New year, new you — and those travel bucket list destinations are looking mighty tempting. But once you’ve booked the tickets, and organised the dream itinerary (and checked out our 2025 guide for where to go), the question remains: how to pack enough clothes to look great, while also ensuring your baggage doesn’t break the weight limit at check-in (or indeed, your back when you lug it through city after city)?
Enter the capsule wardrobe. A long-time staple of minimalist dressers, it’s just as possible to create a great look on the go as it is for the office.
“This sound a little bit crazy, but I genuinely think that you can go travelling for quite an extended period of time with 20 items. Which I think could sound a bit frightening, but if you have the correct items, the combinations are endless,” says stylist Kate Williams, who runs Style By Kate Lauren.
Here’s how to get it right, according to the people who have done it.
Only pick your hardest wearing pieces
“Before you go away, you need to have your own design session from the comfort of your own home,” says Williams.
Her tip is to start with the base of an outfit, which is usually the bottoms. “I pick a bottom, and I would imagine three scenarios where you would need to wear this piece. And if you can create three looks that work for those three activities with that bottom, that means that piece can stay in the capsule.”
“Your pieces need to be working really hard for you. You also need to challenge yourself. Can I adapt this outfit with layering accessories, and [wear] pieces in slightly different ways to how they're meant to be worn?”
Which tops?
“In terms of tops, I think you need some good quality staples in there, but probably like an oversized tee: whether that's a staple oversized tee, or a graphic, fun one. And a shirt,” says Williams. Tank tops are also a must-buy: “the skeleton outfit builders of your wardrobe that you're going to wear every day.”
There’s still space for statement pieces, though: an oversized chunky knit jumper, an oversized necklace or a bright dress all have their place, as long as they can be worn multiple times with multiple different outfits.
Or indeed, a sports jersey, which is what Lara Severino wore for much of her trip around South-East Asia. She’s a travel blogger and content creator who spent three months backpacking last year — and whose account carbsmakeitokay makes content for ‘fashion girlies’ who like to travel.
She recommends wore boleros and shrug cardigans, both for warmth and for changing up pre-existing outfits in hot countries.
“The sleeves are actually good if you're in humid weather because they don't feel too heavy. That's probably a core staple I had,” she says. “Next time I go away, I think I’ll bring four: black, white, maybe a coloured one.”
Where to start
Of course, Ganni is the place to go for graphic tees — their take on the staple has been a must-have for the last few years.
In terms of basics, you can’t go far wrong with Cos, or with smaller brand Klayd. Klayd specialises in tank tops and shirts which are both flattering and come in a range of whites, browns and neutrals: the perfect building block for any outfit, really.
For boleros, it’s time to go high-street: Urban Outfitters has a great selection of them, which are almost always sold out.
Bottoms
“I love having black bottoms because everything gets really dirty, so whether it's like a black mini, or denim shorts: that sort of thing and then pairing it with a sports jersey or statement top,” says Severino.
“I always like when things are not too form fitting, especially when you're wearing something from like 8a.m to 10:00 p.m. I want to have something flowy, comfortable, breathable.”
That means shorts, a skirt of some kind — maxi or mini, depending on your personal style — and trousers.
Williams recommends a “versatile elevated trouser, and that might come in the form of like a suit trouser or perhaps a jean, depending on your personal style.”
She also lists linen trousers as a must-buy: “they're going to work so super hard for you. You can wear them with your bikinis. You can wear them with a matching shirt and a nice slider. You could wear them with a slightly dressier top for the evening and a blazer. So I think a really good pair of linen trousers is key.”
Where to start
Zara is a great place to start your hunt for a black maxi skirt, and linen trousers are a high street staple currently. Check out Marks & Spencer for some really good value, wide-legged options, while American brand Reformation is the go-to for seriously chic shades in a neutral palette.
Not a fan of linen? Swing by small brand Speltham for an alternate option — cool unisex boxer shorts and trousers that come in a range of sizes, shapes and colours. Our pick would be the blue check, and it’ll go with pretty much anything: perfect for wearing in a hot climate.
Time to accessorise
Really, you don’t need any more than four accessories, which would be a baseball cap, some statement jewellery, some sunglasses and a belt. The bonus of investing in the jewellery: it’s easy to use it to dress outfits up and down.
Where to start
Scandi brand Ganni is a great place to look for baseball caps — both in leopard print and in a careful array of neutrals.
And for sunglasses, cool Spanish brand Meller has to be it. These sleek, minimal shades have been spotted on everybody SUCH AS? in the last year, and more importantly, they’re actually affordable — prices start from £50. What’s not to like?
Go big on swimwear
Packing light doesn’t means scrimping on swimwear if you’re going somewhere hot with bodies of water. And given how small bikinis are, it’s very possible to pack two. Williams recommends doing just that.
“I think it's always good to have a staple one,” she says. “So whether this is more neutral or minimal, or perhaps one that you feel slightly more confident in. And then I think one that's a little bit more risky. By which I mean, it could be more colorful, maybe a more interesting silhouette.”
Where to get started
For both minimalist and maximalist swimwear, small label Toco is a great place to start: not only are the pieces good quality, but they also offer a mix of minimalist one-pieces and bikinis, and maximalist ones: think cut-outs, bright prints and fun silhouettes.
On a slightly lower budget, M&S offers a surprisingly good selection of bikinis and one pieces, as does OG swimwear brand Seafolly.
Get the footwear right
Ideally, pack no more than three pairs of shoes on a holiday — for Williams, it’s “a trainer, a loafer and a heel boot,” which can be swapped in and out depending on the climate, for instance with flip-flops. This lets you dress both up and down – but when it comes to comfort, the ultimate must-have in your wardrobe is a trainer.
“Salomon sneakers, were the only shoe I packed the entire trip. They are definitely a key capsule item I loved because they had to go with literally every outfit,” says Severino.
Where to get started
French cool-girl staple Salomon are a good place to look for trainers that are stylish, and, more importantly, comfortable. Though the XTAs are currently the name on everybody’s lips, get ahead of the trend with their XT Whispers, which is what all the cool kids will be wearing this summer.
For flip-flops (which are having a moment again), Reformation has a fun suede take on them here, and if you’re more into comfort, Birkenstock is a favourite for a reason.
Bags
Don’t go overboard with bags — we know it’s tempting, but the buckles and hardware can take up excess space and weight.
Williams says to choose one practical one. “So this could be a laptop-friendly bag, and that doesn't mean it has to be ugly. It can still elevate the outfit,” — the best way to do that is by adding a pop of colour or a good print, like a playful cow print.
The other must-have is a bum bag: maybe a clutch or a cross-body bag if that’s more our style. “Make sure it's adding something to the outfit, whether it be through a texture or metallic [colour].” This will also come in very handy for your valuables when in transit.
Where to get started
For something that lasts, Rains’ Tote bags are both roomy and chic enough to make them the perfect travelling companion — but for something a bit more casual, check out everybody’s favourite It-brand Damson Madder. Their leopard print tote bag is perfect for adding a pop of colour to an outfit. While Uniqlo cross-body bags are a classic: they’re comfy, roomy and on-trend too.
Happy holiday dressing!
