Travel Capsule Wardrobe Staples (& throwback pictures from Florence)

Old Navy Relaxed Button Up (It’s a great staple you can find for a steal. It does wrinkle like any other button up so it’s not ideal for traveling. Try this one instead for wrinkle-free travel) // J.Crew Factory Jamie Pants (These used to be called the drapey pull on pant but I don’t care what they are called because they are fantastic for work and travel. So good that I have an entire review dedicated to them) // Louise et Cie Loafers (There are still a couple of pairs of these left at Nordstrom Rack, otherwise these are very similar loafers and come in a ton of colors and patterns) // J.Crew Trench Coat // similar red handbag

I was cleaning out my SD cards a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled upon these pictures we took last fall while we were in Florence but I never got around to posting. Now that I’ve just returned from my first trip with baby, it seems a fitting time to go back to these travel pictures from when traveling was a lot simpler.

That trip was a great exercise in packing and creating a travel capsule wardrobe. We went to London, Rome, Florence, and Venice all in 10 days. We were also doing this trip on a budget and where we really saved was on flights and accommodations. However, traveling on budget airlines means that you have to pay for anything extra than just your seat which is how I ended up going to Europe with only a bag that “fits under the seat in front of you”. Yeah, a fashionistas worst nightmare 😉

Since we were traveling so light, it really forced me to hone my outfits down to only my very best and favorite travel pieces. Being strapped for space and knowing that I’d have to carry my bag around were also great motivators to not over pack. Hence, travel capsule wardrobe where everything had to be worn at least three ways or it wasn’t making the cut.

We also went in between seasons on this trip which meant we needed to pack for both summer and fall weather (London and Florence were cool, Rome and Venice were hot). This was another layer of forced versatility that I had to take into account when planning and packing.

Below are the staples of my travel capsule wardrobe. I always liked traveling with them but after those 10 days in Europe without ever repeating an outfit, they are now in the hall of fame. Depending on where I’m traveling, I’ll bring other items that can pair with these core pieces.

Travel Capsule Wardrobe Staples

Pull-on, wrinkle-resistant pants – I can’t sing the praises of these pants enough. I wrote this entire blog post about them but I wanted to give them a quick shout out as fantastic travel pants since they practically don’t wrinkle. These photos were taken towards the end of our trip and they weren’t looking too shabby considering they were shoved into a weekender bag with minimal ceremony for over a week.

Strappy Wedge Sandals – These sandals have been all over with me and back. They are low enough that I can walk for miles (we normally clock 10-14 miles when traveling) in them without any discomfort. They are casual but still dressy enough that I wear them to dinners out with a nicer dress and they don’t look out of place. Mine are from years ago but these look basically the exact same.

Comfortable Loafers – Most travel packing guides recommend you bring a pair of “walking shoes” and these loafers fit the bill for me. I like that they aren’t sneakers or anything else that screams “TOURIST” but are still comfortable for a full day of walking. I like to wear little sock liners with them when my feet are tired or if it’s warm out to prevent blisters. I’ve considered getting these exact loafers in a second color (ie black) so they aren’t such a statement piece but I think I’m going to wait and invest in the mother of all loafers which are also know to be extremely comfortable.

White Button Up – Sadly this isn’t an item that travels well but I love having one with me when I travel because it’s a classic staple and goes with everything. However, this Lysse button up is known for being travel-friendly and wrinkle resistant. Eddie Bauer also makes a wrinkle-resistant button up.

Red Crossbody Bag – This little red bag has been a travel companion of mine for years. It adds some color to what is normally a neutral color scheme and is my secret weapon for a full day of travel. It can fit my DSLR camera, all our travel documents, and snacks without any trouble. Plus is zips shut across the top.

Cashmere sweater – A cashmere sweater is a necessary layer for warmth but isn’t bulky so it won’t take up too much space in your bag. It will seriously add a lot of bang for your buck warmth wise. I really like these ones that are almost always on sale for under $100 and come in just about every color you could want.

Trench Coat – the one piece of outerwear that I almost always travel with is a trench coat. It’s a classic that never looks out of place, especially when I’m traveling to a big city. I’ve had this one for years but am also looking into investing in this one with a thick removable liner for colder travel days.

Stripe Shirt – The final item that I always pack in my travel capsule wardrobe is a striped shirt. It’s easy and goes with everything (notice a theme with all these items?). It’s also a great piece that doesn’t wrinkle much so you know it’s a keeper for travel.

Those are the core pieces in my travel capsule wardrobe. After I have these stape pieces, I’ll pack other items that mix and match with them.

What is something that you never travel without? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,
Ana Luiza

Old Navy Relaxed Button Up (It’s a great staple you can find for a steal. It does wrinkle like any other button up so it’s not ideal for traveling. Try this one instead for wrinkle-free travel) // J.Crew Factory Jamie Pants (These used to be called the drapey pull on pant but I don’t care what they are called because they are fantastic for work and travel. So good that I have an entire review dedicated to them) // Louise et Cie Loafers (There are still a couple of pairs of these left at Nordstrom Rack, otherwise these are very similar loafers and come in a ton of colors and patterns) // J.Crew Trench Coat // similar red handbag