Ultra-minimalist Travel Capsule - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Ultra-minimalist Travel Capsule

geargirl

I really enjoy reading about all the YLFer's travel wardrobes. I love planning what I will wear on trips and seeing how others pack! Everyone is so inspiring, so I thought I would share my CRAZY minimalist travel wardrobe to add to the conversation.

Who: I went on a trip with my DD, my friend and her 2 DDs.
Where: London and Paris for a week in the spring.
What: LOTs of sightseeing, on and off planes, trains, taxis, subways, etc.

I knew we would be doing a lot of schlepping of luggage, and I worried my DD would tire out, and I would have to carry HER luggage as well as my own, so I decreed that we could only carry one backpack each.

On the plane I wore:
black lace up shoes (Mephisto)
dark jeans (BR)
black T shirt (ExOfficio)
black fleece jacket (Patagonia)
black raincoat (Lands End)
blue scarf

In my bag I carried:
grey pants (Loft)
white T shirt (ExOffico)
black cardigan (BR)
(undies and socks)
and a Tshirt to sleep in
toiletries (quart size bag)
knitting (14 hour flights!!)
iphone

Photo 1 is a polyvore to show y'all because I'm very visual! Not actual items though.
Photo 2 shows what was in my bag (grey pants, white shirt, black cardi, blue scarf) at tea in London. I'm the one with glasses.
Photo 3 shows what I wore on the plane (jeans, black shirt, black jacket, plus a new scarf) at Versailles!

True confessions: I practiced! I wore my clothes at home, washed them in my sink, and dried them over night to see if this would work! The ExOfficio shirts really do dry in a few hours!

My style is "basics plus a fun scarf" so I felt fab and I was grateful for my lightweight bag.

Am I crazy? Would you try it?

p.s. This is my first post! (nervously waving "Hi") Thank you to the YLF community for being so supportive! I've really enjoyed becoming more involved.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Vicki

Makrame

Veteran

Welcome! This capsule sounds great! I am taking notes.

Some of the items look similar to what I took on a European trip last year (especially the cross-body bag). I love Ex-Officio for travel. The only thing I try to avoid is washing clothes in the hotel sink but if it makes the luggage light, may be I should try it.

Andie

Did anyone ask you why were you were in all dark colors? Cos I love your concept and will try it next time I travel! A colorful scarf makes the difference! I must say what you have done makes it all sound so easy to do as I have a tough time picking outfits for travel. Will keep this in mind for my next trip!

Ginkgo

Veteran

Wow, you are really disciplined! This is timely for me as I'm leaving for a two week trip to Europe in a couple of weeks and plan to take just a carry-on. Don't think I can go quite this minimal but you've inspired me to cut back.

Wonderful photo -- you all look very stylish and happy!

sinead

What a great first post!! I think you did a brilliant job with your travel capsule and glad to know about the Ex-officio tops. You're really proving how little we really need to travel- and accessories are the key, aren't they? I think this is why I was always so bored with my wardrobe before YLF- a very basic wardrobe only works well with them and I just never bothered to add the scarf or necklace. And I think you look stylish and wonderful in your photos!

Gaylene

Veteran

My husband and I also did a "minimalist" trip a few years ago to London and Paris in May. Our trip lasted four weeks. Since I knew we would be travelling by plane, train, and subways, I wanted to make sure that my luggage was very easy to transport. I used a small backpack-- the size that most college students use to transport a portable computer-- and a medium size Longchamp's tote to carry everything.

My plane outfit was almost exactly the same as yours, except I took a cotton jacket instead of a fleece. My bag held a pair of dressier black pants, 4 tops (one dressier), a skirt (which I wore only once and could have left at home), a black sweater, a light-weight windshell and a pair of black Romika heeled sandals. I also packed a minimal toiletries kit, a couple of scarves, a sleep T/shorts outfit that I also used for lounging about in the room, a change of undies, and small clutch. I did wash out my tops and undies in the sink each night, which only took a couple of minutes.

That wardrobe took me to plays in London, dinner in Paris, walks along the Thames and Seine, through Versaille-- you name it. I always felt appropriately dressed and loved not having to haul luggage around with me. I still had room in my pack for a few souvenirs like a bottle of perfume, a new scarf, and a small painting.

That trip taught me how liberating it can be to travel light. Packing and unpacking took only minutes and I could spend time planning what I was going to do during the day instead of trying to decide what to wear. And it was so nice to be able to just get off the plane or train, move quickly through the crowds, and jump onto the subway or bus without having to cart a suitcase around. It also meant that we could check out of the hotel, go to a cafe for lunch, and then leisurely travel to the airport or train station instead of worrying about cabs and luggage.

But I will admit that I couldn't look at any of those clothes for quite a while after we got back home!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi, back. Great capsule - I would do this for a long weekend but I'm not sure about a longer trip.

jayne

Veteran

What a great capsule. Clever!

I have to try this when I go for a weekend!

Anonymous

That is AMAzing Geargirl! What a great first post. This kind of light travel reminds me of a website called http://www.onebag.com. It's pretty extreme, but it really makes you think (especially about toiletries) and why our bags sometimes end up weighing so much. Your trip sounds incredible. Are these clothing items reserved for travel or do you wear them as part of your daily life?

Kim

Veteran

And I thought I was doing good to go away for 5 days with "just a carry on bag"...(My dh was amazed at me however...LOL

You are my hero! Welcome!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I fantasize about travelling like this but I have never quite managed to make it work. Somehow I always end up with extra odds and ends that weigh me down (usually phone/computer chargers!). Good job!

Diana

Veteran

Wow this is impressive! I am a very light packer, but I don't think I could manage this. My problem is shoes - I always have to have at least two pairs (so one on my feet and one in the bag) because my feet are so fussy, I can't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row if I'm doing a lot of walking.

Beth Ann

Veteran

This is a terrific first post -- and very timely to me! I was lying awake last night trying to plan a capsule for a trip to Michigan (OK, not as glamorous) next week. Since we're driving, I won't require such a "minimal" approach, but I love seeing how well you did on so little. The scarf managed to carry the load of brightening up your face.

Look forward to seeing more of your posts!

JulieJohn

Veteran

Wow, Geargirl, I love this! Your travel wardrobe is so streamlined and sensible, yet the scarves and the great fitting essentials make it fabulous! Your first post? You display the class and style of a seasoned fabber.

I did a similar minimalist packing job recently, though it was only for a three-day weekend trip to San Diego. I knew we would be doing lots of sightseeing, walking, it was in summer (hot), I would be sweaty and not so fab. So I wore/packed three shirts, one casual skirt, one pair of shorts, and one pair of Keens which are an excellent walking sandal. It was heavenly to be so unencumbered. I felt like a kid again. And as Gaylene mentioned, it was really easy to get dressed in the morning! Another great learning experience, brought to you by YLF!

Anonymous

Wow, you are inspiring! Fabulous first post!!!

I am all about food, so I'd need at least one dressy dress and pair of heels for restaurants. But you're making me think hard about everything else!

rachylou

Veteran

That is awesome! I too am taking notes and have to check out ExOfficio. I had abandoned all hope re. quick dry stuff.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a gorgeous travel capsule and a wonderful first WIW! You look completely put together and radiant. And you really show it is possible.

Like Alicat, I always want something a bit dressy for meals out or other events like that, but I am taking rapid notes for two upcoming trips, believe me! One to China/Vancouver (three climates in 3 weeks, yippee!) and one to England in the spring.

This is helpful and I will be coming back to it!

Carole

Veteran

Wow, you did an amazing job! I think the key here is that "you felt fab". Travel capsules always fascinate me, not sure why, but I think it's such a good exercise to determine what is essential and perhaps that can help in creating the perfect small but functional and fab wardrobe.

Love the pictures!

Anonymous

Welcome, geargirl! This is exactly the way I pack no matter how long the trip is, including an entire 3 months of travel in Europe. At is so liberating when using local trains, etc. to be able to carry one's own bag easily. Now we do it out of necessity because bad hearts and bad backs do not allow for heavy luggage. I am no longer allowed to even lift a carryon to the airline overhead bin and people get unhappy if you want help. I wear the heaviest items.
We swear by those travel folders to hold and condense most clothing, and the mesh cubes for undies. Everything can be neatly organized in a backpack or duffle and arrives pretty much wrinkle free. I also wear lots of black, and on a long trip one can get very tired of wearing the same thing, but the ease is worth it. Scarves are essentials.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

LOVE THIS!!!! going to favorites right now

i have been the mondo-overpacker since i was a tot. I grew up with two parents and two sibs, and got a lot of teasing for it. Also, the abashed visits on the QT: "um, do you have an extra pair of socks/underwear/aspirin........." from the oh-so-superior light packers

but i've been a fan of ultra light packing for decades now, and am slooowly making progress. Here's two posts where i document much lighter packing:

http://dashingeccentric.blogsp.....psule.html

http://dashingeccentric.blogsp.....psule.html

being able to pack lightweight items that wash and dry quickly is key. I sew a lot of my own clothing and this winter i plan to make a few 'wash and wear essentials' in dark colors that will work well foro this.

Here's a great article by a pro travel writer on what he packs for ALL of his trips. Fortunately it's online - i still have the newspaper travel section i first read it in from june 2006. I TOLD you i love this stuff!

http://www.sfgate.com/default/.....to-2659653

Thank you geargirl for doing the polyvore and writing this up for us! You look so chic and radiant in your photos, and what a bunch of adorable travel companions steph

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

p.s. how cute is the young lady on the right in pic 3? beret, bob, striped top and leggings, converses!!! perfection. steph

geargirl

Hi all! Thanks for replying! I really appreciate everyone’s positive feedback. While I’m not shy IRL, it is a stretch to put myself out there in the “digital” world!

Makrame-
For some reason I like doing the laundry in the sink…my DH thinks I’m crazy, but I have a pretty sensitive nose, and I hate carrying around “stinky” clothes. :p
Andie-I normally wear dark on the bottom and color on top plus a scarf always. I think this is because I’m such a “pear”! I tried to keep things as simple as possible for this trip. I like to put the thought into my clothes ahead of time, so I don’t have to think about it on the trip!
Ginkgo-I definitely don’t recommend going this minimal under normal circumstances. If I had traveled with DH, I would have needed some “going out” clothes, and he would be available to carry the heavier bags! It is an interesting exercise to see “how low you can go” though. It was awfully fun traveling with the girls! They were a blast!
Sinead-The truth about the scarves is that my neck is always cold. It became my “signature” look by accident! The ExOfficio tops surprised me by how well they worked. I really didn’t think they would look as good and dry as quickly as they did, plus they didn’t get stinky-something I am sensitive about…(TMI) That is why I wore them at home to test them!
Gaylene-You and I are on the same wavelength. That is exactly what I would have done for a longer trip! You must have had an amazing time!
Jayne and Caro-You are right! This is exactly what I would bring for a weekend! See Gaylene’s reply above for what to bring for a month. ☺
Clearlyclaire-I’ve studied the onebag website, and I actually really loved the “no luggage” challenge! (http://www.rtwblog.com/) Vicariously traveling through other’s adventures is so much fun! That is why I love reading about travel capsules. I “save” the Exoffico tops for my travel and hot weather capsules. The rest is everyday wear. The scarves are “me”.
Kim-My DH is the opposite and wants me to bring more! He’s a bit of a maximalist!
Mander-I too packed my kindle, ipod, and iphone…then I realized I could put everything I really needed just on my iphone. That was (the hardest)part of the challenge!
Diana-the shoes were the only ones that would have worked for this. The rest of the clothes were built around them.
BethAnn-If we are in the car, I pack everything! Plus a separate duffel for the yarn I plan to knit! Have a great trip! Promise me you’ll post pics of your outfits. I’ve never been to Michigan.
JulieJohn-Thanks! I love Keens too. Perfect for a trip to San Diego.
Alicat-No DH on this trip, so I could slide by with no fancy clothes…Oh boy, though, the food in Paris is soooo good. Even in the casual little Bistros…and the girls are still obsessed with going to fancy “teas” that they discovered in London!
Suz-Thank you! I would love to see what you end up packing. For 3 climates: Layers, layers, layers. And comfy shoes. Please post what you think you’ll pack! Also, I think the right accessories will elevate basics into “going out” worthy. A statement necklace or a string of pearls with the white top and black cardi would have worked, but my DH likes something a bit more sexy…sigh.
Joy-I agree. A sore back is a great way to ruin an amazing trip. That is what I was worried about when planning this one. Great minds think alike!
Mrs.Eccentric-I’ve been lurking on your website and reading your YLF posts for quite awhile now. (“Hi!”) I love the work you’ve done with Suz! I’m also a fellow SF Bay Area girl. I think the biggest challenge to minimalist packing is the “wash and wear” part. The new “technology” in clothing (fabric) seems to help as I can’t get 100% cotton clean enough in the sink. Are you able to find “technological” fabrics to sew with? Thank you for sharing your links! You are my hat hero! I wear something similar when the sun comes out. Don’t you think limiting your clothing options sometimes inspires greater creativity with the options you have? You seem to embody that ideal.
And the girls! They were SO funny! People were stopping them on the street in those berets! They had an AMAzing time. Great memories! As you said…perfection.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

This is so helpful! Thank you so much (and welcome). I'm going to Paris with my daughter next month, and this seems to be very much what I should be packing. I've added your post to my favorites now!

Ginkgo

Veteran

Love your photos! And an all-girl trip is such a great idea, especially at this age.

cheryl

Veteran

What a wonderful travel capsule. Fantastic pics. Thanks for sharing

JR

Veteran

Okay, I concede defeat. I thought I travelled relatively light, but you have outdone me by a mile. In my defense, I have an exceptional gift for spilling on myself, so I really have to have a little more back-up.

DH travels that light, but with less thought, and he often finds himself short of some essential. You should give him lessons.

anne

Veteran

What an interesting thread!! Geargirl, I thought you would look like you are wearing gear the whole time, but you don't!! Well done

Claire and Steph, I really enjoyed reading the links you provided!

Kyle

Veteran

Great post. As a frequent traveler, I am all about minimalist packing, but you have me beat. I used this suitcase for years (billed as world's most lightweight), and I can lift it into an overhead bin with one arm: http://shop.heys.ca/ProductDet.....Code=xcase. Just love that. I finally wore through my first one after many years and need to replace.

Love the photos and I'm happy your travel strategy worked out so well for you. Looks like a great trip.

Kyle

Veteran

Oh, one more thing. I make myself a packing list. Some of the things are standard from trip to trip, and others are customized depending on location, nature of the travel, etc. By thinking through what I'll wear in advance, it helps minimize what I need. Also, I don't stress about forgetting things -- you can always buy. The only thing I worry about is making sure that my shoes are no-fail comfortable and versatile. That's a key.

Susie

Veteran

I'm glad to hear others love reading about packing too!

On our summer vacation, DH and I both packed in convertible/backpack suitcases and we still overpacked. My problem is thinking that I need lots of different outfits when in reality I could have worn things more than once.

12