I’ve been putting together travel capsules for years and have helped dozens of women pack for a trip. I also created a presentation for speaking to women’s groups. I’m still learning.
Looking back, and comparing it to what I’ve learned over the years of doing this, most principles stayed the same. The one thing that has changed is our desire to get all our things in a carry-on because of the increased charges by the airlines.
Last year I took my first year to Europe. Although, my goal wasn’t necessarily to fit everything in a carry-on, I knew that I had to keep the weight down and overall consolidate more than I ever had before. Packing for that trip took it to a different level.
I think you all know the basics of starting with bottoms to build outfits, and choosing a color scheme which allows you to mix/match.
Let me show a few pictures from my recent trip to Dallas to further emphasize my points.
1. I chose a pair of white and dark denim. The weather was supposed to be around 80 and possible rain the first part of the week moving into the nineties later in the week. By mixing and matching, adding in a white and black solid tops I have 5+ outfits. (2 pairs of shoes–one flat, onewedge) When you build a capsule, ideally you want the tops to go with both bottoms. For example, the tops in the first picture could be worn with white or dark denim. Sweaters are there if I needed another layer in the air conditioning.
Another thing I’ve learned to add some variety–take two different styles of bottoms in the same color. For example a pair of black denim/ black pants or a black skirt. This allows more options with tops in case one of your key bottoms gets dirty.
2. I always lay out each possible outfit with accessories and snap a picture before I put in the suit case. I also try on every combination. Things can look great hanging together, but not always great on the body.
3. I’ve learned to be Ok with wearing the same thing a couple of times on a trip!
I was away 9 days this time. The clothes shown above would have been enough if I didn’t have variance in weather of have any special dressy events attend.
I threw in these 2 casual dresses and so glad I did. It got really warm and I ended up wearing these both twice. I didn’t need the sweater. The scarf is easy to pack. It’s easy to throw in my hand bag because the restaurants there can be so cold from the air.
This trip called for two dresses (and another pair of shoes) for special occasions–graduation and a bridal shower. I could have worn the same to both events, but with so many pictures, I took 2 out of the 3 shown below. I left the one on the far left home because I had worn it for many graduation pictures last year. I regretted that. The other two were so easy to roll up and pack without wrinkling, but I didn’t care for middle dress in the pictures.
Do you overpack, or have you got it down to an exact science packed in your carry-on?
–All the photos below are actual links to the clothes shown (as many as I could find)
–Gray/white dress is from Costco for 9.97! (Link not available but search costco.com)
–The white top is from Sanctuary –a newer brand at Nordstrom. (Runs a touch small)
–The bell-sleeve top was a stretch for me. I didn’t think I’d like that top, but it is actually really comfortable and it’s growing on me. (I have a large, but it’s big, so plan to have it altered )
–The black and white dress is Maggy London which I bought last year and was excited to find it for you. I love the stretch comfortable fabric. And it is so easy to pack.
–The Karen Kane dresses–mine is the purple stripe, but I loved the other one I found too!
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