When dressing for a holiday, it can be tempting to favour well-worn denim and your most lived-in basics. However, when the first stop is one of fashion’s hottest South Pacific islands, a more adventurous wardrobe can be far more fitting. These are quickly becoming the go-to destinations for the global style set, with ground-breaking luxury accommodation like Laucala Resort in Fiji, for example, making a compelling case for presenting your finest fashion.
The celebrity clientele alone is worthy of striking colour palettes, painterly prints and high-quality fabrications. Meanwhile, the stunning backdrops call for no less than sophisticated splendour. Packing your bags never looked so good.
In the case of Pacific Island fashion, you can just about eschew the old adage of life being about the journey rather than the destination. In fact, impeccable holiday style is all about understanding your destination. From the beachside to the social scene, South Pacific fashion ideas start first with a consideration of the backdrop. All of fashion’s hottest South Pacific islands are incredibly beautiful, of course, but they each have distinctive features of their own.
Colours to Complement the Cook Islands or Samoa
Perhaps the most memorable quality of destinations like Samoa or the Cook Islands is their vibrancy of colour. One gets the sense that life is a whole lot brighter at elegant establishments like the Sa'Moana Resort in Samoa and, as a result, the setting inspires a colour palette to match. Vivid tones like verdant greens or breathtaking blues take centre stage on these islands, helping you to make a statement as bold as the glowing sunset. Alessandro Michele's amplified use of colour for Gucci offers the perfect example here. Not one to shy away from brights, the designer cut an elegant figure for this collection, with feminine, vintage-inspired dresses in a wide array of hues.
One of fashion’s hottest South Pacific islands, the Cook Islands is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the ultimate destination wedding hotspots. So whether it's a wedding ceremony you will be attending or simply an excuse for a luxurious escape, bold colours in your South Pacific fashion ensemble will bring out the beautiful natural surroundings. Take inspiration from Kate Moss' striking green ensemble at model Malgosia Bela's island nuptials, for example. The kaftan style and jewel tones of her dress embodied sophisticated beachwear par excellence. Luckily you don't need a formal invitation to dress up for cocktails at Aitutaki Escape villas. Look to dresses from Jay Ahr to capture a Grecian-inspired take on Moss’ gown.
Florals Befitting Fiji or Tonga
The striking natural beauty of islands like Fiji and Tonga is not just limited to white sands and crystal blue waters, but also extends to the vibrant flora that abounds. In Tonga, for example, a profusion of hibiscus, frangipanis and bird-of-paradise flowers creates an oasis amidst the lush rainforest and coconut groves. Meanwhile, private island resorts off the coast of Fiji are dotted with colourful shrubs and scarlet flame trees amidst the sea of green. If drinks at Laucala Resort's Rock Lounge are on the agenda, then the celebrity dress code calls for laid-back elegance. Think Miranda Kerr in an array of diaphanous floral dresses, for example — formal in cut, yet relaxed in print.
A trip to Tonga can be an invigoratingly active experience. Whether it's snorkelling amongst the magnificent reefs or swimming with whales at Matafonua Lodge Resort, it's important to factor comfort into the equation when contemplating South Pacific fashion ideas. Floral swimwear styles by designers such as Moschino or vibrant swim shorts by the likes of Valentino offer a way to stand out, ensuring a lasting impression to rival even those of the majestic humpbacks.
The Finest Quality Fabrics for Hawaii or Vanuatu
Imagine Elizabeth Taylor sipping mai tais at Hawaii's Royal Hawaiian luxury resort, where the cocktails are named for their celebrity regulars. When contemplating the best South Pacific fashion to suit a holiday in Hawaii, think quality fabrics and work backwards from there. If the North Shore's Turtle Bay Resort is your destination of choice, then it's best to avoid overt Hawaiian prints reminiscent of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and consider, instead, impressing the style set with crisp, masculine shirts or feminine blouses in the finest quality fabrics.
The same goes for Vanuatu, where the refined elegance of Eratap Beach Resort calls for polished elegance. Quality natural fabrics like silk or cotton will always travel well, and unexpected pairings or bold prints can add a personal touch here. Keep in mind Poppy Delevingne’s penchant for printed fabrics, for example, when slipping into luxurious tunics. It needn't be as literal as the mismatched bikinis worn in the Hawaiian-based film Blue Crush, but a mixture of colour and textures can lend character to your destination style. Folding up easily in your suitcase, garments crafted from lightweight natural materials will breathe well through the balmy nights and leave all the more luggage space for shopping once you arrive.