August 23, 2024
It’s just a long weekend. She’s tired, and she’s only going because it’s a very important occasion, and a low-key party that she wouldn’t miss. But she’s determined to make things as easy and fool-proof as she can…
So she looks long and hard at her new favorite scarf:
She realizes that she can just wear and pack her favorite black and white, and then include pretty much any accent color she wants! Yes, toast brown would be perfect here, but she’s going to opt for a couple of brighter colors – this time!
First, she chooses her all-important travel outfit. Even if you’re only driving for an hour, you can never go wrong by choosing a travel outfit that can stand up to a LONG day. Things go wrong. There are things that delay you, or maybe you and 300 of your closest friends! Always be prepared to wear a travel outfit for 24 hours – what’s the downside?
Earrings – Undefined Jewelry; scarf – Echo; cardigan – Alex Mill; tee shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Lands’ End; weekender bag – Baggallini; loafers – Bandolino
Next, she walks “one garment at a time” through her packing. Her thinking:
“What would I MOST want to change in my outfit, if I was indeed to wear these clothes for a very long time?”
A clean tee shirt? Heck yes!
She takes this opportunity to picture her white tee shirt outfit, and thinks about what different accessories she might want. It’s not at all insane to think that – worst travel scenario – she would want to change shoes! And the earrings? Always pack more earrings…
Next, she realizes that she would want a change of pants. Swapping a pair of “nice” pants for a pair of cords relaxes everything!
And she’s going to think through her shoe choices early in the packing process, because they take up space and are important; you don’t want to pack 13 tee shirts and then realize too late that you need space for your sneakers..
At this point, that very lovely cardigan has GOT TO GO. Even the nicest 2nd layer needs to be swapped out eventually. And it’s time to introduce an accent color!
Sweater vests are the thing this year, and with good reason:
- This vest can be worn over a tee shirt,
- or over a button-front shirt,
- or over a cotton turtleneck,
- or under a jacket or cardigan,
- or on its own, as a sleeveless top…
Here, she debates for a minute. A solid white button-front shirt is an obvious choice for her next garment – it would go with everything she’s packing. But she wants a bit of visual interest, so she chooses a plaid shirt instead.
This strongly suggests that she won’t be wearing this shirt with her striped cardigan (although I certain might do so!), but for a short trip, sacrificing infinite versatility for a bit of variety is not a big problem. If she was going to travel for six months with these clothes, she might reconsider. She might not.
She now has three tops – two tee shirts and a button-front shirt. This strongly suggests that it’s time for another 2nd layer. She already has a cardigan and a vest; she could add a jacket, a crewneck or v-neck sweater, or another cardigan or vest.
Since she’s looking for another accent color, her purple cardigan seems a perfect choice:
She’s determined to pack six garments, and she’s going to a party (not a fancy party, but still…); she is at a stage where a 3rd “bottom” is the logical choice.
If I had to live with only one skirt, this might be the one:
Because she’s thinking ahead about outfits, she remembers that she wants tights and a small handbag!
Always pack 2 pairs of tights. Have you never been in a hurry and rammed your thumb THROUGH a brand new pair of tights? If not, I’m impressed…
So when everything is together, spread out on her bed and hanging on her laundry rack, this is how it comes together:
This heroine has already envisioned a number of outfits from her wardrobe, but just for the heck of it, let’s see if I can find any other possibilities. (of course I can – I wouldn’t toss out the idea if I didn’t know it would work!)
Remember that a perfectly chosen Six-Pack travel capsule wardrobe, with a three-piece travel outfit, gives on (theoretically) 45 outfits. Seriously.
How long can a woman travel with six garments in a carry-on bag? I’m so tempted to try, when I go to Europe in October, to do this, but I feel like 14 days might be pushing it a bit…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we tackled the most unlikely of color palettes: navy, brown, apricot and celadon green. It worked!
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We travelled UK to Canada for 2 weeks with just carry on bags, there was a luggage handlers strike at the time and we didn’t want the hassle of being without our luggage. It was actually easy and we would do it again. Wear one outfit, including coat and hiking boots, pack 2 more, with a light pair of sneakers and an extra shirt to ease laundry situation. Our fellow travellers were most impressed.
There is beauty in the simplicity of this 3×3 wardrobe – 3 tops, 3 layers, 3 bottoms. I follow some YouTube channels that focus on travel, and Ally Smalls’ videos show the versatility of the 3×3 wardrobe including numerous outfit combinations. In the longer video, she adds a 3-piece travel outfit and a dress to the 3×3 which makes a Clean 13 capsule. But a travel outfit plus a 6-pack is very doable if you want to travel with just a carry-on bag. Here are Ally’s videos:
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ew5L8xNUgzE
Long video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XK–l-5dhk&t=99s
These are great together! I love that the pattern in the cardigan and button up is just black and white (neutral) so it still goes with the pops of color just fine.
I love everything about this module – it makes me wish I had a weekend event coming up. Thank you, Janice, for all you do for us. I am curious, though, if anyone has that “Flippy Ponte Midi Skirt” in navy. That is exactly the type of skirt I love. Oh, and I would definitely wear the striped cardigan with that plaid shirt. I just wish I could wear button-up shirts. I am so short-waisted, though, and they just look off on me.
Hey Sandi, me too, re short-waisted. Never can wear button-down shirts, argh! But I saw that Talbots have some short ones! White, and I think striped, too!
I would also love that skirt in navy.
I love this scarf! But once again, in black and white rather than Navy and white! Hey I just saved a couple hundred bucks! But seriously I would love to try this (navy and white with accent 2nd layers) and if I ever live in the cold frozen north this would be great inspiration to get started. For now, I need my accent colors in the 1st layer tops while I hope for cold enough days to add that second layer!
One question I have about the 6 packs is how can these really work for travel longer than a long weekend? I see three tops, 2 T’s and the button down. Yes the vest and the cardigan could be 1st layers but what if you get hot and need to take the cardigan off? Whoops! That bra top is not so good for this aging body, and it would take some serious planning to make sure the vest was worn at the correct time bc potentially it would not be so great as a 2nd layer if already worn against the body. Who wants to think that hard while on vacation? So 3 tops could probably be worn twice each, which would give me 6 days as long as I didn’t get over heated and sweaty. For any longer than that, I would need more tops. So, 2 second layers, 6 tops, 3 bottoms. This could still fit in an under seat bag, but with only 2 pairs of shoes.
We are getting ready to travel on Saturday. My plan will be along this line but I have to include swim wear too bc we’ll be paddle boarding! So much fun!
Your comment resonates with me! I just absolutely need a fresh against-the-body top every day so although this really efficient-seeming tiny capsules where you have to strategize about exactly to wear the pieces in order seem more difficult to manage than just packing a couple extra T-shirts. I know other people might think wearing a skin-layer top only once before washing is silly, but I know from experience that I am *extremely* unhappy re-wearing a top. I can’t even deal with wearing the same top to sleep in multiple times so I end up packing a quick-dry exercise top for sleeping in so I can wash it every morning. A fresh top is just a non-negotiable for me so I have to pack accordingly. I run hot and sweaty, so I need to be prepared to remove topper layers and be comfortable (psychologically and physically) with the top standing alone. I love the efficiency of this wardrobe in theory but my reality is that I that I would need to forgo some of the bottom and topper pieces to ensure I have enough tops to work with…and I unless we’re talking somewhere colder than Minnesota in the dead of winter, I need to have a short-sleeved T option available when I travel.
A sleeveless shell or two is another option for layering. Takes up very little space and can add a pop of colour as well.
Same! I always plan out my wardrobe by day and account for any necessary changes (travel, fancy dinner, sports event). If I end up not changing, i have another clean outfit. I very rarely rewear tops when traveling or sightseeing because I can’t abide the stale and/or sweaty feeling. An extra shell, tank, or tee goes a long way to helping me feel clean and fresh. And they pack up very small!
I don’t think you can beat black and white as the basis for a travel wardrobe. If you’re a heroine who is happy with this base color palette, you are in luck!
Those black Adidas sneakers make me really happy. I love the old-school style and am absolutely thrilled to see a black sneaker *with a black sole* instead of a white one! I have never much cared for the contrasting white sole that’s been common on black sneakers for years now and at this point I am completely done with it. The low-key black sole on these sneakers look much more sophisticated and make for a sneaker I can much more easily see pairing with non-casual outfits.
I really hunted for these! I am with you on the black sole – and I particularly like leather “sneakers” with a black sole. Unless someone gets down on their hands and knees to study my shoes, they’re not going to necessarily even NOTICE that they’re sneakers…
hugs,
Janice
I’m thinking that with one or two more tee shirts I could easily get by for two weeks. I am a camisole girl and wear one every day of the year. They are the piece that saves my shirts from direct sweat and they add a layer when it’s cooler. Typically they can be washed and hung to dry in a day. They are small and easy to pack. The real issue I have is re-wearing my travel outfit. As soon as I can, I change out of the clothes I’ve had on for hours and I do not want them back on my body until going home for the same long trip. My sister says I need to get over this and she’s right but what to do. I often wear a knit/jersey type dress with whatever coat or jacket I’m taking. So that dress may only get worn 2 times but that often amounts to 3-3 1/2 days so I can live with that. Now I’m obviously speaking of longer flights. Does anyone else feel like this about overnight flights?
I’m with all of you who have a hard time wearing tops and the travel pieces twice. I just can’t get over the general ick factor. I seem to run hot and sweaty. I would probably add in a couple more tops and cut back on third layers and plan on doing laundry. I’d cut back on one pair of shoes on a shorter trip. I love the overall concept and the flexibility to make it fit our own quirks. I’d also try to have a matching piece to the cardigan.
I typically run hot, and at home would only wear same top two days in a row in the winter. But when travelling, my next-to-skin garment is usually merino, either warm or lightweight depending on season, and they really clean themselves if left to air overnight. I would wear for several days, no problem. Feels fine, smells fine. (I have asked others🙂)
I agree with Vicki, merino wool is the perfect travel fabric! Put it on a hanger overnight, and it’s fresh and ready to wear again.
I also prefer to wash my “long travel day” outfit immediately and wear something else the next day. I fly from Alaska to Seattle (around 4 hours), have a layover (2 or more hours), fly to the east coast (usually Boston, 5 to 6 hours), wait for my train (3 to 4 hours), and then have a lovely train ride (2 to 4 hours), then a one or two hour drive to my destination (I’m not driving). That’s a long day in those clothes! If I’m going overseas, it’s essential that I’m wearing merino wool.
During normal days, I can rewear a merino top 3 to 4 times before I *need* to wash it. A quick sink wash in the evening, roll it in a towel to get most of the moisture out, then lay flat or hang to dry. It’s usually dry by morning.
I highly recommend Wool& for fabulous merino dresses and shirts and leggings! Many of my long sleeve tops are Smartwool, but they do have a logo.
Safe travels! Elisa in Alaska
Count me as another vote for Wool&! I’m so ready to buy another top, if only they expanded the color selection in the style and size I wear. I’ve been wearing one of their dresses literally all summer here (even in northern Arizona it’s been HOT). The dress does wrinkle badly so I periodically steam it just to wear around the house and so far haven’t worn it to do errands. If they would offer petite sizes I could buy leggings.
I would absolutely wear a plaid shirt and striped cardi if each garment is in only the same two colors. Reminder to those who are in the never black camp that those lovely LL Bean cords come in other colors. I’d wear those in camel with the gorgeous purple cardi or the red vest. Camel is a mind-blowing neutral in terms of how it behaves with accent colors. You’ll get so much mileage from it, provided you love the way you look in it. Love the classic Adidas and the two-toned loafers. The entire capsule is really lovely. And there’s always room for more scarves & jewelry!
I’m definitely in Camp Stank. One and done, especially including the travel outfit, and especially the pants! Have you watched people put their dirty shoes all over airport seats? When were airline seats last cleaned? And if my underlayer has been the same pair of underpants for 18 or more hours I definitely am not wearing that outfit again until it gets washed!
That’s what I’m talking about Feet that have walked all over and are now on seats, hands that haven’t been washed. And when traveling overseas you have also been in the lounge for hours. It’s just too much! Travel outfit for me is just that. I do like merino wool tops and jeans. Once I’ve arrived I can re-wear them for days!!
Love the way you formatted “what she adds” etc for us. You make it look so easy! Getting ready for a trip to Asia and I’ll be using your formula as much as possible because I’m not checking any luggage 🤞 Thank you for doing what you do !!!!
I absolutely LOVE this format!!!!! So clear! Thank you for this new way of building a group of clothing!
This post really spoke to me! Practical yet stylish (not trendy) choices for almost all age groups. I am all about classics topped with my personal touches. No plans to travel, except the usual marketing and appointments, but I can see using these items to create a versatile and fabulous wardrobe. I so appreciate the time and research you put into your posts!
Apologies if this is a bit far afield, but with seeing this wardrobe, my needing a few good-quality cardigan sweaters this fall/winter, and knowing there are always such great opinions here in the comments, I want to ask: What do you think of the crewneck vs v-neck cardigan question? Crewnecks can look a little matronly and old-fashioned, of course depending on the style, and can be difficult to wear over everything, while v-necks can leave an expanse open at the neck if it’s colder (of course you could fill in with a scarf if that’s appropriate for the outfit) or if your neck isn’t the prettiest, and don’t show a color close to your face. I flip-flop on which is better for travel also. Any other trade-offs or opinions?
Maybe what they call shawl collar? Still leaning towards V neck, but with a little extra. I have a hard time with the crew collar cardigan; the neckline just doesn’t work for my stumpy neck, lol. My actual solution, which is very casual, is a full zip fleece cardigan. Light weight, polartec 100 or so. Indoor, outdoor with a vest, easy wash and dry. Sounds like I’m selling them, lol!
Oh Lady I have been POUTING at all the crew-necks over the last few years. They just cut my middle aged neck off in the worst way. I definitely need a V-Neck. So much more flattering and a great excuse to show off scarf or jewelry.
Similar to the lady above 1/4 zip knits are an option to get the opening but can be zipped up so very nice to travel in.
Dear Janice, wonderful post, thank you! Took these colors to Scotland for 5 weeks, with the addition of grey pants, T-shirt and sweater. They worked wonderfully well together, with a red and white striped shirt that I got from Seasalt, a wonderful shop with lots of coordinated things, as well as beautiful print dresses. My daughter also took me to Uniqlo, which I only knew about before through you, where I acquired a lovely pink shirt, which went well with almost everything. I did not get tired of any of my small wardrobe of clothes! Only because you helped me to pack!
Thank you for one.
I also hate the white-rimmed sneakers. Years before sneakers became acceptable for everyday wear I bought all black ones for traveling. I still only buy sneakers in which the colors of the upper and the sole are the same!
I might try a polka dotted or paisley shirt rather than plaid (they seem more feminine to me) and would need another top or two. I’m not overly hot but I do ten to spill things. 🙃 I would gladly sacrifice one of the bottoms to make room. The skirt in this post looks great; I wish they would offer it in more colours.
Silly question: when planning a six-pack wardrobe for a carryon suitcase, are we packing just one pair of pjs and minimal undergarments?
My travel outfit recently changed when I purchased a denim dress while I was away and its bulk necessitated that I wear it on the plane. It worked so well that I now wear it on car trips too.
I always pack extra undies. You can never be overly prepared in that area.
Thank you for the link to the “Flippy” Boden skirt! I missed it last year, and I am so glad it is back this season.
I can attest to the need for your travel outfit to be one you don’t mind wearing for a *lot* of hours. This summer I got caught in that Microsoft programming shut-down, at Atlanta Airport, no less. I ended up wearing my travel outfit for closer to 42 hrs, though I did have a chance to hand-wash my clothes (shampoo works wonders in a pinch) and hang them to dry in the hotel room I managed to find. I was so thankful I thought to cram pj’s into my carry-on, though no extra socks or undies…what was I thinking??? The second travel day was worse. I am so thankful we live close enough that my husband was able to drive (8 hrs) to Atlanta to rescue me. From what I heard, I might have been stuck there 2 more days before all the flights got sorted out!
Yep. I know how that feels!
hugs,
Janice