My “Capsule Wardrobe” (a.k.a. Traveling Light Yet Stylish)
Given that I’m pushing *50* years of traveling DIY solo… And furthermore, most every trip has been carry-on only – be it 10 days in the Portuguese Azores Islands, or 43 days through 8 different countries in the Balkans.
In short, I dare say I’ve (necessarily, by way of sheer frequency) gotten pretty darn good at this “packing” thing.
Furthermore, as I’ve added new decades to my ever more dodderin’ years, all the more reason to nip my carry-on buggy down, down to but the barest of loads so as to ease the drag and heft of lifting it into overhead airplane cubbies, as well as on/off trains, buses, tuk-tuks, younameit.
The truth is, packing light really isn’t rocket-science – it’s just a matter of resisting the urge to randomly toss in every stray “just in case” item and instead – carefully choose a sparse mix of multi-functional, interchangeable, color-coordinated, light-weight and non-bulky clothing.
I also think packing light takes a bit of a shift in mind-set more than anything else. At home, we’re use to having a closetful of clothes, along with multiple jackets/coats and all manner of shoes/boots to choose from each season and day of the week. And perhaps more significantly – we tend to see the same folks each day (at work, social gatherings, etc.) and we’re socially accustomed to ensuring that we don’t wear the same outfit too often.
BUT… those two factors/assumptions fly right out the window when we travel. When traversing the globe, rarely do we see the same people more than a few times before moving on to a new locale (lol, and I mean really – do we care what the 20-something receptionist at our hostel/hotel thinks of our attire – or even notices?) In short – when traveling, we seldom bump into the same folks more than a time or two, so nobody knows that I wore the same outfit 4 days ago. 
The full capsule wardrobe for 25 days in Paris, Malta and Albania
That said, over the years the assortment of garments that I choose to tuck into my carry-on size rollie isn’t static. With each new trip the recipe changes a smidge. I revamp my color palette every so often, and continue to refine my packing list – ever striving for optimal functionality and style – at ever more minimal space/weight (all the more room for souvenirs, no?) 🙂
It all fits neatly in my regulation-size (for even the stingiest budget airline) 21″ x 14″ x 8″ convertible rollie/backpack. And weighs in at < 7 kg (again, the tightest weight limit of the most stringent airlines).
So what-all does my sweet “capsule wardrobe” include?
First up – there’s the (all-important) “travel days” outfit. The ensemble I’ve chosen to don for that marathon flight across the Atlantic from way down here beneath the Equator to Paris. The priorities? That would be A. comfort, followed swiftly by B. layers (for fluctuating frigid/torrid temps on the flight), and C. having everything handy for sleeping, freshening up, etc.
Thus… we start with a black tank top (should things get *really* warm), a long-sleeved black cotton turtleneck and my beloved mauve fleece vest (with dual zippered pockets to keep my phone, passport and other in-flight essentials uber-handy/safe even whence sleeping); plus lightweight stretchy black dotted pants, my (one and only, for this 25 day trip) pair of shoes (my beloved Tevas), a snappy b/w checked scarf for panache; and finally my black hooded outer jacket (with big pockets for various snacks, water bottle, etc.) Once settled in on the plane, the jacket gets folded into a cushy seat cushion, and the vest rolled into a cushion for my lower back.
Now then, the full capsule wardrobe, along w/ just 15 of the more than 30 different “looks” I can create with just:
3 “Bottoms”:
– black dotted pants (wearing on plane)
– black loose pants
– gray/black print skirt
9 “Tops”:
– black turtleneck (wearing on plane)
– long-sleeved gray top
– black long-sleeved merino wool top
– 2 T-shirts (black Matera and white Day of the Dead “calavera”)
– 2 short-sleeved mock turtlenecks (black and burgundy)
– uber-sweet, flowy flowered top (that I snagged for a song at a thrift store in Dublin on my last trip)
– b/w print beach top
3.5 scarves: b/w checked (wearing on plane), gray/black/purple/rust paisley, plus thin lacy mauve silk. And the .5 scarf? a simple knotted burgundy print bandana 🙂
2 pr. leggings (black merino wool and gray)
2 tunic dresses (dark checked and gray)
1 short black jacket
First ensembles – 4 different looks with those two simple tunic dresses – just by switching out scarves and leggings:
2 different looks with the gray top and skirt:
Another two looks just by adding the burgundy mock turtleneck and the jacket w/ the skirt:
And… with the loose black pants + different scarf:
Look #10: That lusciously fun, flowy flowered top (that weighs almost nothing!) with the loose black pants – perfect for a fancy Michelin (maybe) dinner in Malta:
Plus gotta have my favorite black “Matera” t-shirt that I (literally!) bought off the artist’s BACK in a gallery in Puglia, Italy:
2 more looks with the white t-shirt (beach sunshine, casual):
And then adding the black jacket for the city:
And finally – the last 2 sample looks with the sleeveless b/w beach sun top:
And with the black merino wool long-sleeved top (for city/more chilly wear)
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There you have it – a total of 15 different (arguably stylish) looks, and no doubt at least another 10+ not pictured, by simply mixing and matching a bit more. Shoot, with but 25 days on the lam – I likely won’t ever need to wear the same outfit TWICE!
Note: PJ’a, and miscellany go in my under-seat personal bag.
And AIS, all will easily fit into my single regulation 21″ x 14″ x 8″ (AOKING) carry-on convertible rollie/backpack. Plus room for a half-dozen undies/socks, a packing cube for stray techno cords ‘n plugs, plus another for snacks and whatnot. Add my (likewise gray, natch!) 😉 shower shoes and my toiletries bag – and this “TravelnLass” is GOOD. TO. GO!
In short, no excuses. It’s really a no-brainer. Why would you toss away precious travel funds for checked baggage (not to mention time waiting for those insufferably s-l-o-w baggage carousels to – maybe/maybe not – cough up your precious cargo), and then have to lug around a full-size heavy suitcase (on those many “on/off trains, buses, tuk-tuks” mentioned above). All for what?
For “stuff” you simply DO. NOT. NEED.
(Photographic) proof-positive here: No matter how many days, or weeks you’ll be on the trail – it’s definitely possible to pack everything you need into a single carry-on size backpack or rollie or suitcase… in STYLE. Toss a small rucksack/personal bag into the mix (for technos, overnight necessities, plus a few snacks of course) and you’re good to go…
Anywhere on the Planet for as. long. as. you. like!
P.S. Oh and… (just for fun) those “snacks”? A granola bar or three enroute, plus a small stash of cappuccino packets, teabags, oatmeal, dry soup and juice powder (+ a wee electric immersion thingy – in dual 120/220V) to sustain me in the most bereft circumstances. 😉
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
