Travel Wardrobe- 3 Weeks In 1 Carry-On ERICA BALL STYLE

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I’m showing how I build a travel wardrobe that fits in one carry-on. A travel wardrobe is a small, curated set of pieces that mix and match easily, so you can pack less but still have plenty of outfit options. Perfect for summer travel, especially if you’re only bringing a carry-on.

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When you’re thinking about packing your travel capsule wardrobe, you want to take into account where you’re going. Are you taking a road trip? Will you be doing a lot of outdoor activities? Are you relaxing on the beach? What are you going to be doing during the days and in the evenings? That plays a big role when deciding what clothes you’ll need to bring.

The next thing to consider is the weather. What will the temperature be like while you’re there? Cooler mornings, cooler evenings, hot daytime temperatures, or humidity? When you’re pulling the pieces you want to bring, keep all of these factors in mind.

1. What You’re Packing

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First, I’m going to pull the clothes I’m bringing and hang them on a clothing rack. When I’m packing my travel capsule, I think about the pieces I wear all the time. The pieces that feel like me, that are easy, comfortable, but still make me feel put together. And I definitely want some layers. I love a knit cardigan, so I’m bringing it in a neutral color and also in black. Having both gives me the most versatility, and I can wear either one over pretty much anything I pack.

I also want to bring pieces that I can dress up a bit. I want a lot of versatility while keeping things simple in my carry-on. If there’s an item I might want to bring but it’s not a “must-have” for me, then I’ll save that as a last-minute item only if I have extra room. I don’t want to overpack, I want to bring what I know I’ll end up wearing. For jewelry, I’m keeping it minimal. I’ll wear what I normally wear and not pack anything extra. Since my style is more classic and minimal, those pieces will work for both day and night. For bags, I’m bringing my tote on the plane. I’m also bringing my black crossbody because it can be dressed up or down, and it’s small to put in my tote to save space.

Another thing to consider when packing your travel capsule wardrobe is whether you’re bringing statement pieces. Statement pieces, like bright colors or bold prints, aren’t as easy to mix and match or rewear. When I build a travel capsule, I focus on wardrobe foundation essentials that reflect my style, in my preferred neutrals and silhouettes. That’s what helps me pack less but still have more outfit options.

2. Outfits

Now I’m going to create some of the outfits with the pieces I’m bringing. Because so many of them are versatile, it’s easy to mix and match, which gives me multiple outfit options right away. The same goes for my cardigans; I can layer them over almost any outfit to create different looks. Another important factor is choosing shoes that are versatile enough to work with a lot of the outfits. I can wear the same base outfit and just switch the shoes to change the vibe. That kind of flexibility with your shoes expands how many outfits you can create with a small number of pieces.

That’s how you maximize a travel capsule wardrobe if you’re trying to fit everything into one carry-on.

3. Packing Into 1 Carry-On

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When I’m starting to pack, I’ll start by putting my jeans at the bottom. I fold them in half, and line the straight edge up with the straight edge of the suitcase. Next, I’m doing the same with my jean shorts. Then I take my t-shirt dress and roll it into a tight ball, which helps prevent wrinkles. I do the same with all my t-shirts. I roll them up and place them side by side.

Next, I roll my silk dress and silk tank, turning them inside out for protection. For shoes, I use a shoe bag and place my sandals in with the flat soles facing up. I tuck my socks, undergarments, and bathing suits into the corners of the suitcase. On the other side, I pack my toiletries. I use Tripped Travel Gear packing cubes to keep things organized. One cube holds my running gear. Another cube is for pajamas.

When you’re building your travel capsule wardrobe and want it to fit into one carry-on, remember to choose pieces that can go from day to night. Stick to versatile items over statement pieces. Pick shoes that work with your destination and your outfits. Think of your travel capsule as a smaller, edited version of your full capsule wardrobe.

If you’re traveling this summer, I hope this gave you some new ideas on how to pack your travel capsule wardrobe.