Capsule Wardrobe for Digital Nomads: 8 Outfit Ideas
Like with any other capsule wardrobe, you have to start with a lifestyle assessment. What are the different scenarios you will find yourself in as a digital nomad that really defines your digital nomad lifestyle.
The digital nomad packing list will largely be a travel capsule wardrobe but adapted to the cold weather or warm weather you will encounter, and the events and needs you will find yourself in throughout your digital nomad journey.
In order to create an ultimate packing list, you need to personalise your packing list as much as possible. Go here to figure out your personal style and here for what colors to take with you.
The capsule wardrobe for digital nomads I'm about to show you is easy to replicate, add to, or be minimised without much extra cost.
This travel capsule for digital nomads consists of 4 tops, 3 bottoms, and 1 jacket that will give you 8 outfits.
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The Digital Nomad’s Capsule Wardrobe: 8 Outfit Ideas
If you’re a digital nomad traveling and working all around the world, Wonder Wardrobe would suit you perfectly.
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What Your Digital Nomad Packing List Should Include
You might also like: The Easiest Travel Capsule Wardrobe You Can Create
How to Adapt Your Digital Nomad Packing List to Your Personal Needs
1. Do a Lifestyle Analysis Before You Spend Any Money
The first step of creating a wardrobe for one of my clients was to list all her activities to understand what kind and how many outfits she needed. Without this crucial step, your wardrobe will just be a collection of clothes you have nowhere to wear.
Real-life outfits that you love wearing and that make you feel great can save you a ton of money.
You can quickly find out how many outfits you need by making a list of all the activities you’ll be involved in in the next 3 months. In the Wonder Wardrobe course, you'll find a digital calculator that will show you how many clothes and outfit you need.
I recommend investing slowly and not spending your money on fast fashion.
The quality is poor, the ethics are non-existent and the pollution they cause is horrendous. It's better to plan ahead and get quality pieces. I show how to do that in detail in the Wonder Wardrobe course.
2. Create a Color Palette for Your Color Type
The color palette for my client's Travel capsule wardrobe includes neutral shades and warm colors. As she already were on the road when she contacted me, she had some clothes in her suitcase. Most of them were in navy, grey, and black colors.
That's why the colors I included in this palette were light and warm, so we can better balance the dark colors that don't suit her Autumn color type that well.
Besides that, I tried to choose only shades that will match well with what she already had to increase her outfit options.
For neutral colors, I chose Ivory and Camel.
For the main colors I have Light Blue, Dark Indigo Blue, and Dark Olive Green. For the accent color I added this beautiful shade of Light Olive Green.
Getting your color type right is essential for several reasons. It is a tool that can make you look more radiant, healthy, or energetic.
Colors reflect light and different shades of skin will look different.
All WoW Students go through different tests and experiments that reveal their true Color Type. And I'm there for them to help them get it right.
Once you have your color type, it's time to set your primary and secondary colors.
Digital Nomad Travel Capsule Wardrobe Overview
The capsule wardrobe example I want to show you today should serve you as a stylistic springboard.
You can make it your own by personalizing with clothing items that will fit your lifestyle, weather preferences, and goals.
I've managed to save space in my luggage by getting 8 outfits from only 4 tops and 2 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, one jacket, and one bag. That's the beauty of having a capsule wardrobe: you don't need that many clothes, to begin with.
Autumn (Soft & Medium Dark)
Minimalist Classic style with casual elements
Long vertical proportions & Soft body lines
Wonder Wardrobe
How to choose clothes that are practical and versatile.
Pullovers
As you can see I chose to include 2 pullovers for a very good reason. The fact is one of them is warmer than the other. The cashmere sweater can be worn when the temperature goes below +15C. For warmer weather, a cotton sweater would be a better option.
Shirts
I added this gorgeous deep blue linen shirt as one of those items that you can wear both during the day and for a casual dinner.
Linen is one of the best fabrics for summer as it's natural, breathable, UV resistant, and machine washable. And it looks great with both bottoms from this capsule.
T-shirts
For this capsule wardrobe, I only added one t-shirt in this cute and neutral beige color. My client already had some t-shirts in her travel bag but most of them were black and navy. That's why I've added one that is lighter and can be worn when the temperature gets really hot.
Trousers
I was asked by my client to include a classic pair of trousers. I chose this one because of its tailored fit and beautiful ivory color. It's another highly versatile item that can be styled in a more classic or casual way.
Jeans
My client already had a few pairs of jeans in her suitcase: 2 pairs of skinny jeans and 1 pair of straight jeans. As she wanted to add another pair, I've suggested adding a more fashionable and interesting pair. That's why for the second bottom I included this gorgeous pair of high-waisted jeans with two front pockets.
I love the shape of these jeans with a slim-fitting top and a slight flare at the bottom. I think they look great with all the slightly oversized tops we have in this capsule, creating flattering, beautiful, and harmonious silhouettes.
Jackets
My client also asked me to find her a summer jacket that she could wear in the summer evenings or early mornings. That's why I've added this minimalist knitted dark olive green jacket.
As you can see it looks great with all the outfits with the shirt and t-shirt. It's one of those essential clothing items that you should include in your packing list.
Shoes
I included two pairs of shoes in this capsule wardrobe. The first one is a comfortable city loafer with a very comfortable sole.
As my client will be traveling around European cities, she needs a pair that can withstand coble streets but still look great with her more tailored and classic items.
For the second pair, we've decided to go with classic white Veja sneakers. I love that they are not too sporty and so can be worn with a pair of tailored trousers and not make the whole outfit look too casual or sporty.
When choosing shoes for this capsule closet I really wanted both pairs to look good with all the clothes. The loafer creates a more classic or business casual look, while sneakers make clothes look more casual and relaxed.
Bag
As a cute color pop, I've added this gorgeous Light olive green tote. My client needed a spacious bag that would fit a laptop, water bottle, and other travel essentials.
We were thinking of adding a backpack but it didn't go that well with my clients' fashion style. But this bag goes perfectly with all the clothes we have in this capsule wardrobe.
A Summer Capsule Wardrobe Example You Can Take on the Road
The final version of her travel capsule wardrobe includes 1 linen shirt, 1 t shirt, 1 cashmere pullover, 1 cotton pullover, 1 pair of classic cropped trousers, 1 pair of boot cut jeans, 1 pair of loafers, 1 pair of city sneakers, 1 cotton summer jacket and 1 tote bag.
When I mix all these items together, my client gets at least 8 fully interchangeable outfits.
Adapting Your Capsule Wardrobe to the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
A big part of your life as a digital nomad is being able to work comfortably from any location. This will make a big part of your luggage even if you think you have enough space.
Dressing up for a coworking space means your outfit options should allow you to feel comfortable while sitting for long hours. You might also need outfits for presenting to an audience, taking video conferences or meeting with clients.
Style is never just about the basic stuff, but more about your goals and aesthetic sensibilities.
A single pair of jeans might cut it some days, but not all days.
The best clothing can do more than just offer comfort. A great alternative is to dress for the level of energy you want that day. Different colors can put you in different moods.
A bit of extra warmth can be found in other fabrics than polyester and cotton. These two are actually not the best way to go. An ethically sourced merino wool sweater would be a great alternative. They're super comfy and super durable as well.
The materials you pick say a lot about you, so pick carefully.
Outfit Versatility Is Key When Traveling
When you work all around the world, long-term travel should be as comfortable as possible for you. The more versatile your pairs of shoes the fewer of them you will need.
A light pair of basic sneakers can be a great companion but you'll also need dressier shoes that you can depend on at industry events. These little decisions can increase or decrease the amount of stuff and room you have in your luggage.
A light rain jacket that will dry quickly can still represent your personal style and put you in a good mood, but it's mostly about how well it will protect you from getting wet.
If you’re traveling to dry-weather countries, a summer jacket can be very handy for chilly nights and early mornings.
