Destination Dressing: From South Africa to Anywhere.
There are places in the world that don't always make the glossy travel wish lists.
South Africa is one of them.
For OnceWas Director and Head Designer, Belinda Abbott, it isn't simply a destination. It's home. A place woven with memory, contrast, emotion, and connection. It's where dramatic landscapes meet vibrant culture, where light shifts throughout the day, and where some of her earliest inspirations were formed.
"South Africa is not a curated backdrop for me, it's where I understand contrast, light, and emotion. That's what I try to translate into clothing."
While Europe may be synonymous with luxury travel, South Africa offers something equally powerful: authenticity. It's a place that reminds us that travel isn't always about discovering somewhere new. Sometimes it's about reconnecting with where you come from.
Have you ever travelled somewhere that felt less like a destination and more like a return to yourself?
For Belinda, this trip was exactly that.
And as with every journey, the pieces she packed were chosen with intention.
Building a Travel Wardrobe That Works Harder
When it comes to destination dressing, versatility is everything.
A thoughtfully curated travel wardrobe isn't about packing more. It's about packing better. Choosing pieces that layer effortlessly, crease minimally, adapt to changing climates, and transition seamlessly from day to night.
"A true capsule wardrobe isn't about restriction, it's about freedom. Fewer pieces, more possibility."
Every OnceWas collection is designed with this philosophy in mind. Pieces are created to move with you, whether you're navigating airports, exploring new cities, enjoying long lunches, or dressing for evening occasions.
Ready to simplify your next getaway? Explore pieces designed to travel beautifully, crease less, and style effortlessly from day to night.
Discover our latest collection.
The Art of Versatile Packing
Travel dressing is often discussed in practical terms, but the best wardrobes offer something more.
They create ease.
"Luxury, for me, is ease. It's clothing that doesn't demand attention, but always earns it."
Belinda designs with movement in mind.
"When I design for travel, I think in movement, airport chairs, warm evenings, changing climates. Clothing has to move through all of it without effort."
The result is a wardrobe that feels considered without feeling complicated.
One Blouse, Endless Possibilities
The Freya Sheer Viscose Blouse with Embellished Neck Detail perfectly captures the versatility that defines a great travel wardrobe.
Whether worn buttoned with tailored pants for a polished arrival look, layered open over a cami during a long-haul flight, or styled over swimwear for an afternoon by the pool, it effortlessly adapts to every part of your itinerary.
For cooler evenings, tuck it into a flowing skirt or pair it back with linen separates for dinner.
Wear it:
- With relaxed trousers or shorts for warm-weather sightseeing
- Layered beneath jackets and knits during transit
- Styled back with skirts for evening dinners
The most valuable pieces in a travel wardrobe are the ones that work harder than you expect. Layer them, reverse them, wear them open, wear them tucked, the possibilities travel with you.
Shop versatile tops designed for effortless packing.
Dresses Designed for Every Destination
A beautiful dress can often carry an entire holiday wardrobe.
The Liliana Cotton Silk Printed Maxi Dress in Cathedral Botanic is one of those rare pieces that feels equally appropriate wandering through local markets as it does sitting down for a sunset dinner.
Wear it loose and flowing during the day, cinch it with a belt for a more defined silhouette in the evening, or wear it open as a lightweight layer over swimwear when heading from beach to lunch.
The Solene Sheer Viscose Midi Dress in Exotica offers similar versatility.
Lightweight and easy to wear, it transitions effortlessly between occasions:
- Worn alone with sandals for daytime exploring
- Layered over a cami while travelling
- Styled open as a duster over trousers
- Elevated with jewellery and heels for dinner
From resort mornings to sunset dinners, a beautifully designed dress can carry an entire itinerary.
Explore our collection of travel-ready dresses.
The Dress That Does It All
Evening dressing while travelling should feel instinctive rather than overplanned.
The Wanderlust Pearl Embellished Maxi Dress in Dark Tropique is the ultimate example of a piece that earns its place in your suitcase. A true favourite among OnceWas customers, it has become known for its incredible versatility and ability to adapt to every stage of a journey.
Wear it buttoned as a statement maxi dress with sneakers for a day of sightseeing, then swap to heels and jewellery for an effortless evening look. Unbutton it completely and wear it as a lightweight duster over shorts and a cami for a chic daytime outfit, or layer it over swimwear as an elevated poolside cover-up. For cooler evenings or long-haul flights, wear it open as a flowing coat that adds both warmth and style.
This is the kind of piece Belinda loves to design, beautiful, functional, and endlessly wearable.
"The best pieces are the ones that disappear into your life and reappear in unexpected ways."
The Wanderlust isn't reserved for a single occasion. It transforms with your itinerary, working harder than almost anything else in your wardrobe. From airport lounges to beach days, city exploring to evening dinners, it's a piece you'll reach for again and again.
The 5'4 Collection: Designed for Real Women, Real Travel
Travel wardrobes work best when clothing fits beautifully from the outset.
That's the thinking behind the OnceWas 5'4 Collection.
Designed with proportion and wearability at its core, the collection ensures that women don't need to compromise on fit to achieve effortless style.
"Every piece starts with the question: how many ways can this live in a woman's wardrobe?"
Whether you're walking through an airport, exploring a new destination, or dressing for dinner after a long day, the right proportions make all the difference.
Looking polished while travelling starts with pieces designed to fit beautifully from the outset.
More Than a Destination
South Africa may not always be the first destination that comes to mind when people think of luxury travel.
But perhaps that's what makes it so memorable.
It's a reminder that the most meaningful journeys are often the ones rooted in connection, memory, and emotion.
The same philosophy sits at the heart of OnceWas.
"If it doesn't feel beautiful in motion, it doesn't leave the studio."
Every piece is designed to move with you. To travel beautifully. To be worn more than one way. To become part of your story rather than simply something you packed.
Build Your Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Whether you're returning home, setting off somewhere new, or simply looking for pieces that work harder in your everyday wardrobe, OnceWas is designed to move with you.
From lightweight blouses and reversible camis to statement dresses that transition effortlessly from day to night, every piece is created with versatility, craftsmanship, and longevity in mind.
"I want women to pack less, but experience more versions of themselves."
Explore our New Arrivals, discover the 5'4 Collection, and shop travel-ready dresses designed for wherever life takes you next.
