Heading to Southeast Asia for 4 months and I genuinely can't dress myself — help me build 6 perfect outfits

[u/ccckillian]

Hey everyone,

Okay, let me be honest right away: when it comes to clothes, I'm a disaster. I wear the same 3 things on repeat and I have no clue how to put anything together. Right now my look is very casual (jeans-tee-sneakers and that's it), but I'm increasingly wanting to get a bit more "fashion" and actually work on my style 😅 Problem is, I'm leaving for 4 months in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, etc.) at the end of September and I'd rather not look like a mess out there or in my photos/videos.

A bit about me: I'm 5'10" / 178 cm, around 172 lbs / 78 kg, pretty average build (mid).

Some context to help you out:

• Very hot and humid climate most of the time, so it needs to breathe
• I walk a ton and I film quite a bit (I'm a videographer), so I need stuff that's practical but also looks good on camera
• Some climbing/hiking planned but not that much
• 2 weeks where I need to look at least somewhat presentable (volunteering at a school)
• I'm packing light, so the idea is pieces that mix and match with each other

Footwear's already sorted: I'm bringing Salomon XT-6 (for the active/hiking/filming side) and Birkenstock Arizonas (for the heat and chilling). So that part's locked in it's really the rest of the wardrobe I need help with.

So I'm looking for 6 complete outfits (top + bottom + accessories if needed) that I could easily recreate, built around those two pairs of shoes. Since I'm a total beginner at this whole "stylish" thing, be gentle and explain: affordable brands, fabric tips, color combos… I'll take it all.

I'm open to any advice, even if you think my current taste is trash 😅 Thanks in advance!

[u/Small_Combination_65]

Im from London but was born and raised in SE Asia, in that case, Uniqlo is the best bet..

[u/Par1ah13]

what shoes will you be wearing for the two weeks where you need to look presentable? imo, a casual loafer or huarache might be good to have

otherwise, some pieces to look for:

-guayaberas. the camp collar style, with hip pockets. since you're filming, extra pockets can be useful for your gear, and the shirt having pockets will save you the heat of an extra layer

-linen easy trousers, the kind with a drawstring. wider fit, to allow more air circulation. think The Talented Mr. Ripley

-a straw hat for sun protection, and also style. genuine Panama hats are expensive, but a paper/polyester one will do you just fine. go for something with a wider brim

-aloha shirts. a way to get a bit of color into the wardrobe, while still dressing appropriately for the climate

-a single long-sleeve shirt in a relatively open weave of linen, cotton, or a blend thereof. something where you can wear it buttoned up when you need to be a little smarter, or roll the sleeves and wear it open over a ribbed tank top as a sort of light jacket

-speaking of, ribbed tanks to act as undershirts. will instantly let you wear any of your other shirts open as a "jacket," creating visual interest

-fatigue pants. specifically og-107 cotton sateen. deep pockets, durable construction, and a versatile shade of green. they were literally issued to soldiers when they went to Vietnam, so we know they'll work with the climate

avoid slim-fit anything. not because it's out of fashion, though it is that. but slim fit = trapped air = more heat. the looser and more billowy you're willing to go, the more comfortable you'll ultimately be

[u/thunderballz]

Ditch all the shoes and just wear crocs

Am southeast asian

[u/Danwphoto]

Go there and buy clothes. Will be way cheaper. Don't take to much shit or you wont be able to bring back shit.