5 Easy Steps to Build a Travel Capsule Wardrobe
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Hey Traveler!
I am so happy to help you plan your upcoming adventures! Now let’s pick the perfect travel capsule wardrobe, just for you!
Part of the joy of traveling lies in planning the trip, but sometimes wardrobe planning can feel overwhelming. We tend to either have too many options or not enough and without a plan, decision fatigue and the urge to overpack can take over all common sense.
I have put together 5 easy steps to build a travel capsule wardrobe as a guide to pack light and stay organized. Above all, you will look your best from day to night while traveling in style and comfort. Sounds simple, right? Because it is, let’s start planning!
What is a Travel Capsule Wardrobe?
It is a small collection of versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits, looks, and styles. Every clothing item packed is considered a component of the capsule wardrobe. Some people use this method to get the most out of their day-to-day wardrobe, but my favorite way to utilize it is for travel.
Step 1. Pick shoes to take on your trip
When you're on the go, exploring new destinations, you need footwear that can keep up with you. The right travel shoes can prevent blisters, foot pain, and discomfort, allowing you to focus on immersing yourself in the travel experience. Additionally, investing in quality travel shoes can save you money in the long run, as they are designed to withstand the rigors of travel and last longer than regular shoes. So, before you plan your outfits, take the time to choose the perfect travel shoes that will enhance your travel experience.
Step 2. Decide on a Colour Scheme for your Travel Capsule Wardrobe:
Choosing a color theme is easier than it sounds. First, look at what you own.
Choose three core neutrals to work with. Neutrals include black, white, gray, navy, maroon, camel, beige and olive green.
Pick one to two accent colors.
Add one to two patterns/textures for interest.
Additionally, you will want to make sure the colors complement each other and your shoes.
Finally, consider the season and backdrops. For example, making specific color choices to match the iconic white and blue colors of the Greek Islands is very common.
Tops and bottoms should be interchangeable, and everything should mix and match. Each item is considered part of the capsule wardrobe.
Below you will find how I used these neutrals and this pattern to create a travel capsule wardrobe.
Step 3. Choose What Clothes To Pack Your Trip:
Now that you have decided on three neutrals and one to two accent colors/patterns, you can determine what specific items to include in your travel capsule wardrobe. However, before you put any new clothing in your luggage, ensure you wear every item during day-to-day activities before you leave to ensure nothing rides up, slips down, or is simply unflattering. Additionally, pick materials that are low maintenance.
Now, you might ask yourself, how many clothes should I pack?
Choose a packing method and stick to either the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 LINK packing method or the Suduko technique are popular choices.
What is the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 travel packing method?
This is my favorite way to plan a travel wardrobe! Following this method will give you endless outfit options, as shown below. In fact, you might even have too many options and wish to minimize your wardrobe even further
5 tops. Choose five versatile tops that will match all the other items
4 bottoms. Pick either pants, jeans, skirts, or shorts that compliment the tops.
3 layers. This can be jackets, coats, cardigans, sweaters, or vests.
2 shoes. Select comfortable shoes that go with everything you packed.
1 dress or romper. I prefer black, but I just learned that cobalt blue is universally flattering on everyone.
As you can see above, there are some items not included in the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method:
Socks, bras, and underwear
Swimsuits and coverups. I recommend two max if you are in the water often.
Accessories
Your stylish airplane outfit and shoes that you can wear again
The image above only includes a small selection of outfit possibilities. Without a doubt, anyone can customize this formula to make it work for any trip.
Read More: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 inspiration!
What is the Suduko travel packing technique?
This method can be used to create a 4x4 Sudoku grid to plan your outfits. With four rows, four columns, and four corners, you can make at least 16 outfits. If you include the two diagonals, you can get two more outfits. Additionally, you can also create one more outfit by using the four squares from the middle. So, in total, you can easily get 19 outfits from your Sudoku-style travel wardrobe!
In this example I have included the airplane outfit.
Step 4. Decide what accessories to travel with
Accessories are optional and should be light, simple, and replaceable! The first step is to decide which pieces to bring along. It might be tempting to bring all favorites because they won’t take up much room, but it's essential to be selective and maximize versatility. Keep it Simple and pick versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched with your travel capsule wardrobe. When packing jewelry, pack each piece in a separate pouch or bag to avoid tangling, and consider investing in a travel jewelry case for added convenience. If traveling with a hat, I recommend clipping it to your purse or bag otherwise, it could get damaged or crushed in your luggage.
Step 5. Visually Organize Your Outfits
Have you ever utilized an app to manage your clothes, style yourself, and log your daily outfits? I hadn’t until planning our cruise to Alaska. Styling apps are great visual organizational tools that can help you plan your travel wardrobe from start to finish. I will be honest: Setup will take time, but all in all, the tools within these apps will streamline your process for years and trips to come.
How does an outfit styling app work? In brief: Add pictures of your clothes, create outfits, use it while shopping, plan what to wear for your trip, and see how items you are about to buy would fit into your existing wardrobe.
I particularly enjoy Stylebook on my iPhone or iPad. Stylebook has over 90 features, and Stylebook makes it surprisingly easy to use with their online videos. Furthermore, the calendar feature allows you to add searchable notes and keep track of outfits. Use the app as you pack your suitcase and create a packing list. If you want to share your Stylebook outfits, you can do this on social media or email friends.
Get Wardrobe is another option recommended by geekflare.com and is available for Android and iOS devices. I would love to hear about your experience if you have used a styling app. Comment below or post in our Facebook Community so we can all have a chat.
Don’t Miss Out On More Travel Tips:
Make travel shopping easier!
When creating your capsule wardrobe packing list, consider these items:
Handheld travel steamer - 10-min steam time, steams at any angle, worldwide dual voltage, a storage pouch, detachable bristle, and lint brush. 4.2 stars / 1173 reviews
Hat clip for your bag - Leather with a strong magnetic grip and multiple colors available. I don’t wear hats and haven’t tried this yet. 4.1 stars / 144 reviews
Jewelry travel case - Folded dimension 1”x1”x1”, portable and lightweight, 10 sizes of pockets, 6 necklace keepers,2 long rings buckled band, 30 ear tip holes, and one earring panel. The inner design keeps all your stuff organized and prevents your accessories like necklaces from tangling and scratching; waterproof nylon material and anti-scratch polyester padded inner protects your jewelry from damage. I don’t wear jewelry, but this would be the case if I did, and I am sure I could find other items to organize in it as well. 4.7 stars / 1167 reviews
Set of 6 packing cubes - 4 nylon packing cubes with mesh top panel for quick view and ventilation. One laundry bag and One shoe bag. 4.7 stars / 7016 reviews
Set of 3 compression Cubes - Durable lightweight nylon, YKK zipper reinforced with double stitching, compress or expand. 4.4 stars / 3218 reviews
TSA approved liquids bag - Quart size, waterproof, leakproof, and transparent. This is the bag I use for my family. 4.5 stars / 5004 reviews!
Toiletry organizer - Compact, 4 compartments for organization, water-resistant, padded protection, elastic straps hold bottles upright, transparent sides for viewing, 360-degree swivel, non-slip metal hook for hanging. 4.7 stars / 28, 831 reviews!
Electronic organizer - Hard EVA material exterior, shock-absorbing interior, 7 mesh pockets, & a hand strap. My Hubby also recommends this with 4.2 stars / 102 reviews
Luggage scale - small, lightweight, easy to carry, max weight is 110 lbs. This is the scale I personally use. 4.3 stars / 3733 reviews
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