10 Essential Tips for a Stylish Travel Wardrobe

If you’re planning to travel this fall or over the holidays, you may already be thinking about what to pack. With airline checked baggage fees (and even in some cases, carry-on fees) we’ve all had to become more mindful about packing lighter and smarter. Trying to decide what to pack, especially for an overseas or longer trip can feel a bit daunting at times. But with a little planning (and these tips I’ve developed over the last few years) you can create a cohesive and stylish travel wardrobe, and eliminate those “nothing to wear” days.

Fountaine des medicis in Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.

Today I’m partnering with several of my blogger friends (two of whom I recently met up with in Paris!) to talk about travel wardrobes, outfits and style. I’m looking forward to reading what they share!

Susan B., Mary Ann and Annie enjoying apero en terrasse in Paris
With Mary Ann and Annie in Paris!

When le Monsieur and I first began traveling overseas (in 2007, the same year I began blogging) we had no clue about what to bring and overpacked horribly. Over time, and with a lot of trial and error, I’ve honed my travel wardrobes to a manageable size, while still having appropriate options for anything on my itinerary.

So today I’m sharing some of what I’ve learned, and the guidelines I follow.

My top 10 tips for planning a functional & stylish travel wardrobe

1. Start with the shoes

I can’t stress this enough, but footwear is the most important part of your travel wardrobe to get right. If your feet hurt, you won’t be able to fully enjoy yourself, and it may even curtail some of your planned activities. I usually include 2-3 pairs (one of which I’ll wear on the plane).

Unless you have a special occasion (such as a wedding) on the itinerary, leave the heels at home. You’ll want footwear that you can wear comfortably for several hours a day on your feet. Here are the styles I rely on most:

Spotted in Paris: the most popular sneaker styles

Sneakers. The images above were all snapped earlier this year in Paris. Sneakers have become ubiquitous in every locale I’ve visited in recent years, even in the most style-conscious cities. I prefer to bring a sleek but supportive style that can go from day to dinner.
Paul Green | ECCO | Vionic | adidas | Josef Siebel | Vince

Flats and loafers. Ballet flats are still on-trend, but for many of us they may not have enough cushioning and support. You’ll want some padding in the insole (or a removable insole) and I find a slight heel, 1″ or so, is most comfortable for extended walking. I most recently traveled with these Vince loafers, and they were one of my MVP’s. Here are a few more options to consider:
Vionic | Eileen Fisher | Paul Green | ara | Munro (available in Narrow & Wide widths) | Vionic (a ballet flat, yes, but well-rated for comfort & support)

Susan B. on a small street in Haarlem, wearing a rain jacket, brown scarf, ivory sweater, jeans and brown boots.
SCARF (SIMILAR) | JACKET (SIMILAR) | SWEATER | JEANS | BOOTS (SIMILAR) | BAG (SIMILAR)
(My hand is in my pocket, not down the front of my pants, I swear! 😁)

Ankle boots. During cooler months, I’ll include a pair of ankle boots, usually water-resistant or weatherproof. (You can always have a cobbler add waterproofing spray and a rubber half-sole to a favorite pair, as I did above.)
Madewell | Munro | ECCO | Sorel | Vionic

2. A smart start with neutrals

Travel essentials: a travel capsule wardrobe foundation in navy. Navy pullover sweater, ivory and navy striped tee, navy cardigan, straight-leg jeans, slim knit pants, jersey skirt in navy.
PULLOVER (SIMILAR) | TEE | CARDIGAN (SIMILAR) | JEANS (SIMILAR) | PANTS | SKIRT (SIMILAR)

Build your travel wardrobe capsule or “core” around one or two neutrals. Not only will neutrals provide more wardrobe cohesion, making it easier to mix and match, but will be easier to dress up or down. You can always add more color to your neutral base (I do!).

Susan B's fall travel capsule for 2 weeks in London and Paris. Brown and denim neutral base with colorful tops & sweaters.
Scarves: SILK SQUARE | NECKERCHIEF (SIMILAR) | CASHMERE-SILK WRAP
Pullover sweaters (left row): RED (SIMILAR) | BROWN (SIMILAR) | BUTTER YELLOW
Layering tops (middle row): BUTTON SHIRT (SIMILAR) | TEE | STRIPED TEE (SIMILAR)
Cardigans (right row): BROWN | GREEN (SIMILAR) | PEACH
Pants (L to R): BARREL JEANS | STRAIGHT JEANS | BROWN UTILITY | BROWN TROUSER
Shoes: SNEAKERS (SIMILAR) | OXFORDS (SIMILAR) | LOAFERS

3. Smart Casual is usually as dressed up as you’ll need to be

A stylish travel wardrobe doesn’t have mean sacrificing comfort and functionality. Unless you have a special event such as a wedding or formal reception to attend, Smart Casual will be appropriate for almost any venue (including going to the theater or a nice dinner out).

Travel outfit: Susan B. wears a brown leather jacket over a brown cardigan, with brown barrel pants, brown bag, and taupe oxford shoes.
What I wore to afternoon tea in London.
JACKET | CARDIGAN | BAG | PANTS | SHOES (SIMILAR)
(Budget-friendly options: Jacket | Cardigan | Bag | Pants | Shoes)

4. “Tabletop” dressing

What this means is to focus on adding interest and variety above the waist, as it’s what most people will notice and what will show up most in your travel photos. So I usually plan for 2-3 tops for every bottom.

Susan B. sits at a table at Les Deux Magots holding a coffee cup. In front of her is table with croissant on plate.
My happy place in Paris!
JACKET | SCARF (SIMILAR) | SWEATER (SIMILAR) | PANTS (SIMILAR) | SNEAKERS (SIMILAR)
Budget-friendly options: Jacket | Sweater

5. Think lightweight layers

Leave the heavy, bulky pieces at home, and instead lean on lightweight pieces that can be layered easily to accommodate fluctuating temperatures. Knits like merino wool and lightweight cashmere are perfect for transitional seasons. When selecting outerwear, look for packable options like this down coat.

This Lands’ End packable down coat is one I’ve traveled with for years now, current version HERE. It’s water-resistant and squishes down to almost nothing in the suitcase.

6. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, but plan for deviations

I’ll keep checking the weather forecasts for my destinations right up until I leave for the airport, and make changes if needed. I’ve usually been pretty well-prepared. But conditions can shift unexpectedly, so I bring at least a couple of pieces that I could wear comfortably up to 20 degrees Farenheit in either direction of the forecasted range.

Some people will say, “well, I can just buy what I need at my destination,” but I’ve found that can be tricky, especially during transitional seasons. A heatwave in October? The shops will often be packed with sweaters, coats, and scarves, and nary a cotton top in sight.

For colder than expected conditions, I always pack a pair of silk long underwear. (Top | Bottom) In a pinch, these can also function as pajamas.

For unseasonal warmth, I’ll include a couple of lightweight tees and silk tanks.

7. Add color, variety, and pattern with scarves

I always pack several scarves in a variety of weights, materials, and sizes. They’re my not-so-secret weapon for making my travel outfits more stylish.

Scarves: LEFT (SIMILAR) | MIDDLE | RIGHT

They can also function as a lightweight wrap when it turns chilly or be used for coverage when visiting venues with “modest” dress codes (see #9 below).

8. Opt for a lightweight crossbody day bag

CARDIGAN | BAG | STRAP | PANTS | SNEAKERS (SIMILAR)

On my first visit to Paris, I packed a very nice shoulder bag, and regretted it almost immediately. My shoulders and neck were aching after just a couple of hours! I purchased a crossbody bag there and used it for the remainder of the trip. I find a crossbody bag is easier to manage and keep secure than other styles. I’ve often traveled with the Pearl bag from Lo & Sons, and recently added a webbed strap for additional comfort. You can see more of my travel bag recommendations here: How to Choose the Best Travel Bag

9. Be aware of regional customs and dress codes

Many churches, cathedrals, temples and other sites of cultural significance may have varying levels of “modest” dress codes in place, so plan accordingly. (For women, this often means a requirement to cover shoulders and knees.) This is more of an issue in warmer seasons, but it’s good to be aware ahead of time.

10. It’s OK to repeat!

Fall travel outfits in the UK and Paris. Susan B's outfits in brown, denim, and red from her fall travel capsule wardrobe.

Unless you’re traveling with a group, most of the time you won’t be seeing the same people day-to-day. And even if you are with a group, I don’t think anyone will notice that you’ve worn the same pants four times this week. If you’ve planned a cohesive wardrobe, creating different combinations will be a piece of cake, and you can always swap out accessories for variety.

Will you be traveling this fall? If so, where are you headed? ✈️

Looking for more stylish travel wardrobe and outfit ideas? Come visit my Travel Wardrobe Resouce Hub, where you can filter articles by season and trip length for information that’s most relevant to you. And be sure to sign up for my newsletter for more travel and style tips!

I can’t wait to see what travel wardrobe ideas and packing tips my blogger friends have shared!

Classic Casual Home | Cindy Hattersley Design  | Most Lovely Things | La Vie On Grand

Susan B. sits on a wooden bench wearing a brown knit jacket, blue jeans and colorful bracelets.

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26 Comments

  1. Good morning Susan. Oh, how I wish I had your sense of style! We fly to Boston next week, where we will spend a few days sightseeing before boarding our fall colors cruise, that will end in Montreal. I’m struggling with what to pack for 3 weeks in a carryon only! Especially as the weather will become much cooler as the cruise progresses. Any suggestions?

  2. I’m off to Istanbul for Thanksgiving. I’ll definitely be repeating outfits as I always travel light. Also, I need room in my bag to bring back some Turkish towels!

  3. We just got back from a long weekend to Virginia Beach and I felt good about what I packed for the most part. I skewed a little too “dressed up” for a weekend with small children but I subbed in the workout skort & short sleeved shirt that I’d brought to run in to replace the lightweight cashmere v neck and leopard slip skirt. Other than that, everything worked; I give it an A-.

  4. Susan-

    What gorgeous outfits! I love the colors, as I am an autumn. The SHON pants are so flattering. May I ask if you sized down as advised?

    Kind regards,
    Cindy

  5. Great suggestions, Susan! I’m in the process of preparing for a two week trip to Canada’s west coast. Since we’ll be driving, I won’t be as limited in what I pack as I would be if we were flying, but we’ll be moving around a lot and staying in a variety of homes and hotels. I want to pack light so that we don’t have too much stuff to haul in and out of each place, but I have to keep in mind that the weather at this time of year can be very changeable.

    1. HI Elaine – I live on the West Coast – and even Vancouver, our biggest City, is very casual.

      You’ll definitely need a raincoat (I prefer with a hood so don’t have to carry an umbrella) and something warm to wear underneath. As for dressing up, wool pants and a nice sweater/blouse will be fine for every place, even fine dining. Have fun! https://stylebee.ca/2018/06/25/vancouver-city-guide-pack/

  6. Susan, I love how you have the basics and then bring in color with a scarf or a sweater, and even your glasses. It makes every look so fresh and new! So fun to see you in Paris and shop with you at Sézane! Enjoyed every minute together! Come to New York!

    1. Thanks so much, Mary Ann! It was such a pleasure meeting you. I hope we can do again soon, whether in Paris or somewhere else fun.

  7. Hi Susan,

    Question: Have you experienced a lot of feather shedding with the Lands End packable down coat? There aren’t any reviews on the Lands End website about this.

  8. Ah, yes. I will be traveling in November. But this time my trip is two weeks on the beach in Mexico. So it calls for a very different kind of wardrobe, but still fun to plan and pack for.

  9. Susan! So many great suggestions. I couldn’t agree more about crossbody bags with skinny straps. I am always afraid they will break, and they are uncomfortable. As someone with foot issues I appreciate all of your sneaker and loafer suggestions. I just recently purchased the Vionic sneaker in silver and I really like it. Thank you so much for joining us. You always offer so much value!

  10. I owe a few of the Lo& Sons Pearl bags. They are terrific.
    During the purchase of my most recent one, I asked if I could also buy the cushioned strap that goes with the Nouvelle crossbody bag. They generously gave me the Nouvelle strap without charge. Now I have the two different straps plus the wristlet strap. They are a great company.

  11. This was a great review ~ thank you! Headed to Japan next month for the first time. Very excited!

  12. Hello Susan: Late to the party, sorry! You mentioned in a post that you were trying out a new cosmetic travel bag since the previous one is no longer available. Can you share what you chose and how it worked out? Thank you. I did purchase the smaller Emme zip bag, but it has not worked out so well for traveling for me. Just does not hold enough.

  13. Hi Susan, I love the red glasses and the caramel glasses on you. I think on both of your last trips you’ve gone pretty heavy on the brown. I like the brown, especially the rusty brown, but I would also love to see you in more color!

    That said, it looks like you had a wonderful trip. That’s great!

  14. I love your crossbody bag with the animal print strap, such a perfect crossbody to pack, and lots of nice outfits for travel.