30-Day Capsule Wardrobe
So. Rather than spending hours trying to zip up overstuffed suitcases, I've spent time some time collecting a mini, capsule wardrobe that I can pull from to travel with. Here's the wardrobe I came up with and keep reading below for some tips and tricks for pulling together one of your own.
1. Sheer Kimono: Forever 21; 2. Lightweight Sweater Wrap: The Gap; 3. Sequin Draped Jacket: Nordstrom; 4. Army Jacket: Amazon; 5. Leather Motorcycle Jacket: Nordstrom; 6. Various Tanks: Amazon; 7. Black & White Striped Tee: Amazon; 8. Mocha Cropped Top: Amazon; 9. Chambray Shirt: Target; 10. Velvet Tee: Amazon; 11. Black Tee: Amazon; 12. LBD: Fabletics; 13. Tank Midi Dress: Amazon; 14. Wrap Shirt Dress: Amazon; 15. Cheetah Scarf: Amazon; 16. Fringe Scarf: Amazon; 17. Felt Hat: Target; 18. Camera Bag: Amazon; 19. Crossbody Bag: Topshop; 20. High Waisted Skinny Jeans: The Gap; 21. Boyfriend Jeans: The Gap; 22. White Jeans: The Gap; 23. Velvet Leggings: Kohls: 24. Velvet Joggers: The Gap; 25. Cowboy Boots: Nordstrom; 26. Nude Pumps: Nine West; 27. Metallic Sandals: Birckenstocks; 28. Snake Print Flats: Tieks
The trick to all of this is to pick options that can be mixed and matched to create tons of outfit options. I put together a 30 day outfit calendar for my capsule wardrobe to show how everything works together.
Here are some tips to putting together your own capsule wardrobe!
1-5. Layers, Layers, Layers
The most important rule of compiling your capsule wardrobe. It's all about flexible layer-able pieces. If you have a couple of jackets and wraps in varying colors, weights, and textures you can create endless looks for wherever your day takes you.
6. Layering Basics
I always throw a handful of layering tanks in the back. I've found a few super soft options on Amazon that are great for layering.
7-11. Super Versatile Shirts
This is the clincher. Finding a handful of Tops that can be worn with virtually any of your pant and jacket layers. But each bring their own special vibe to the mix. My staples are a black and white stripe top, Chambray Shirt, and a few neutral Tees. I recently found this velvet tee for pennies on Amazon that's made its way into my collection. But the key is finding colors that can mix and match with all of your other pieces.
12-14. Dresses
I usually try to pack a few dresses that can work in any environment. I love these tank dresses for traveling. They are super lightweight and take up no space in your luggage and they can be dressed up and down. I also grab an LBD for just about every trip. This one from Fabletics is easily the MVP of my collection. It's more or less made from the same material as their work out leggings so it stays put, never wrinkles, and can get thrown in the wash with the rest of your wardrobe.
15-16. A Scarf or two... or three
I like to throw on a scarf for a pop of color, pattern, or texture. To me it's easier than jewelry plus its a low maintenance. I'm vibing pretty hard on the lightweight fringe options out there right now.
17. Felt Hat
Is there anything more wanderlust-y than a felt hat? Nope. Throw one in your bag and get ready for insta-worthy pics.
18-19. Bags
I almost always travel with crossbody bags. I like to carry a larger one that doubles as a camera bag and a smaller one that I can dress up a bit. I usually throw in a waist pack to
20-24. Pants!
Same as everything else pick a few pairs that go with everything. I usually grab a couple of pairs that work for everyday wear but can be dressed up a bit with a pair of heels. And a pair or two of more relaxed options for long travel days.
25-28. Shoes!
Shoes are always hard for me to pare down. But if you can manage to limit yourself to a sandal, a flat, a boot, and a pump you can cover any look without tipping the luggage scale. Like everything else stick to the same color pallette and you can make these work for any occassion.
That's all there is to - now stop wasting time stressing about packing and get back to daydreaming about your next adventure!
Do you have any super versatile pieces you can't travel without? Leave them in the comments below!
