What Traveling Taught Me About A Capsule Wardrobe
If you’re a maximalist like me, packing your life for six weeks into a 60 litre backpack is not an easy task. I have always been one for ripping apart my suitcase at airport check-in desks, leaving the inner world that is my suitcase, fully exposed for the entire passenger queue and airline employees to witness.
So there I was back in 2016, standing before my wardrobe trying to make the best decisions that would serve me as I grew into a new version of myself. I would be traveling across Europe, solo by train in the dead of winter. I had little plan of exactly where I would go. An unlimited Eurrail train pass would connect me to any city in Europe my heart desired.
The Californian Dilemma
Now, I must provide a disclaimer: I am a native Southern Californian who grew up in the warmth of the Orange County sun, lacking any concept of real seasons. Having been predisposed to a California-appropriate wardrobe for the first 18 years of my life has left me unpleasantly shocked as I’ve left my apartment underdressed for the reality of European winter many times. Growing up, all I knew was a season-less wardrobe.
The Selection Strategy
I ended up selecting a few garments wisely and with more strategy than ever before. I thought of all the possible situations I might encounter; going out to bars and clubs, hiking in the mountains, walking along the beach, or dining in nice restaurants. I really had no idea what to expect, as this was my first time traveling through Europe. I checked the weather in different cities to get an idea of what the forecasts would be, though even the concept of varying temperatures was still a bit hard for me to understand, still freshly emerged from under the California sun.
The Final Curation
Having narrowed down my selection several times, I finally came to a concise and versatile curation of 14 lightweight pieces. Layering was key!
Underlayers
- Graphic tee
- Basic mustard yellow cotton scoop neck long sleeve shirt
- Basic black cotton scoop neck long sleeve shirt
- Black zip up thermal long sleeve layer
- Pair of floral tights
- Black wool-blend thermal leggings: I wore these underneath the floral tights or atop the floral tights, creating a thick bottom layer to keep my legs warm.
Dresses
- Peter Pan collared short sleeve floral mini dress
- Basic black mini dress
- Green denim pinafore mini dress
Pants
- Paisley stretch flare pants
Sweaters & Jackets
- Basic black zip up hoodie
- Dark forest green knit duster cardigan
- Lightweight Patagonia down puffer jacket
Shoes
- Brown shearling-lined chelsea Dr. Martens boots
Outfit Enhancers
- Burgundy purple lipstick
- Pastel lavender lipstick
- Bright red lipstick
- Glitter gel
Other items I picked up while traveling:
- Made in Italy paisley embroidered wool scarf from Florence (to replace the black scarf I lost during day 2 on the train)
- Loose glitter in several colours from a beauty store in Budapest
- Oversized men’s leather jacket from Humana (a thrift store) in Budapest
- Cream angora wool pullover jumper also from Humana in Budapest
- Pair of handmade dangling earrings from Prague
Clothing Maintenance
I stayed in hostels along my journey, and in many of them I stayed for several days at a time while I thoroughly explored cities. When there was a washing machine available, I paid a few euros to do my wash.
Lessons Learned
The most valuable thing I learned about living minimally with a capsule wardrobe is that it’s so much easier to get dressed in the morning knowing that there aren’t endless outfit options to choose from. I also learned that having one new piece of clothing, accessory, or even lipstick- can completely change the way you look and feel in existing garments. I call these “outfit enhancers.”
The Value of Utility
On this trip, I truly learned to appreciate garments for their functionality. For instance, I understood the value of having a high-quality Patagonia puffer jacket that provided me with warmth trekking through the snow in Poland. There was also great value in having a thick, long scarf to wrap around my neck and lower face when hit with chilly winds on the beaches of Italy.
Less Options, More Creativity
About 3 weeks into my travels, I reached a point where I grew pretty bored with the clothes I wore, so I creatively explored every possible way to enhance an existing outfit. Looking back, I have never felt so much like myself as I did on this trip. I am a strong advocate for creative self-expression through personal style, though my perception of this value was shattered when realising that I felt more like myself when I had less options to choose from. In a way, I moulded into my garments. I felt each piece truly represented me and my life 100% during those weeks. Had I lugged along extra pieces that were unworn, I likely would have abandoned them along my journey.
Apply The Travel Capsule Wardrobe to Your Life
I urge you to take a deep look into your wardrobe. Ask yourself what 14 items you might take with you on an extended trip. If any more than half of your closet does not fit into this category, chances are you didn’t really need to purchase these pieces in the first place.
Critically thinking and reviewing our fashion purchases enable us to make better decisions for our wardrobes in the future. There really is more to this trend than sustainability; It’s about more deeply becoming who you are as you selectively curate. The effects will trickle out from your wardrobe and into all areas of your life as you begin to truly recognise what’s important to you.
