The Easiest Travel Capsule Wardrobe You Can Create

These capsule wardrobe principles can easily be applied to a week or more of travel and vacation. There are some practical things you have to keep in mind when putting together a travel capsule wardrobe versus a regular capsule wardrobe. I will point them out so you can adapt your travel style accordingly.

Before we even get into the details of a travel wardrobe, I want to show you a tool I've created that will help you plan your trip outfits for your personal travel capsule wardrobe.

It's called The AI Travel Capsule Wardrobe Calculator. You can use it for free for the month of May.

Just like any other styling tools we create here at Wonder Wardrobe, this can be used by students freely, without limit. Your travel capsule wardrobe will benefit from a road map as similar as possible to that shown in the AI Claculator.

That’s how you get a clear packing list. And a packing list will take all your stress away from actually starting all your future travel capsule wardrobes.

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Just a backpack or a suitcase?

Before we even go into the packing list of your travel capsule, you're probably wondering what should you take on your vacation: a backpack or something bigger like a carry on or a suitcase?

The answer you're looking for will be dictated by how many days you will be away. And I’ll show you how you don’t need to pack 3 pairs of jeans to build a travel capsule. Or how to pack your clothes properly so you don’t have to think about wrinkle resistant fabric.

Before you start planning your capsule wardrobe, consider if the complete outfits you will need are good for a cold weather or a warm weather environment.

Cold weather and warm weather matter as it directly affects your travel wardrobe size. A few items like a statement piece winter jacket takes more space in your luggage than 3 tank tops. Warm climates will probably mean that your statement pieces won’t take that much luggage space.

A carry on sized suitcase or a small suitcase might be better for trips over 4 days, while a backpack can serve you well for weekend trips.

For a week's worth of clothing complete with shoes, a pair of sneakers, a small purse or a bag and a few accessories you will probably need something bigger than a carry on suitcase.

I'm writing this before the summer season starts, so keep in mind the weather you will be experiencing at your destination. Comfort will never go out of style wherever you find yourself.

If you want to feel elevated wherever you go, pack an outfit that is exciting or puts you in a good mood.

The weather forecast is your packing friend.

Maybe a rain jacket or is more practical than bringing an umbrella. It can be easily folded and put in your shoulder bag or crossbody bag. Consider thin layers if you will do a lot of walking.

If you're going to the mountains, hiking boots are a must. And as you can imagine, they will take more space in your luggage than a pair of summer sandals.

Quality Items or Fast Fashion? Neither.

The best clothes you can take on a trip or vacation are already in your closet. There is no need to start buying new clothes now and realise they don't fit you at your destination.

If you really have to buy something, it's better to shop from a local sustainable store at your destination. The clothes you will find there are already suited for the local weather.

Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Step 1:

Create outfit categories

This step basically means that you need to think of all possible activities you will take part in. No matter how long or short your trip, you shouldn’t skip this step.

Once you have these activities in front of you, you can understand what outfits you need. You will quickly see that some outfits can be used for multiple activities.

Here is an example of 4 categories that I enjoy doing on a summer vacation. Under each one I will list how many outfits I need and what kind of clothes I want to wear.

Beach Capsule Wardrobe

Going to the beach might be obvious, but you will need to consider sunglasses, sunblock, a towel, a tote bag, maybe a pair of sandals or flip flops, a beach dress or an outfit that offers some sun protection, but it is not too hot to wear.

Here are the outfits for the beach.

I’ve completed them with some slides, with a beach bag and a sun hat.

They’re simply necessary for the beach or the pool. I should mention that you don’t need a separate bag for this purpose. An old tote bag will do just fine.

Sports Capsule Wardrobe

Let’s presume that we will be goody-goody and exercise a bit during our trip.

Here are my sports outfits. They are a mix of gymwear and hiking. I added here a pair of sneakers that can work for both. 

A useful addition here is a compact backpack for going on hikes or picnics. 

If your main sport is swimming, you could easily cover this one with the beach category. But just for the sake of this exercise let’s say you want to do some yoga or hit the gym. 

For this purpose you will need to think about a pair of sneakers, yoga pants or sweatpants, a sports bra, a sweatshirt and a couple of t-shirts. 

Sportswear can offer a few versatile pieces that you can re-use on your trip if they fit your color palette. You won’t need a second pair of sneakers if you bring along a pair that’s suited to wearing around the city.

I’ll show you how I mix and match my clothes for this travel capsule so you get a better idea of what versatile items or classic pieces you can use from your own closet.

You will have to adapt this list to your own sport of choice.

City Tour Capsule Wardrobe

The third activity I enjoy doing in summer is walking around the city. 

Since this can sometimes turn into a whole day of walking around, I would advise packing a pair of comfortable shoes such as sneakers, flats or sandals.

Natural, breathable fabrics are your friend if you travel in summer. The outfits I need for this activity need to be comfortable, breathable and well put together. 

Will you need a hat? Do you have a versatile bag, a purse or will you just re-use your tote bag? Your travel capsule wardrobe should include them.

Going around the city and admiring architecture, museums, parks or simply getting lost on a long walk requires different kinds of outfits. Comfort is key here.

For this purpose, I’ve prepared two examples. Both the dress and the outfit are very comfortable, and made out of breathable materials. 

I’ve used the same sneakers I have here for my other activities so I can save some space. You can use a pair of slides, sandals, or something with a bit of a heel if you can walk in them longer.

Other things to consider for this type of activity are a purse, cross-body bag or the old trusty tote bag that you can use for putting your shopping in. You can also bring along one scarf, one hat, one pair of black pants and other items that make sense for future new destinations.

If you want to add more color, make sure you know your color type. You might think that neutral colors might be for you but they might clash with the rest of your capsule.

I would also never go on a vacation or trip without 2 pairs of shoes. One might always break by accident.

No need to get more plastic bags from every store you go into. A tote bag can be easily folded and kept in a pocket or your purse.

Nice Dinner/ Night Life Capsule Wardrobe Example

The last activity on my list is called night life. 

Now that most restrictions have been lifted, I want to go for a nice dinner with my husband, maybe enjoy a cocktail at a nice bar, attend events or even go to a party.

Depending on how fancy you want to be, there are multiple things to consider here as well.

Will you be wearing only dresses? Or will you be wearing a top and bottom type of outfit. 

Can you get away with the flats we were talking about earlier or do you need some heels? 

Accessories are also important here. Scarves, jewellery, and a bag are some things you should keep in mind for your travel capsule wardrobe.

My nightlife outfits start off with the same purse as I would be using for my days around the city. A small cross-body bag will fit both purposes nicely. The only thing I’ve added here is a pair of shoes with a small heel. If you don’t like heels, I would suggest going for flat sandals.

I’ve also added a belt as it makes outfits feel more fancier and it doesn’t take a lot of space.

A light cardigan will ensure that on summer nights, if it gets a bit chilly I can have some warmth. As you can see the cardigan fits all other outfits. You can also add 2 cardigans to fit more outfits or a summer coat.

Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Step 2:

Visualise your summer vacation capsule wardrobe

Repeat Outfits for an Easy Travel Capsule Wardrobe

These are only 4 categories that I’ve covered, but you can already see that some of the items can repeat and be used for different purposes. 

That’s why I want to talk a bit about versatile items you should consider.

Versatile Jackets, Shoes & Accessories.

There are some items you have to consider for your travel capsule wardrobe. 

A jacket is always a good idea even for summer evening and mornings. 

Weather forecasts are your friend, so make sure you understand the kind of climate you will be dressing for.

Your next trip will be much more easier to organise if you can include on your packing list shoes that can mix and match with all your outfits. The more versatile the shoes, the better.

Getting on a plane or train with a smaller suitcase will make your vacation more enjoyable.

Start Your First Capsule Wardrobe

If you want to create a travel capsule that suits your lifestyle and personalized trip activities, I suggest taking the Wonder Wardrobe Course. 

We have recently introduced split payments and it makes the course much more accessible now. 

The WoW Course will give you exciting outfits that you will love to wear on vacation or when you’re back home. 

When you wear the right colors, cut and style, you can’t help but feel more confident and happy with your closet.

Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Step 3:

WASH, IRON AND CAREFULLY FOLD EVERYTHING

Now that you’ve seen the capsule example, it’s time to take a look at how to make all your beautiful clothes and accessories fit in your luggage. Making your capsule wardrobe fit in your suitcase is the minimum you can do. I actually suggest improving your packing game so that you have all your outfits ready to wear as soon as you’re at your destination.

When you pack your bag or suitcase, I want you to think about your storage options in layers.

The first layer is your bottom layer. 

The bottom of your suitcase is perfect for garments that don’t crease. The things you can pack here are shoes, bags, jeans or jackets.

The second layer is the middle layer. 

This space is dedicated to the items that crease easily such as dresses, blouses, t shirts and more. In order to prevent creases, you can either lay items flat or carefully roll them. 

Another thing that helps blouses keep a better shape is to button them up before you fold them and fold the collar inside. You can fold thin t-shirts so they don’t crease. Please iron all your clothes before packing. 

For trousers with darts or for pants that are made out of a thin material it is better to fold once. 

The third and last layer.

When you have everything laid flat in your suitcase, it’s time to pack the last layer. This place is reserved for your accessories, beauty products, chargers etc.

Pro Tip: Quick Pack & Unpack

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let me tell you how to pack like a pro. and join team perfection.

Because I’ve been traveling all my life, I noticed that suitcase organization can save you a lot of trouble and stress. 

Who wants to start their vacation stressed, right?

That’s why I’ve used my mom’s experience as a seamstress, and created the Bento Bags. 

They come in 4 practical sizes so you can fit smaller items such as jewelry, bulkier items such as shoes and sandals or bigger items like sweaters and jackets.

You’ve seen them in my wardrobe and how I use them to store seasonal capsules that I don’t wear at the moment. 

What you didn’t know is that they are my trusty travel companion as well.

I use the small one to take snacks to the beach for example. My suitcase is a mix of bento bags. 

Once I reach my destination, I simply take out the 3, 4 Bento bags, place them in the closet at my destination, and that’s it! I’m unpacked.

I know where everything is and now thanks to these cute lavender satchels my mom made, all my clothes smell amazing. 

You can find them all on my website here.

Before you go, please let me know in the comments below:

What is something you always take with you on vacation?

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