My 6 Travel Wardrobe Rules
I am firmly in the “Carry-Ons Only” camp which means that my travel wardrobe needs to work overtime. There are no one-occasion only pieces that are coming with me. Anything that I pack needs to be able to withstand being worn multiple times without washing and versatile enough to be dressed up, if needed. I’ve never been really into fashion or shopping, but I like to look and feel good on the road. And, of course, I love to find a system to make that goal even easier.
Here are my 6 Travel Wardrobe Rules to pack less and still look good on the road!
FIND YOUR COLOR FAMILY
Packing by color family is easily the most impactful step in making sure that your wardrobe plays well together.
My go-to combination is: black, grey, chambray (jean), and olive green.
NO JEANS
None of us packed jeans for our travels. Jeans tend to be bulky and not roll down as small as other pants. They also have the tendency to stretch and lose shape quickly. Instead we went with lighter-weight pants that were perfect for warmer temps. In colder destinations, we paired them with a layer of long underwear.
(Look! Even my mom and sister abide by the rule. Actually, on second thought, maybe they’re who I learned it from.)
BRING A DRESS
Or two! While I don’t wear dresses at home most days, I love them for travel. First, it’s like two items in one, so they have the potential to save space. I usually pick loose dresses that are comfortable and cooler during hot days.
Anytime that I put on this white and blue dress, I felt instantly more put together! It was perfect for the summer in Europe. When we were headed to Japan in the fall, I knew that I needed it’s autumn twin! I picked up a swingy black dress at H&M in Turkey. I might not have been impeccably dressed like all of the women that I admired in Japan, but I was closer with this dress!
ALWAYS PACK A JACKET
Cold planes, an unexpected weather change, cool evenings dining alfresco. Bringing a jacket, even on your summer vacations, is always a good idea. Choosing a jacket or sweater that can dress up a more casual outfit is even better!
If you’re looking for a warmer, travel jacket, we picked up Uniqlo’s packable puffers in Thailand before heading to the UK in January. Amazon has some great travel versions too.
MULTI-PURPOSE SHOES
When we traveled for a year, I wore these Addidas running shoes and Tevas almost daily. Lucky both were in fashion during our travels and could be worn both while running/at the beach and when sightseeing around town.
Ballet flats or leather sandals are other great options that can be worn during the day and dressed up for dinner. Luckily, we usually don’t visit places that need much more than that. Especially when we visit beach towns!
BRING A BATHING SUIT
I’ve always packed a bathing suit no matter the destination ever since I was about 10. I knew that a fun pool or hot tub could randomly show up on our vacation and I would be sad if I didn’t have a suit at the ready!
AND A HAT!
Same rule applies for hats. They’re always useful. Tip: Wear your hat on the plane to keep its shape. If you don’t want to wear it, most hats have a little tag inside. Loop a carabiner through the tag and onto your backpack for easy carrying.
What travel wardrobe rules do you abide by? Are you in the carryon only camp or are you happy to spend on baggage fees to have wardrobe options?
