Capsule Wardrobe: Chic Week in a Carryon Suitcase

A few of you have contacted me asking for suggestions on what to pack for a week-long vacation and how to fit it all in a carry-on. Most of you are looking to visit places that aren’t terribly hot or cold, so I made this capsule wardrobe for spring-like conditions. Below is a vacation capsule wardrobe for one week, one carryon suitcase.

I am planning a 10-day trip to Copenhagen in July, and planning on just taking my carry on. But I am having the most impossible time settling on clothing and footwear. I'm 41, size 8 or 10. Can you suggest some effortlessly chic pieces appropriate for daytime touring and night time dinners out?

Hi Allie, I am going to Toronto to visit my college roommate. I hope to fit everything in my carryon. I know we will be seeing the sights and going out for meals and drinks and there will be a party at a restaurant. How can I pack light but also look chic?

Tips on what to pack for a week in Europe that can fit in a 22” suitcase? Want to pack light and don’t want to look like a tourist. Help!

Capsule Wardrobe: One Week, One Carry On Suitcase

The capsule wardrobe below is a guide to get your creative sartorial juices flowing. I kept the capsule very basic – black with neutrals, so everything can mix and match and nothing is too memorable so you can wear them multiple times. There’s plenty of variety so you can go to the theater or an elegant restaurant and also have comfortable clothes for a day of sight-seeing.

Shop Similar:
Jeans (Plus Size Option) | Leggings (Plus Size Option) | Joggers (Plus Size Option) | Anorak (Plus Size Option) | Moto Jacket (Plus Size Option) | Sweater (Plus Size Option) | Wrap Dress (Plus Size Option) | T-Shirt Dress (Plus Size Option) | Knot-Shouder Top | Striped T-Shirt (Plus Size Option) | Silk T-Shirt (Plus Size Option) | Camisole (Plus Size Option) | Pashmina | Crossbody Bag | Backpack | Flats | Sunglasses | Sneakers

Sample Outfits from the Capsule Wardrobe

With 18 pieces including shoes, bags, outerwear, and accessories I created 18 outfits to get you through a week of sight-seeing, day hikes, dinners, and more. Click on any thumbnail graphic in the gallery to see the full-size images and descriptions. Hover over the images to find arrows to advance and go back within the gallery. If there’s an ad in the way, x it out to read captions. Click the X at the top right of an enlarged image to close the gallery and return to this blog post.

Keep a Cohesive Color Story

This capsule wardrobe focuses on black with touches of cream, blush, and camel. Black easily dresses up and down, so a piece can work for the coffee shop or a cocktail party. Black is also easy to spot clean and hides sweat. If the neutrals aren’t your thing, it’s easy to switch out for your signature color or a mix within one palette (for example peach, coral, and pumpkin or teal, jade, and turquoise). You want the colors to mix and match easily and be able to be worn together without looking too wacky. If you wish to look like a local and not a tourist, for most major cities that’s most easily done with neutrals and a simple color palette.

Layering is Key

There’s a chance of rain, you’ll spend one day high in the mountains and the next in a bustling city, you’re away from your hotel for 12 hours or more. Layers are the way to survive your varied vacation week. A leather jacket is a great way to look chic while staying warm. Choose one that is more tailored of a fit and a softer leather (real or faux) and it can become part of your look and be chic enough to pair with dresses for a nice night out. An anorak that is a bit longer and water resistant will be great for day hikes, drizzly days, and more active excursions. A longer sweater will provide warmth and easily slip over layers. Have it thin enough that you can tuck or half-tuck it or even hike it up with a hip belt to switch up the silhouette and extend your wardrobe further.

A slim tank or camisole takes up nearly no space in your suitcase but is valuable for adding warmth, switching up the neckline of looks, and even being worn on its own with a skirt or looser pants. A pashmina or large scarf is great for being a blanket on your flight, extra warmth in a drafty hotel room, can be used as a shawl with a dress, and adds warmth but also interest to outfits.

Have a Mix of Fabrics

In this capsule I have a silk t-shirt dress and silk t-shirt. In a dressier fabric, these pieces can go glam in an instant. If silk is too high maintenance for you, choose the same effect with other fabrics that have great drape. Matte jersey and poly blends that replicate silk are great alternatives.

Instead of stiff cotton t-shirts, look for knits with a bit of Lycra, polyester, nylon, silk, or linen which will make them drape better and be more comfortable and flattering.

For knit pants and dresses, consider ponte. A tightly woven heavyweight knit, ponte is as comfortable as yoga pants but more refined. Such fabric can be worn to hike to the top of a hill or be styled with flats and a silk blouse for dinner.

Accessories are Key

I usually include jewelry in a capsule wardrobe, but for this one I left it out because I think it’s a place where you can incorporate your personality. Love big statement pieces? More of a minimalist? Don’t go anywhere without your grandmother’s locket? Hate to wear jewelry? All of those and more can work with a capsule like this.

I recommend a minimum of two bags – one that is a small crossbody that you can clip off the strap and turn it into a clutch, and one that is comfortable to carry all day. Both should have secure closures and a variety of pockets to keep your essentials safe and organized.

For shoes, I have a pair of comfortable sneakers that are also on trend, and a pair of comfortable flats with plenty of cushioning. If you have room, you may wish to also include a pair of truly athletic shoes or a pair of ankle boots that have great support and can take a beating. Consider wearing your biggest shoes on the plane to save space in your suitcase.

A pair of classic sunglasses like Wayfarers or aviators are perennially chic in many countries around the world. If in doubt when it comes to accessories, go simple and classic.

Treat this as a Guide, not Gospel

The above capsule wardrobe is simply a guide to have you start thinking about what is already in your closet that would work for your vacation. Likely you already own many similar pieces, and just need a couple items to fill holes and make the capsule cohesive. Try on your travel capsule wardrobe before leaving. Envision outfits, even write them down so know you’re ready for whatever events are on your itinerary. Keep your capsule wardrobe simple and you can blend into any situation, even ones you didn’t expect. Have a blast on your vacation!

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