What should I pack? It’s the first question on everyone’s mind when they’ve just booked a trip.
Don’t worry – The Vivienne Files includes suggestions about all kinds of travel capsule wardrobes: warm weather, cold weather, business, leisure, weekend travel, and long trips. I’m sure there are suggestions in these posts to give you ideas and inspiration and keep you from packing your entire wardrobe!
Not sure what to wear on the plane? Check out my Template for Your Travel Outfit.
Carry-On Travel Capsule Wardrobes
If you need insight on minimal packing, read How to Pack Light: The “Whatever’s Clean” 13 Capsule Wardrobe. The following posts provide a variety of travel capsule wardrobes that are small enough to fit in a carry-on bag but versatile enough to take you from day to night for an entire week.
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Red, Blue and White
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Camel, Green and Burgundy
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Orange, Black, and Sand
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Olive, Denim and Ivory
- Tote Bag Travel in Orange, Rose and Sand
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Black, Yellow and Red
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Teal and Jade
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Navy, Hot Pink and White
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Black, Sand and Teal
- Tote Bag Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Black, White and Red
- A 3-Dress Travel Capsule Wardrobe
- How I Pack for Paris in a Carry-on Bag
- How to Pack a Travel Capsule Wardrobe for Paris – the “Three Dresses” Version
- Tote Bag Travel, with a Give-Away
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Egypt Drawing 9 by Susan Osgood
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Trumpet Creeper by Abby Williams Hill
Business Travel Capsule Wardrobes
Travelling for work is stressful enough without having to worry about what to wear. Find packing inspiration for your next business trip in the following articles:
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of a Young Woman by Henri Regnault Part 2
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Arlequin et Femme au Collier by Picasso
- 3-Dress Packing for a Business Trip
- The Power of Accent Colors in the Capsule Wardrobe: Blush and Turquoise
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Composition a Cercles a Bras et Rectangles by Sophie Taeuber-Arp
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: A19 by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Madame Paul Escudier by John Singer Sargent
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting With Art: A Porcelain Figurine
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Arrival of the Normandy Train by Claude Monet Version 2
- Building a CONSERVATIVE BUSINESS Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Festival in Montmartre by Gino Severini
- Building a BUSINESS CASUAL Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Festival in Montmartre by Gino Severini
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Light, Earth and Blue by Mark Rothko
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Rose Garden by Ute Laum
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Steamboat leaving Boulogne by Edouard Manet
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: La Grande Odalisque – Jean-August-Dominique Ingres
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Amethyst by Alfons Mucha
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Sisyphus by Titian
- 3 x 3 = 45 in a Six Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe
- “Whatever’s Clean 13” Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Green, Navy and Beige
- How to Pack Light: A Mystery Business Trip, and the “Whatever’s Clean 13” Capsule Wardrobe
- How to build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting With a Bag: Longchamps Tote
- Solid Clothes with Patterned Jewelry in a Capsule Wardrobe
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Flowers from Rosablue – a Four Pack for Business
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: BLUSH, with Rose by Ansel Adams
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Version 2 Lake and Red Tree by Tom Thomson
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Rose by Ansel Adams
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Lake and Red Tree by Tom Thomson
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Version 2 of Peripheral Vision 2 by Elis Cooke
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Hunters in the Snow by Pieter Brueghel the Elder
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Ice Skating on the Moat by Esias van de Velde
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Winter Photograph by Kris DaPra
- Four Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Green and Camel
- Four Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Burgundy and Navy
- Four Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Camel and Burgundy
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Magpie by Claude Monet
- Capsule Wardrobe Slot Machines and Packing
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Flowers: Delphiniums
- Capsule Wardrobe Packing Outfit by Outfit: Pink, Maroon and Black, for Business Travel
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing for a Book Tour: Leaf Green and Black
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Navy, Tan and Coral
- Camel, Terra Cotta and Blue: A Travel Capsule Wardrobe based on Hermes Farandole
- Packing for Business Travel: The Reluctant Tomboy
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Packing in taupe & blue
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – What to pack for Paris in grey & black
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for April in Paris, in navy & yellow
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe based upon a cardigan
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in camel, blue & rose, between seasons
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for uncertain weather in navy, grey & purple
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for Uncertain weather, in black & grey
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in Navy with neutrals
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in Navy with classic accent colors
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing more navy, with two other “warm” colors
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in Navy, with brown accessories & warm colors
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing the Last-Minute Suitcase
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for a dressy, cold-weather destination
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for two weeks in Europe
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe with two suits
- Back to the roots of the Vivienne Files – part 8: Vivienne’s Valise
Leisure Travel Capsule Wardrobes – Warm Weather
Whether you’re packing for a relaxing beach holiday or a whirlwind summer tour of Europe, warm weather packing provides its own set of challenges. The following articles will help you pack for those hot summer days:
- My Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing: Italy, September 2016
- Adding Accessories to a Capsule Wardrobe: Olive, White, Tomato and Mustard
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Macaws over River, Peru by Frans Lanting
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 by Georgia O’Keeffe Part 2
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe of Accessories, 1 at a Time: Beige, Sage and Blush
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Blocks and Circles by Paul Klee
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Hermes Cheval Surprise Remix
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Toasting Friends
- A Summer Common Capsule Wardrobe, In Warm Tones
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Coast Road by Fanny Brennan
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Peripheral Vision 2 by Elis Cooke, or How to Pack for a Casual Vacation in France
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Version 2 Steamboat leaving Boulogne by Edouard Manet
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Woman in Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse – Picasso
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in brown and turquoise
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in brown and TANGERINE!
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in camel & coral
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in camel & blue
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in black, white & blue
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for spring break – no bikinis, no shorts
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for spring break, leaving straight from the office
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for spring break, in red, white and black
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for spring break, in aqua and ocean blue
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe in soft, warm colors with green and beige
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe: sunset and sky meets the 8 blues
- A Cruise Travel Capsule Wardrobe in soft, warm colors
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Composition by Natalia S. Gontcharova
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Blue Pool by Augustus John
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art Version 2: Flaming June by Sir Frederic Leighton
- “Whatever’s Clean 13” Capsule Wardrobe in Coral, Navy and Beige
Leisure Travel Capsule Wardrobes – Cool or Uncertain Weather
Weather can be just plain unpredictable sometimes, but you don’t have to let it spoil your holiday. The following capsule wardrobes will help you pack for cool or uncertain weather, keeping you warm and dry no matter what the temperature.
- What I’m Packing in a Travel Capsule Wardrobe for New York
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Noon – Rest from Work by Vincent van Gogh
- A Six Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe: Red, White and Blue for Uncertain Weather
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe of Accessories, 1 at a Time: Navy, Beige and Poppy
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Grey, Blue, Lilac and Black: 1 Piece at a Time
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Galaxy by Ibe Kyoko
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Sea Seen from the Heights of Dieppe by Eugene Delacroix
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe One Piece at a Time, 3 Accent Colors with Navy and Beige
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: The Common Shelduck
- Denim Blue Capsule Wardrobe with Floral, Bright and Silver/White Accessories
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for summer on the coast of Maine
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in Brown and coral, for uncertain weather
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for My honeymoon, in pink and black
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in grey, teal & claret
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for 1 night in New York with no suitcase
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing for Paris in orange and beige
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in ORANGE and brown, for uncertain weather
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing in black, white and grey for a week in a city
- A Travel Capsule Wardrobe for a week in northern California
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art Part 2: Portrait of Pablo Picasso by Juan Gris
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of Marevna by Diego Rivera
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Spirit of Autumn by Albert Pinkham Ryder
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue by Georgia O’Keeffe
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of Pablo Picasso by Juan Gris
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Portrait of a Young Woman by Henri Regnault
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Wing of a European Roller by Albrecht Durer
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with… Antique Ceramic Tiles!!!
- A Capsule Wardrobe in Beige, Bright Blue and Orange: From Travel Wardrobe to Whatever’s Clean
- Packing Light – a Six-Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Grey, Peach and Light Blue
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: Tarantula Nebula by Gendler and Colombari
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: Great Nebula in Carina by Damian Peach
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Black and Beige: 1 Piece at a Time
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: Moon with Jupiter and 4 Moons by Christian Fattinnazi
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Marguerites by Conrad Kiesel
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Branch of the Seine by Claude Monet
- Vacation Report, and a Few Extra Thoughts and Goodies
- A Wardrobe Dilemma, and What I’m Packing…
- Packing – a Long Weekend Graduation Trip
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Around An Art Jacket: 1 Piece at a Time
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Olive, Tomato and Mustard: 1 Piece at a Time
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Still Life by Cornelia van der Mijn
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Wrapped Oranges by William J. McCloskey
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Autumn Trees – The Maples by Georgia O’Keeffe
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 (1932) by Georgia O’Keeffe
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Toilet of Venus (The Rokeby Venus) by Diego Velazquez
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Starting with Art – The Second Buddhist Kesa
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Toasting Friends Version 2
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: Black and Yellow Broadbill Version 2
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Nature: Black and Yellow Broadbill
- A “Whatever’s Clean 13” Capsule Wardrobe for All Occasions
- Packing for Paris! What I’m Doing Differently, This Time…
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Golden Stairs by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Music Party, East Cowes Castle by Joseph Mallord William Turner
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art – Festival in Montmartre – Version 2
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Understanding by Parscha Mirghawameddin
- Twin Posts: What to Pack to Visit Chicago, Labor Day Weekend
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Edith and the Kingpin by Jack Vettriano
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Untitled, 1953 by Mark Rothko (revisiting navy and cognac)
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Mulberry Tree by Vincent Van Gogh (revisiting Navy and Cognac)
- How to Pack for Paris, again!
Packing With Scarves
Nothing dresses up a capsule wardrobe like a great scarf – and they are light and easy to pack. No other accessory offers this much versatility in your capsule wardrobe, so why not let a scarf (or two) inspire your travel capsule wardrobe…
- Packing Light: A “Six-Pack” Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Beige, Bright Blue and Orange
- Packing Light – a Six-Pack Travel Capsule Wardrobe in Navy, Hot Pink and Ivory
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Pigs on the Wing by wrq.e.d.
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Cvetaeva, Version 2
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Ted Baker’s Dreams Scope
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf – Hydrangea Haze by Ted Baker London
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe – Packing with Scarves: Missoni #2
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing with Scarves: Les Ailes de la Soie, or difficult colors
- Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing with Scarves: Missoni
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Hermes Maroon Shawl
- Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Cvetaeva by wrq.e.d.
- Build a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a scarf: Orange Hermes Art des Steppes
I'm traveling to Spain for 12 days this July and I'm so confused with how many pieces I should pack! I know the colors I want (navy, khaki with coral and seagreen accent) but I can't figure out what of what color I should bring to get the best variety. Can you help? Or point me in the direction of a post that can?
Thanks!
It is so inspiring to look at your suggestions. I will be going to New York in Aug for the first time for about 10days. I am Asian Chinese. Can you suggest something please.
I need suggestions for a very active no frills trip to australia and new zealand in february/march
20 day Caribbean cruise – will be going to all the formal dinners. Is it possible for a plus size woman to pack light? I love your blue/grey combinations but I do have a long, sleeveless, black jersey-knit dress that I love to take because it is so east to wear with dressy tops for formal nights.