Travel 9th May 2023 by Lisa Mullaly

How To: The Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe For Your Carry On

Heading away soon?

Vacation season is on the horizon, it’s time to brace ourselves for the universal challenge all of us have to face; packing all of our holiday clothes into a small carry-on bag.

Whether it’s a quick weekend stopover or a week of fun in the sun, we all have to embrace the minimalist capsule wardrobe when travelling.

We have some must-know tips to keep your holiday wardrobe stylish but still able to fit in a carry-on suitcase.

1. Get the right bag!

The first thing to do is to pick the right bag.

When travelling with a carry-on, you want to make sure that your bag is durable enough to protect all of your valuables while being shoved into an overhead bin, while also being light and easy to carry around with you.

Marks and Spencers Oslo 4 Wheel Hard Shell Cabin Suitcase – €129

2. Start with the base

The key to a good capsule wardrobe is interchangeable clothing.

Light solid neutral base layers are the best choice for building multiple outfits.

H&M Ribbed Modal-blend T-shirt – €9.99

Zara High-Waist Stretch Shorts – €25.95

H&M Women’s Linen Blend Pull on Trousers – €21.99

3. A little black dress is a must-have

The little black dress is a must-have piece for any wardrobe, especially a holiday carry-on collection. An LBD can be used as a base for a more casual daytime outfit and can also be styled up with accessories for a sleek and minimal nighttime look.

Marks and Spencers Linen Rich Jersey Midaxi Waisted Dress – €37

4. Simple but effective

A button-up shirt is the perfect piece of clothing to add variety to your capsule carry-on wardrobe. It can be styled in countless ways and is the perfect level of casual and formal to work for all occasions.

New Look Blue Long Sleeve Linen Shirt – €19.99

5. Shoes, shoes, shoes

There is no need for a new pair of shoes for every outfit. All you need is a comfy daytime shoe that you can walk all day in to wear on the plane. In your case, pack a pair of fancier light sandals that will dress up any outfit for the evening activities but won’t take up too much space in your luggage.

New Look Black Leather-Look Footbed Block Heel Gladiator Sandals – €39.99

6. Remember to accessorise

Make sure to include some fun accessories to individualise each outfit. A statement pair of earrings or a colourful scarf can take your outfits from day to night while saving space in your carry-on.