We just returned from vacation and I packed a travel capsule. Three weeks, five different hotel rooms in six different cities plus six days in the car, a 90th birthday party and a 20th high school reunion. Here’s what I learned.
First of all, what is a capsule?
It’s a wardrobe of mix and match piece (as few as five and as many as 30 on average) that takes the guesswork out of getting dressed and helps you maximize each piece you own. It also encourages you to create a “signature look,” helps you shop more purposefully, and makes it easier to stick to a color palette.
My current capsule is at about 30 items but my dresses and blazers are separate. I wanted to limit myself for the trip so I didn’t have to pack ALL my jewelry, makeup and shoes. I ended up taking only my silver jewelry and two pairs of shoes. Amazing, right?
To read more about capsule wardrobes…
Check out Starting your capsule wardrobe here and my Summer update to my capsule wardrobe here.
My best recommendation is to do the 27 Hangers Online Academy. Read all about it here. I offer a FREE “How to incorporate your Signature Color into your capsule” when you purchase via my affiliate link.
Here’s what I packed:
5 BOTTOMS
denim shorts
navy shorts
white jeans
black skirt
tropical pants
10 TOPS
black and white check
navy and pink print
teal and navy print
green tee
teal tee
teal sleeveless top
white tee
black tee
black tank
royal blue tee
2 DRESSES
black sleeveless
blue print (only worn for my grandmother’s birthday party)
2 TOPPERS
turquoise cardigan
royal blue cardigan
2 LOUNGEWEAR
black capris
teal shorts
2 ACCESSORIES
1 scarf
1 purse
2 pairs of shoes
all silver jewelry
Not pictured are my pajamas (two sets and one nightshirt) and my bathing suits (I packed one bikini, one one-piece and two SPF pieces).
I was surprised that I didn’t end up wearing my black skirt, white tee, the scarf and the teal sleeveless top.
I gravitated toward the other pieces and never had an occasion to wear the scarf. The teal top needs a camisole underneath to pair it with the pants I brought so it never left the closet.
What I wore most were my navy blue shorts and my black tops. They were all loose, comfortable and versatile.
Here are my tips for a travel capsule for you.
1. Stick to a strict color palette.
I left out anything brown or coral and stuck to blues, black and white. This way, I didn’t need my gold sandals or gold jewelry and didn’t have to bring my warm makeup.
2. Pack for what you’ll be doing most.
We spent most of our time doing tourist activities (riding the trolley, sight-seeing, shopping). It was July in Florida so we were all about cool and comfortable. I only wore pants on days we were inside most of the time.
3. Don’t take items you rarely wear at home.
I never wear my black skirt normally…why did I think I’d wear it on vacation??
Exceptions would be lounge clothes for days spent in the car or playing cards at the lake.
4. Pack in outfits and in order.
I packed six outfits, with the underwear, and my pajamas on top for easy access.
Set everything out the way I did below and make sure everything goes together.
5. Limit shoes to save space.
I took one silver and black pair and the same pair in metallic. We did so much walking that I wore sores into my toes so I ended up buying a pair of rubber flip-flops. Lesson learned. Next time I’ll take two DIFFERENT types of shoes.
6. Take a versatile jacket or cardigan.
I wore my soft turquoise cardigan to my grandmother’s birthday party, over my bathing suit and one night when the hotel room was cold.
7. Accessorize.
I took a few statement necklaces and a few basic pieces and wore them all. Most of the pictures I took were of the waist up so pay special attention to what you’re wearing near your face.
8. A travel capsule is a great way to test out a capsule wardrobe.
If you can pull mix and match pieces to wear for a week or two, you have a capsule! All you need are tops, bottoms, completer pieces and accessories. If you can “live on” your capsule while on vacation, you can probably make it work for everyday life.
Barbara Starley says
Excellent advice, Tabitha! Loved this post…
Tabitha Dumas says
Thank you, sweet friend! I hope to see you soon!
Jennifer Crockford says
I am sooooo loving your blog! I am learning so much. I just returned from a 8 day holiday staying on our boat and used your summer capsule suggestions and didn’t pack all the wrong stuff for once!
Tabitha Dumas says
Aaawww, thank you!!! A boat vacation sounds AMAZING. I’m so happy you packed more efficiently. This was a first for me, too! Thanks for reading, and for commenting!