How to Pack a Travel Capsule Wardrobe, According to a Style Writer

6 min readI hate packing. I’m the person who can spend weeks planning my third “once in a lifetime” trip of the year and still find myself standing over an open suitcase the night before, completely stressed out. But after years as a style writer who’s constantly jet-setting to far-flung destinations, I’ve cracked the code: the travel capsule wardrobe.I realized after about 16 countries that I bring a lot of the same reliable basics on almost every trip. The destination might change, and so does the strategy a little (I pack very differently for a hiking trip in Utah than I do for a long weekend in Paris), but the foundation of my suitcase rarely does. Once I figured out which wardrobe essentials I always reach for, packing became way less stressful. Think of it as building on a familiar lineup with a few pieces that make sense for wherever you’re headed—instead of starting from scratch every time.Travel Capsule Wardrobe EssentialsAbercrombie Sloane Linen-Blend Tailored Pant​Cos Clean-Cut Regular T-Shirt​Old Navy Classic Button-Down Shirt​Grace Karin Short-Sleeve Cardigan​Amazon Essentials Sleeveless Maxi Dress​The trick is choosing pieces that can pull double (or triple) duty. I’m not above wearing the same pair of travel pants on the plane and for a day of sightseeing, and you shouldn’t be either. My advice: stop packing trendy pieces you’ll only wear once and focus on versatile tops and bottoms, simple layers, and one or two pairs of shoes that make sense for where you’re heading. Focusing primarily on neutral shades will give you waaay more wardrobe mileage, allowing endless mixing and matching with the pieces in your luggage.Trust me, once you master the art of the travel capsule wardrobe, you may never check a bag again. Below are the travel essentials that I pack on nearly every trip.ClothesA Relaxed PantWhether it’s a baggy pair of jeans, relaxed trousers, or linen pant, I usually wear one on the plane and pack a second in my carry-on. Especially in neutral shades like dark-wash denim, black, or taupe, a well-fitting pant is the perfect base for basically any vacation outfit. Stick to body-skimming fits with a fluid drape from hip to ankle for the most comfortable, flattering look. You can pair yours with any of the tops and shoes below, mixing, matching, and layering to create tons of different looks without fully repeating an outfit.Levi's Cinch Baggy,Now 30% OffAbercrombie Sloane Linen-Blend Tailored PantCredit: AbercrombieGap Downtown PantNow 50% OffA Plain TeeNo matter where you’re going, a reliable T-shirt is priority number one in any travel wardrobe. I usually always pack a plain white option and a charcoal shade. You can dress it up or down, either on its own or layered with other basics (like under button-downs, camisoles, or dresses). If you don’t already own a few quality tees, look for a flattering, relaxed fit and standard length with a bit of weight to it. Choose a t-shirt made with 100% cotton (especially pima or organic cotton), or cotton with a small percentage of elastane or modal for stretch.Amazon Essentials 100% Cotton Crewneck T-ShirtOdodos Short Sleeve UPF 50+ Performance T-ShirtNow 10% OffCos Clean Cut Regular T-ShirtCredit: CosA Breezy Button-DownA button-down top is another versatile staple perfect for travel, earning its keep in both warmer and cooler weather. Look for a slightly oversized silhouette to get the most wear out of your button-down. For a beachy vacay, it can be layered open over a swimsuit or worn loose with a pair of linen shorts. Need an easy dinner look? Tuck it into a pair of relaxed pants or dark-wash jeans. Go for a crisp 100% cotton poplin for a more tailored look, cotton sateen if you prefer a subtle sheen, or breathable linen for warm-weather dressing.Madewell The Easy Poplin Button-Up ShirtOld Navy Classic Button-Down ShirtNow 40% OffTommy Hilfiger Linen Button Up ShirtA Lightweight Cardigan Packing a sweater might not apply if you’re jetsetting to the Caribbean, but for almost any other trip, it’s a great wardrobe workhorse. You can even opt for a short-sleeve cardigan if a standard long-sleeve doesn’t exactly fit your destination. You can layer a cardigan over a plain tank or tee, buttoned-up or buttoned-down, tie it around your waist, or wear it on its own. Style with tailored shorts, a relaxed pant, or layer it over a dress.Grace Karin Short Sleeve CardiganNow 33% OffAbercrombie & Fitch Merino Wool-Blend Roll Neck CardiganCredit: Abercrombie & FitchAnrabess Button Down CardiganNow 39% OffA Simple Dress or SkirtA neutral-colored skirt or dress is an easy addition to your carry-on that pairs effortlessly with the rest of your suitcase. Shades like black, white, and navy are especially easy to style. Think about material too: satin or silk is great for nighttime, while crisp cotton or linen is great for everyday wear. Like a lot of these staple pieces, a skirt or dress is ideal on its own, but layering with your other tanks, tees, button-downs, and sweaters is where the real magic happens.LilySilk 100% Silk Maxi SkirtCredit: LilySilkAmazon Essentials Sleeveless Maxi DressCredit: Amazon EssentialsSweet Hearts Maxi SkirtNow 13% OffA Tailored ShortFor warmer destinations, I love to pack a tailored short, which I’ll typically wear at least twice over a weeklong trip. A slightly longer length and a material with a bit more heft look totally chic, even paired with a plain tee and sandals, but you can also dress it up with a kitten heel and a button-down. If you opt for a linen pair, it can even double as the bottom half of your swimsuit coverup or beach look. Plus, a pair of shorts takes up minimal space in your bag, so it’s really a no-brainer to pack.Prettygarden Summer Shortslululemon Daydrift Pleated High-Rise Short 7"Credit: lululemonAritzia The Effortless Short - LongCredit: AritziaBelle Poque High Waist Cotton ShortsA (Few!) Location-Specific PiecesOnce you tackle the above, think about what destination-specific items you’ll need. A tropical beach vacay? Be sure to pack a few swimsuits. Going on a hiking trip? Don’t forget your UPF hoodie and hiking pants. Visiting a winter destination? Pack thermal layers and a warm sweater.Suuksess Underwire One Piece SwimsuitHalfdays Pieper FleeceRei Co-Op Trailmade Pull-On PantsCredit: REIShoesA Comfortable SneakerA comfortable, supportive sneaker is the first item in my travel shoe rotation. This is the pair I usually wear on the plane to save valuable space in my bag, unless I need to bring an even bulkier shoe, like a boot. I like to find a sneaker that has a good balance of style and support—something that can keep up with a full day on my feet but is also sleek enough to pair with all of my skirts, dresses, shorts, and pants.Dr. Scholl's Time Off SneakerNow 32% OffAdidas Samba OGReebok Club C 85 VintageNow 18% OffA Supportive SandalAs much as I love a good sneaker, there are plenty of destinations where a sandal comes in just as handy. Whether I'm exploring a beach town, grabbing dinner outdoors on a warm evening, or hitting the pool, a supportive sandal gets just as much wear. The biggest mistake? Packing flat fashion sandals with little to no support. Instead, I look for sandals with cushioned footbeds, adjustable straps, and enough support to comfortably spend hours exploring.Sam Edelman Rillie Gladiator SandalCredit: Sam EdelmanTkees Platform Lily, SandalNow 10% OffCredit: TkeesAmazon Essentials Flat SandalsCredit: Amazon EssentialsA Secret Third OptionIf a sneaker and sandal do the trick for your trip, you can stop there. But usually, I like to have one more pair of shoes on deck. For most trips, like a tropical getaway or city-focused vacation, I usually opt for a kitten heel, which is the perfect option for a nice dinner or evening out. But you might opt for a waterproof sandal for a beach vacation, a hiking boot for a trip to a national park, or a snowboot for a winter wonderland destination.Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP Hiking BootNow 11% OffCredit: MerrellCushionaire Miami Thong Kitten HeelTeva Hurricane DriftCredit: TevaAccessoriesA Simple BagI challenge myself to only pack one small shoulder bag in a neutral tone that goes with all of the colors in my clothes I’ve packed. That’s usually brown, black, or ivory. It’s great for Euro trips or a city-focused vacation, but you could also swap this out for a hiking backpack or beach bag depending on where you’re going.Quince Italian Leather Double Strap Shoulder BagNow 63% OffCoach Jet Shoulder BagCredit: CoachHyer Goods Mini La Strada Leather East West BagNow 30% OffSome Dainty JewelryWhen relying on neutral tones and basic silhouettes, the easiest way to jazz up your outfit is with jewelry. And packing a few silver or gold bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings takes up minimal space in your bag.Gorjana Venice Mini BraceletBaubleBar Annalise 18K Gold-Plated Huggie EarringsMint & Lily Herringbone Gold-Plated Chain NecklaceShop More Capsule Wardrobe EssentialsSummer Capsule Wardrobe | Best White T-Shirts | Most Comfortable Jeans | Best Capris | Best Swimsuits | Most Comfortable Sneakers | Best Summer Pants | Best Matching Workout Sets | Best Workout Tops | Best Workout Shorts | Best Travel Clothes | Most Comfortable BrasShannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.