Holiday in Style ... Langkawi, Malaysia

Located between the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca, Langkawi is the gem of Kedah and Malaysia. It's scenic beauty and steep legends and myth have attracted tourists from all over the world not just to soak in its natural beauty but to comprehend and be amazed by the magical stories it possessed.

White sandy beaches, million-years old forests and other natural structures such as caves, mountains and hills teemed with 360 days of sun proves to be a temptation to tourists who first set their foot on this island. Add duty-free shopping extravagance and Langkawi is too good to be true.

How do I get there?
There are numerous numbers of flight to Langkawi on daily basis from any Malaysian airports. Local carriers Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia conduct daily flights from and to Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bharu. For international flights, apart from Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways fly to directly to Langkawi from Singapore and Bangkok on daily basis. For a little adventure, you can either take a 5-hour bus trip from Puduraya in Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah jetty or Kuala Perlis jetty and board on Langkawi ferry for a 45-minutes cruise.

Where to stay?
For accomodation, there are many hotels, resorts and chalets to suit your budget. If you are a discerning traveler who cares about comfort and luxury, just to match your Louis Vuitton trunks, then there are a number of luxurious resort complete with private beach for you to spend the nights, such as the Mediterranean-inspired Awana Porto Malai (inset left). Otherwise, if you are much of a budget-wise and prefers to immerse yourself with local culture and sample its way of life, chalets and home stays are abundant especially near the coast of Cenang Beach, where most tourists headed.

What to do?
In Langkawi there are many things you can do. You can either take a nature trail walk or cruise down the river to the estuary and the sea, visit all the legendary spots and listen to the age-old stories that accompanied them, spend some time watching how LangkawiiCrystal products are made at its factory and yes, do some duty-free shopping at Sky Mall or Underwater World.

What about dining and entertainment?
Since Langkawi is a duty-free island, dining and wining is not a problem. Major hotels serves international and continental cuisines and of course, liquors and wines are cheap here compared to the mainland and other parts of Malaysia. Do not forget to try local cuisine and seafood is cheap too. If nightlife you're asking for, there are abundance of pubs and clubs around Kuah Town, hotels as well as along Pantai Cenang strip.

The Style Guide
Since Langkawi is sunny and warm all year round, thick clothes are optional especially if you opt to stay at seaside resorts. Clothes from comfortable yet thin materials such as cotton is suitable to be worn here. Need some ideas, here's my suggestion:

The Day Look

Scoop Silk Tube Dress

Oftenly, tube dress is the best alternative for dressing up during holidays. Not only because it's easy to wear but say, if you could not resist a dip in the cool waters of the sea, just slip out of the dress but make sure your bikini is on, and go get a plunge.

Planning for an outing at Kuah Town to find some knick-knacks and souvenits to be brought home? Well, this Scoop tube dress is just perfect for the occasion. This pink and white slip-in printed tube dress is crinckled and has a sheer bust panel and layered skirt that falls below the knees. The vibrant pink print resembles the local Batik that is abundant and affordable in Langkawi.

Please take note that there are certain places in Langkawi that are considered by the locals as sacred and shoulder baring and free hair are prohibited. So please bring along at least a cropped cardigan to cover your bare shoulders and a hair scarf to cover up your hair.

Bottega Veneta Interciatto Leather Shopper Bag

Ever since Tomas Maier was appointed to head Italian fashion house and leather good maker Bottega Veneta, his creations are not only luxurious and marvelous, but also incorporates the idea of forms and function, an aspect incorporated by the Germans in designing.

As always, this Shopper bag is one of my favorite bags to tote all season. The shopper bag is roomy and you can keep almost anything in it. Add the gold hardware and you'll have both holiday rustic and luxury chic in one style.

Another alternative to this bag is the local woven bags made from Pandanus leaves. Though the bag do resemble this super chic Bottega Shopper but the bag cannot hold all your possessions as good as this stylish bag. Visit Bottega Veneta boutique at Avenue K for a complete line of woven bags.

Fendi B Canvas Wedges

Wedges are good companion to your feet and holiday look. Wearing sandals or pumps during seaside or rustic vacation doesn't suit you so always go for wedges or espadrilles.

A common choice among stylish holiday goers are espadrilles or wedges made from either cork or woven raffia. Well, if there's no cork or woven raffia, canvas can be a good choice.

What do I like about this B Canvas wedges is the buckle detail. Like the B bag or B belt, the B buckle detail is applied to the canvas, making it more luxurious and appealing. Match it with your B bag and you get the B look! Best of all, it can be worn on both night and day occasions. For more choices and colors, visit Palazzo Fendi flagship store at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Tara Matthews Frog Embellished Bikini (Optional)

Tara Matthews bikinis are simply divine. The half-Indian and half-British designer breathes fresh air into swimwears in just one season by creating stunning pieces in pomegranate red, peacock blue and emerald green embellished with ecclectic embroidery.

The cute frog in gold thread embroidery on the bikini is the center of attraction. With green as its base color, this swimwear teems perfectly with Langkawi's million-years old forests that surrounds the resort pool.

For a cover up, caftans from Malaysian designer who is making name on her own in London fashion scene, Tom Abang Saufi with signature batik prints is a must.

The Evening Look

Michael Kors Chrysanthemum Jacquard Dress

Michael Kors is famously known for his stint with Celine. The creator of Celine's IT bag, the Boogie Bag, his Spring 2003 Collection for Celine, featuring halter dresses with big pink orchid brooch and jungle prints was a big hit among fashion lovers.

Now, designing under his own brand, Michael Kors again creates his magic in dressing the feminines up with his beautiful yet sophisticated designs. Want to have a candlelight dinner for two but hate to sacrifice your vacation mood then this immaculate blue-ands-silver chrysanthemum print jacquard dress will perfectly do for you.

Inspired by the 60's, the halter dress features a knot detail bust, removable self-tie halter neck that you can easily remove and turn it into a strapless evening dress, plus boned bust and zip fastening back.

Anya Hindmarch Libertine Woven Leather Clutch

If there is one good bag lady in this world who knows how to do her thing then I would say Anya Hindmarch fits the notion. She first captured the world's attention with her Be A Bag collection where everyone can slap their photos on tote bags and even luggages.

Get the chic yet feminine Anya Hindmarch feel with her Libertine woven clutch bag. This bag is too hard to resist and timeless essential for your evening occassions. It has signature clasp fastening on top and gold trimmed with suede lining in the inside. The bag is available at Anya Hindmarch stores at Suria KLCC and Parkson U, One Utama.

Jimmy Choo Jag Leather Slingbacks

Last but not least, the finishing touch of your look for the night, Jag leather slingbacks by world's famous Malaysian-born shoemaker Jimmy Choo.

Okay so everybody knows that the shoes are literally not designed by the man himself but his niece, Sandra Choi who works as Creative Director with socialite Tamara Mellon as the company's CEO.

What is so special about this shoes? One, it's a Jimmy Choo classic design for his evening collection and two, the metallic hue, which is the in shade since the last season (remember the revival of glam 80's last Fall?). With an approximate height of 85 mm high, this open-toed sandals with diamante buckle strap fastening on the ankle can make any woman feels sexy.

Roberto Cavalli Serpent Bangle

Complete your evening look with the trademark serpent bangle from Italian designer Roberto Cavalli. One of signature's Roberto Cavalli accessories, the bangle is made of blue-enamel with gold tone base and floral decoration details.

It has a tail and head which meets at top and embellished with rhinestones and spring clasps under head and tail. Best of all, the bangle suits perfectly with your Michael Kors evening dress.

To get these looks or more ideas on how to be in style while vacationing, you can always log on to Net-a-Porter.com to shop for ideas. For more details on Langkawi Island, visit Tourism Malaysia's Official Site or contact your travel agents today and start planning your vacation at the isle of legend.

*Photos courtesy of Tourism Malaysia and Net-A-Porter.com

Bottega Veneta - Ground Floor, Avenue K, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Fendi - Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Anya Hindmarch - First Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur; Parkson U, One Utama New Wing, 1, Bandar Utama Damansara, Petaling Jaya.