For a weekend in a wellness hotel you need very little: comfortable clothes for the daytime, one polished outfit for dinner, an extra layer and easy shoes. Because you spend a lot of time in a bathrobe or swimwear, the rest of your suitcase can stay compact. Choose calm colours that combine with each other and bring three pieces you wear in several ways rather than six that each get worn once. That way you travel light and feel at ease at every moment of the weekend.
The starting point: soft, calm and layered
In a wellness hotel you keep changing rhythm: breakfast, sauna, an hour in the lounge, a treatment, dinner. Each moment asks something different of your clothes, but it always comes down to the same three things. They should feel soft, be easy to put on and take off, and look polished in the shared spaces. In September there is one more thing. The mornings and evenings get cooler, even when the day is still mild. So always bring one extra layer, for a walk nearby or for the stroll from the spa to the dining room.
The packing list in four blocks
You can easily divide your suitcase into four parts.
- Daytime in the hotel: a soft top or polo and a relaxed trouser. You wear this between treatments, at lunch and while reading by the window.
- Dinner: one outfit that is a little smarter, but not formal. Many wellness hotels have a quiet dining room where smart casual is the norm.
- Outdoors: a cardigan or light jacket and shoes you can walk in for an hour.
- Sleeping and spa: slippers, a swimsuit or swim shorts, a second swimsuit to change into and a small bag for your things.
For her: soft and polished
A polo made of lyocell can be a comfortable base for a weekend like this. The Ophelia in white is made of 100% lyocell, a fibre that feels soft on the skin, which makes it pleasant after an hour in the sauna. Wear it in the daytime with a wide trouser and in the evening with a smart trouser. A knitted cardigan such as the Eleanor in white (viscose with polyamide) works in the same colour family.
For the cooler moments, take a cardigan. The Veronique in light grey is made of 100% lyocell and fits over the polo above. Thanks to the calm colours white and light grey, you can combine everything without having to choose each time. You can find more fine knits in the knitwear for women collection.
For him: relaxed but neat
For men, two polos and one trouser are already enough for several combinations. The Theodore in light grey melange is made of 100% lyocell and suits a relaxed afternoon. Combine it with the Winston in cream, a trouser made of polyester, viscose and elastane, and you are ready for dinner. You can find more options in the men's polos.
A weekend in outfits
| Moment | Her | Him |
|---|---|---|
| Friday evening, arrival | Ophelia in white with a wide trouser | Theodore with Winston |
| Saturday morning, breakfast | Ophelia with Eleanor over it and a soft trouser | Polo and a relaxed trouser |
| Saturday evening, dinner | Ophelia with a smart trouser, Veronique over the shoulders | Theodore with Winston and smart shoes |
| Sunday, journey home | Ophelia with Veronique | Polo and a jacket |
A calm rhythm in your clothes
At a wellness weekend, comfort comes first. Choose clothes you feel good in, even if that means wearing almost the same as at home on a free Sunday. Polished does not have to mean strict: a smart trouser with a soft top is enough not to look out of place in the dining room. If you want to add something extra, choose one small accessory.
What do you leave at home?
- High heels and stiff shoes. You mostly walk in slippers and comfortable sneakers or loafers.
- Lots of jewellery. A sauna and swimming pool are no place for necklaces and bracelets.
- Lots of separate colours. A small colour palette makes combining easier.
- Clothes you have to smooth out after sitting for an hour. Choose fabrics that drape softly.
Colours and fabrics for the spa
Calm colours are easy to combine with each other. Choose white, cream, grey, sand and light blue for the daytime, and add a deeper colour for dinner, such as navy or dark brown. Choose fabrics that feel soft and comfortable to you. So always feel the fabric before you pack it: what feels soft and airy, you will also wear for a whole Saturday.
A second point is scent. In a sauna or steam room, clothes easily absorb the smell of the hotel. So bring a small bag for worn clothes and do not hang your dinner outfit in the same wardrobe as your wet swimwear.
Packing practically
Roll or fold soft tops in the way that best suits the fabric and your bag. Put damp swimwear in a separate pouch after use, so the rest stays dry. Bring a small toiletry bag for the spa: a comb, lip balm and a good cream, because the air in a sauna dries out the skin. Pack your clothes in the order you need them first, so you do not have to unpack everything on arrival.
Want to know how to keep knitted pieces clean after a trip? Read the care instructions for a good approach per material.
Shop the look
Ophelia: polo, white
Eleanor: cardigan, white
Veronique: cardigan, light grey
Theodore: polo, light grey melange
Winston: trouser, cream
Frequently asked questions
How many outfits do I need for a weekend in a wellness hotel?
For two nights, three to four combinations are enough: one for arrival, one for Saturday daytime, one for dinner and one for the journey home. By combining pieces, you can go a long way with few items.
What do you wear for dinner in a wellness hotel?
Usually smart casual: a smart trouser with a fine-knit top or polo, and for men possibly a shirt. A bathrobe is often not allowed in the dining room, so check the hotel's website.
Which shoes do you bring?
A pair of slippers for the spa, a pair of comfortable shoes for walks and a smarter option for dinner, such as loafers. More rarely fits in a weekend bag.
