Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobe: What I Wore in Paris and London
My two weeks in Paris and London just flew by! I always think I’ll have plenty of time to explore, and somehow I still come home with a long list of things I didn’t get to. Now that I’m back (still a little jet-lagged), and have unpacked, I wanted to take a closer look at my fall travel capsule wardrobe while everything’s still fresh in my mind.
Over the years, I’ve found these wardrobe recaps really helpful, both for me and for readers planning similar trips. They help me stay focused on what works, refine my packing strategies, and avoid repeating mistakes on future travels.
What I Packed: My Two-Week Travel Capsule
Weather can be unpredictable this time of year, so I always keep a close eye on the forecasts before finalizing my travel wardrobe. I really lucked out this trip…it was cool and mostly dry, perfect fall weather for Paris and London.
Here’s the capsule I packed for two weeks in Paris and London:
2nd row: GREEN CARDIGAN | COLLARED CARDIGAN | BROWN CARDIGAN (SIMILAR)
3rd row: TWILL PANTS (SIMILAR) | CORDUROY PANTS | JEANS
Shoes: BOOTS (SIMILAR) | OXFORDS (SIMILAR) | SNEAKERS
I did make one swap, and went with a leather sneaker rather than nylon mesh (warmer), and as my Wild Cards, added a leopard print cashmere tee (similar), and lightweight down jacket (which I didn’t end up needing).
You can read all the details (and how I chose what to pack) here: My 2-Week Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobe: London & Paris Edition.
What I Wore
I was really pleased with my choices! I wore everything at least once, and never felt at a lack for anything. Though I didn’t get photos of every outfit, I was never bored and was able to create enough variety with the pieces I packed. Here are some of my fall travel outfits:
Scoring My Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobe
MVP’s (Most Valuable Players)
- Dark wash barrel jeans. I wore these most days (laundered once). They struck the perfect balance of relaxed and polished.
- Cardigans: here, here, and here (similar). These were ideal mid-layers, adding warmth without bulk.
- Leopard print blouse (similar). Added pattern and structure under the cardigans; I reached for it more than expected.
- Leather jacket. The perfect weight for the weather and a polished finishing touch for almost any outfit.
- Silk tanks. These are my go-to base layer for travel in transitional seasons.
Pinch Hitters (wore occasionally for variety)
- Metallic oxfords (similar). A more polished alternative to sneakers, but comfortable enough for all-day wear.
- Corduroy “balloon” pants. Great for dinners out in Paris, though I didn’t manage good photos in the evening light.
Benched
Only the down jacket that I added at the last minute, wasn’t cold enough that I needed it. Which has me thinking that a this smaller capsule approach is the way to go.
Wish I’d Brought
Another bag…something a bit more upscale or polished for evenings. (I did end up buying one in Paris and used it for the rest of the trip. More on that in an upcoming post!)
The Final Tally
Overall, I think this was one of my best travel capsule wardrobes yet! It was functional, cohesive, and versatile, with enough variety to keep it interesting. I’d give this one a solid 9/10!
Looking back, this capsule struck just the right note between comfort and polish, something I always aim for when traveling. Each trip helps refine my approach a little more, and this one reaffirmed that a smaller, well-edited travel wardrobe really does make getting dressed (and enjoying the journey) so much easier.
Every trip teaches me something new about what I really need (and don’t). How about you…have you found your perfect travel capsule formula yet? I’d love to hear what’s worked (or not!) in your own packing adventures.
👉 If you enjoyed this recap, you might also like: Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobes: Cool & Warm Palettes for Effortless Packing.
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I really enjoy your travel recaps. I’m currently on a weekend away close to home. I chuckled to myself when I realised I’d selected items that I’d worn on our 12 week European trip earlier this year. Once you’ve found a winning formula, you stick to it, right?!
I just came back from a week in London/ Belfast, and am happy to report I nailed it as well. I wore Adidas track pants with a Sezane Gaspard sweater on the plane, with a scarf and silver Adidas sneakers, and loved the outfit so much that a variation of it became my daytime wardrobe for much of the trip. Topped with a leather jacket, the outfits felt chic and put-together. In 2024, one of my list of 100 was to get better at packing (now that we live in Portugal, we’re traveling Europe, a lot), and the post-trip assessment, I’ve discovered, is key!
love all of your outfit combos, you really are an inspiration!
struggling now to put together my final packing capsule for a 4-week trip to Japan and what is most challenging for me is that we usually weave in several active days (walking, hiking, biking) so I need a variety of athleisure and city-sightseeing looks.
What a great capsule. It shows how adding scarves can really change up the outfits! I love the pop of green but wonder whether it stuck out in Paris? My struggle is often needing to pack both professional and smart casual outfits. Also I can only rewear something once or twice before needing to launder. Base layers help in winter. Finally In always throw in a oackable puffer fall-spring (mine are from Uniglo). I hate being cold.
Those Uniqlo puffers are wonderful. They pack up so small that it doesn’t matter whether you end up actually needing them or not. It’s the one “just in case” item that is worth taking. Every time. Sometimes it’s just the smaller “compact jacket” or vest, but there is always some Uniqlo puffer in my bag. (And I am carry-on only, no matter what.)
I’ll second the nomination of Uniqlo puffers! I have two—white and navy. They weigh nothing and condense into no space, but somehow manage to keep me feeling snuggly even on damp windy day. Oh, and they’re priced incredibly low. My favorite online store.
My biggest packing *fail* in recent years was a July trip to Brittany where I expected some rain with cool-ish temperatures, but got significant rain every day and much cooler than average. I ended up buying a rain hat, and doing laundry so I could keep wearing the couple of warmer shirts I’d brought. Summery tops went unworn. It can be hard to have the right mix of clothes!
Great travel wardrobe. You didn’t pack a dress or skirt?
Thanks, Susan! I don’t wear dresses or skirts at home, so don’t include them in my personal travel capsules.
We had a 10-day trip to Bordeaux that included winery tours with dinners and three rounds of golf. I packed anatomie kenya jackets in gray and navy, and anatomie Kate cargo pants in gray and navy, then multiple tees and scarves, a travel midi dress from Chico’s and costume jewelry. Golf clothes were Daily Sports white lyric pants ( which also doubled as a tour outfit with the jackets), and sweaters. The Tilley packable poncho came in teally handy!
Really enjoy seeing your travel capsule picks for London and Paris and reading your recaps. I’m currently planning a travel capsule for a 4 night trip to Rome in December. The biggest challenge is outerwear . To be warm enough but not too warm if it’s sunny and needing a waterproof option as it rains in December. But not looking like I’m going hiking!
Sooo love your choices! Can you recommend some more affordable barrel jean’s than yours?
Thank you! You help me sooo much! Wish I could travel as often and smartly as you do!👍😊♥️
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I also really like these darted barrel jeans from Madewell.
Also, try the Gap!
Hi Susan, just want to thank you for your great advice and wonderful style. I really enjoy reading your posts and hearing about your adventures. Your emails are a balm for getting through the stack of emails each day.
When you have time I would love advice on all the other stuff we take on trips. For example you mentioned purses this time. I have the lo and sons pearl and love it but sometimes it’s too small for activities on the go. Thanks again for all you do to life is up.
I’ll keep all your tips and travel capsule wardrobes in mind as I pack for an almost 3-week trip to Scandinavia next June. Glad you enjoyed good weather!
I am always in a rush to unpack when I get home, do laundry etc. This time after a four day trip I really. Took the time to consider what I had brought with me. Turns out I wore everything but one striped T and one pair of sneakers. I wished I had brought another cashmere sweater with me as the weather had turned cool. After a longer trip I think I’ll leave the bags unpacked for at least a day. Then I can really consider the pros and cons. That’s a nice little capsule not sure I could be so minimal for two weeks!
Hi Susan! We were thrilled to make our big six-plus week Europe trip a few years ago (early Sept to later-Oct made for a big suitcase!). As it turned out, when we took the apartment in Paris for ten days mid-October, it was as the locals said, unseasonably cold and more like winter. Never mind that, this was a dream trip and a fantasy time to practice mon français aussi. 🙂 We did make good use of the museums pass for that reason. Loved it all. Yours is my favourite clothing blog. Thank you so much.
You nailed it, Susan!
Do you have any suggestions for travel sleepwear?
Thanks, caroline! I have a pair of silk pajamas I travel with, but silk long underwear (top / bottom) can also work in a pinch, and won’t take up a lot of valuable real estate in your suitcase.
And the silk long underwear can double as an extra layer if it’s colder than expected!
Love these posts for travel ideas. I just returned from Switzerland and found it very casual, mostly relying on jeans. The only things I didn’t wear from my carryon were a dressy black cashmere sweater (meant to go with black slacks) and – lucky for me – a rain coat.
The bag dilemma is hard! I have a suggestion: I bring one black bag and a couple of straps to switch out – webbing or leather for day, and a chain strap for evening, which makes the bag a bit more dressy-appropriate.
Looks like you had a fabulous and fashionable trip!
Or take strap off and make it a clutch for evening.
Hi Susan: fabulous choices. I’m still struggling with a budget to match some of the choices but I think (for me) it’s a matter of making wiser and fewer choices! Still struggling with Ruti’s sizing. I think they advised a size 8P for their Ultimate Barrel Leg Jeans. Does that mean that I would take the same size in their twill pants etc? I love the rust colored Frame blouse but it’s a piece I will have to save for. I love the color combinations you chose!! Welcome home!
Hi Sally, so far I’ve found their pants sizes to be mostly consistent. I take an 8P in the jeans, and 8 in the twill pants.
Thanks Susan!
I am not that good at travel capsule wardrobes, although I am getting better. I am keen to see your new bag.
Greetje
Susan, welcome home! At your earlier suggestion, always bring the quilted puffer hooded coat (Land’s End). Folds to nothing and used as a blanket or pillow on the flight. Saved the day for an Ireland rain and wind storm!!
This capsule is fabulous; glad it worked out so well for you! Thanks for the inspiration as always — you have influenced me to be a better packer, and like you, I improve with each trip!
If I may suggest for jet lag — my husband and I traveled to Greece a couple years ago and tried using the “Timeshifter” app; we were both skeptical, and weren’t able to use all the suggestions perfectly, but we were both believers by the time we got up the first morning in Athens. No jet lag to be had! It was truly amazing. (I’m not affiliated with the app in any way; just a fellow traveler & one who can’t sleep on the plane). FWIW!
Thank you Susan, I really enjoy your Paris recaps. I’m planning to be in Paris the same time next year to see the autumn/fall colours.🍂
I’m drooling for the green and copper silky scarves! Love your travel capsules.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for a great post and welcome home. I am going to London for two weeks in early November so I looking at the weather reports all the time. Outerwear that has worked for me in the past in Europe in the winter months is a really good waterproof raincoat from Joules which is light and very packable, and my daughter gave me a gift certificate which I put towards a Beadnell Barbour waxed jacket. Love this! With these two things I can get around without a heavy wool jacket as I just wear “nice clothes” underneath and stay dry. Many museums have coat checks too. Take care!
What a well thought out, color coordinated wardrobe! You look so lovely and put together is each picture. Your smile reflects how happy and comfortable you were. Might I add, the accessories highlighted the entire wardrobe…including your suitcase and tote bag. Great job!
Thanks so much, Jean!
So helpful! Would you be willing to provide a little detail about the silk tanks, etc. that you wear as your inner layer? Also undies? How many panties and bras do you take on a 2-week trip? My husband and I did a 2+ week drive across the country and had 6 pairs of underwear, and I wish we’d taken more. We did laundry twice – once at his sister’s and once in a hotel. Typically, I wash by hand, but drying is an issue if you move on to a new hotel every day.
Hi Maeve, thanks! The silk tanks are these from Eileen Fisher: https://go.shopmy.us/p-28658370 I’ve collected a few of them over the years. They can be hand-washed and line-dry overnight. I usually pack 2 bras and a week’s worth of underwear (7-8) which I’ll sink wash along the way.
These are great tips. I keep reading about your trips because I’m planning one to both places maybe next spring.
One question though. What about toiletries for 2 weeks?
How do you pack them?