Packing exercise: 3x3 Capsule for Scotland in Autumn

this is pretend, I’m not going to Scotland at present.

Dee’s wonderful post about visiting London got me to thinking. I have historically overpacked for traveling. I have also historically not done well planning capsule wardobes. I do have a uniform of sorts for dressing. But I can’t overthink it or it all becomes a tangled, sad mess in my brain.

Still, her 3x3 capsule travel wardrobe intrigued me! So, I decided to test myself. I’ve always wanted to travel to Scotland in the autumn with my dearest. So, I took this as a time to come up with a week long, 3x3 capsule. I didn’t look up all the rules. I simply went by Dee’s one photo which looks to be, 3 tops, 3 toppers, 3 bottoms. To this I added two pairs of shoes and accessories. I show a few examples of things, so note that the photos show more than 3 items each. The poncho collage is for colors and certain elements, not for the exact outfit and shoes. I also included a few mood photos because I can’t help myself ha!

Colors: wine, chocolate, camel, olive, charcoal. Band tee and puffer can be any coordinating color for variety and ease.

3 bottoms;
Long maxi dress or skirt
Two pairs of skinny pants

3 tops:
Band tee
Turtleneck sweater
Hoodie or another sweater (likely a handknit sweater too)

3 toppers:
Short jacket or vest
Lightweight mid length jacket/cardigan/vest
Packable waterproof down puff jacket

Insulated boots for walking
Dress booties for evenings/dinners

Extras:
Thermal base layers, worn as pajamas and extra layers for warmth.
2 camisoles.
Bras and panties.
Socks.
2-4 each, assorted knit hats and scarves.
Two inexpensive eyeshadow palettes in dark autumn colors. (Yay, Maybelline!) I am showing these because I honestly wouldn’t travel with expensive makeup and it fits the color theme.
Couple pairs of earrings. (Not shown)
Olive purse. (Not sure it would be leather or this exact one, likely not.)

I actually feel I could be quite happy with this capsule. And that surprises and intrigues me massively! Have I nailed down my style that much?! Or was this just easy because I love Scotland and did a lot of research? I have no idea. Just going to revel in it anyways. :}

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1 month ago

Star

Veteran

Interesting, fun exercise. I would probably go with one topper and add two items to the tops, so 5 tops in total. One would have to be sure it is a totally versatile topper. I could definitely make it work with 2 pants and a skirt. As I said to Dee I prefer a 4X4. Yes to two pairs of shoes and one purse.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Nice! The first time I tried a 3x3 travel capsule was for a September trip to Ireland that was about 2 weeks long. Every single item worked with every other item in the capsule, so I had, what, 27 outfits? 2 pairs of shoes to alternate. It worked beautifully, except one pair of shoes ended up being a lot more comfy than the other, but I had no foot problems from over-wearing the good pair. I have used this basic idea ever since then for travel, though I'm less strict about every single item going with all the others, and it serves me very well. Curiously enough, I don't approach my overall wardrobe with the same capsule concept. Not deliberately, anyway. I think I do it intuitively, though, pretty consistently.

Oh, and I love that wine bouclé moto jacket!

Dee

Ouu… looks like a beautiful colour palette for a pretend trip to Scotland in the fall. I think you have come to understand your own style preferences very well.

I found the 3x3 packing grid so helpful in getting me started with what to take for my trip. Before using it, I was floundering with what would go with what, and I was mixing myself all up. The basic flow of the grid really helped in getting the colour palette down and after that I found it quite easy to add a couple of wild card items to go along with it all.

Btw- I also defined toppers to be anything like a sweater vest, hoodie or pullover in addition to the usual idea of toppers being cardigans or jackets.

Ket

Star, I may have overdone the toppers?? I think I could tweak the tops and toppers a bit more, really. Probably could use 1-2 more tees/blouses, tbh. I do think 4x4 would be easier in some ways, but I didn't mind this either. It got my creative juices flowing.

Sharan, Oh wow! I love hearing a real world example! 27 outfits... wow! It sounds like it served you well and then some. Now I kind of want to travel just so I can try it out, haha! That boucle Moto jacket has long been a favorite of mine. I wish I could find it or make one in real life. I'm not sure if boucle is a good texture for me?? (Still figuring out what kind of textures I can wear and handle.) But I do really love the jacket a lot.

Dee, "I think you have come to understand your own style preferences very well." this is so so well said! It's probably why I have floundered before maybe with travel packing and such?? I definitely felt more able to approach it now versus even a year ago. RE: toppers. That is a good point. I maybe would tweak things more with the tops and toppers. 1 tee isn't a lot even for a week.

Lisa

Beautiful capsule wardrobe for fall. I enjoy practicing with capsules, it always brings to mind a new outfit combination for me to try. And it helps me to refine and really understand my style. When you're working with a capsule, and you want everything to coordinate together and create outfits, you're forced to really identify what colors and styles you enjoy best.

For example, you're capsule leaned heavily on jackets and vests, versus being say 3 different cardigans. And there are no button downs (no blouses, shirts, or flannels). These could be things to guide you with your current style preferences next time you go shopping for fall clothes. Based on this capsule, I'd say you aren't interested in layering cardigans and shirts/blouses for fall.

And that bag in #15 is amazing!

Joy

I have packed and worn a similar capsule in Ireland. I was cold in the wind and rain. I bought an umbrella there and wore enverything at once on the west coast. It was early sping with daffodils blooming and windy..

Lisa, these are such great points and insights!! I actually like the idea of doing more pretend capsules to see what I find!

I'm not sure how indicative this is of my real wardrobe? I worked I really threw this capsule together very quickly before my kiddo woke up. And I mostly chose Pinterest images I loved, versus hunting down photos of items I wear a lot and would wear there. (If that makes sense?) For instance, I actually really would love to include a flannel plaid button-down shirt. However, I would feel like a cliched tourist wearing plaid in Scotland lol! (I am of deep, long Scottish ancestry to boot, and it's probably not a deal there-- but still... ) I wear a lot of layering cardigans at home. (I just finished knitting a new one this summer.) I think it will be more useful to track down items closer to what I really wear or bring along for future capsule practice. So thank you for a good point!

The bag in #15... I'm actually considering asking my husband for it for my birthday this year!!! I have downsized to a small clutch with the bare essentials, so worried I wouldn't use it as much as I think I would? But gosh, it calls to me every time I see it.

Joy, your trip sounds just gorgeous!!! What a wonderful time! Also, great reminder about an umbrella. Scotland rains a lot, so I should consider that if we ever do travel there.

SarahD8

ohhh yummy!!! Our color palettes are different but I'm also using Scotland as inspiration for this fall (you're shocked, I know. I heard they have moors there?!?!?). Taking notes...

Sarah, I'm totally shocked (okay, not ha!) What would you pack for the moors and cities of Scotland?? I once consulted with an image consultant. She told me Lord Of The Rings Elven was my vibe, especially for winter. I feel she would tell me the same with say, Outlander. While I didn't channel that for this specific capsule, but that is something I would love to make a little capsule for!

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