Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
8 pieces, Many outfits!

Ready to build a holiday capsule wardrobe with just 8 packed pieces plus your travel outfit?

Creating a holiday capsule with mix and match pieces is the most useful and practical way to plan for vacation. Take the angst out of your packing and use my plan for a travel-light getaway or as a base for a longer stay!

There are TWO COLORWAYS navy and olive and one of them is perfect for you! 

Keep costs down by fitting everything into a carryon (no luggage to check) and you're ready for an impromptu weekend, or longer if you're happy to travel light!  

Want to take more, it's easy to add prints and/or your favorite accent colors to bring it to life!

Choose NAVY or OLIVE

A basic holiday capsule teamed with white/ivory/cream condenses to the minimum. A few simple pieces that mix and match will see you through a week of casual days and informal evenings whatever your coloring.  

I'm giving you TWO versions of the holiday capsule: 

NAVY - everyone can wear navy as there's a version in every color palette and it's probably the most versatile of holiday capsules.

OLIVE - but if you lean more towards earthy warm colors you may prefer to choose olive.  

We're going to team both versions with your best LIGHT shade so:

Travel in Style - your first 3 items

Choose a 'column of color' with a 'creasefree' jacket to travel - it's all part of your capsule.  

Although comfort is top of the list, travel is something 'special' and a jacket keeps you smart and well put together for the airport and your arrival. 

Chico's are great for these sort of easy wear items in the US or Roman in the UK. 

On the flight you can shed the jacket and keep warm with a pretty scarf around your shoulders.  

Choose to wear your version of jacket, pants and top with comfortable sneakers/loafers or robust sandals. Sensible and practical color choices of navy or olive means that you won't arrive looking travel stained at your resort or hotel. Choose your fabric weight according to your climate and destination. 

N.B. If you're happy to travel in jeans, it's worth noting that although traditionally casual, dark toned classic jeans (indigo or deep olive) have been promoted to 'smart casual' and will take you to all but the classiest establishment. 

A capsule of just 8 items

3 items of travel clothes means that you'll need to pack just 8 items in a small carryon to give you oodles of outfits as you'll see below. And you'll still have your lightweight jacket if you need it for warmth or a dress-up occasion! 

• swimsuit
• maxi skirt
• shorts or capri pants
• 2 plain tops
• 1 print top
• dress for evening
• white/cream pants
• plus dark travel top and pants

Mia Tui travel bag with me on flights. It slides to fit securely over the suitcase handle and then easily slots under the seat in flight. A small zipped bag comes free inside the travel bag with a strap to make it crossbody or, minus the strap, a clutch for evening.

A navy 'column of color' with the Mia Tui travel bag

Your NAVY holiday capsule

Bardot dress | Skirt  

Packing just 8 items plus 2 separates from your travel outfit leaves you plenty of space for essential underwear and toiletries.

10 pieces that mix and match provide an enormous amount of combinations. Top your swimsuit with shorts or skirt for lunch in the sun; a total of 16 outfits for excursions or relaxing afternoons and of course a stunning dress for after 6 is a must! 

This bardot style dress would even look good over a swimsuit or bikini. 

Don't get hung up about matching shades, navy is very easy-going and different shades will easily blend. 

How your 10 piece capsule will work

Your OLIVE holiday capsule

Dress | skirt 

The olive (or khaki) capsule wardrobe also offers you 10 pieces to mix and match (8 + your 2 travel pieces) so you can have fun with outfit combinations.

You may be more adventurous in your choice than me - but if all your pieces blend together well then you'll achieve the maximum number of outfits. Swap the white or cream top out for black. Olive always looks good with a strong neutral contrast.

Top your swimsuit with shorts or skirt for lunch in the sun; a total of 16 outfits for excursions or relaxing afternoons and of course another stunning dress for after 6 or even over your swimsuit is a must!  

Don't get hung up about matching shades, olive is bang on trend and you'll find lots of variations in the stores. 

And how your pieces will work

Add a color cluster!

The basic capsule is only the beginning, get ready to extend!

Adding a small cluster of color extends your holiday capsule. For the scrap of space it takes to add one extra tank, you can team it with your bottoms and achieve 4 additional outfits! Choose a bright color from your own seasonal palette for tank, bag, scarf or necklace.  

To navy you can add a touch of bright pink, jade or purple to perk up the neutral. For the olive add warm colors like a brilliant orange, turquoise or tomato red.    

Metallic always boosts a look so silver or gold sandals and a little clutch bag will brighten up your evening outfit.