What to Wear in Bali, Thailand and the Maldives: Beach Holiday Outfits for Women

Bali, Thailand and the Maldives are warm all year, so you'll pack light, breathable clothes for all three. What changes is the rest of the trip. In Bali and Thailand you'll visit temples and markets, not just the beach. In the Maldives you might spend the whole week at a resort, or stay on a local island where the dress code is more modest. Here's what to wear for each, and how a few pieces can cover the whole holiday.

Quick guide: what to pack

• Bali: a swimsuit with a long coverup for the beach and pool, a co-ord set with shorts for a day out, and a maxi dress for the evening. For temples, cover your shoulders and knees. Many temples give you a sarong.
• Thailand: a swimsuit with a short shrug for the beach, a co-ord set or a jumpsuit for a day out, and a maxi dress or a co-ord set for the evening. For temples, cover your shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt.
• Maldives: a swimsuit with a kaftan for the beach, a maxi dress for a day out, and a maxi dress for dinner by the water. On local islands, cover your shoulders and knees.

1. A maxi dress that works from the beach to dinner

One good maxi dress does more work on a beach holiday than anything else you pack. The Green Tropical Halter Neck Beach Dress is full length, in light rayon, with a halter neck, side slits and ties at the back. It's fully opaque, so you can wear it over a swimsuit in the day and on its own at dinner. In the Maldives, it's the dress for a sunset dinner on the jetty. Pack flat sandals for the sand.

2. A long kaftan over your swimsuit

At a Maldives resort or a Bali beach club, a long kaftan is the easiest thing to throw on between the pool and lunch. The Blue & Green Leaf Print Long Kaftan Shrug is ankle length, with a tie waist and front and side slits so it moves as you walk. Wear it open over a swimsuit, or tied over a tank top and shorts. For a lighter option, the Blue Floral Print Beach Coverup is long and open, and looks good with flared pants for a walk along the beach.

3. A co-ord set for markets and day trips

For a day in Ubud, a Bangkok market or a boat trip in Phuket, a co-ord set is light, easy and looks put together in photos. The Pink Floral Co-ord Set has a bell-sleeve crop top and ruched shorts. The Floral Blazer Co-ord Set pairs a sleeveless blazer-style top with shorts, for a café or a beach club. The Denim Co-ord Set is a vest and shorts in cotton denim. Wear the vest open over a tee or a swimsuit. You can also split the sets up: wear the top with a long skirt, or the shorts with a plain tee.

4. A shrug for the pool, the sun and cool evenings

A light shrug covers your shoulders from the sun, and works over a swimsuit, a co-ord set or a dress.

• The Leaf Print Long Shrug with Tie Waist is knee length, with a tropical leaf print. Tie it at the waist over a top and shorts by the pool.
• The Floral Knee-Length Shrug with Tassels has a sheer fabric and blue tassels, and looks good over a swimsuit.
• The White Floral Shrug with Pink Border goes with a crop top and white shorts.
• The Navy Blue Rayon Kaftan Shrug has wide sleeves and a tasselled border, and works over a white top and shorts.

For more ideas, read how to style a beach shrug and what to wear over a swimsuit.

5. What to wear to temples in Bali and Thailand

Temples in both countries ask visitors to dress modestly. Rules vary from temple to temple, so check before you go, but these are the basics:

• Cover your shoulders and knees. A tank top or shorts usually isn't allowed inside.
• In Bali, many temples ask you to wear a sarong and a sash, and lend or rent them at the entrance.
• In Thailand, the big temples in Bangkok are strict: long pants or a long skirt, sleeves, and nothing see-through.
• Choose easy shoes. You'll take them off before going inside.

The Floral Printed Viscose Modal Jumpsuit is full length with 3/4 sleeves, so it covers you and stays cool. Or wear your swimsuit-day outfit and add a long shrug with sleeves over a top and long pants. Keep a light layer in your bag, so you can cover up whenever you reach a temple.

6. What to wear on a Maldives local island

On a resort island you can wear what you like. On a local island, such as Maafushi, the dress code is modest because the Maldives is a Muslim country. Cover your shoulders and knees in the village, and wear a swimsuit only on the designated "bikini beach". A long kaftan or a maxi dress over your swimsuit makes the walk to the beach easy.

7. A comfortable outfit for the flight

You'll spend hours at the airport and on the plane, and planes get cold. Wear the jumpsuit, or a tee and comfortable pants, with a shrug that has pockets. The Blue & White Printed Rayon Shrug with Pockets is thigh length, with pockets big enough for your phone and boarding pass.

Beach holiday packing tips

• Choose light fabrics. Rayon dries quickly and stays cool in the heat and humidity.
• Pack pieces that mix. Two co-ord sets, one maxi dress and two shrugs give you a different outfit every day.
• Always carry a layer. A shrug covers you for the sun, a temple or air-conditioning.
• Bring flat sandals. Most beach holidays mean sand, boat decks and temple steps.
• Plan one dressed-up night. A maxi dress or a co-ord set with block heels covers a honeymoon dinner or a beach party.

Beach holiday outfit questions

What should I wear in Bali as a woman?

Light dresses, co-ord sets and shorts for the beach and cafés, and a swimsuit with a coverup for the pool. Pack something that covers your shoulders and knees for temples.

What is the temple dress code in Bali and Thailand?

Cover your shoulders and knees. In Bali, many temples ask you to wear a sarong, often lent at the entrance. In Thailand, the big Bangkok temples ask for long pants or a long skirt, sleeves, and nothing see-through.

What should I wear in the Maldives?

At a resort, swimsuits, kaftans and maxi dresses. On a local island, cover your shoulders and knees in the village, and wear a swimsuit only on the bikini beach.

What should I pack for a Maldives honeymoon?

Swimsuits, one or two kaftans, a co-ord set for day trips, and a couple of maxi dresses for dinners by the water.

What should I wear in Thailand to stay cool?

Loose, breathable fabrics like rayon. Co-ord sets with shorts work for beaches and markets, and a jumpsuit or a long skirt works for temples.

Shop all shrugs and coverups, co-ord sets and dresses. Planning a trip closer to home? Read what to wear in Goa. Free shipping on orders above ₹599.