Creating an Amazon Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Ahhh Amazon...is there anything you can't find here?! Now don't get me wrong, I don't claim to be a fashion blogger or on top of the latest trends. But I do know a thing or two about trying to cram as much as possible into a carry on suitcase and of course wanting to look cute on your travels. That's what led me to create a travel capsule wardrobe which allows you to mix and match staple pieces into multiple different outfits so you can pack less and still have all your basics no matter what your trip may bring. In fact, this packing list allows you to create 18 different outfits! Most of the items on this list are also some of my personal Amazon fashion favorites - meaning I own them already, recently ordered, or have them on my wish list. 

Keep in mind, this wardrobe is designed for spring/summer travel in a warmer climate. If you're planning to travel somewhere with cooler temps you might need to adjust things a bit. I also packed this "suitcase" for less adventure although there is an outfit for hiking and a beach day. But if you plan to do a lot of physical activity or strenuous hiking you may need to swap out some dressy pieces for additional activewear. I also didn't include other staples you'll need to pack such as pajamas, undergarments, toiletries, etc. so you'll want to allot additional room in your suitcase for those items. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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The Basics:

When creating a capsule wardrobe, the most important place to start is with a color palette. Choosing 2-3 neutrals (grey, white, black, etc.) allows for easy mixing and matching. From there, choose 1-2 accent colors or statement pieces. For this wardrobe those are the salmon pants, red floral dress, and yellow floral romper (more on those below). It's also helpful to picture your wardrobe in categories (outwear, tops, bottoms, shoes) which makes it easy to pair different pieces. Since I plan my itineraries in advance, and typically know what each day will hold, I also like to put together my outfits based on activities which is how I divided them in all the photos (with a few bonus outfits). 

Outerwear:

No matter where you are traveling, the weather can fluctuate on a moment's notice. I've also found even in warmer spots, the evenings can get cooler. And let's not forget about those cold airports. My #1 go to outerwear is my jean jacket. These have made a major comeback in recent years and seriously pair well with most any outfit. A larger slouchy cardigan is another perfect piece for comfy traveling while also being able to dress up a casual outfit. If I'm planning to do more adventurous activities I'll also typically throw in a light rain jacket or windbreaker. 

• Jean Jacket
• Slouchy Cardigan 

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Bottoms:

This is another area you want to go for both comfort and minimal upkeep. You can never go wrong with a classic pair of denim - both shorts and jeans. I also recently got these paper bag pants for my birthday and fell in love. They feel like you're wearing pajamas but still classy enough to dress things up for shopping or dinner. If you don't like traveling in jeans, my other go to is a pair of athletic pants which can also be substituted for hiking if needed. 

• Skinny Jeans
• Jean Shorts
• Paper Bag Pants

Tops:

When it comes to tops in a capsule wardrobe, the simpler the better. I try to save my patterns and colors for my statement pieces that can stand alone as their own outfit. Tops for this wardrobe center around white and grey as they pair well with all my bottoms but black, oatmeal, and olive green are also great choices. I also go for a mixture of dressier tops and casual pieces. 

• White Lace Tank
• White Blouse
• Grey Striped T-shirt
• Basic Casual Tees

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Statement Pieces: 

Okay y'all here is where my true passion lies! By including a few statement pieces it keeps you from getting tired of the same color palette. My favorite pieces are always dresses and rompers. Not only do I love to wear them, they also provide you with an entire outfit by only having to pack one piece - again saving precious packing space. The red floral dress was the perfect fit for my recent trip to California and can easily be worn on its own for a fancy dinner or paired with a fedora and jean jacket for a whole new outfit. Dresses don't always need to be colorful or full of patterns. This t-shirt dress is another comfortable choice that also pairs well with both outwear pieces. Lastly, I love a good one piece bathing suit. Not only are they so on trend right now, they also can serve as a tank when paired with jean shorts for a beach day. 

• Red Floral Maxi Dress
• T-shirt Dress
• Yellow Floral Romper
• One Piece Bathing Suit 

Shoes: 

If there's one place people go wrong when overpacking I think it's with shoes. They can be bulky and take up so much room in your suitcase. I love my Sperry boat shoes so these are always my first pick and are great for lots of walking, airports, etc. Always make sure you wear your bulkiest pair of shoes on the plane. A pair of sandals that are both casual and dressy is my other top pick. I hardly ever pack heels or wedges on my trips and think sandals pair perfectly with most any outfit. These hiking sandals are another favorite of mine. They've traveled with me on many hikes in Hawaii but are also great for a day on the beach. 

• Sperry Boat Shoes
• Dressy Sandals 
• Hiking Sandals 

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Accessories:

This is another area in which you want to avoid going overboard but a few good pieces can take you a long way. I love my leather backpack for traveling because it's such a simple hands-free option that allows you to fit a lot inside. It also makes a good personal item on the plane. A wicker purse is another favorite because it can be dressed up or down but I will admit it does get a little difficult to pack sometimes (always pack things inside). If you're short on space substitute with another basic clutch or leather crossbody bag. My fedora has to get packed every trip and I actually have two different colors of this hat from Amazon I love it that much. Packing tip when traveling with hats - fill the inside with smaller items such as undergarments and pack it face down with other softer items around the top to avoid squishing it. Lastly, you can't travel without a good pair of sunglasses. This pair was one of my most recent Amazon finds and come with a hard case with is great for throwing them in your backpack without having to worry about them breaking. 

• Travel Backpack
• Wicker Purse
• Sunglasses
• Fedora Hat