Fash-On: The Chuseok Long Weekend Away
Shot on location at the Haevichi Hotel and Resort Jeju Island and Double Dragon Falls near Daegu.
The weather in August this year has been crazy hot and, without rain to cool things down for a bit, I found myself going insane. Being a water sign myself, I have to indulge in the liquid pleasures of summer by lounging poolside with a refreshing tropical juice in hand. That is quite a hard task as Gwangju is situated in the mountains and the outdoor pools for frolicking are hard to come by. But with a little planning, you too can soon chill out and relax visiting a nearby valley or stream or hop on either a ferry or plane to visit the lovely Jeju Island.
Celebrate the end of summer with a long weekend away near the water’s edge. And the perfect opportunity is just around the corner. This year Chuseok falls on a super long weekend, so start booking flights and hotels to an island where September temperatures hover around 28 degrees.
A quick weekend get-away is no biggie ,whether it is to top up your tan or just relax, but remember to look good. Not too sure? I have a couple of options for you. Enjoying the last of the warm weather and going down to the water doesn’t mean that you “just” have to wear that old swimsuit. By all means, look good and feel good.
Keep it basic. Think light vests, shorts and flip flops, but with a twist. Black swimming trunks with oversized vest is my number 1 pick as it helps to hide some of those kilos some of us might have put on over the winter. A vest in the water might seem strange, but remember in some places in Korea, flashing skin might not be appreciated very much. Therefore rather err on the side of modesty, although this depends on the situation and what those around you are wearing. But mostly feel comfortable and try not to make those around you too uncomfortable either. 
A quick visit to the valley is refreshing and there’s a lot of fresh mountain water to cool you down. Just sit back and relax with the flowing water. For my visit to Double Dragon Fountains near Daegu, I paired a black vest and swim trunks with a floppy hat and some sunglasses.
Don’t forget your sunscreen as you don’t want a late sunburn that will leave you in more pain than intended. Sunglasses may vary in shape and just make sure that they protect you from the glare of the UV rays.
Alas, one weekend at the valley was not enough and I decided to board a liner to Jeju Island. Ferries run daily from Mokpo and other southern coastal cities, but you have to book in advance during this high peak season, and they take between two to four hours. Flying is quicker but is more expensive. For the boat ride there, a pair of comfy shorts and a t-shirt combo will suffice. Opt for a light color as it will keep you cool but once on the island feel free to get as tropical as you want.
The next outfit of choice is a poolside combo with a different feel from dark to bright. Go for shorter-length swim shorts for men and quick drying material for women. Also remember to rinse off your swimming attire in cold water and leave to air dry, especially if you are coming from a dip in the ocean, as the salt from the water can degrade fabric. Also, allowing it to stay moist for a long time will leave your clothing musty and can likewise lead to damage and discoloration. So be careful.
Now that you have the clothing under control, just enjoy. Feel the breeze through your hair, sun on your face and sand between your toes. This is the last of summer, so soak it up!
Jeans – Tommy Hilfiger
Vests – H&M
Blue swim shorts – H&M
Hat – NC Wave
White T-shirt – Uniqlo
Sunglasses – Timezone