👗 For a refined, put-together look, head to TheRuth first

If we want to do the beautiful old-house cafes on our first day, we should check in at TheRuth on Wanchang Street first. Their clothes are exactly that effortless-looking but actually very considered kind of everyday quality.

(Image source: Google, salina Liu)

I was looking at their Instagram: slightly sheer shirts, tailored trousers cut to flatter the hips, soft knitwear. Everything feels good in the hand – not the sort of thing that falls apart after one wash. Pick one softly sweet, comfortable outfit here and you have already added a hundred points of polish.

🌸 Drinks in the evening? Lunita turns you into a K-drama lead in seconds

If you want that ethereal look that gets you stopped in the street, come with me to Lunita on Xihuanan Street. They specialise in Korean women’s clothing, and the owner’s eye for buying is excellent – properly Gangnam.

(Image source: Google, Xiangcui)

There are dresses that flatter the figure, gentle floral skirts, and cropped tops with unusual cuts. Choose something slightly dressed-up here, then go for a drink at one of the bistros around Shennong Street in the evening – the photographs will have real atmosphere. Authentic Korean pieces without flying to Seoul, so we will definitely be in here a while.

🔥 Refuse to match strangers in the street: go treasure hunting at A+ company

I know nothing annoys you more than seeing someone in the same outfit. You will love A+ company on Qingnian Road, which focuses on niche, one-off streetwear with a stronger, more individual look ><

(Image source: the shop’s Instagram)

There is menswear as well as womenswear – and as you know, an oversized menswear piece on a woman is where real style lives now. We can put together something cool and slightly defiant here: sharply cut workwear trousers with a design-led top. Shopping here is like treasure hunting, there is always a surprise, and heads will turn.

🛹 Well fed and relaxed? Change into American vintage at GOAL

Tainan calls for a certain “I am completely chilled” energy. The last shop, GOAL on Minquan Road, is exactly the Y2K American vintage look that is everywhere right now.

They have plenty of washed, faded T-shirts, beautifully cut wide-leg trousers and American jackets that look good the moment you put them on. I think we should buy here on our last day, change into that easy street look, put on a cap and trainers and eat our way along Guohua Street – and nobody will notice a slightly full stomach (crucial, obviously). Cool, comfortable and perfectly suited to Tainan’s pace.

Q1Hold on – if we don’t even bring a bag, what about skincare and make-up?

A

Darling, central Tainan is full of Watsons and Cosmed. We buy lightweight travel-size sets. Our guiding principle this time is:“If the magic little card can solve it, it doesn’t get carried.”

Q2Buying new clothes every day – won’t that bankrupt us?

A

Let’s do the maths. You save on lockers, on taxis to shift luggage, and on the brain cells that die while packing. And you would wear these clothes at home anyway, so think of them asextremely practical wearable souvenirs, and the money starts to look both justified and rather good value.

Q3Why does it have to be3 Door Hotel? Wouldn’t somewhere else do?

A

Becausethe location is astonishingly good. Stay too far out and you will be walking a long way loaded with bags and thoroughly fed up. 3 Door Hotel is close to the station and a regular on lists ofrecommended places to stay near Tainan Railway Stationrecommended by plenty of people online, and the moment you step out you are in prime clothes-shopping territory. When you have shopped enough, drop it all in the room and carry on. That is the ultimate in doing as little as possible.

Q4But… if I buy too much, what if I can’t carry it home?

A

Easy. There is a 7-Eleven or a FamilyMart on practically every corner in Tainan. Walk in, ask for a box and usestore-to-store deliveryto send it to the convenience store near your home. Empty-handed there, empty-handed back, floating onto the train. Perfect.

Q5If I bring my boyfriend on this zero-luggage plan, is there anything for him?

A

Absolutely. Both A+ company and GOAL have plenty of good menswear, Y2K and workwear alike. Next time tell him not to pack either, and the two of you can go and reinvent yourselves in Tainan with empty hands. It will be brilliant.