Summer is upon us and that means it’s time to head out and explore. Regardless of whether you’re off on a city break, a beach holiday, or are heading out to discover a whole new country backpacking, the one thing that you need to prepare the most is your travel wardrobe. While yes, you can absolutely just throw everything into a large suitcase and be done with it, this ends up being so expensive – and completely unnecessary!
To unlock the secret to packing a fun, versatile travel wardrobe that doesn’t need to be stowed away in the belly of the plane, read on:
Start With Your Absolute Essentials
There are always a few essentials that we have or at least need in our closets. These essentials are must-have basics, and you’ll want to bring them regardless of the temperatures at your destination. You may plan on going for a beach holiday, for example, but then the weather turns and it’s raining the entire time. By having a few essential basics, you can make your travel wardrobe more versatile for unexpected weather.
One of the most important basics to have is a go-to pair of jeans. Boyfriend jeans for women in particular are incredibly stylish, comfortable, and versatile for many different kinds of looks. The best part is that they’re also the ultimate travel-wear option for when you’re on a plane, train, or car.
Other basics include things like a thick cotton t-shirt, a cardigan or soft blazer in case it gets cold, and sneakers.
Go With Items That Can Be Repurposed
The secret to packing a versatile travel wardrobe is that what you bring needs to match everything else – or at least as close to matching as possible. To do this, start pulling out all the items you’d want to bring, and then remove any items (minus dresses) that don’t work with at least three or four other items. Once you remove outliers, you can then start to narrow it down:
Try On Your Outfits
If you really want to look and feel stylish while on holiday, you need to do more than pick clothes when they lay flat. Put on the outfits you’d want to wear, take pictures of them, and then compare. This way, you can narrow down your options even further so you end up wearing a great outfit (day and night) every day you’re away.
Consider the Fabric
If you want to narrow down your wardrobe even further (which is essential, considering the tiny baggage limits budget airlines offer today) then narrow down any excess outfits further by their fabric. If you’re going to a hot destination, fabrics that don’t breathe like polyester are going to sit very uncomfortably on your skin.
Prepare to Wash While You’re Away
If you are gone for a particularly long time or just need to pack as light as possible, prepare to wash your clothes while you’re gone. If your accommodation doesn’t have a washing machine, for example, make note of where the nearest laundromat is and plan out a morning to do a quick wash and dry so you can get more out of your vacation wardrobe. After all, if you picked complimentary pieces, you can mix and match whole new outfits without feeling stale.
