December 10, 2021
I am asked 2 questions pretty often – how do you build a wardrobe around a specific garment, and how do you decide WHAT to pack?
This post is going to try to answer both questions!
First up, let’s start with this classic sweater, perfect for this time of year in much of the Northern Hemisphere:
For me, the 1st step is to look, really look CAREFULLY, at the colors in our focus garment. You’re looking for the easily seen, visible at a moderate distance colors.
Like these:
By now, you know full well that I’m going to go a bit nuts emphasizing how important your travel outfit is – you could easily have to wear it for 36 hours, so you need to love every stitch of it!
It’s an obvious outfit, but it’s also timeless, simple, and comfortable:
Sweater – L.L.Bean; earrings – Estella Bartlett; ivory turtleneck – Lands’ End; black corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; bag – Who What Wear; boots – Blondo
If you are heading off to a last-minute baby-sit, or helping with a family member, you might not need or plan to take luggage. In a zippered plastic bag, in your decent sized handbag, you can tuck these:
Black turtleneck – Lands’ End; earrings – Kate Spade; socks – J.Crew; black patent oxford shoes – J.Crew
Nobody will expect you to make a full change of clothes, but you can switch out the top that’s closest to your skin, as well as get some different shoes. Some fresh accessories will make you feel a bit like you’re wearing something different too!
If you’re possibly going to be in a legitimate “sleeping over” situation, in addition to your jammies and some clean undergarments, think about a pretty accent color. The joy of this ivory/gray/black palette is that you could include pretty much any color in the world!
floral earrings – We Dream in Color; cashmere crewneck sweater – J.Crew; wool & cashmere scarf – Nordstrom; socks – Aeropostale
If you are at the point where your upcoming adventure means that you’re going to be carrying a tote bag, you will want clean pants. Yes, these are black too, but they don’t make “the corduroy noise,” and they will give you a chance to hang and air out your cords…
If you’re faced with something like a 2 night trip, which might turn into 3 nights, you want another 1st layer top… and maybe you’re moving up to a small suitcase. Remember that you’re going to be needing undergarments; depending on where you will be, laundry might not be convenient…
Might you be going out to dine? A scarf and earrings can change a simple outfit to something much dressier…
When you’re packing 5 garments, you’re into suitcase territory, for many of us. And this is the point in time where at least considering a dress is reasonable. (if you’re a non-dress person, another top and 2nd layer, along with accessories, makes good sense)
Is there still some room in your bag? If you’re trying to pack a true “Six-Pack” wardrobe, this is your 6th garment…
I would absolutely look for a cardigan – especially one that could be worn without a 1st layer. It goes with the turtlenecks, it would be lovely with your silk blouse, and can of course go over your dress. Workhorse garment!
Snowflake earrings – Hautzado; socks – Talbots; grey cardigan – J.Crew
This wardrobe would be easy to carry about, and would get your appropriately dressed for all kinds of events:
But just in case you’re a bit nervous, walk through a handful of outfits in your mind. Being sure about your packing helps you put this kind of thing OUT of your mind…
When I get dressed, I often ponder what I would pack if my outfit was going to be a travel outfit. This also helps me if the weather changes, or I spill something, and have to dash back into my closet for some change…
I think about packing pretty often!
love,
Janice
p.s. Six years ago, I was on my way to Paris. I have to share this post, because I wore the SAME star cardigan just yesterday!
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I would cut the number of shoes in half, but bring slippers if going to a family member’s house. I would also probably add one addition shirt.
That’s what I’d do too! I find shoes to be the most annoying item to pack, and I don’t really need a lot of variety, especially when the main purpose of the trip is visiting a loved one.
Was just thinking this! One pair of shoes on, and one packed; plus light slippers for a hotel or for a relative’s house. I’d rather have an extra change of shirt, and shirts are lighter than shoes. OTOH, I’m not all that into shoes.
Oh, and if there was a chance of a workout, I’d wear workout shoes on the plane or in the car, and bring workout clothes.
Attractive, practical, doable. I am often guilty of packing too many clothes and this simple travel wardrobe seems to cover most bases. It will be a great guide to future winter packing. Thank you.
The dress didn’t look like much until I clicked on the link, WOW beautiful!
Especially in green!
Dresses can be hard to picture until you see a few different views. I thought this one was pretty tempting!
hugs,
Janice
Great tips and packing walk-through. I always pack more undies than days I’ll be away because I’d rather have too many than not enough! (And they are easy to tuck into the little nooks and crannies of the suitcase or travel bag.)
My parents taught me to bring one more pair of undies than the number of days you’ll travel, and to roll them so they fit almost anywhere. A great place to put rolled undies or rolled socks is inside shoes.
Hubby and I went to France and Barcelona for 18 days (last of October first of November). We did carry on and small topper bags that fit over the handle. It was tight but definitely doable. Since two people were missing luggage for three days I was glad we had planned accordingly. Everyone was amazed that we seemed to look fresh and had such small suitcases! Planning a color pallet is huge. Three pairs of shoes (one you wear) and one rain/jacket. I always plan my colors around a scarf thanks to Janice.
Janice, This was a well packed trip. I really like the wardrobe but I just didn’t feel the lavender belonged. It made it feel disjointed for me. I would have used probably a red silk top or if for warmth a soft cashmere Ivory sweater. Either of these I think would have been very elegant.
Dear Nathalie,
Maybe it’s because I love purple – it felt okay to me! But that’s why we discuss these wardrobes – we all get to see what feels best for us!
hugs,
Janice
This is a great template for travel! Since my colors are warm, I would look for equivalent tops in warm colors, but perhaps keep the black pants, since they are hard to beat for travel. Thank you, Janice!
Agreed re: black pants after just spilling half a cup of very hot coffee on my leg at a café this morning! Went to the restroom and mopped up as best I could. You’d never know this accident had occurred ( I need to get one more day out of these:) Always black pants for travelling with a small wardrobe and no laundry. My light blue cashmere sweater had a few spots but it’s rather thick and doesn’t seem to absorb liquid so a quick dab was all it needed!
What a great travel wardrobe. I would probably pack fewer shoes, and include one pair of boots for walking in the snow (I’m always hoping for snow and we get very little of it). The accent colour could be almost anything – I would likely go for a blue. That’s the beauty of these basic pieces – they go with so much. Thank you!
Bravo, you are the perfect packer. I try to stay as basic as possible because I spill and I often get rubs on my legs from vehicle in and out, but black next to my face, no way, queue the funeral music! That said, I find cardigans more versatile for me because warm moments and cold moments seem to visit at the most inopportune times. It is a metabolic thing, I am 17 years post-“the change.” What I find most interesting and engaging in your posts is the possibilities you present. When we can all travel again, my stars, that can’t be too soon for me, I will have a good basic template for any number of days. One comment above about reducing the number of shoes and switching out the space for some slippers is true for me as well. I may be a bit fussy but I must always have something on my feet and a recent visit to a family member reminded me that Lego’s and matchbox cars can wreck havoc on the foot!
Happily, (or not!) I not longer get to visit anyone likely to toss a Lego in my path! When I travel, I use my ballet flats as slippers if I ever feel the need.
Lucky you – little kids!
hugs,
Janice
Love the colors and look of a fair isle sweater but would never wear it for travel. Pullovers aren’t versatile as cardigans are and most wouldn’t be acceptable in my business offices. I don’t have hot flashes but when I’m traveling, I’m often hustling to catch a flight or lifting suitcases so I make sure to wear layers because the worst thing is to get to hot and have to partially disrobe.
So I wear a top layer that I can easily take off. In the winter it’s a cardigan usually with a thin long sleeve t-shirt under it. On top is a lightweight cashmere scarf that can be worn around my neck like a turtleneck if I’m cold or removed if I’m hot. In the summer it’s a silk short sleeved tee from Eileen Fisher with a button front shirt over it and a cardigan in case I’m cold on the flight.
Most of my travel is via car. Wearing sweatshirts or pullover sweaters work great for the cool temps in the car.
I like your piece by piece packing analysis. I always choose a comfortable travelling outfit that suits variable weather.
I wish I could wear pattern yoked jumpers but they make my narrow shoulders even narrower and droopy! The Echo paisley scarf is stunning. The link to the floral scarf is not the right one.
However, for me, I would swap one pair of black trousers for navy and the other for a grey pair to give a grey column with the grey cardigan. I would also look for a patterned top/shirt or even the dress that combined purple with grey and black. I would also include purple and silver, rather than gold jewellery.
Although I don’t have any packing to do for the festive season, I will use this for future trips. This is such a helpful post. Thank you.
Dear Beth,
Thanks for letting me know about the scarf link – but it actually IS the right one – it’s just that the pattern I show is SOLD OUT! Sometimes having good taste works against us!
hugs,
Janice
I love this; the wardrobe is attractive and the text is instructive! Please, Janice, bring back more of your “six pack” series. I find them SO useful and doable. For me, the bigger wardrobes are overwhelming, and I much prefer your smaller, beautifully curated wardrobes. Thank you!
I agree, I love the 6 packs. They really inspire me because they can be easily built up but a small jewel box of a capsule is such a necessary foundation in a wardrobe.
This is such a lovely pullover sweater and I’m enjoying the whole capsule plus the thoughts of travel again. We are booked on an Alaska cruise this spring and I feel rusty when it comes to planning a packing list.
This pullover would be perfection as a key starter piece! A pair of black pants, warm wool socks in hiking shoes and binoculars around the neck! Off to whale watch!