If you’ve got a vacation on the calendar and want to pack well, I’m sharing style tips that show how to pack a travel capsule. Even if you aren’t going away soon, this post will help in your everyday life as it explains how to create a more cohesive wardrobe.
Previously, I never wanted to learn how to pack a travel capsule. I was always the one in line at the airport with the massive suitcase that weighed around 49.5 lbs. Because when I’m getting dressed — whether at home, or on vacation — I like having options.
But at the end of my last big trip, I took a photo of all the pieces I didn’t wear on vacation—there were a lot! This inspired me to pack lighter the next time around.
Read on to see how to pack a travel capsule.
How To Pack For Your Next Trip
There are two guiding principles that helped shape my packing choices. By keeping these in mind as I pulled pieces from my closet, I was able to stay on track.
On a side note, having the photo of the unworn items from the previous trip proved to be incredibly useful. It gave me insight into the types of things I don’t like to wear while on vacation. So that image also helped me choose what not to pack.
Guiding Principle #1- Harmonious Color Palette
Often when you see a capsule wardrobe it’s comprised of solid dark or neutral pieces because these colors are easy to match. My issue is that I don’t usually wear all dark and neutral pieces. So packing in that palette wouldn’t work for me. I like color. I like pattern. And I want to wear these on vacation as I do in my everyday life.
What I do have, however, is a lot of clothes in red, orange and blue. And these go well together.
Make sure you only pack harmonious colors in your capsule. And it’s good to throw in a few neutrals to balance things out.
Guiding Principle #2 – Each Piece Must Make 3 Outfits
This is where those neutral pieces come into play. Each item you place in the suitcase must work to create 3 looks. The neutrals that I packed were my denim shorts, blue jeans, black shorts and military green pants. This made it easier to find outfits for the plaid, floral and other patterned tops. Also animal prints and stripes are considered a neutral and mix pretty easily with other prints.
It’s also helpful to think about wearing all your patterns or bold colors on top, and then going neutral on bottom. That’s how I did it. You could put your neutrals on top and go bold on the bottom, if you choose.
Outfit Plan For The Win
Planning your travel capsule takes time up front. You’ll want to dedicate a couple hours. This way you can be thoughtful as you figure out what you want to wear, and how to pack in a way that’s streamlined, yet still satisfies your style.
If you want to see examples from my wardrobe on how to pack a travel capsule, click play to watch the video. I take you through the process of what goes into a well rounded vacation wardrobe.
The key to packing well for your trips is to have a versatile and harmonious wardrobe. And this starts with knowing what looks good on you. Once you have this understanding of what to wear, not only will you love your outfits on vacation, but also in your everyday life!
Because it’s one thing to feel uncomfortable on your trip and wish you brought other clothes, but when you feel self conscious about how you look at home, and you don’t have the right clothes to wear…it impacts how you feel about yourself which can disrupt your entire life.
If you’re ready to get help, book your Style Statement Sessions and I’ll show you what styles suit you best so you feel amazing in your clothes both on vacation and at home!
Ha ha..that reminds me the 1st time I went to Turkey. Didn’t have the foggiest what the dress code was and took all but the kitchen sink. While waiting in the queue at customs a man looked at my case and said “have you come to live?”. Boy was my face red! I never got caught like that again and now people ask me where’s all my luggage?
Sounds like the lesson served you well! I’m impressed that you travel so lightly now.