Tips for Building a Travel Capsule Wardrobe
I’m often asked how I can pack all of my travel needs into one carry on bag, and the answer is simple: capsule wardrobe.
If you haven't heard this term before, a capsule wardrobe is a small group of clothing that includes pieces that can be easily mixed and matched to make a large number of outfits. These pieces tend to be classics that never go out of style. It's a great way to always look put together, live a little lighter, be more environmentally mindful, get rid of “what should I wear” syndrome, and have a wardrobe that you completely adore by getting rid of excess that no longer serves your needs.
Travel capsule wardrobes are much the same. However, there are two things you should know about this method of packing - one is that, depending on the length of your trip, you will need to do laundry while you're on the road. The second is that creating your own travel capsule wardrobe will probably take a bit of time to perfect. But once you do, you'll travel with a level of freedom and satisfaction that's hard to achieve when you're lugging around a huge suitcase.
I’ll be leaving for Italy soon, and my travel wardrobe for this time of year (Spring) for this trip will consist of 3-4 pants/leggings, 3-5 tops, 4 dresses or tunics and two pairs of shoes. I prefer dresses and tunics because they can be layered over long sleeved shirts and pants and paired with a cardigan when it’s a bit chillier, or worn as is when its warm and sunny. They tend to take up less space in my suitcase during colder months than bulky sweaters and jeans, and because they’re so adaptable they’re great for transitional seasons as well.
But, your packing list will look completely different. You may LOVE jeans and sweaters or, when in warm locales, shorts and tanks. And that’s perfectly okay! This is the beauty of establishing your own capsule wardrobe. It will be perfect for you and only you. Just make sure that you’re packing things you love, and things that are acceptable for the place you’re traveling to. For example, in Italy you’re expected to dress up more. I don’t plan on doing any sports, so I won’t be packing any active wear. But if I were going to Costa Rica, my list would look completely different.
Despite the fact that everyone’s packing list looks different and that it will shift depending on where you’re traveling, there are a few general tips I’ve learned over the years to help you as you start down the road of creating a perfect-for-you travel wardrobe.
PACK WITH PURPOSE
One big mistake I see with packing is the urge to pack for what might happen, rather than what will happen. Sometimes this is okay; for example, packing a raincoat during warmer months just makes sense. But it’s when this urge gets out of control that our packing balloons and gets out of control, forcing us to carry a large suitcase.
ONLY PACK HALF OF WHAT YOU NEEED
For shorter trips (less than a week) this isn’t an issue, but for anything longer you’ll need to pare down and plan on doing a bit of laundry while you’re away. Pick quick-dry fabrics so that you can do a quick wash in the evening before bed and have dry clothing by morning. Using travel wash bag can make this process quicker and easier if you don’t have access to a machine or laundry service.
NEUTRALS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND
Neutrals are the perfect choice when you’re trying to downsize your wardrobe, because different pieces can be mixed and matched to make a wide array of outfit choices. I often wear black for my larger pieces (pants and tunics/dresses), and save colors and patterns for my layers and accent pieces (like scarves).
LOOK FOR PIECES THAT CAN DO DOUBLE - OR TRIPLE - DUTY
A great example of this is leggings. Worn with the right outfit, they can work for a night out. But they’re also great for activities like hiking, or for sleeping. The more pieces you have that can be worn in more than one circumstance, the less you’ll have to pack!
CONSIDER LEAVING TOILETRIES AT HOME
Unless you have special products you use, you can save a lot of space by just using the toiletries available at your hotel or AirBnb. Or you can purchase them once you get to your location. Sometimes it’s fun to try products from the places you’re traveling!
USE PACKING CUBES
Packing cubes are great tools for compressing your clothing, which will give you more space in your suitcase. Just be sure that you meet your airlines’ weight requirements.
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hi there, I’m angi the founder of roam & gather. My mission is to curate joy-centered, small group journeys that are relaxed, intimate, and rooted in culture, community and slowness.
Roam & Gather is a small travel company offering soul-nourishing, curated travel experiences that help connect people with global communities, like-minded travelers and themselves.
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