May 6, 2024
Our heroine has the world’s tiniest travel capsule wardrobe planned, but she wants something really unexpected for her accessories. This scarf caught her eye, and gave her an idea…
She’s been planning to pack denim, black and white – well, just a white tee shirt (and maybe a button-front shirt…) but she felt that black accessories were too predictable. But BURGUNDY accessories? Hmm…
She expects to be leaving from a cool-ish day – so a cashmere sweater, corduroy pants and her cool denim coat are her planned travel outfit.
But if she starts with the Mary-Louise Parker scarf, adds a fun lapel pin, and burgundy boots, then she can pack her clothes in her Hurley backpack… Talk about light!
scarf – Echo; microfiber lapel pin – Tom Astin; denim coat – Reformation; cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; backpack – Hurley; black corduroy pants – Lands’ End; boots – Spring Step
She’s not at all sure that every destination in her future will be cool, but her next outfit is planned with the goal that she will be going into autumn-like weather. A short-sleeved tee shirt will give her the option to take off her cardigan…
scarf – Echo; earrings – Sterling Forever; cashmere cardigan – Lands; End; tee shirt – Lands’ End; jeans – L.L.Bean; sneakers – Clarks
Our heroines knows full well that she’s going to see a few warm days, so she’s taking her workhorse chambray dress. Roll up the sleeves, put on sandals – she’s not going to be good for hot weather, but for a nicer day she should be fine:
scarf – Echo; earrings – Ross-Simons; chambray dress – Lands’ End; handbag – Fable England; sandals – Clarks
And since she’s going to pack tights (that chambray dress with tights under it can be worn any kind of weather!), she things that she may want to pack a skirt too. You can go all kinds of places in a skirt that you can’t in a pair of pants or jeans!
Pretty earrings and a velvet scrunchie don’t hurt…
scarf – Echo; velvet scrunchie – Soft Strokes Silk; earrings – Amy Delson Jewelry; tee shirt – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – Caslon; skirt – Eileen Fisher; flats – Bernardo
If she carries her handbag, she’s quite sure everything will fit in her backpack. Minimal toiletries, just a couple of changes of lingerie, maybe silk long underwear in place of pajamas…
She wants to be certain that she will have a range of outfits possible from her tiny travel outfit, so she takes the time (and attention!) to assemble five additional looks:
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
It may surprise you, but this is a question that I’m asked a lot. Well, two questions: (1) can I really travel with just 6 pieces of clothing in my bag? and (2) can I add something unexpected to freshen up a neutral wardrobe?
FWIW, in December 1999/January 2000, I traveled for two weeks with a backpack and six garments. It was wonderful – when I decided I wanted to go somewhere unplanned, I had no hesitation. And I could carry my own stuff…
love,
Janice
There’s so much I love about this wardrobe. Even though black isn’t the best on me and I haven’t worn burgundy in 30?! years. The scarf is adorable. The denim coat is very tempting. I had something similar in my twenties. The handbag and the Mary Jane’s are calling me. As is the lapel pin. But, $70 for scrunchies? I love how classic the actual clothes pieces are. Janice has proven once again how important accessories are. I concede that you can probably pack this in a backpack if you wear the bulkiest pieces and layers. But how do you fit 3 pairs of shoes in the backpack?
I’ve also found that as I get older, my toiletries have increased. Even the essentials. It takes a lot more effort to look put together these days.
I have found the same issue with middle-aged skincare. Frustrating! I have been experimenting with little plastic pump bottles I found on Amazon in 5 and 10 ml sizes. You can get a surprising amount of skincare needs into a quart sized bag with those guys. I also found tiny amber bottles with droppers that are perfect for serums. I can fit 4 of them snuggly in a jewelry-sized zipper baggie and they never break. I’m still working on a simplified facial routine for travel that I’ll actually be happy with. I am not a minimalist by nature so it is a challenge for me.
Wresty 12 Pcs Vacuum Lotion Bottles Plastic Empty Airless Pump Bottles Travel DIY Cosmetic Cream Pump Bottles Makeup Foundation Toiletries Liquid Vacuum Container (5ml) https://a.co/d/bMZBDlr
Elfenstall 10pcs 5ml Amber Glass Bottles, Essential Oil Bottles with Glass Eye Dropper, Protects Against UV Rays, Reusable, Perfect for Travel https://a.co/d/5MayXS2
Laurie,
Thanks for the recommendations. I will look into them.
Me too! Thanks, Laurie!
I love this wardrobe concept unreservedly…packing few items that span multiple levels of dressiness.
Also, I nearly “whooped” out loud when I saw the denim coat! I owned one in the mid-Eighties and adored it. I also owned two very different types of denim dresses back then (I didn’t wear the coat with them 😇 😉) but haven’t seen denim dresses for sale until I found one this Spring. I scooped it up and have been enjoying wearing it.
Finding that denim dress gives me hope that I might find a denim coat too. (Today’s lovely denim trench coat only goes to an XL so it won’t work for curvier Me).
Also, today’s Echo scarf is completely delightful! I see some aqua/ light turquoise touches that could inspire another wardrobe.
Sigh! Thank you, Janice, for this delightful week-starter!!
I am not much of an accessories person, but I am just blown away by today’s selection. I too have a certain nostalgia for burgundy. Coincidently, I was listening to a Simon and Garfunkel song this weekend, and one line went ‘Clothed in crinoline, of smoky burgundy’. And I open today’s post and there it is, lol. I look at this capsule, not as a travel solution, since I rarely travel, but as a way to tweak my basic wardrobe. Four pair of shoes may be a bit much for a backpack, but these different styles would be just right in my closet. They cover a good range of weather and occasions. I am not finished with summer, but I am reminded it’s not too early to start planning for fall. Burgundy! What a great accent color…especially for accessories. It would also be great with navy and charcoal.
I have been slowly building my wardrobe based around navy, grey (variations of shades) and burgundy since last fall. Have just started adding in some pink to lighten it up for spring/summer. I love these three colors and how you can mix and match them.
Love that song! “For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her” on Simon and Garfunkel’s album “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.” Yes, I still have the album, takes me back to high school when we (all-girls school) sang the album’s title song in 3-part harmony for our spring concert.
Sandy b,
Thanks so much for the reference to “ Fof Emily, whenever I may find her”. It’s been so long since I’ve listened to the album Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme. I had to call it up immediately on Amazon music. Such a great memory!
Wow, Janice, you have outdone yourself with this wardrobe today! Even though it isn’t my colors, I adore it. Especially that foxy handbag. I also love the Echo scarf that inspired it all. I’m excited for this afternoon to arrive because my first Fierce Lynx bracelet is out for delivery! I chose Unstoppable, which has pretty green and purple beads.
That’s an impressive amount of mileage you got out of those few pieces. I think our heroine can go a lot of places in the turtleneck &skirt combination. Any two-piece set in a neutral (and cut simply) give an amazing canvass for glorious accessorie
Oh, now this I could easily do and be quite comfortable and happy. What a fun scarf! I already have burgundy faux Doc Martins and flats and an awesome crossbody, as well as most of those neutral pieces, but this makes me want to go buy those sneakers and sandals. The whole feel of this capsule is perfect for the speech and debate tournaments my highschool son insists on dragging me to.
I would probably switch out the turtleneck for my black silk button-down (much as I try, I can’t stand anything close to my neck), the corduroys for jeans, and I’d probably try to squash in my burgundy zip hoodie too. Thanks for the great inspiration! Definitely saving this one for my fall trips.
Question: How do you pack for a spring trip that will be at least 5 days but could be up to 8, not necessarily with laundry.available? Preferably in just a carry-on type suitcase.
This is just an amazing wardrobe. I don’t know what I can say that others haven’t. Sadly, for me at this particular time it seems a little “dark”. I am fully in spring/summer mode and embracing the colors. Happy Monday everyone!
I am going to South Lake Tahoe this weekend, and am packing three 3/4 sleeve t-shirts, a pair of tennis shoes (sneakers), and a pair of wide leg jeans. I am wearing a 3/4 sleeve t-shirt, a plaid velour hoodie, stretch skinny jeans, and ankle boots on the plane. I am debating about packing my packable winter jacket (they got several inches of snow over the past weekend). Still, I cannot get by with just my small roller bag (personal size) and am reluctantly also taking a (personal size) tote. I really wanted to stick with just a personal size bag, but even as minimally as I am packing, I can’t quite pull it off. Electronics, a crossbody bag, undies, a pair of pajamas … even using compression bags, I can’t make it all fit. Very frustrating! I have never traveled with a backpack, but I don’t see how our heroine can fit three pairs of shoes in hers.
Hi Sandi, I spent Easter in South Lake Tahoe watching it snowing. I just checked the weather forecast. Its in the thirties this morning, with highs in the 40s. You will need to dress for cold. Take your winter jacket to layer over the hoody. Warm shoes and socks. And be sure to check out the new Wolf by Vanderpump restaurant. Have a great time!!
Hi Joancecile, thanks for confirming I want/need to pack that jacket. We will definitely check out that restaurant – thanks for the recommendation.
When I do backpack travel I cut the shoes to 2: wear one, pack one. Preferably summer travel so the packed shoes are sandals or ballet flats. I can pull off wearing ankle boots and packing small profile sneakers, but barely. I have an old, large, l l bean backpack, with a lower zip compartment (for gym clothes?) that I use – shoes and minimal toiletries go in the lower zip compartment. They don’t seem to make it anymore, 42L, used it in college.
Janice, love this wardrobe! You could replicate it in any color scheme and it would still be fabulous.
It was called the turbo transit iii backpack :)
This looks a lot like some of my looks lately! (except I use navy in place of black) I had put away my burgundy pieces and pulled out a brighter pink for spring, but just haven’t really been feeling it. So I’ve the burgundy pieces back out and am wearing them with cream and denim and navy. As long as the silhouettes are springy it feels okay.
Love this scarf so a big thank you for using it as inspiration. The rest of the accessories are great, too. Pretty sure I could fit this in a weekender bag although I might forgo the sandals. I never travel with more than 3 pairs of shoes and for me the other 3 would give plenty of options/looks.
I like this. It is basically a Common Wardrobe with burgundy accessories.
Yep! The older I get, the more I’m convinced that most of us only need a small core of the best quality clothing we can afford. Choose it with care, care for it maniacally, and wear it for life!
hugs,
Janice
That is radical advice!
These days, I wear jeans (black or blue) or black sweatpants. I have a handful of button-front shirts, and a handful of beautiful sweaters. Three sweatshirts. That’s ALL I’m wearing in cool weather!
When things warm up, I have a massive amount of black, black & grey, and black & white linen from Eileen Fisher. It’s one of those “get dressed in the dark” wardrobes, and it’s what’s on tap for summer.
I’m finding that I can concentrate on other things more easily when I don’t have a big pile of clothing from which to choose; maybe I just have limited brain bandwidth?
hugs,
Janice
I agree with this 100%. I am so sick of what I call “disposable” clothing. Wear it a few times and out it goes; mostly because it is made so poorly that it looks old after a few wears! I am to the point that I’d like my clothes to last as long as I do! (Well, maybe not the tee shirts that are my every day work-horses for chores and grandkid duties😉 but the nicer wear items)
I’m 63, and anything I buy had better be around for 20 years – except maybe (just maybe) gym clothes. But I’m getting weird about gym clothes – I’m growing to really dislike synthetic fabrics. After seeing an image of stretch jeans that someone had tried to compost… oy…
https://www.facebook.com/Permacoach/posts/how-much-plastic-is-there-in-a-pair-of-stretch-jeans-this-much-i-have-been-using/1045325975923555/
hugs,
Janice
Love the colors, but why would I want an image of a woman in her underwear on my scarf?
Go the link for the scarf. The story is delightful and I think the image is charming!
The foxy Fable handbag is delectable. I don’t wear jeans but marine blue/teal blue trousers/cords with burgundy works. We went away recently for four days. Hubbie took one bag, I took three plus a vanity case ! 😂 One bag had most of my clothes changes. A second bag contained the thicker jumpers and fleece pyjamas – it was still cold. The third bag contained all the larger toiletries and equipment that I couldn’t get in the vanity case (4th bag)!