I have to travel pretty frequently for my job. Sometimes the work requires a quick during the week and home by the weekend trip. Other times, on larger projects, I have had to travel internationally for multiple weeks at a time away from home. From all the experience I have gained from hauling myself & my stuff all over the place I have learned just how valuable packing smart & packing light is to your sanity. And I think I have gotten pretty good at selecting just my few favorite pieces of clothing to bring and stretching their use though multiple outfits for multiple activities as I travel.
Soooo... I've been toying around with the idea of creating an Outfit Post recurring feature called, "One Suitcase." I will pick out a small capsule wardrobe for a particular trip and then put together a set of outfits that can be created from those pieces. And of course all the clothes, shoes & jewelry that I use will all be able to fit reasonably into a single a carry-on bag! Without further ado here is the first installment of Outfit Post's "One Suitcase" series - the Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe!
Post 1/8 - The purpose of the "One Suitcase" feature is to try to show you how you can pare down your packing list when you travel without sacrificing the number or variety of outfits you have for the range of activities your trip may entail. I have learned through trial and error (and the pain of lugging wayyy too big a suitcase) that by packing a few favorite & versatile pieces of clothing I can mix and match the items into a surprising number of outfit options. You just have to do a little planning up front. Hopefully the posts this week will show you my method and help you find the potential of the clothes you already have in your closet!
The method:
Fingers crossed that you guys enjoy this!!
All the posts in this series:
Soooo... I've been toying around with the idea of creating an Outfit Post recurring feature called, "One Suitcase." I will pick out a small capsule wardrobe for a particular trip and then put together a set of outfits that can be created from those pieces. And of course all the clothes, shoes & jewelry that I use will all be able to fit reasonably into a single a carry-on bag! Without further ado here is the first installment of Outfit Post's "One Suitcase" series - the Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe!
Post 1/8 - The purpose of the "One Suitcase" feature is to try to show you how you can pare down your packing list when you travel without sacrificing the number or variety of outfits you have for the range of activities your trip may entail. I have learned through trial and error (and the pain of lugging wayyy too big a suitcase) that by packing a few favorite & versatile pieces of clothing I can mix and match the items into a surprising number of outfit options. You just have to do a little planning up front. Hopefully the posts this week will show you my method and help you find the potential of the clothes you already have in your closet!
The method:
- Basics
- First I pick some basics pieces to lay the foundation for the trip. I
try to pick my favorite go-to clothes. Clothes I know I wear over and
over. The ones that go with almost everything. For me, this usually
involves laying out my black work
pants, my favorite jeans and a pair of super comfy flats.
For this capsule wardrobe I have chosen my black three piece suit (skirt, pants & jacket), grey sheath dress, favorite dark jeans, white button down shirt and a black ruffled tank top. - Interest
- Second, I add a few interesting pieces to compliment the subtle
basics. I look for pops of color or fun patterns that will make the
basic pieces more exciting. I try to grab items that will compliment
each other or at least be somewhat in the same color scheme. For me, I'd
usually go for a striped top, a dress, few colored cardigans and an interesting blouse
that would go with both cardigans.
For this capsule wardrobe I chose a print wrap dress, polka-dot pencil skirt, tie-neck blouse, pink t-shirt, striped shirt and two colored cardigans. - Accessories & Shoes - Finally, I
add some accessories to complete the outfits. Jewelry, belts and scarves
take up very little room and can dramatically alter how an outfit
looks. Unfortunately, shoes is the area I still struggle with. I always want to bring just one more pair. But I've learned to limit myself to only either blacks or browns (depending on my clothes) and then nude/beige shoes go with everything.
For this capsule wardrobe I chose three necklaces, one gold watch, black belt, black pumps and nude flats.

















Fingers crossed that you guys enjoy this!!
All the posts in this series:
- Introduction to One Suitcase & 14 Clothing Pieces
- Outfits 1-5
- Outfits 6-10
- Outfits 11-15
- Outfits 16-20
- Outfits 21-25
- Outfits 26-30
- Summary (all outfit in one image)
Already enjoying it! Yes, continue please! I desperately need this!
ReplyDeleteRose
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is about to explode on Pinterest, just wait!
Super neat!! I luckily only have about one big trip for work a year but I always stress about what to take and how not to over-pack! This will be an awesome feature!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect! I can't wait to use some of your tips!
ReplyDeleteThis is INCREDIBLE!!! I'd love to see what you would put together for a week in Disney World. I always struggle with being cute and still prepared for lots of walking and riding attractions.
ReplyDeleteI love this - thank you so much! I subscribe to fifty bazillion style blogs but no one ever addresses the work traveler (which I am!) So thank you, thank you! I'm so excited for this series!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how you will put these together. I also travle for work and need help in paring down what I take.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Everyone will find this very useful I am sure! Thanks for all the work you do to help us look better! :)
ReplyDeleteI am in LOVE with your blog and this new feature is to die for!! Thanks so much for sharing your style- you are my go-to each week and I'm so excited to see all of the outfits you'll create with these pieces!
ReplyDelete~Stephanie
Great idea. Can't wait to keep reading. Good thinking. We tend to pack way to much when we travel. I"m slowly getting better at packing. I too make a list and try to get as many outfits as I can out of the pieces I pack. But you are right you need to plan ahead and many people don't.
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
Such a GREAT idea - cant wait to see all of the outfits!
ReplyDeleteI see I'm late on the "great idea" committee but, I had to say it too. This is very useful! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your outfit inspirations! I dress better because of your blog. And it's more fun to get ready in the mornings, too. Was hiding until I saw another teacher comment. You made me realize I can be a teacher and still be stylish!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I hope you like it!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! Exactly what I've been looking for. Your inspirations are helping me pack for a 5 month study abroad trip! THANK YOU! I love the business casual post, and the beach trip post. Could your next One Suitcase be somewhere in between those two? Like Everyday Casual (for cold weather!) with a few extra special outfits. That's exactly what I need help with.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I have been trying to learn how to create a capsule wardrobe for work and casual. I feel like I wear exactly the same things over and over. Now I have a template to work with! From this post, I have figured out what things I need to fill in the holes. It is not as much as I thought! I have the blazer, black pants, pencil skirt, white blouse and colored cardigans. Now I can visualize how to mix and match things! Today I am wearing a black tweed dress with a bright red cardi that I have had in my closet for over a year and never worn together! Than you!! Keep it up! I also like your posts for what you are wearing.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you find the post helpful! I will try to do these as frequently as I can. I'm shooting for maybe a cold weather one at the end of February... :)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! please do continue with other wardrobes...
ReplyDeleteLovely! The selections for business casual attire are undeniably perfect! Though traveling has also been part of my job description, I have to admit that packing is a huge distress for me each time I get on a plane. Most of the time, my luggage would be more than I usually wear. My problem is I am not so sure about the pairs I selected so I tend to pack more. Thanks for these combinations. I’m more confident to travel now!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Will you do one that is more casual ie jeans, tops,& cardigans? Thanks so much for the help!!!
ReplyDeleteNow repeat this for the fall and winter months please! I can't get boots, tights, long sleeves, to work together well enough. help!
ReplyDeleteHope this helps! http://outfitposts.blogspot.com/2013/02/one-suitcase-winter-vacation-capsule.html
DeleteSo glad I found your blog. I have looked for ideas on how I could minimize my wardrobe since I wear my favorite pieces over and over again. I figured if I minimized my clothing to 30 pieces I should be able to have enough different outfits for the year. But it isn't working. Your blog is the closest to what I'm looking for. Any tips will be appreciated. Looking forward to reading the rest. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete