The biggest challenge when planning a travel wardrobe is usually the weather. If you expect mixed weather with temperatures varying from mild and sunny to rainy and cold, you wouldn't want to carry double wardrobe sets of everything and then only use half. Instead you'd be focusing on layering, and on how to make travelling less bulky and heavy.
Going to Thailand was one of the few occasions where the weather presented no challenge... we knew it was going to be very warm at all times, so no provisions for cooler temperatures were needed. The challenge lay elsewhere... since we'd booked an island vacation and a city break, the wardrobe pieces I would bring along would have to work in both environments. As this was our first trip to Thailand, I couldn't rely on previous experiences for what to wear. So it was even more important that all wardrobe pieces could be dressed up or down, and adapt to the atmosphere of the destination.
Some of my favorite sundresses that I'd had for many years were sure to come along, but I'd also taken advantage of the sales a couple of months before our trip and bought a couple of pretty dresses and tunics, all of which will be fabulous for the coming summer. Planning the accessories was great fun, and with wonderful timing the summer jewelry pieces I'd selected at a show in Paris the month before arrived just in time.
I hope you enjoy the pictures of our island vacation on Koh Samui. Most were taken in the beautiful Belmond Napasai resort where we stayed.. it is a picture book paradise you never want to leave!
To get the maximum out of a travel wardrobe, the individual items should work together as much as possible. A skirt or pair of trousers for example should be compatible with many different tops. The same goes for accessories and shoes; there is not much point in bringing a pair of shoes that would only go with one particular wardrobe item or a necklace that goes with just one top. A mix of well-matched, simple and dressier clothes, shoes and accessories will be perfect ingredients to create numerous different looks which can be dressed up or down, and also go from day to night: A simple, bohemian style necklace, straw bag and flat thong sandals can turn a more elaborate robe into a sweet daytime sundress, whereas strappy sandals, sparkling earrings and a clutch transform it in a second into something more glamorous for the evening.
A beautifully presented, fragrant cup of ginger and honey tea at the Napasai's spa
This floral dress below is one of those I've had forever, and it was fun to style it with the pretty new items I recently found.
I took quite a few bags on this trip, but since they were lightweight and stackable straw bags as well as small evening bags (a Kelly Pochette and a Zara clutch) the weight and bulk weren't so different from taking a leather bag.
The Belmond Napasai's accommodation consists of individual villas dotted about in the lush tropical grounds, or on the oceanfront, making your stay completely private and very relaxing.
The skirt below was a very lucky find, it was only 25 Euros! I spotted it at the weekend market next to the gym where DS goes on Saturdays. It was a perfect travel companion for Thailand. You could wear it strolling over to the pool or lounging on the terrace, or dress it up for the evenings. Here teaming it with a cream Zara tank top. The pale mauve beach cover-up will be available in the shop soon too; I found it in Bangkok and it features a brightly coloured, hand-embroidered dream catcher on the back.
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Lobby area
room with a view
The dress below (by Peter Pilotto) was another sale find. It was love at first sight, and it seems that it was designed with the Gulf of Thailand's colors in mind
tranquility
This silk chiffon kaftan is another wonderful item I found in Bangkok
The peaceful pool setting of our villa
If you read my previous post on Bangkok you probably know how important decoration is in Thailand, and how skillfully even the humblest things are turned into something beautiful and extraordinary. It must have taken more than an hour to turn the shallow, water-filled bowl into this magnificent bougainvillia petal arrangement.
Bag decoration with a Frangipani flower
The picture-perfect infinity pool of the Napasai, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand
The dress below is another favourite addition, also by Peter Pilotto. I love how easily you can accessorize it for a casual lunch on the beach, or a summer night in a city restaurant.
On our first night, we strolled into the restaurant at around 8h30 pm, only to find it completely empty. We quickly learned that pre-dinner drinks were best taken at around 6h30, the most magical part of the day. From then on we had early dinners with everyone else, followed by a wonderful breakfast the next day and perhaps some fruit, if anything, for lunch.
Starry, starry night
The resort was too relaxing to leave and the food wonderful, but if you want to venture out, head for the 'Relax @ Samui' beach club... I spotted these colourful lanterns hanging above their outside dining tables when we were driving past, and it was definitely worthwhile coming back for a simple and lovely dinner in a romantic setting.
Variation - same accessories as above but in combination with a long floral dress (Lewie dress by Theory)
Dragon fruit
Dress as before, this time accessorized with an Hermes Lena horn necklace, Lift earrings and Clic H enamel bracelet in black for a dinner on the beach.
If only one could make time stand still.
Kaftan as before, accessorized with a Hermes Clic H bracelet in black and earrings by Chanel.
Coming next: Adapting the travel wardrobe to a city break in Bangkok!
Belmond Napasai: 65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84330 Phone: +66 77 429 200
www.belmond.com/belmond-napasai
Nearby 'Relax @ Samui' beachclub: 90/9 Moo 6 Bang Por, Mae Nam, Koh Samui.
Phone:
+66 (0)81 893 0881
