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The trick to light travel packing is in your clothing and how to mix and match the pieces into several outfits. In this post, I share my solution for packing light with a stylish capsule wardrobe for travel. I also include a downloadable outfit planner to help you figure out what items of clothing you need to pack and how to stylize them.
Dream it.
When I started this website, I was that girl with a large suitcase at the airport. I packed anything I thought I might need on vacation. I ended up wearing one-fourth of the things I packed. Other bloggers rolled their eyes on press trips when I checked a bag. I quickly realized I had to be more thoughtful about the way I packed.
Then, the airlines started charging for checked bags, and I immediately knew I had to learn how to travel smarter. I have struggled with this for a long time, but the best solution was to figure out what to pack by determining what activities I would be doing and how I could shuffle my travel wardrobe to match everything.
I’ve saved my favourite travel fashion items in my Amazon storefront; check them out here. US Store | Canadian Store
Plan it.
Use a Printable Outfit Planner to Sort Through What to Pack
1. Think About The Destination and the Weather Forecast
Start with the weather. The time of year you travel will affect the items you are packing. Check the weather forecast for each day and think about the type of clothing you will need for the weather forecast.
2. What Activities Will You Be Doing
Think about the activities that you have planned for your trip. Will you be attending a special event like a wedding? Will this be a casual trip with a few evening dinners or cocktail activities? When thinking about your travel wardrobe, you must have a rough idea of what you will do on your trip.
3. Select A Colour Palette for Your Travel Wardrobe
The colour pallet is the most crucial factor when choosing your travel wardrobe. Every item you pack needs to match or work with one another for this to work. Start with one must-have fashion piece in your wardrobe that you can’t travel without, and then choose two complementary colours that work with this garment. So your colour pallet should consist of 3 complimentary colours.
4. Create A List of Travel Wardrobe Ideas
Download our travel outfit planner as a guide to pick and choose which items you should pack for your trip.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to all our printables on our downloads page. You can access the downloads page from your weekly or monthly email if you are already a subscriber.
Do you need some packing list inspiration? See these posts:
- 7 Days of Stylish Winter Outfits – Winter Packing List
- Carry-on Winter Packing List
- 7-Day Stylish Spring Packing List
- 7-Day Stylish Summer Packing List
Live it.
5. Finalize the Items You will Pack
With as little as 16-20 individual items, you can create a 2-week wardrobe with over 20 styles.
- Four bottoms
- Four tops
- 1 Dress
- 2 Outerwear items
- Three shoes
- 2 Bags
- 1-2 Scarfs or Belt
You may need to add a bathing suit, gym outfit or special occasion dress to your wardrobe, but your core travel wardrobe should be several items you can mix and match to create multiple looks.
Tips to Plan Your Mix and Match Travel Wardrobe
Stick to the clothes you know and love; don’t try to be someone you are not. Ultimately, you will wear what makes you feel the most comfortable. Pick items you enjoy, like your favourite pair of jeans or leggings.
Quick Travel Wardrobe Planning Checklist
- Do all the tops choose to match well with the bottoms you selected?
- Did you pack outerwear that matches all the items you chose well?
- Are the items thin and comfortable enough for layering?
- Do you have items that work in case the weather shifts colder or warmer?
- Did you consider accessories like a silk scarf or belt to liven up an outfit?
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The Items You Need in Your Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Here are a few of my favourite clothing items in my travel capsule wardrobe. I’ve also put similar items into my Amazon storefront; check them out here.
Pack 4 Tops for your Mix and Match Wardrobe
In addition to complimentary colours and finding tops that you can dress up or down, think about layering your clothing items, tank tops are super for wearing under a button-down blouse or with a blazer.
For warmer seasons, choose thin fabrics that can be layered easily without overheating. This layering can also help keep you warm if you’re travelling in winter.
4 Bottoms in Your Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
A good rule of thumb is to pick items you can dress up and down. Make sure each bottom works with each top. Choose fabrics you will be comfortable in for the various activities in your trip plan. Leggings, stretchy jeans, pants and skirts are all great layering pieces.
Outerwear or Layering Tops
Button-down shirts, blazers, and cardigan sweaters are fantastic for layering tops to add glitz to your outfits. From light silk wrap shirts to cotton cardigans or blazers, ensure the pieces you choose work with every top and every bottom, and your outfit choices will be endless.
Best Shoes for a Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Most travellers’ hiccup when trying to pack light is the number of shoes or the space their shoes take up in their luggage. The shoes you choose must fit the activities you will be doing on your trip. If you do a lot of walking and sightseeing, you’ll need good walking shoes with support. Comfortable and casual shoes are a must; for special events, black sandals or boots can help dress things up.
Accessories and Capsule Wardrobe for Travel Essentials
Finally, a great printed scarf can add flare and work as a belt for some outfits. Jewelry, belts and scarves take up little room but can help change a wardrobe. Your handbags will also help you style travel outfits. Remember to choose bags that work for your travel plans, such as getting to the airport, sightseeing, carrying a camera, and carrying travel essentials day and night.
Download our Printable Travel Outfit Planner!
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