I don’t know about you, but winter is a weirdly busy season for me, and also the time of year when I have the least motivation – who would’ve guessed that the dark, cold days would make me want to curl in bed and avoid all responsibility? Between holidays, end-of-year meetings, new year meetings, and everyone and their mother’s baby-versary-birth-lorette-parties, December through February have me constantly packing and unpacking, and I definitely would not make it through without my winter capsule wardrobe.
That’s right, with all the travelling I do in the winter months I keep a bag packed at all times. I pack it in November, run a load of laundry every time I get home, and then repack the same items right away so I’m ready to go for my next trip. How do I decide what to pack? Well, I’m so glad you asked, because that’s what this article is all about!
Now, before we begin, we have to make a few assumptions. The first is that, like me, you would rather sit in a middle seat next to sweaty, chatty, strangers for the rest of your life than have to check a bag – which means you have to fit your whole life into a carry on. Even if I’m driving to a location for a weekend, I never want to be carrying a large, bulky bag. The second is that, like me, you don’t have access to a washing machine when you travel, which can really put a damper on a capsule wardrobe if you get a stain, sweat, or just need a wash. In order to accommodate these two assumptions, I try to stick to the rule of two when packing: two shoes, two bottoms, two tops, two accessories. Obviously, this isn’t a perfect model, but it works 9/10 times and is made even easier when I stick to a color palette – usually a basic and an accent color. For winter I pack almost exclusively black clothing, if for no other reason than it makes my life simpler, and the accent color I picked this year was cream/camel.
Shoes
Working our way from bottom to top, I choose two shoes to get me through my treks: a pair of nice, comfortable sneakers and a low-heeled bootie. My sneakers are used for travel and walking, and I always choose a pair thin enough to fit in my personal bag should I need to switch shoes midday and can’t access my hotel. Sneakers are also far more versatile today than they have been, and I can choose to opt for comfort if I’m attending something in a business casual setting. My booties have a low heel for convenience and a tight, faux-leather body for style. These shoes are perfect for everyday business, formal events and drinks with colleagues at the hotel bar. Plus, fit nicely in my shoe bag which slips right into my personal bag.
Bottoms
Bottoms are tough, as I’m truly a denim girl at heart, but this year I packed three different black pants that have been working really well for me. The first is more formal: a pair of high-waisted, flare business pants – super flattering and good for almost any event. The second pair of pants is slightly more casual but super fun and can work for personal and professional events depending on the dress code: layered, ruffled, palazzo pants. I picked them up on sale in September and immediately knew they belonged in my winter capsule wardrobe. The third is a simple pair of black leggings, which I wear on the plane and keep on hand for layering or emergencies. The struggle with folding nice pants into an itty-bitty bag is that I’m always concerned about wrinkles, which is why I highly recommend considering fabric when choosing what to pack in your capsule wardrobe and making good use of the steam from your morning showers.
Tops
Tops can be deceptively difficult in the winter months trying to balance warmth and wardrobe. This year my schedule hasn’t taken me anywhere too cold, thankfully, which has meant that I was able to get away with packing long sleeve shirts and being okay. I went with long sleeve body suits this cycle because they keep me insulated, professional and stylish. The first is a black, square neck with three-quarter length sleeves and the second is a camel, mock-neck with full-length sleeves. Both are very cute, very flattering and very easy to pack. I also wear a crew-neck sweatshirt while traveling, so I don’t have to worry about getting it to fit into a suitcase.
Although not technically a top, I also pack an LBD nearly every time I travel, because you just never know. This year I went with a mid-thigh, sleeveless, knit dress, and with proper layering and styling, it works for every occasion.
Accessories
Accessories mean so many things to so many different people, and in the cold months my two accessories are always winter gear, so I will address those and then other accessories separately.
For winter gear, I pack my fleece-lined, camel peacoat and it’s the one impractical item I allow myself. I wear it over my sweatshirt while traveling because there is no way I would ever be able to stuff it in my suitcase, but I love it and wear it every day while traveling. I also bring a super long cream-colored scarf and it’s really easy to wear around my neck, head, or both! My final winter gear item is a pair of fleece-lined tights, and I love the ones that look like sheer black tights! I wear them under my pants for warmth and under my dress for style!
Other accessories I pack are simple gold jewelry, sunglasses (because the winter sun is always so bright), and one or two hair accessories!
Other Notes
Obviously, I also pack underwear and socks, but I’ve learned to cut out things I simply don’t need. I used to pack a workout outfit and swimsuit every trip, and it just took up space in my luggage that I never used. It’s important to be realistic when packing to avoid stress when traveling. I pack light on sundries, as well, and spend less time worrying about TSA and more time thinking about if I’m going to choose peanuts or pretzels.
Additionally, testing out the concept of a capsule wardrobe is a great way to slowly introduce the practice to your everyday life! Moving towards a more sustainable lifestyle can begin anywhere and cutting out over-consumption is one way to take that first step. When curating a capsule wardrobe, prioritize the items you already own, opt for quality basics over trendy items, and remember how easy it is to modify your look with an accessory or two. Happy travels!