The Capsule Wardrobe I Packed on a 2-Week Trip

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Traveling far and frequently has become the norm with living on the opposite side of the country from most of my family. With countless trips for holidays and vacations each year, you’d think that so much travel would teach me a thing or two about efficient packing.

But it wasn’t until recently that I finally figured out the art of the capsule wardrobe when packing for any of these extended trips. Easier said than done, managing to whittle down two weeks’ (and three stops’) worth of belongings into a carry-on suitcase felt like a personal breakthrough.

With an itinerary that involved everything from walking and exploring new places to nicer dinners out and more relaxed family time, packing for that much variety was the main challenge. My first important lesson: Avoid anything too specific. Hyper-trendy pieces are no use to you when you’ll only wear them once in the span of several weeks. What’s more, building a base of neutral pieces means that the outfit combos can be virtually endless.

Which brings me to my second lesson: Let the accessories, shoes, and bags do all the talking. The third lesson: Choose footwear wisely. Avoid packing shoes that only go with one or two articles of clothing, and instead opt for your most versatile pairs. With these basic rules in mind, I built a capsule wardrobe out of 12 pieces. And yes, it lasted me for two weeks of travel.

Scroll down to see (and shop) each piece in my travel capsule wardrobe and keep reading to see it in action.

Outerwear

Tops

Dress

Bottoms

Scroll down to see the capsule wardrobe in action.

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Coat + T-Shirt + Leather Pants + Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

For any occasion that warrants a more forward approach, try this modern take on Western details. Wear these leather pants (sized up for a trouser fit) cuffed to expose the ankle boots, which have a distinctively cowboy-style shape. To ground the pairing, pop the long coat over it all.

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Slip Dress + Sweater + Tote + Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Here’s where the power of the versatile slip dress comes into play. Layered over the thin turtleneck, it’s slightly more elevated, while over a simple T-shirt, it becomes a low-key weekend uniform.

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Sweatshirt + Trousers + Sneakers + Crossbody Bag
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

For travel days and sightseeing excursions, try this relaxed combo. An easygoing trouser-and-sweater combo offered all the comfort of leggings, albeit with a bit more polish, while bright accessories pop against the monochrome palette.

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T-Shirt + Leather Pants + Sneakers
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

This cool off-duty look is perfect for a casual dinner with friends or an afternoon of shopping.

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Sweater + Skirt + Crossbody Bag
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

For events and family gatherings, this combo offers a neutral palette and more classic shapes.

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Sweatshirt + Slip Dress + Sneakers
(Image credit: Style Du Monde)

Give the slip dress the cool-girl treatment by wearing it with athleisure essentials: sneakers and a sweatshirt.

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Coat + T-Shirt + Trousers + Sneakers
(Image credit: Style du Monde)

While the T-shirt and sneakers make this look feel casual, throw the long coat over it all to finish it off.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.