How to make a Travel Capsule Wardrobe
This is how I make a travel capsule wardrobe that you’ll be excited to wear for any length trip, anywhere, and any time of the year. I love packing, and I promise that if you pack a capsule wardrobe like this, you will always have what you need, and it won’t look like you’re wearing the same outfit every day. My travel capsule wardrobe planner is based on my trademark capsule wardrobe formula.
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Travel Capsule Wardrobe Guide
1 | Decide What Kind of Outfits?
This depends on what kind of a trip your taking. Casual outfits for a week with the family in the mountains over winter break. Professional outfits for a business trip. Swimsuits and resort casual outfits for a tropical trip. A variety of outfits from basic to black tie for a cruise. Festive fits for a girls weekend or couples getaway. You get the idea.
2 | Make a Master List
Once you know when and where you’re going, start making a master list of all the items you can see yourself wearing when you’re there.
Start with your shoes. It won’t matter how perfect your outfit is if the shoes you wear don’t match or you’re hobbling because your feet hurt. A capsule wardrobe will help you save on space so you can splurge and pack more shoes. A good travel shoe wardrobe includes comfortable flats, sneakers, and a low heel.
Next, write down bottoms, tops, a dress or skirt, and layering pieces you like. Your travel outfits should always be your bulkiest shoes and layering piece.
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Packing Video
3 | Edit Your List
This is the hardest part, but if you choose wisely, you’ll be surprised how little you need. The best travel capsule wardrobe only includes pieces that mix and match no matter what combination you choose. These two tips will help.
Tip #1 | Do The Math
Now that you know what shoe styles you’ll be wearing, use that as a guide to pick the other pieces you pack. Decide how many bottoms your bringing and divide by how many times you would wear each one. For short trips I usually divide by 2 and for longer trips by 3. That’s about how many bottoms you should bring. For example if your traveling for two weeks in Europe (divide by 3) that’s 4.6, so I’d take about 4-5 bottoms including dresses.
Tip #2 | Double Duty
Aside from all the pieces going together no matter what combination you choose, it will be a bonus if any of the pieces you pick do double duty. For example, a skirt that can be worn as a dress or anything reversible. My 9 piece Carryon Capsule Wardrobe makes 49 outfits with mostly pieces that do double duty.
Double Duty Skirt
Top 6 Double-Duty Travel Essentials
- Reversible ballet back top
- Wrap sweater
- V-Neck cardigan
- Long elastic waist skirt
- Large square scarf
- WOC
4| Choose A Color Story
If you love prints, this will be easy. Pick any of the items on your list in a pattern and pull the colors from that into your color story. For example, it can be colors in the cropped cardigan or pull-on pants from my Resort Casual Capsule Wardrobe or the large scarf from my Spring/Summer European Travel Capsule.
If you don’t love prints, don’t panic. You can make a completely neutral capsule wardrobe more fun by adding a pop of color, like red or metallic.
You can make an entirely neutral wardrobe, like black and white, fashionable by adding different textures or neutral prints like stripes.
Red Rover Red Rover Send All The Red Over
Neutral Metallics
Black & White But Make it Fashion With Neutral Prints
5 | Make or Download a Lookbook
Most of my free capsule wardrobes and all of my classic capsules come with a free lookbook you can download. When you’re traveling and the weather or your itinerary changes it’s nice to know “all” of your options. When you have so many sometimes it’s easy to forget.
Travel Accessories Checklist
1. Tote Bag
The best are lightweight, work with your outfits, and can fit on your shoulder.
2. WOC or Belt Bag
A wallet-on-chain will easily fit inside your tote bag, and can be carried as a clutch or crossbody bag. Belt bags are an awesome travel companion. They look cool styled around your waist or across your body while keeping your hands free!
3. Hat & Sunnies
Under $100
I never travel without at least one hat and one pair of sunnies. Keep everyone guessing if you’re a celebrity or just sleepy.
4. Large Scarf
Scarves can be styled in so many different ways they should count as an article of clothing. I love that they take little to no space. Plus a playful print can add color and a lot of interest to a mostly solid color story. I love a large square scarf like one of these that can be styled as a swimsuit coverup, top, or headband.
4. Two-Tone Jewelry
The fewer little parts and pieces you have to keep track of the better. Don’t ditch your accessories. Instead, choose a versatile set of 3-4 items you can wear all together or two at a time. The best sets are two-tone because they go with everything!