneasiness became obvious. It is because I have no clue what to wear or where to buy clothes for 2 weeks in 30 degree heat.
I did a city break in 30 degrees plus earlier in the year and only really had one dress appropriate for that heat. I wore shorts but I don't want to look a mess in Singapore or Malaysia.
I can do a week easily in beachy Spain Mids 20's but 30 plus is a different matter and city/sightseeing rather than beach.

Size 8-10 5'5"

Yes Malaysia has a hot & humid climate, however there is air con widely available so you won't be melting the whole time. A quick check on the internet and the spring seems the ideal time to visit. I went in September when there was higher humidity.

As to what to wear - the women were mostly in modest, western style clothing plus hijab, this was in KL and Malacca, so no plunging necklines or very short skirt or shorts. Is there someone you can approach who is also going to the wedding to check on dress code ? Otherwise think natural fibres, loose fit bright colours (although check if there are any colours to avoid)

What race/heritage/ethnicity/religion is the wedding? There is no expectation of a head covering if you're not Muslim, but if it's an Islamic wedding then I think it would be required for the ceremony part. My DH is Indian Malaysian so in the past I have worn saris, but only if there was a family member available to dress me as otherwise I would look a mess. I wouldn't wear a sari now as I'm too fat, but I might wear a One Hundred Stars dress as I like them, or something loose and pretty with a bit of gold detailing.

Most receptions are indoors with aircon so wear whatever you like, however the Malay reception that I went to was outdoors under canopies. I wasn't a family member for that so didn't need to dress up very fancy, I think I wore a pretty floaty midi skirt and lightweight long-sleeved blouse.

Thank you

I'll be in Penang for the wedding ceremonies for a week and also Singapore for a week

The groom was raised with Buddhist tradition - he's Chinese Malaysian. I will wear red for the wedding as will many others as it is considered good luck.

So I do need to get some more dresses. Not the strappy plunging type that people wear in Spain/beach hols but sleeveless, below knee and airy. I'll have to start looking to get a decent number of ones that I like over the coming months.

I'm in Spain and Portugal for breaks in the next couple of months but it may be the wrong season. I've got 2 designer outlets relatively close so I'll try there next week before all the summer stuff disappears.

Honestly, I've almost completely lost any fashion mojo I had. Most days, I'm in gym kit or hiking leggings or similar and even when I'm not, I usually manage to find an outfit I can wear trainers with

This kind of thing for everyday wear...?
https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-UN61-POEDS/colour-q-sherbet/dresses-skirts/sleeveless-linen-dress

In fact lots of stuff on Poetry that would be perfect for both countries. Quite spendy though.

Loose fitting casual jumpsuits, maxi dresses, midi and maxi skirts that are lovely and flowy! For mainly Muslim countries I usually pack a light denim shirt or big scarf to drape over my shoulders if I’m going to be in an area conscious about my arms being out and you can throw them over most sleeveless outfits. Shorts and t shirts/shorter dresses will be fine for Singapore though! You might get some inspiration and bargains on vinted.

Sleepless over what to wear on a trip that's six months away?

Penang is lovely. Make aure you go to the samosa place!

Haha well it must've been on my mind and I couldn't work out why I was unsure about the trip. It literally came to me at about 3 am that it was because I didn't have the wardrobe for it.
I'm definitely not going to travel all that way and have to traipse around shops for appropriate clothing because I hadn't planned ahead.

Thank you. I need slimmer fit dresses in the lower body but that is the general style. My shoulders are much much wider than my hips so unless I have some tapering in the lower half, I can look rectangular. I am an inverted triangle. I'm hopeful of finding similar in Spain or Portugal.

@LoveHearts69 excellent advice re covering shoulders with scarf or linen jacket.

Maybe sleepless was hyperbole but this is S&B where it's mainly what could be called first world problems. A fortnight is a lot of dresses without a washing machine

Thanks for the info on Singapore with dressing.

i’ve lived in SGP (lots of Mumsnetters do!) and used to buy most of my day wear in Uniqlo.
Malaysia I found to be a bit more modest than Singapore but shorts plus tee are fine, or lightweight dresses.

Yup, the samosa man in Indian town. The best samosas ever.

Penang does not have a Muslim majority. I've often worn shorts there, and it's totally normal. Obviously cover knees/shoulders if visiting a religious site of any religion.

If you think shorts make you look a mess (? I don't get this at all, they are very common casual wear in both SG & Msia), get some dresses in natural fibres. You have months to go, don't panic.