THE SUITCASE CHALLENGE DAY 9 - HONG KONG

Lowry's Farm jumper, ASOS trumpet hem skirt, ASOS tights, Topshop booties, Zara bag, bracelets from Viet markets

I spy with my little eye, six shades of red.

I love red for a little power-packed punch it gives to your outfit and to your day. I like my bright reds, and loved the deep, darker burgundy shades. Then almost overnight every other guy and girl out there was sporting a pair of maroon jeans (in Melbourne, at least) - it was overworn, I got bored of the colour, and we parted ways.

Truth be told, maroon is a gorgeous colour that is easily worn - great if you're colour-shy and taking the first steps towards wearing red. Slouchy is how I like my jumpers, this particular one from Lowry's Farm in Hong Kong, and skirts of the high-waisted variety take my fancy - not so much the bodycon body-hugging styles but ones like these that shape the waist yet retain a playful silhouette. Expand your repertoire of accessories to include coloured tights and beanies (personal fave), pop your favourite bright red lippie to go with your bag and a couple of tan 50cent bracelets to go with your footwear. I'm not sure how I managed to look colour-coordinated but I found these sitting in my suitcase so, here you go. Try it for yourself, but pretty please whatever you do steer away from maroon jeans; you can do better.

Day 9 of The Suitcase Challenge - done and dusted! x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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THE SUITCASE CHALLENGE DAY 8 - HONG KONG

Mango Jacket, Sportsgirl tee, 7 for all Mankind jeans via Shopbop, Zara boots and bag

A new day, a new city, a new outfit. 

This is my second time in Hong Kong and this city simply never fails to amaze me with its vibrance and energy. Here's what I wore around Tsim Sha Tsui - a district packed to the brim with shopping malls, big name boutiques, and loaaads of food. I had no idea what I'd wear this gorgeous purple/maroon suede jacket with when I saw it in Milan last month but these textured snakeskin lovelies complemented it with just enough edge without being over-the-top for an altogether city-chic outfit worthy of a place like this!

Photos by Thomas Lo

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THE SUITCASE CHALLENGE DAY 7 - HANOI

Target striped tee, Zara harem pants, Topshop booties, necklace and patchwork bag from the markets

7 days in and we're halfway through The Suitcase Challenge! If you're clueless as to what I'm talking about, keep scrolling - it all started here, with thoughts and personal ramblings on the art of efficient packing, and following that, presenting to you (albeit now a couple of days behind) an outfit a day from the limited space of a suitcase.

Day 7 wouldn't have been complete without the most delicious bowl of beef noodles I've had in recent times. Bun bo nam bo, it was called, and that I was reciting for a couple of days straight. It was washed down with a strong cuppa Vietamese iced coffee - but more on that later, perhaps in a dedicated foodie post that will be sure to make you drool and book your tickets to Vietnam pronto.

And when you do that, be sure to pack versatile pieces. This striped tee is a case in point, and has served me well this trip. Wear with harem pants (print optional but recommended) for cool but chill and make sure they end at your ankles, just above your amazingly comfy flat booties. Fling a couple of new market buys around your neck and hip and you'll be more than ready to wander around town, whether it's your first or last day there. In this case it was my last day in the land of Nam, before we hopped on yet another flight, to the land of yum cha and roast meats!

Till then x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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THE SUITCASE CHALLENGE DAY 6 - HANOI

Blank NYC high waist jeans via Shopbop, Lowry's Farm jumper, Topshop boots, patchwork bag from the Viet markets

I'm not gonna lie, I was thoroughly enjoying myself in Hoi An. It was a little bubble of calm, of leisurely seaside days, spring rolls and coconuts, old towns and colourful lanterns.

Then we hopped up to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, and were instantly snapped out of that little bubble. We were back in the midst of constant car honking and where it was perfectly fine to drive against the flow of traffic. Moving around in a city like this called for comfort and practicality, and a slouchy jumper, jeans and flat boots was probably a no-brainer ensemble. 

But let me talk about these jeans - they're blue. The last time I wore blue jeans was actually in the year 2006, before jeans were phased out altogether in my wardrobe vocabulary. Floral and coloured assortments (slowly) drew me back into the world of jeans last year, and I am now in love with these vibrant blue, high-waisted ones by Blank. I truly have a newfound appreciation for their comfort and versatility once you find one that really fits like a glove and am already on the lookout for more to join the family! 

So thanks, Blank.

Photos by Thomas Lo

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the suitcase challenge day 5 - hoi an

ASOS blouse, Zara shorts, Missoni x Havaianas thongs

This floral on floral get-up might or might not have been inspired by these lovely women in Hoi An - in fact there were lots more of them clashing their prints in the most natural and oblivious sort of way that I found most intriguing and was quite delighted by! 

I don't think I'll ever tire of florals - as long as they keep varying in print, colour and material, and sheer florals (something that features a fair bit here) will only continue to inspire my outfits. This blouse with its floral collar and sheer shoulder and back panels easily caught my eye and pairing it with my favourite Zara shorties for a explosion of soft florals seemed fitting for yet another relaxed morning by the sea - before we headed off and were shocked back into the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.

More on that soon - instagram knows where it's at x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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the suitcase challenge day 4 - hoi an

Decjuba floral dress, patchwork bag from one of the local markets

Hello from An Bang beach, Hoi An, where we enjoyed the clear skies and a mini Viet feast on the beach - a single serve of 9 spring rolls for under 3 bucks proved to be the best crunchy snacks I've had so far! Love the mish mash of colours in this breezy sheer floral dress and this little patchwork bag I scored at the markets here. In fact, these bags come in all shapes, sizes and colours here and you see them all around town!

I'm off now to find myself some bun bo nam bo for breakfast - promise I'll be back for more updates soon x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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the suitcase challenge day 3 - hoi an

Lula & Rose crochet fringe top, ASOS bikini, Minkpink x Nastygal denim shorts, Lovisa necklace; Tony Bianco sunnies

Sun, sand and the sea - this little town of Hoi An is an unexpected mix of new and old, with numerous resorts dotting its beachfront while its World Heritage-listed ancient town still retaining much of their old, traditional cultures. So thankful there was amazing sunshine today (it's been raining all other days) that was perfect for this delicate crochet top to come out and play.

In the quaint little town food stalls with their mini-sized furniture are all over the streets and both children and the elderly squat roadside selling paper lanterns - which are released into the river and make quite a pretty sight at night. Everything from pancakes to crepes to spring rolls is bundled in yet another layer of rice paper before eating, and I might have just found my favourite Banh Mi stand! 

Photos by Thomas Lo

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