How to Build the Perfect Travel Capsule Wardrobe

What goes into a capsule wardrobe?

Here’s how to start thinking about a capsule wardrobe for travel.

Consider your destination

Do some research. Check out 10 Travel Planning Tips to Create the Perfect Trip for ideas to get you started.

• What will the climate be like? Hot and muggy? Below freezing and windy? A little of both?
• How do people dress where you’re going? Are they very casual, and you can get by in jeans and a T-shirt, or are they smart and stylish, and you’ll need to dress accordingly? You’ll want to take the right clothes, so you don’t stand out as a tourist.
• What events will you be attending? If you only have one or two dressy affairs, what day-time clothes can you bring that can do double duty for the evening with a bit of accessorizing with some jewelry or a jacket and tie?

Create a packing list

Once you have an idea of the types of clothes that will be required, create a simple packing list. This way, you'll be sure to have the clothes that you need based on the culture, the weather, and your activities. Then, you can start thinking about which individual items you'll take, which you already have, and which you'll need to purchase.

For example, can you get by with a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt or will you need a little black dress? Can you trust the laundry at your destination or should you leave that lovely silk blouse at home?

Select the right fabrics

Opt for lightweight clothing you can layer rather than bulky items that take up space, and choose fabrics that resist wrinkles.

Cotton takes forever to dry unless it’s very lightweight. So instead, choose clothing made of performance fabric like polyester or nylon. Two other good choices are Merino wool or linen.

Clothes made from Merino wool--my top picks--are lightweight and comfortable in a variety of climates. The nice thing about Merino is that it repels odors, so you can wear it many times before it needs a wash. Linen also works in different climates as it traps heat yet is breathable.

There are several different ways to set up your capsule wardrobe for traveling. The main key is to choose versatile pieces as base layers that can work in multiple situations and take up little space.

Start with the bottoms

Choose whether you’ll go with neutral colors on the bottom and add more color and flair with your tops or vice versa.

If you choose neutral bottoms, start with a foundation of neutral-colored pairs of pants, skirts, or shorts. These can be black, white, gray, navy, or beige. For example, a black pair of leggings or slacks, dark-wash jeans or chinos, and a beige skirt or shorts. Be sure they’ll be comfortable if you’re sitting for long periods as well as being on the go. And have one pair that you can dress up or down.

If you’re going for color and pattern on the bottom, check out RipSkirt. It’s incredible how many RipSkirts you can pack in one suitcase!

Add mix-and-match tops

If you’ve chosen colorful bottoms, look for neutral-colored tops that work with several of the bottoms.

If you’ve chosen neutral bottoms, then have some fun and choose print and colorful solid tops that coordinate with the neutral bottoms you’ve chosen. These could be button-down shirts, casual blouses, T-shirts, or tank tops. Remember to choose lightweight fabrics that can be hand-washed and will dry overnight, as you’ll be washing the tops more than the bottoms.

Of course, if it's your personal style, you can always just choose a neutral color palette, take versatile basics, and then add a pop of color through your accessories.

Pack day-to-night dresses

If you wear dresses, choose a color and style you can dress up or down depending on how you accessorize it. That way, it works for both your days out and for an evening event. One of the many dresses from Wool&, this dress from Chico’s, or one of the many dresses from Karina will fit the bill.

Or try a convertible dress like the Encircled Chrysalis Cardi.

Bring pieces to layer

This is where the magic comes in. Add a couple of layering items to adapt to changing weather conditions. For example, you could include just a long-sleeved shirt or a light denim jacket if you’ll be heading to a tropical location, or if colder, a lightweight cardigan, a jacket, a trench coat, or an oversized scarf will help you adjust to changing temperatures.

I pack one pair of lightweight hiking pants that I can wash and dry. They’re black so that I can dress them up in the evening.

If it’s warm, I roll them up a bit. If it’s cold, I add a layer of silk or merino long underwear underneath. They take up almost no room in my suitcase but give me the security of knowing I’ll be nice and toasty if the temperature drops.

And layering is the way to go for the plane. That way, you can peel layers on or off as the cabin temperature changes. And wearing extra clothes is an easy way to reduce the weight of your luggage if you're close to the limit.

Lighten your footwear

Shoes take up soooo much space, so a smart choice is to limit yourself to two pairs…OK, three at the most.

That would be a comfortable shoe for walking (Suaves are fabulous, and my fave, the Zilker, packs up super small), a shoe to wear in the evening (I love the flash of color in my Rothy’s), and a sandal if you feel you need all three.

Love your white sneakers? Consider where you're going and how long they'll stay white. Hiking? Wear your boots on the plane.

Merino socks can be worn repeatedly without getting smelly. Thin Merino socks will dry overnight, but thicker ones may take another day.

You can usually get by with two pairs if they’re thin: one to wash and one to wear. If you have thicker socks, then take three pairs. If you’re hiking or it’s going to be cold, take a pair of silk sock liners. They’ll help keep your feet toasty and will be easy to wash out to wear again the next day.

Add accessories

Now for the fun part!

Accessories don’t take up much space and can transform one outfit into many different looks. Stylish pieces like scarves, hats, belts, and jewelry all fit this category.

The accessories you bring should coordinate with several outfits rather than just one. Once you start looking at accessories to create a different look rather than another piece of clothing, you’ll be well on your way to stress-free packing.

The Vivienne Files even shows you how to build a travel capsule wardrobe, starting with a scarf.

Don’t forget underwear

How many times a day do you change your underwear? Multiply that number by two, and that’s all you need to take for a trip of any length. The trick is to have undies that will dry overnight. If you wash them in the sink each night, you could get by with one pair, but that makes most people nervous. So, OK, two pairs.

ExOfficio is one of my favorite brands for travel underwear. Understance is another. Both are lightweight, come in various styles, and dry quickly. Skip cotton because of the long drying time unless you can’t get by with anything else.

Bras are personal, and you need to give the girls the support they need. Consider whether the bras will dry overnight, and you’ll know how many to take. You usually won’t need more than two or three.

A good rule of thumb is to pack something for nightwear that can do double duty. How about a RipSkirt Sleep Shirt that can double as a beach coverup as well as something comfy to lounge around your room in the evening? Or maybe a cami or T-shirt with leggings or shorts that you could wear while washing the rest of your clothes?

Look for performance clothes like you’ll find at Prana or REI. They’ll be lightweight and won’t take up much room.

And remember specialty items

Since you’ve done your research, you’ll know if you need to take a small umbrella, a packable jacket in case of rain, or a snowsuit. Get ones that pack small or wear them on the plane. Do you work out, or are you a swimmer? You’ll need to add your athletic clothes and swimsuit.

The key to a travel capsule wardrobe is to pack items that make you feel comfortable, stylish, and confident while providing versatility. With a well-thought-out capsule wardrobe, you can focus more on enjoying your adventures and less on worrying about what to wear.