By Cherene Francis
Save yourself the extra luggage fees by lightening your load with a travel capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is simply a collection of clothing that has interchangeable items. Everything in the capsule can be mixed and matched to create a variety of looks. This is the best way to pack because you maximize the amount of outfits you can carry in your suitcase with a minimal amount of clothing. You’ll also be able to put looks together without any fuss as everything in your collection will always coordinate. Follow these simple steps to create your travel capsule wardrobe, and learn how to create 6 outfits from 6 pieces of clothing.
1. Choose Your Theme
Decide on a theme, personality or style that you want to express in your capsule wardrobe collection. Do you want to be dramatic? Creative? Bohemian? Pick your favorite personality trait and use it as inspiration. For example, if you’re a big dreamer, a whimsical polka dot theme will work.
Another option is to choose a theme that is inspired by your destination. For example, if you’re going to an exotic island, choose a tropical theme. There is no right or wrong way of doing this. Just keep it consistent to ensure that your clothing items will mix and match.
2. Choose a Color Scheme
Create a unique colour combination to integrate into your capsule wardrobe by choosing 4 to 5 colours that will compliment your theme. Pick two neutrals (black, white, brown or beige), and three colours. For example, if you went with an exotic tropical theme, choose beige and white as your neutral colours, and mix it up with teal, magenta and navy blue. If you stay within your theme and colour scheme, everything within the capsule will coordinate beautifully without a hassle.
3. Six Pieces = Six Outfits
A capsule wardrobe is made up of 6 pieces of clothing: 2 bottoms, 1 blazer or cardigan, and three tops. When you mix and match these items together, you will get six outfits; just enough to get you through a full week of vacation!
Are you going away for two or three weeks? All you need to do is add one more blazer or cardigan, one more bottom and one more top. This will allow you to create 24 outfits!
Once you have your core clothing pieces, add two pairs of shoes; a pair of flats and a pair of heels. One will be great for leisure, while the other will work for dinners or a special night out.
Finish off with 3 to 5 accessories of your choice that are consistent with your theme and color scheme. Using the exotic tropical theme as an example, you can choose peacock feathered accessories with wooden accents. If your accessories reflect your theme and color scheme, you can’t go wrong.
When you’re done putting everything together, step back and check to see if everything can be mixed and matched. If so, pack everything up! You’re on your way with a lighter load!