Key Takeaways
- Create a perfectly aesthetic travel wardrobe by following a few simple rules
- Build a capsule wardrobe that also has flexible pieces and statement jewelry
- Consider where you’ll be traveling and when to craft a cohesive look
What joy there is in travel! The chance to discover a new part of the world, whether close by with a stay-cation, or on the other side of the globe, by creating a sense of home in a new place. As Treasure Island’s Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake.”
No matter where you’re going, dressing for the destination is both where the fun and the struggle is real. Itineraries, weather, and landscape all factor into your wardrobe. And let’s be honest, we’re thinking about the eventual social media post as well, so having an aesthetic collection is key.
So, plan your outfits with these nine tips and tricks to pack your bags so you can simply travel for travel’s sake!
Basic Rules of a Travel Wardrobe
While specific destinations and goals of a trip factor a lot into what you’ll be packing, there are three basic rules you should always follow, regardless of the trip. While serving as the foundational pillars of travel wardrobes, the rules also lend themselves to a certain inherent aesthetic.
Read: The Power of Accessories: 6 Simple Pieces That Can Elevate Any Look
Flexible Outfits
Sadly, technology has yet to create a magical, bottomless suitcase. You can make the most of the constraints with flexible clothes. This goes beyond capsule pieces (we’ll go into that more below), but it’s about being creative and relaxed with what’s allowed.
If you’re going to be at the beach, for example, tap into that carefree aesthetic by using your swimsuit as part of your outfit; throw a pair of shorts, breezy skirt, or one-piece dress along with your choice of jacket, loose-fitting, breezy shirt, or (if it fits the rest of your wardrobe) a cute, breezy Y2K style poncho, and go straight from the water to the shops.
Let a long cover-up take you from tanning to tapas. Make your own rules – you’re on vacation, after all!
Build A Capsule
What exactly is a travel capsule wardrobe? Think capsule hotels, but cuter and more comfy, because you’re bringing a very pared-down assortment of what you have, so your clothing can be mixed and matched as optimally as possible.
Consider versatility in terms of:
- Function: your wardrobe should match your travel style. Are you someone who likes to cover every corner of the city in a day, or lounge around by the beach? Plan accordingly!
- Weather: seasonality and climate are also important. If you’re planning cold-weather travel, you can get away with fewer, bulkier items as long as they’re versatile, while if your getaway is to somewhere hot, you have more room to plan those moments when you just need to freshen up.
- Formality: Is this a casual family trip, a romantic honeymoon, or an occasion where you’re mixing business with fun on the road? Plan accordingly!
Pro tip: pieces such as slacks made of breathable fabric, camisoles in neutral colors, bodysuits, a cardigan, anything you can wear multiple ways.
Elevate With Accessories
You can dramatically change an outfit built from a capsule wardrobe simply with accessories. Dress up your look with a statement necklace or bracelet. Elevate the outfit with a high-end bag, and consider a crossbody for ease during travel. Change your entire fit with chic shoes. Just have fun!
Places To Go, Things To Wear
The basic rules are a good start, but the bulk of your travel wardrobe will be decided by the where, when, and why of your destination. While the details will change trip to trip, here are some ideas for a few of our favorite places to pack up and visit.
Nautical Northeast Style
The Northeast corridor is always gorgeous, but favorite spots like Newport, Martha’s Vineyard, or the Hamptons really shine in the summer. Grab a knit sweater for the cool nights, a wide-brimmed hat for days on the water, and lobster-printed sets for the quintessential New England aesthetic even if you find yourself on the other side of the pond.
Slow Down in the Lowcountry
The draping Spanish moss, the buzz of the cicadas, the gentle lap of the water in winding tributaries; there are few things as romantic as the lowcountry. The humidity can also be stifling, so breathable fabrics like linen or rayon are crucial.
Patterned dresses are also a great option for comfort, and they can be both casual and elegant. Like the Lowcountry, it’s about femininity, dreaminess, and timelessness, and where passion flows through the magnolia-scented air.
All that natural, lush beauty does mean high humidity and high temperatures, so plan to pack a wardrobe with breezy, flowy dresses that are easy to dress up and down with the right accessories.
A Magical European Getaway
As the veritable genius Leslie Knope once said, “If you have the ability to go to Paris, by all means, go to Paris.” So grab your Audrey Hepburn-inspired trench coat, a jaunty scarf, cigarette pants, and flit off to Europe! The city’s European look is dependent on classic, tailored pieces.
If you’re heading to the coast, though, such as the South of France, the Amalfi Coast, Greece, or Croatia, fill your suitcase with patterned pieces, platform sandals, and pastels. Borrow from the aesthetic of the surroundings, and you’ll fit right in with the locals.
Take Me To the Lakes
The Great Lakes from May to November are one of America’s best-kept secrets. Perfect weather, serene lakes set amongst towering cliffs, and ice cream shops and parlors galore, Independence Day feels more like an annual state of mind. When it’s autumn, it’s an outdoor sporting paradise, and winter is truly a wonderland in the Great Lakes.
Pack for the trip with classic jeans and cotton shorts, lightweight sweaters, and plenty of athleisure that matches the extremes of their seasons.
West Coast, Best Coast
There is an unparalleled hipster coolness to the West Coast that comes through in everything from attitude to outfits. Blend in with cutoff jeans, tank tops, and athleisure wear meant primarily for the local coffee shop.
If you’re bouncing through California, for the evenings, don’t shy away from bright colors, tight-fitting fabrics, and sky-high heels. If you’re planning on heading up north, where the party is a little more punk than pop, a few easy-to-pack flannels and rainproof jackets for layering that survived the original Grunge era.
Welcome to the Caribbean
The Caribbean islands exist in another world where problems float away, time ceases to exist, and only the horizon matters. Slip away quickly with nothing but bathing suits, a variety of cover-ups that can double as dresses, and loose skirts. Don’t come back until the water carries you here.
Save a Little Room
So much of the world is waiting for you to discover it. Wherever the winds of adventure take you, plan on reserving a spot in your bag for a new favorite you found along the journey. Not only is it smart to plan for incidental items you either forgot to pack or wish you did, but it can be part of the fun!
After all, there can be something truly memorable about finding a new piece like one of those unique women’s boutique dresses that comes with local flavor on the road, and a story for when you’ve returned.
Bon voyage!
