We travel a lot and we are firm believers that any travel you do can be done with carry on luggage. A week in Hawaii? Incredibly easy. 3 months in southeast Asia in the summer? Harder but very doable. 6 months spanning multiple climates, temperatures, and seasons? Yes, you can do it in a carry on! The answer of how: a capsule wardrobe of course!
Capsule wardrobes are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream life with a focus on quality pieces that you can mix and match (instead of giant closets stuffed with items you don’t even remember owning). A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a ton of different outfits. Extrapolated to travel, a capsule wardrobe gives you the flexibility to mix and match pieces, dress things up or down, and cross climates without issue. It is absolutely one of the best ways to pack light for any trip.
By choosing the right pieces, you can create an endless number of outfits with a finite number of items. I have personally packed for all the above situations in a single carry-on bag using this method.
Read the full guide for my tips and tricks on how to create a perfect travel capsule wardrobe and watch my video for how to get it all in for a 2 month trip!
Fundamentals of a Capsule Wardrobe
The basic concept of a capsule wardrobe is that everything goes with everything. Meaning any shirt, pant, jacket will work with any other shirt, pant, or jacket. While you might be limited in number of items, you won’t be limited in pairing options. It means you’re not trying to load your closet into your suitcase – you’re packing versatile pieces that can be worn for any situation throughout your trip. For travel, this allows you to pack light yet still match, and re-purpose any outfit for a weather or season change.
There’s a concept of 5-4-3-2-1 travel capsule: meaning five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three shoes, two bags, and one of something specific for local (swimsuit, heavy jacket, scarf). I think the basics of this idea is good, but I generally find I need to adjust it a bit (I tend to bring a button up shirt and long sleeve shirt for layering purposes along with 5 t-shirts/tanks and I find one bag to be plenty).
Why do I want a Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
It’s more efficient! Knowing your go-to pieces makes traveling a cinch.
You’ll save money – imagine never paying to check a bag again.
Your bag will be lighter! This makes it easier to move around – a smaller bag without a doubt adds ease to getting from place to place, hotel to hotel.
Quality over quantity – besides from the obvious environmental benefit of purchasing quality clothes, collecting garments that are staples and can hold up well to travel and last through all the adventures you go on (climbing the Acropolis, hiking Kilimanjaro, white-water rafting in Costa Rica, dancing in Berlin, sleeping in any and all trains/planes/buses/cars).
You’ll have more time to enjoy your trip! By spending less time deciding what to wear each day (because all the pieces go together) and less time re-packing an overstuffed bag, you can spend more time actually enjoying the reason for your travels.
What colors should I consider for a capsule wardrobe?
Think neutral, neutral, neutral! What goes with everything? Jean, white, black, grey, olive green. I usually pick a pop of color for each trip (blue, pink, yellow, red) and interweave it through my outfits for a bit of fun. I keep everything in this vein so it all mixes and matches.
What will I need to include in a Travel Capsule Wardrobe?
Tops
I start with 1-2 basic tank tops that can also work as a base layer, 2-3 basic t-shirts, 1-2 long sleeve shirts (depending on season), 1 silk blouse, and at least 1 button up that can be dressed up or down.
Bottoms
I typically start with a pair of basic jeans. Then I add a second pair of pants (often black or grey). Then I add a pair of shorts (if I’m going somewhere hot) and one skirt I can dress up or down. Finally, I plan to fly in a pair of leggings or joggers (which can double for hiking).
Dresses
I always bring 1-2 dresses with me if I’m traveling in the summer. Often this is where I’ll add my pop of color as it can work with a neutral cardigan or jacket. They tend to be light and with a t-shirt, button up, or jacket, they can help create more outfits.
Outerwear / Sweater
Most places get cold (if nothing else, the airplane does). If I’m traveling to a place that gets cold at night, I’ll bring one neutral jacket. I love a jean jacket for this purpose in warmer climates. I’ll layer this with a long sleeve shirt or light sweater. If I’m traveling in winter, a packable puffer is my go-to. In a neutral color, it works with most outfits.
Shoes
No matter where you’re going to walk (I assume). Shoes take up the most room in your bag, so pack smart and versatile – you’ll need to wear each pair with multiple outfits. While white sneakers are very “in”, I prefer black (after having tried to keep the white ones clean for multiple weeks – I just can’t do it). You want shoes that are unbelievably comfortable that you could where every day, all day, and can withstand miles. I also bring either a pair of boots or sandals (depending on winter or summer). And then typically throw in one more pair of flats to wear out to dinner. I find heels to be useless and impractical and I avoid them in traveling (even for a fancy meal out I’ll bring versatile sandals or flats instead).
Swim Suit
Depending where you go (I find most places), you’ll need one sturdy, reliable swimsuit. Rather than packing the cutest one I own, it’s often better to go with one you can do water sports in (think, snorkeling, ocean-swimming) that will also work with a pool.
Socks/Underwear
You can’t get away without packing these – I typically bring 7 pairs of my most comfy socks and underwear, add in 2 bras, and wash in a sink every 7 days as I go (I also bring a clothes line that makes drying quick and handy).
Accessories
Keep it simple. Mid-range earrings, necklaces, or bracelets can dress an outfit up or down (but don’t bring anything you’d be devastated to lose). A colorful scarf can jazz up an outfit. A belt can also help change an outfit up.
Will I Need to Do Laundry?
Probably yes. Just as you do any time you travel more than 10 days, I find you need to do at least a little bit of laundry, and the same holds true here. Look up a drop and pick up laundry facility wherever you’re headed (or consider an apartment rental with laundry) – this way you can drop your laundry in the morning and pick it up washed and folded the next day. Hotels also offer laundry services, and while it can cost more, can be an ok back up plan. Otherwise, as I said before, I sometimes wash socks and underwear in a sink with pocket laundry detergent and hang it on my packable clothes line. I just accept, similar to like I have to do at home, I’ll have to do laundry on vacation if I’m traveling for any real amount of time.
How I Build my Perfect Capsule Wardrobe
I first make a list of the number of days I’ll be gone. I then list any special activity under each day. For example: walking tour, beach lounge day, hiking, horseback riding, etc. Then I list any special outfit I’ll need for the day: bathing suit, hiking shoes, hat.
Then I pull out my matching clothes – whites, blacks, greys, and whatever color I’ve chosen to weave in (usually green, blue, or yellow).
Then I follow (generally) my modified 5-4-3-2-1 rule and put what I’ve selected in a separate pile.
Next, I make sure I can mix and match those pieces and I’ll be decently happy with outfits that can go together.
Then I pack it all in my suitcase, placing shoes at the bottom and PJs at the top (it’s the first thing you’ll need on landing anywhere)! I’m a huge fan of rolling clothes because I think it saves a ton of room. And I save the bulkiest pieces (tennis shoes and heaviest jacket) for wearing on the plane to further save room.
The Perfect 21 Piece Travel Capsule Wardrobe for (Most) any Trip
And without further ado, this is my go-to base packing for any trip, using some of my favorite brands. For summer or winter, you’ll have to modify a bit, but this should leave plenty of room in your luggage to do that. If you’re not someone who likes dresses or skirts, you can supplement with a few more shirts or another pair of pants.
The 21 pieces in this capsule collection are designed to go together and can be mixed and matched in countless different ways.
How to Make an Outfit
Let’s use the capsule wardrobe to create a few travel outfits. These looks can be great for sightseeing, museum trapising, having lunch, or wandering. Add on a jacket and exchange the sneakers for flats or sandals and grab some jewelry to dress up your outfit for an evening out.
Capsule Wardrobe Packing List
Looking for a simple capsule packing list? Look no further than below. I recommend you wear the bolded options on the plane (also your bulkiest pieces).
- 3 t-shirts
- 2 tank tops
- 1 button-down shirt
- 1 sweater
- 1 nicer top for dinner (I like a silk top)
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 1 pair jeans
- 1 pair black pants
- 1 pair “other pants” (I like gray, olive, navy, or white)
- 1 skirt
- 1 pair leggings
- 1 quilted or heavier jacket
- 1 denim jacket
- 1 pair sneakers
- 1 pair flats
- 1 pair sandals
- 1 scarf
- 1 crossbody purse
- 1 belt
- 7 pairs underwear
- 2 bras
Favorite Brand
I’ve tried on a lot of styles over the years. I also buy the vast majority of my clothes from used / consignment stores (where you can get better quality for less money I have found). But I do have go-to brands that always pack a quality punch in a neutral tones, tend to be the most comfortable, and are my go-to’s for basics.