Most stylish travelers pack clothes that allow them to comfortably move and look good in photos—without overpacking their suitcase. They achieve this by building a basic travel wardrobe or a travel capsule wardrobe. This collection of essential pieces lets you easily mix and match items, allowing for multiple outfit combinations. It is also very effective for when you need to travel light and want to avoid paying excess baggage fees.
If you want to build a basic travel wardrobe, you can start with what you currently have in your closet. From here, you can pick your favorite pieces that you can use for the trip. This process of selection can be a daunting task for anyone, especially when you have accumulated plenty of clothes over the years, but it can be a rewarding experience. Taking an inventory of your wardrobe can help you identify pieces you’ll need to complete your travel capsule wardrobe. You may also realize that you need to shop for cotton leggings when your most-loved pair has completely worn out so it can be useful for updating your closet essentials.
Additionally, there are some factors you must consider when selecting pieces for travel. To learn more about them and the essential items you need to create various stylish travel outfits, read on.
Considerations When Choosing Travel Outfits
A capsule wardrobe is meant to make your life easier while traveling. It is designed to prepare different outfits that suit your trip by including pieces of clothing that are versatile, simple, and convenient. To help you narrow down your choices while rummaging through your closet or when shopping for travel clothes, here are some factors you should consider:
- The climate of your destination – One of the first things you need to think about is the weather in your destination because these can help you choose your clothes. For warmer climates, you can select clothes that are made of lightweight materials such as cotton and linen so you can stay cool and comfortable. If you are visiting someplace cold, choose thicker fabrics and bring appropriate outerwear.
- Wearability – The advantage of a capsule wardrobe is its versatility, which means these clothes can be worn for different kinds of occasions and settings. Choose pieces that you can maximize when you travel whether you are going to the beach, a bar, or a temple.
- Activities you will engage in during your travel – This can greatly impact the clothes you pack. Whether you prefer to do some sightseeing in the city or hiking in the woods, the essential pieces in your wardrobe should work for what you will be doing. You can also pack garments that are easy to dress up if you need more formal wear, and a set of swimwear in case of water activities.
- Local culture – Keep in mind that you need to dress appropriately to respect the local culture of your destination. Some places may require you to wear modest clothing that covers your arms, shoulders, and knees. Remember to include pieces that allow you to do that.
Basic Travel Pieces to Include in Your Capsule Wardrobe
Many travelers often go for neutral hues that are easier to pair together, such as white, black, beige, and blue. It’s a helpful guide but you should feel free to express your personal style. You can mix and match solids and patterns as long as you are comfortable with your outfit and it works for your travel considerations. To help you, here are the key pieces that you can include in your wardrobe that will allow you to adapt to different weather and occasions.
Tank Tops
Tank tops are lightweight and versatile. You can use them as part of your casual ensembles or as undershirts when layering. They are also great to wear for sporty activities and in warmer climates. You can take a couple of solid-colored tank tops that can go well with most of your bottoms.
Short-Sleeve Shirts
A couple of well-fitting t-shirts can go a long way. You can wear them on top of your tank tops to keep you warm or pair them with your skirts. Whether you plan to roam the city, spend a day outdoors, or snuggle comfortably at night, you can use these versatile pieces.
Dressier Tops or Tunics
It’s always good to come prepared with a blouse or two in case you are dining at a fancy restaurant or attending a formal event. They can also help make your outfits look more stylish. Make sure these nicer tops can match your pants or skirts. On the other hand, tunics are great substitutes for dresses. You can style them with black leggings for a night out or denim shorts for a casual stroll.
Button-up Shirts
Another versatile piece is button-up shirts. They can be worn alone and paired with different types of bottoms. You can unbutton them and wear them on top of your shirts or tank tops to serve as a light jacket. If they are long enough, you can style them as you would a tunic with leggings. Additionally, long-sleeved button-up shirts are great to have when going to a place where you are required to keep your arms and shoulders covered for modesty.
Leggings
Many women swear by their leggings. With the right pair, you can have comfy stretchy pants for daytime and nighttime occasions, sporty activities, or sleepwear. A basic pair of black leggings can complement any outfit, and they can even be worn under skirts or dresses. You can also pack more than a couple of pairs in different colors since they don’t take up much room in your suitcase. If you are visiting a place of religious observance, they can help cover your knees without limiting your style options.
Pants or Jeans
Pack at least two pairs of pants or jeans that you can match with shirts, blouses, or tunics. You can go for light-colored linen trousers to stay cool, and dark-wash denim jeans that you can wear with almost anything.
Skirts or Shorts
One skirt in a neutral hue can give you various outfit options. You can wear it casually or dress it up with some accessories. If you are choosing skirt length, go for a longer maxi-type skirt. They can make your outfit look more modest and protect your legs from sun exposure in hot weather destinations. When it comes to shorts, bring just one pair will do. Depending on the activities you plan to do, you can select denim or linen shorts for sightseeing or a nylon pair for sports.
Lightweight Sweater or Cardigan
It’s always a good idea to bring one lightweight sweater or cardigan when you travel. They are great to have when the weather fluctuates or when you stay in hotels or inns that blast their air conditioning units. Also, cardigans can help instantly dress up your tank top and pants combination. These can also become your statement pieces when you get them in eye-catching patterns or hues.
Comfortable Shoes
Two pairs of shoes should be enough. Select a pair you will use for everyday wear like sneakers, and another one for dressier outfits such as flats. You want to remember versatility when it comes to your selection so choose shoes comfortable enough to wear for a long time. Unless part of your travel itinerary is attending a black-tie event, you can skip the stilettos.
Undergarments and Socks
Remember to include these important items in your capsule wardrobe and bring enough to last you throughout the trip. Pack at least a week’s worth of underwear for long trips. If you run out of fresh ones, you can do some laundry even in a hotel bathroom sink. Fresh socks and underwear can help you feel comfortable when traveling. If you are attending a special event, consider bringing form-flattering underwear.
Basic Accessories
Your accessories can help dress up any basic outfit. It can also turn one outfit into a completely new one just by adding a couple of accessories. Here are some you can include in your capsule wardrobe:
- Lightweight scarf
- Hat or baseball cap
- Sunglasses
- A pair of stud or dangle earrings
- Bracelet/necklace
Packing for a trip can be a daunting task when you have a lot of clothes in your closet. To help you with the selection, choose essential pieces that can help you build a capsule travel wardrobe. With this collection of versatile clothes, you can create various stylish outfits minus the excess baggage fees. Aside from picking pieces that work for different occasions, select those that you feel comfortable in and reflect your personality. After all, you don’t just want to have great travel experiences but also beautiful photos to remember them by.
Source link
