monday mixer

spring travel wardrob mix pieces
top: scarf | shirt | scarf | sweater
middle: tee | jeans | sweater | skirt | bag
bottom: jacket | shoes | boots | pants

 

In comments on last Monday’s “lessons from the travel wardrobe” post, reader Cindy asked to see how I’d combine items above to create different outfits. The pieces I’ve shown above aren’t necessarily the exact ones I own (though a few are) but rather meant to be representative of the kinds and styles of clothing I’ve found work well in a travel wardrobe. This isn’t even a complete wardrobe: I’d add a couple more tops, maybe in another color that works with the scarves, maybe a pair of dressier pants. Even with the add-ons, it would fit easily in a carry-on suitcase.

But with just this core, I was able to put together 8 unique outfits without breaking much of a sweat.

spring travel wardrobe mix 1These are mostly casual outfits, however many could easily go from day to dinner. (I threw in a necklace below for fun…remember that accessories are an easy way to add interest and variety, as well as bringing your own distinctive style to an outfit.) No, these outfits probably won’t get you “street style snapped” 😉 but you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation while feeling appropriately and comfortably well-dressed.

spring travel wardrobe mix 2

Here’s why this works:

  • Base of solid neutrals
  • Lightweight pieces that layer easily
  • Prints chosen carefully…the striped top goes with a floral scarf. A floral top would be tougher to combine with a floral scarf, or stripes with stripes.
  • Pieces like the linen shirt (if not too voluminous) can be worn under a sweater or jacket, or open over a tee. If you can’t bear the thought of wearing rumpled linen, try a jersey button front shirt like this excellent one from Eileen Fisher. (I seriously LOVE this shirt, look for it on the blog soon.) Also available in Women’s and Petites.

Hope this gives you some good ideas for mixing and matching your own travel wardrobe! I’ve updated my SHOP page with a few things that would be the types of pieces I’d include in a Spring travel wardrobe.

spring travel wardrobe pieces

What strategies do you use to create outfits from a capsule or travel wardrobe?
Affiliate links in this post may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See complete disclosure policy here.

Stay in touch

Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.

Affiliate links in posts may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See my complete disclosure policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

21 Comments

    1. RG, when we travel in a few months I’ll be sharing my travel wardrobe, and will make a point to document my outfits.

  1. This is how I want to pack for Paris! I am fine tuning my choices and hope that I do not overpack leaving room for some new pieces when shopping the boutiques on the Left Bank!
    Sneakers have been suggested by many…so far I have opted to take my black leather short booties and a pair of blue Josef Siebel walking shoes.
    Your experiences with a carry on are really helping me, thank you!

    1. Hostess, I saw far more sneakers in Paris last year than ever before, so they wouldn’t be out of place. But do take whatever shoes you are most comfortable with. Both the short booties and walking shoes would be fine choices.

  2. This is inspiration for my trip to France as well. Is everybody going to Paris this spring??

    On another note, we’re finally getting a Nordstrom in Ottawa. It opens in March. Yeah! Here’s hoping they carry a wide variety of designers. And that they don’t go down the tube in a year like Target is doing. I’ve been in a Target store once since they came to Canada, and couldn’t see what all the fuss was about.

    1. susan, I hope you get a good Nordstrom with a lot of selections! The one nearest me is smaller and carries a more limited range, but the two larger stores within driving distance have amazing variety. My experience has always been great customer service, and they’ll go out of their way to find something for you if it’s not available in their store.

  3. This is one of your best posts yet! So helpful. Have you been spying on my closet? Because I see many of “my” favorite pieces in here (cardigan, skinny jeans). I will definitely be referring to this as I pack for an upcoming weekend trip to NYC that includes a concert at Lincoln Center, a memorial service, dinner with friends and just running around trying to see what’s new there. One could swap out the skirt for a tank dress, methinks. Great inspiration.

    1. Alison, thanks! I’m so glad it was helpful. Yes, absolutely adjust based on your own wardrobe and the items you wear most often.

  4. Just a ‘heads-up’ about ordering from Neiman Marcus: their online ordering system currently has a massive back-log, following a system maintenance upgrade.

    Ecco have a style very similar to the Taos shoe and may be more readily available outside USA as Zappos don’t ship overseas.

    1. Cla(i)re, thanks for the heads up, both about the NM website and the ECCO shoes (ECCO is another brand I love for travel footwear!)

  5. You’ve convinced me – we’re going to Amsterdam in May and I’m going to pack only a carry on. Great inspiration!

    1. Jojo, do check back and let us know how the carry-on wardrobe worked for you. I’ve traveled this way the last few trips and have never regretted it.

  6. I wore a pair of Taos sneakers all over London and Paris last fall, and they were amazingly comfortable ( I replaced their orthotic insole with my own plus a double foam Dr Scholl insert, and it was like foot heaven,,,and I have really difficult feet to make happy). Sneakers were definitely the most common footwear on the street in Paris, ranging from things retro looking adidas to leopard print and glitter.

    1. Ellen, glad to hear the Taos sneakers worked for you! I found they had great arch support, even with the standard insoles.

  7. I have just discovered your website & I am so glad I did! I am a little late to the conversation but I have to tell you how impressed I am with your Monday Mix. I love these pieces and would where each and every one of them in Paris or home. I will look forward to receiving your post.

  8. As I’ve been culling my closet and working towards a capsule wardrobe, it became glaringly obvious that I was missing the plain “workhorse” basics, such as neutral blouses, tees, and sweaters. So thanks so much for the tip on the Eileen Fisher white shirt. I’ve been questing for an easy-care, soft (as opposed to crisp) white button-down that is NOT thin enough to read through.

  9. I am excited to have found your blog. As a woman of a certain age, it is wonderful to find a helpful source of how to look
    stylish without looking like I am trying to be 30 again. Bravo. I am off to Paris and Bordeaux the end of March. I will be using your suggestions as my guideline when packing.