July 29, 2026
I’m actually back from Ireland since Friday, but it takes a while to get caught up!
I debated about even sharing this wardrobe with you, because it’s just not that fascinating or creative. But I get tired of coordinating outfits and accessories and all that stuff, so I gave myself a brain break and packed a fool-proof assortment…
But first, I highly recommend our wonderful hotel:
Interestingly, the hotel belongs to someone who ALSO owns one of the coolest little museums in Chicago – the Driehaus Museum!
The location of our hotel couldn’t have been better:
In the summer, a measurable portion of the Dublin population is sitting on the grass or the benches in St. Stephen’s Green. It’s a lovely place, full of enormous trees, swampy ponds full of birds, and a coterie of attack seagulls who routine punish the tourists who innocently feed them…
Dublin’s not the most picturesque city in Europe, by a mile, but there are hidden gems everywhere:
The one place that’s a “must visit” is the National Gallery of Ireland. There’s a delightful little cafe, a painfully tempting gift shop, and a surprising range of art. It’s one of those places that you could drop into every day of your vacation for just a few minutes, because admission is FREE! Drop in, soak up something glorious in your heart, and then head out for the rest of your day.
Okay, let me share with you my packing plan for this trip. As you may remember, I’m not that long back from Paris, so packing AGAIN was not all that interesting to me, for some reason. At least I knew that the weather would be much more congenial!
My plan? A column of black, every day. And then bring five “second layers”: a cardigan, a sweater, and three linen shirts.
And for accessories? I literally just grabbed a handful of jewelry in gold and pearls, and then called it quits. I wore my exceptionally comfortable sneakers on the flight, and packed two pairs of sandals. My wee handbag fit into the top of my backpack during travel, and then I carried it every day.
Dressing without thinking!
The backpack is a complete and utter winner. I wish I had this bag years ago.
Cotton shirt – Eileen Fisher; earrings – Nordstrom; sleeveless top – L.L.Bean; handbag – The Sak; bracelets – Nordstrom; Dad jeans – Levi’s; backpack – Portland Gear; sneakers – ara
I start packing for every trip with the same things: lingerie, hosiery, pajamas, handkerchiefs, and toiletries. I’ve been putting my liquids in my checked suitcase for a few years, so I don’t have to deal with them in the airport. There’s that tiny risk that they’ll blow up during the flight, but I’m willing to risk it – so far, so good!
Panties – Wacoal; bra – Wacoal; pajamas – Nordstrom; handkerchiefs – Nordstrom; bike short panties – Hanky Panky; compression socks – Sockwell; toiletries bag – Baggallini
How HERE’S where it gets boring – the core of black! Yes, I own at least three sleeveless black tops; I realized a few years ago that I reached for the ONE that I had all the time, and was always irked when it was in the laundry. This is an easy way to realize that you need duplicates of some things in your wardrobe!
And this is the same black dress and pants that went to Paris with me 3 weeks ago. And the same sandals. Why tamper with success?
I found that if I hung my linen pieces up as soon as we arrived, the folds hung out of things quite nicely. The humidity in Ireland will do that…
Sleeveless tops – L.L.Bean; earrings stack – Scream Pretty; linen dress – Eileen Fisher; linen pants – Eileen Fisher; bracelets – Bauble Bar; linen shorts – Eileen Fisher; sandals – Abeo
I’m fudging a little bit here – my sweater AND my cardigan are both black & white marl. They’re years old, and obviously no longer available. So for this post I just added a linen cardigan and a cotton sweater – they could, literally, be any color or pattern! That’s the joy of the neutral column…
And my linen shirts were, in fact, brown, ivory, and black & ivory striped. Again, they’re far from new. I could easily have packed the three shirts shown here, or any three linen shirts in the world.
Sun-dried tomato linen cardigan – Eileen Fisher; necklaces – st. Moran; cream cotton sweater – J.Jill; black linen shirt – Lands’ End; blue linen shirt – Lands’ End; white linen shirt – Lands’ End; sandals – Abeo
This is, therefore, the entirety of my travel capsule wardrobe. Most people would abhor wearing this much black in the summer, but for me it was comfortable, both physically and mentally. Sometimes I’m happy being very low key…
It was absurdly simple to get dressed each day. If the weather had varied at all, I could have checked it before I chose an outfit, but we had six days of flawless, rainless, low 70s sunny wonder. The grass was turning brown in places because it had been so long since it had rained – not normal for Ireland.
And how does all of this look when one gets dressed? Predictable, but comfortable, effortless, and always appropriate. You couldn’t POSSIBLY be the most oddly dressed tourist in Dublin even if you tried for the rest of your life; some people’s sense of what’s suitable is interesting…
Okay, what can someone learn from this?
First – if you are constantly doing laundry in order to get your favorite garment back in rotation, buy duplicates. You should seldom do small or partial loads of laundry, to save water and electricity. And you shouldn’t be longing for something as simple as a sleeveless top when you could get yourself a second. (or third, or fourth)
Secondly, you don’t have to look AMAZING every day of vacation. If you’re traveling to a tourist destination, there will be lots of interesting people wearing lots of interesting outfits – you don’t have to contribute to the entertainment.
Third, nobody will remember what you wore. While the staff at our hotel almost certainly remember Belovedest and me, I’m willing to guarantee that none of them would ever remember that I wore black every day!
Fourth, your comfort – mentally and physically – is the most important thing. You vacation to relax and give your brain a break. If getting dressed each morning is easy, that’s good.
Fifth, if you want to assemble a small wardrobe for emergencies, or stressful times of life, keeping things simple to the point of boring is one option.
But I know, you would hate this much black…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, the travel outfit of the day was for a trip to Northern Ireland and England, and the colors are black, blue and white. It’s still a pretty attractive wardrobe!
Love this idea? Save to Pinterest!
I love this! It’s my goal, to have a wardrobe that’s so simple yet always elegant. I am seriously considering dyeing my last colored pants black… I’m happy i’m not the only one who loves to wear black in summer!
While this much black (particularly in Summer!) isn’t my pint of ale, I can see how it would be incredibly practical and easy for a trip…particularly one that you didn’t want to have to think about when creating outfits. Each outfit is perfectly stylish and presentable…so why not? If I could do this with navy, I’d consider it seriously. I have to say that I love the jewelry you picked here. As a gold & pearls gal myself, these are all perfect.
I love museum gems like this one you mentioned. Museums are my favorite stop in all cities. For people in New England, or traveling here, I HIGHLY recommend the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. No kitschy witch rubbish here….it is phenomenal and as good as all the museums in Boston…and better than others. Their museum store is also a delight!
My wardrobe has gotten rather predictable lately, but as a homeschooling mama, getting dressed for everyday life needs to be easy! Most days it’s just a pretty dress and a pair of earrings, maybe a cardigan if I’m cool. Social media has made everyone think they need endless possibilities, but I think most of us just want what you said, comfort, physically and mentally. And looking pulled together is a plus!
I love what you packed! People likely don’t remember a core of black, and focus on the colorful outer layers and the jewelry. And as Ellen St mentioned above, the jewelry you selected is stellar. I will be buying those bracelets today.
This is exactly the way I like to dress; easy, comfortable and pretty classic. Change to navy and perfecto! Thank you once again for your inspiration. I don’t really wear scarves, so loving the jewelry here.
For some reason I read “column of black” and thought all cold-weather. The column concept for different weather options – pants, shorts, skirt; and then tank, tee, shirt, sweater… kind of love that! Especially if you decide your optional 3rd pieces are loud, colorful, patterned, personality pieces (things that would make me happy!) …. I agree with Ellen – it would be super cool to see this in navy, with loud, colorful statement-y items in the non-core options!
Welcome back, thanks for sharing a cool hotel option (I’m extra psyched by the “bike tours” being so close by…)
If you are in Dublin, don’t forget to visit the library of the Trinity College!
I was going to say this! Definitely second the motion!
Just got back from a business trip on which I wore different black columns 2 out of 4 days, and black top or bottom the others. Mix it up with taupe/camel/pearl to avoid the funeral effect & throw some bright jewelry & shoes in for color – so easy! Makes me really question why I usually work so hard to organize a more diverse mix…
This summer, I’ve surprised myself with how few clothes I’ve worn this summer. They are on a pile at the end of my bed ready to wear. I just choose depending on my mood, my activities and the heat. Today, we temperatures expected about 33-35C.
My ‘wardrobe’ since June consists of light grey linen trousers, chambray blue trousers, cotton trousers (various colours) and jeans (if it gets cool). Two floral skirts – blue and lilac/pink, three loose floral dresses. Tops and tees in pale blue, turquoise, ivory, pink and lilac. A couple of long sleeve floral cotton shirts. An aqua cardigan, open knit white jumper, a pink waffle cardigan, ivory cardigan and a lilac sweatshirt.Washing hung on the line outside dries within an hour.
It’s tinderbox dry. There was a fire in fields and woods on Monday, a few miles north of where I live. Fortunately, the sterling efforts of 14 fire engines and several farmers on tractors enabled them to put it out. Unfortunately a timber yard and vehicles were destroyed.
I have been looking at that exact backpack for travel! several years ago i decided to splurge on an MZ Wallace travel tote, and honestly i hate it, and am spectacularly depressed since (for me) it was a big purchase. the shoulder straps are a constant fit of anger – they refuse to stay on my shoulders. My current laptop bag is cute and stylish, but not really larger enough to use as a travel carry on. Which size did you end up buying????
I personally love this capsule, but then someone at work told me I was always perfectly dressed for a funeral – hahaha. when we cruise, my evening attire is a group of 3-4 black dresses. they are easy, simple to accessorize, and even my husband doesn’t notice when I re-wear one during the week.
Yes again to the multiples of black tanks. I have 2 styles of sleeveless tops that I have re-purchased year after year, and always in multiples of black. I live in the Carolinas, so sleeveless tops are almost year-round attire. In the winter they are great to layer under a cardigan for days when maybe the heat is too high.
Hi Lisan, most good quality backpacks have a chest strap to prevent the shoulder straps from slipping. But sometimes smaller packs omit the chest strap. I, too, have been frustrated with this issue.
If yours does not have one, you can purchase a small web belt with a clicking/snap closure (not with a buckle). Or you can just use a small square scarf folded on the bias to tie the two shoulder straps together. That way you can keep your existing backpack, perhaps accessorizing it with a scarf that will match your outfit or give it some pizazz!
Carolynn
Genius idea, thank you Carolyn 😊
My backpack has a front cross-chest strap that keeps the shoulder straps in place for long walks. I honestly love the silly thing – it opens at the top like jaws, and has a silver lining so I can see what’s inside. I don’t know what I would improve about it, and that’s saying a lot since I’ve owned more than a few backpacks in my day…
love,
Janice
Years ago when I discovered TVF we were going to Alaska for 2 weeks. TVF helped me pack for both a cruise portion and land trip. I wore red for dinner on the ship each night until the last. When I stepped out of our cabin the steward said to me “Not wearing your signature red this evening?” Surprised me but apparently the staff might have noticed if you had stepped out in another color!
f you have never been to the National Botanical Garden in Dublin – highly recommend. Easy to catch a bus there.
I’m also a fan of buying duplicates. I have the exact same wool cardigan from Emmy Design in four different colors. It’s their signature piece, so they roll out new colors almost every fall/winter. I bought a second pair of navy linen trousers for my wardrobe, just in time for the old ones to fall to pieces. Multiples of the same piece have saved me more than once.
Thanks for introducing me to Emmy Design! They have some lovely sweaters. Which one is their signature piece?
I’m a sucker for vintage style clothes! Emmy’s signature is the Ice Skater Cardigan; they had them in several colors in the Autumn/Winter 2025 season. 100% wool, and they wear like iron. Definitely look carefully at the sizing charts, though, since the dimensions vary a bit from year to year. I haven’t purchased since the US tariffs went into effect, and the knitwear carries the heaviest tariffs.
Emmy produces limited runs and almost never restocks. So it’s a good idea to get on their mailing list so you know exactly when the new season goes on sale. Several items in the larger sizes (50 and 52 in their system, somewhere between 14 and 18 in US sizing) almost always sell out immediately.
Don’t you LOVE companies that don’t overproduce?
love,
Janice
As an avowed color lover, I would VERY HAPPILY wear a black column with a neutral or semi-neutral topper layer as needed for this kind of vacation. I wear color most days to bring some joy to my day-to-day life, but on vacation, I’m all about what is easy and supports the activities I want to do.
I love this travel wardrobe and if I could wear black as well as you do, I would be doing the same thing, even in summer. Elegant and versatile. I will likely follow this template on my next trip (similar weather) and just tweak the black to have more medium to light tones up top. Thanks.
It really looks like a great backpack 😃 and I love the neutral column plus accent/colourful topper for travel. Navy for me, and charcoal/silver/bone for hot weather.
Be still my beating heart! This is my stock standard travelling capsule. My basics are always black all tied together with a pop of colour usually shirt cardigan or light weight jumper. This post was ME thank you
Are you telling us you traveled without a scarf? I am shocked.
looks practical.
It was that hot!
hugs,
Janice
im even worse (better?) than you. literally everything, except one pair of blue jeans. that i take is black. i take silk scarves in rose pink or cornflower blue in case boredom strikes. i have one pair of good shoes (sandals or loafers depending on the season) and respectable runners. i also wear the same chain and earrings the whole trip. i have travelled for up to three months with just that and never really been bothered by it. its a reaction to my first backpacking trip overseas where i took five pairs of shoes and 12 different outfits with me!
I’m tempted to try this for my next trip – I have enough scarves that I could easily make it interesting while keeping the volume of garments to a minimum… worthy of some thought!
hugs,
Janice
I love this much black! 😆
I do love scarves too though—weather permitting!!
Camille
This is a lovely capsule. How many days did this cover and did you have additional luggage or just the backpack?
Oh, I had a suitcase! A 20-inch that I checked; life’s too short (or too long) to lift suitcases into the overhead bin! And we were in Dublin for 6 nights; it was blissful…
love,
Janice
i love this idea!
I am in my 70’s and have crinkly arms so I wear long sleeve Lands End swim tees. They are so cool I can feel the breeze through them and are not transparent at all. I have them in many colors plus standard black and white and wear them with my standard black, white, or tan pants. I usually add color with a cardigan as the tees are cold indoors, like not wearing a shirt at all.
Thanks for your suggestions to wear colors on the second layer. My wardrobe won’t be so dull.