A capsule wardrobe is probably best defined as “a mini wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally love to wear”. Given that it’s not feasible to take your whole wardrobe with you when travelling, creating a travel capsule wardrobe makes perfect sense.
Taking the time out to plan a travel capsule wardrobe means you end up packing lighter and smarter. It also means you’ll spend less time getting dressed and more time enjoying your destination.
So where should you start? Your travel capsule wardrobe will depend on how long you are going away. As a rough guide, it’s good to aim for two to three items of each category. For example, your capsule wardrobe for a two-week holiday could include:
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- two pairs of pants (jeans and a smarter pair)
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- two shorts or skirts, one of each
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- two dresses (again, a daytime one and an evening one – you can’t go past a little black dress)
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- two jumpers / knits /long-sleeve light-weight tops
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- two T-shirts
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- two singlets (opt for some dressier pieces to dress up daytime outfits into evening wear)
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- two jackets (a light-weight casual option, such as a denim jacket and something more substantial in case it gets cold in the evenings or during transit)
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- two or three pairs of shoes (runners/sneakers, some nice sandals and a something to give you some height, such as wedges or heels).
This gives you a total of roughly 16 items with four bottoms, two dresses and eight tops. Not to mention at least two shoe options for both daytime and evening. If you’re not going for that long, or if you feel this is more than you would usually take, aim for one of each of the above items instead. Similarly, if you’re going away for months on end, consider three options in each category.
When choosing your items, make sure you consider the following:
- Do you love it and would you wear it right now or do you wear it weekly at home?
- Is it easy to create outfits with? And does it match most of your other items?
- Is it appropriate for where you are going in terms of climate and culture?
For the most versatile travel capsule wardrobe possible, stick with a neutral colour palate. Add the occasional statement item to liven up your outfits.
When it comes to creating a travel capsule wardrobe, accessories are your best friend. They make it easy to turn an otherwise simple or basic outfit into a statement. You could consider taking two printed or colourful scarves, a hat and adding in a few of your favourite accessories. And when it comes to underwear, less is perhaps not more – feel free to take more than two pairs of those!
One more thing: don’t forget your bikini – while aiming for two is admirable, you should never travel with fewer than four options.
Do you have any tips for creating a travel capsule wardrobe? We’d love to hear them in the comments.
