The excitement of going away on holiday combined with the forward planning can keep us busy for a few weeks and even months before going away, and this includes your holiday wardrobe. We often need to keep the amount of luggage to a minimum. This is where careful planning of your holiday wardrobe is key so that your outfits work for you and the activities you are going to do whilst away. With the summer holidays fast approaching, I thought I would give you my best tips for a holiday capsule wardrobe to help you do your packing easily and efficiently.
So, how can you create a holiday wardrobe that works, one that co-ordinates and suits the holiday you are going on? My Easy Holiday Capsule Wardrobe guide will help you.
- Firstly, check the weather so you can plan the combination of clothes to take.
- Plan the activities you are going to do – is your holiday a beach holiday, walking holiday, cruise, water sports or city break? Do you need any special evening wear for formal or special occasions on your holiday?
Now to plan your wardrobe ….
- Choose two neutral colours from your colour palette to base your holiday wardrobe around. For me as a Deep, I love planning my holiday wardrobe around navy blue (a deep colour that makes me feel relaxed for a good holiday vibe) and white to bring contrast into my outfits (for the cool and clear elements in my Deep-Cool-Clear colour palette).
- Now decide which accent colours you would like to combine with your neutral colours, for me this would be pink (my favourite colour) and cornflower blue (a gentle colour that again makes me feel relaxed) plus some red for making a statement whilst away.
- Decide on the trousers, shorts and skirts you are going to take. You may decide to choose trousers in your chosen neutral colours to ensure your tops and T-shirts can mix and match easily and give you several outfit combinations. I usually take navy blue and white trousers and shorts to ensure they combine with as many tops as possible.
- Now, select a variety of tops (shirts, blouses and T-shirts) that will mix and match with your trousers, shorts and skirts (for me pink, cornflower blue and red).
- Add in a few cardigans and jumpers for layering up if the temperature is cooler, making sure that these co-ordinate with your choice of clothes so far (I would choose pink, white or cornflower blue).
- Do you need any sportswear? Choose sportwear that will complement the activities you are going to do. One pair of neutral coloured sports leggings or trousers with two sports tops will suffice if doing some sports activities 2-3 times a week.
- Choose the dresses you would like to take for daywear and also evening wear if you are going out for dinner. Make sure the dresses you take are suitable for the type of evening event, whether an informal meal out or more formal and special occasion.
- Choose your swimwear and beachwear if going on a beach holiday.
- Select your accessories to go with your outfits – select the scarves, hats, belts, jewellery and bags that go with as many of your outfits as possible. Remember a day bag that will fit all of your essentials and an evening clutch bag for any formal occasions. A lightweight canvas beach bag will fold away in your suitcase easily.
- Choose your shoes that go with as many of your outfits as possible. Metallic shoes are very current and go with most colours, so one pair of excellent quality silver, pewter or gold shoes are a versatile option for evening wear. If you are going to be doing walking, make sure you pack a pair of comfortable flat shoes such as sandals ballet pumps, loafers or trainers for sporting activities.
- Remember a jacket or coat. If going to a hotter climate, it is usually best to pack one lightweight jacket in case of any rain showers or overcast weather. A compact foldaway umbrella will be handy for those rain showers.
- One linen blazer, boucle jacket or pashmina in a neutral colour such as white will be a good option over evening wear if you need that extra layer.
- Finally, remember to pack some travel wash to wash any emergency stains out of your clothes. One small bottle will do or you can decant your usual handwashing detergent into a small travel bottle.
- When packing your clothes into your suitcase, remember that rolling clothes can save space and prevent too many creases appearing in your clothes. White tissue paper between delicate clothing such as evening wear will help protect your clothes and this tissue paper can then be used a drawer lining in your hotel room.
If you need any help with planning your Holiday Capsule Wardrobe, whether that is having a colour consultation (from my Express Colour to my Full Colour Consultation) to determine your colour palette, going through your existing wardrobe or a personal holiday shopping trip, please get in touch. I would be delighted to help you.
