Packing for any vacation can get a bit…ummm…messy. It’s important to have outfit options to accommodate any weather changes and different activities, but overstuffing your suitcase just leads to frustration when it comes time to grab what you need. Plus, weight limits on checked bags create restrictions on what you pack (and you certainly don’t want to pay any extra baggage fees).
This is where a capsule wardrobe for travel comes in handy. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential clothing items that all work well together—think classic jeans, neutral tops, and white sneakers. The goal of putting together a capsule wardrobe for travel is that all the items in your suitcase match and can be styled with ease. By packing clothes that all compliment each other, you eliminate the need to bring various types of tops, bottoms, or shoes.
Boho Dress ($26!)
The type of capsule wardrobe that works best obviously depends on where you’re traveling and what season it is. Here’s a good list to help you get started, along with some of my favorite pieces.
This post will be updated quarterly based on the season with fresh links and my latest picks. Read on for your capsule wardrobe for travel, starting with a summer wardrobe capsule!
Summer Wardrobe Capsule
Whether you’re venturing off on an oceanside escape or heading to a vineyard for a much-needed girls trip, these five staples make for the ideal summer wardrobe capsule. Take advantage of the warmer weather by packing thin dresses, linen shorts, simple tank tops, and of course bathing suits, which are all compact items that easily fit into a suitcase.
If you plan to bring sneakers, consider wearing them on your flight so they don’t take up precious space. Then pack smaller, more flexible flip flops or heels in your suitcase. It’s also a good idea to utilize packing cubes to keep different types of clothing separate. For example, you can place all your bathing suits in one packing cube, shirts in another, and so forth.
Here’s what else you should consider adding to your summer wardrobe capsule.
Flowy Dresses
No summer vacation would be complete without snapping some Instagram-worthy pictures in a flowy dress. Dresses are truly the ideal article of clothing to pack because they tend to be on the thinner side, even if they’re long (hello, maxi dresses!). In most suitcases you can easily fit five or six dress options without having to cram things in. They also transition seamlessly from day to night and can be dressed up or down with a change of shoes, the addition of accessories, or a little jacket.
I love long flowy dresses and shorter sundresses, perfect for twirling. Here are some of my favorite summer dress picks:
Longer dresses: Pink and white check perfection, The ultimate long flowy dress, Beautiful floral maxi, Perfect daytime maxi dress, Perfect for a summer event, Boho midi dress under $30, Greek goddess maxi dress under $80, The sweet sleeves and flowy silhouette are gorgeous
Shorter dresses: My favorite boho dress for under $30, My absolute favorite dress ever, Beautiful white + blue, Flattering cut under $70, Perfect for a hot day under $70, Ideal summer dress under $100, Ultimate little white dress under $70, Sweet little dress under $40
White Sneakers
Looking for shoes that are comfy and go with practically everything? Pack a pair of white sneakers. White kicks are always in during the summer and there are tons of styles that are comfortable to walk around in all day. They’re even cute when styled with a simple dress.
White sneaker picks: I love these (65$) and these ($120). These are a fun play on the style for summer.
Comfy Shorts
Denim shorts are a classic summer staple which, luckily, also happen to go with everything. Because they’re also fairly thin and are easy to stack, you should be able to get a couple pairs in a suitcase without too much trouble.
Another option that’s even easier to pack: linen shorts. I love bringing linen shorts along on summer trips because they’re lightweight and look completely different from traditional denim.
Denim shorts: Flattering high rise “mom” shorts in a variety of washes, White denim, Mid rise “boyfriend” shorts, Relaxed fit with distressed hem
Linen and cotton shorts: Easy pull-on shorts, Linen-blend track shorts, Linen short with tie (I love the chambray blue), Cotton and elastane shorts
Neutral Tops
To get the most use out of the shorts you bring, stick to packing neutral shirts that go with everything else. White, gray, and black are all good options—but even light shades of pink or yellow would look cute with denim, white linen, or beige shorts. I’m also a big fan of navy and blue stripes for a classic summer look that goes withe everything.
If you want to create more variation, add an off-the-shoulder top or cute tank to the mix. The key is to make sure each top can be paired with more than one piece and can be used for more than one outfit. For example, a button up shirt could be worn over a bathing suit to the beach and then can be repurposed again during a night out. As long as you stick with clothing that can be worn with different outfits, your suitcase should stay in check.
Neutral top picks: Square neck and puff sleeves, Classic v-neck tee, Tank bodysuit, Flutter sleeve top, Puff sleeved smocked top, Silk camisole, Striped boatneck, Muscle tee, White poplin top, Chambray button up, Black off the shoulder top
Denim Jacket
Sure, you might be traveling somewhere that’s 85 and sunny, but summer nights can often get chilly. Most summer dresses and tops pair nicely with a simple denim jacket, making it a no-brainer to bring on a warm weather getaway. You can even pack two denim jackets—one that’s white and one that’s blue if you want to get two nighttime looks that have entirely different feels.
I’d recommend wearing one of the jackets on your flight, or at least packing one in your carry on to save even more space in your suitcase. Plus, it’s nice to have a jacket on your flight in the case that you get cold.
My favorite denim jacket: This is the ultimate denim jacket. I own one and have had it for YEARS! This is a cute white denim option.
Straw Hat
A good straw hat is my favorite summer accessory. Not only is it practical to shield your skin from the sun but it’s also very chic. I tend to lose hats pretty often, or they can easily lose shape, so I like to get a good quality straw hat that’s still a great value.
The best straw hat: This is my favorite straw hat, it’s also packable!
Fall Wardrobe Capsule
Autumn travel is absolutely dreamy—spotting the foliage, sipping apple cider, and cozying up in a cabin. Fall travel activities are vast no matter where you’re headed. Even so, most destinations require some sense of layering when it comes to dressing for the season. These fall capsule wardrobe essentials should be what you need to stay stylish and warm.
Chunky Knit Sweaters
The beauty of packing knit sweaters for a fall vacation is that you can layer a long-sleeve top underneath and add a thick coat on top. Packing too many thick sweaters can get a bit bulky, but one trick you can try is to roll your sweaters rather than fold and stack them. You also don’t need to overdo it with the options you bring—stick to two to three sweaters and rewear them during your trip. Another perk of bringing sweaters is that they don’t get wrinkled easily, so there’s no need to worry about ironing or steaming anything when you get to your destination.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans are the ideal bottoms to pack for a fall trip since they go well with any type of sweater and boots. Wear your comfiest pair during your travel day, then pack one or two more options for the rest of your trip. You can even bring along colored denim, like black jeans or a pretty olive green (which is always in for fall) to switch things up.
Blundstones
To accommodate outdoor and indoor excursions without sacrificing style, consider adding a pair of Blundstones to your fall wardrobe capsule. The water resistant, over-the-ankle boots keep your feet warm while maintaining breathability. The sleek and simple style also allows for a variety of wears—they can be worn as hiking shoes during the day and then can transition into boots you wear to happy hour or a dinner reservation. I love the version with a slight heel, they feel chic even on rainy fall days.
Wide Brim Fedora Hat
Most of us remember to pack plenty of sweater and coat options for fall or winter trips, but it’s important to keep your head nice and warm too. Wide brim wool fedora hats make for an adorable autumn accessory and they ensure that your head stays toasty during all your outdoor activities. Bring along a couple neutral options, like a tan or black one so they coordinate with the other clothing you bring.
Blanket Scarves
Another cute and totally practical accessory to tote along on a fall trip: blanket scarves. When the weather is somewhat warm but chilly enough to call for more than a sweater, a blanket scarf is the ideal outfit addition. They’re also compact if rolled in a suitcase, and they’re great to wear on a long flight since they essentially are just chic blankets.
Winter Wardrobe Capsule
Perhaps one of the top priorities when packing for a winter trip is being sure you bring along plenty of warm options for potential snowy or ultra-cold weather. Unfortunately, any seasoned traveler knows that stuffing thick coats, clunky boots, and a handful of scarves into a suitcase doesn’t work too well. Avoid the mess and frustration by sticking to these streamlined winter wardrobe capsule picks.
Thermal Tops
One way to avoid the need to shove sweaters into your bag is by packing a few thermal tops in place of them. There are tons of thermal tops out there that are cute enough to wear out and about and that keep your upper body warm. If you don’t already own some, be sure to read reviews on the tops you’re considering so you can see if they truly offer good coverage.
Denim
Because denim works with every type of top, it’s a great choice to pack a few pairs you can rotate through during your trip. Bring a straight leg, skinny, and wide leg style to achieve multiple looks.
Cardigans
Layer a cardigan over your thermal top and pair it with some jeans for an effortlessly cool and comfy look. Cardigans are a little easier to pack than big sweaters, and they can certainly be reworn throughout your vacation. Cardigans also give you the option to slip a layer on or off depending on what you’re doing and how the temperature fluctuates.
Warm, Colorful Coats
Hear me out—you might not be able to squeeze a huge puffy coat in your luggage, but there are a lot of warm coats that bunch up or roll into something much more compact. If you need to bring a thicker, more structured jacket on your winter trip, I’d suggest carrying it on the plane. Then pack one or two waist-length puffy coats that can roll tightly in your suitcase. I like to opt for colorful outerwear since I’ll likely be wearing my coat in winter pictures. Purple, pink or blue looks much prettier than black.
Pom Pom Hat
Most of us remember to pack plenty of sweater and coat options for fall or winter trips, but it’s important to keep your head nice and warm too. Pom pom beanies make for an adorable autumn accessory, they’re easy to store, and they ensure that your head stays toasty during all your outdoor activities. Bring along a couple neutral options, like a tan pom pom beanie or a white one so they coordinate with the other clothing you bring.
Spring Wardrobe Capsule
Although warmer days are always welcome after a long winter, there’s no doubt that spring weather can be a bit spotty. One minute it’s 70 degrees and sunny and the next it can be 50 and breezy. Pack accordingly by choosing pieces that are lightweight enough to wear on a sunny day, yet offer up good leg coverage for cooler nights.
Jumpsuits
If any article of clothing is worthy of a spot in a capsule wardrobe, jumpsuits are it. You can score a nearly complete outfit within one piece of clothing with a jumpsuit, and they make so many that are appropriate for all occasions—casual, fancy, and in between. Take advantage of jumpsuits during spring travel by bringing along three or four different finds you love.
Long-Sleeve Dresses
In addition to jumpsuits, long-sleeve dresses are a smart choice for a spring vacation. Wear them on their own with sneakers or sandals during the day and then add a jacket and booties at night.
Leather Jacket
Similarly to denim jackets, leather jackets are a cute and semi-warm option to top off an outfit. And if you bring a white or black leather jacket on a trip, odds are that it will match well with the other pieces in your suitcase.
Chambray Button Up
A good chambray button up is a spring wardrobe staple. I love pairing them with white denim, black denim and skirts. They’re also great over leggings when you want to be comfortable but look more pulled together than a t-shirt.
White Sneakers
Although I’ve already mentioned that white sneakers are a must-have in a summer wardrobe capsule, they’re also great to pack in the spring. Pair them with the jumpsuits or dresses you bring on your trip for a look that goes from day to night with ease. They’re also a great option in the rainy and muddy spring weather when you still want to wear a dress or skirt but it’s too cool for sandals.
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