When working out what to wear for your Cambodia holidays, it generally pays to develop a well-edited packing list. This can be built around a core rotation of reliable staples, while also factoring in light layers to suit a variety of different situations.
Cambodia is incredibly diverse as a holiday destination, so dressing for a visit to the temples, for example, will be quite different to a day of shopping, time spent lying on the beach or dinner on the private island of Song Saa.
To kick off your Cambodia holidays outfit ideas, then, it’s a good idea to get your itinerary sorted first and then work backwards to ensure you’ve got all bases covered. Looking to celebrity style and runway looks can also be a great way to get inspiration for your Cambodia holiday style, but while a little experimentation will certainly keep things interesting in the style department, there are certain cultural codes to be wary of as well. Some preparation before departure will help to place you in very good stead.
A visit to the temples
When visiting some of Cambodia’s most famous temples like the Bayon or Ta Keo, it’s important to introduce a touch of modesty to your Cambodia holiday style. Layering a crisp white shirt over long skirts, for example, means you can keep both your shoulders and legs respectfully covered. Meanwhile, natural fibres like cotton also allow you to keep cool as you explore the likes of spectacular Angkor Wat, said to be one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
Angkor Wat is particularly strict when it comes to revealing clothing, so men are best off wearing long, light trousers and a T-shirt. This will preserve the sanctity of these sacred spaces and keep you from coming across like some insensitive tourist. In this sense, what to wear for your Cambodia holidays becomes a delicate balance of both comfort and respect.
A day of shopping in Phnom Penh
Cambodia holidays outfit ideas are best informed by an understanding of the climate. Cambodia is notorious for its sticky weather, so it pays to have a few reliable basics (preferably crafted from natural fibres, which will boost breathability and allow you to focus on the bargaining) on hand when planning a day of shopping in Phnom Penh. Although Phnom Penh is known for its fine silks, you're best off in cotton T-shirts and a pair of tailored shorts like those by Dsquared2.
Women can look to Bambi Northwood Blyth’s shopping style here, which is all about the denim cut-offs and cotton T-shirts paired with sturdy sneakers to see you through the day. Consider Valentino trainers if you wish to really make an impact on the streets of Phnom Penh. Who knows, it could even become a conversation starter that might just lead to some insider specials.
Relaxing beachside on Koh Rong
It’s hard to beat the white sand and turquoise waters of Lonely Beach on the island of Koh Rong. A day spent beachside in this peaceful haven fringed with palm trees tends to invite a little stylistic experimentation. When developing fashion ideas for your Cambodia holiday, you could take inspiration from the runways of Resort 17, where the tropical mood went into overdrive and labels like Rochas embraced palm fronds, while Valentino set pineapple prints alongside hibiscus flowers.
Things were equally as eclectic on the menswear runways for SS17, where Moschino contrasted leopard-print accessories with electric, multi-coloured shorts. If this verges too close to rave culture territory, though, you could always tone it down a notch via a printed bikini or pair of board shorts instead. Shanina Shaik is one model who demonstrates just how adaptable prints can be at the beach right through to drinks after at the bar.
Dinner at Song Saa
When working out what to wear for your Cambodia holidays, it’s important to pack a few more evening-appropriate outfit options as well, just in case you end up with an invite for dinner at the Song Saa eco-resort, for instance. More laid-back than dinner in the city, a sense of undone elegance is certainly welcomed here, for example, channelling the metallics seen on the runway at Kenzo SS17, but opting for a classic silhouette like a slip dress.
For men it could mean turning to Gucci menswear for your Cambodia holiday style and choosing flood-length trousers to make an impact that is at once subtle and sophisticated. Model Jordan Barrett teams his with a sleek pair of brogues for maximum effect. Either way, maintaining this balance between style and function will serve you well right throughout your Cambodia holiday.