Below (pics) is a sample of outfits created from my travel capsule (in finds) and thoughts on how it worked out.

Crunching the numbers. 27 items in the capsule created 10 different mix and match combinations, plus slightly dressed up combinations for dinner. The capsule was accessory heavy - 4 hats and 4 scarves, 3 bags, 3 footwear - so in reality 13 garments for a 10 day winter trip. Here is what got worn.

Dark wash jeans - worn 4 times

Light wash jeans - 3 times

Black pleather trousers - 3 days + extra (evenings)

red wool sweater - 2 times
black turtleneck sweater - 1 time (2 day travel outfit)
black wool sweater - 2 times
green turtleneck - 2 times
beige turtleneck - 2 times

Black skirt - 1 time

Plaid wool coat - everyday
Lightweight beige puffer - 7 times

Sneakers - 5 days

Burgundy boots - 5 times
black dress flats - 5 times

The only unworn items were a red skirt, bathing suit, one pair of socks, and some undies. The scarves and hats all got worn. I probably didn’t need as much variety as I packed, but it was fun to change things up daily - especially because I wore the same coat every day.

The one thing I didn’t bring that I needed was really warm mitts. I brought gloves, but they weren’t warm enough. I did find some wonderful German made sheepskin lined leather mitts at a Christmas Market in Koblenz. There was one pair, in red, in my size! I bought them, and put them on right away! (Photo #8)

In conclusion, I would say the capsule worked perfectly. Dress was casual on the cruise. A lot of jeans, but a nod by some (maybe 1/4?) to dressing up for dinner. I felt like I fit in with the environmental norm - both on the ship, and in the urban environments amongst the population. Carrying a bag instead of a backpack was one thing that made me feel less like a tourist. The checked cloth coat I wore was uncommon, but I did see 2 similar whilst out and about. Also saw berets everywhere though beanies (and bare heads) were more common.

The wardrobe heros; Uniqlo heat tech undershirt, two lightweight wool sweaters (warmer than the cotton ones), and the faux leather pants. The pants were warm when out and about, and with a change of footwear to low heeled pumps, hit just the right level of ‘dressy’ for the evening meal and activities afterward.

What I would do differently: because it really was cold, and DH and I were very active - staying out for six hours at a time - was bring my mid-thigh burgundy puffer instead of the plaid coat, purely because it is physically lighter than the wool check.

We dock shortly for one more visit - Dordrecht. Tomorrow we depart from Amsterdam for Toronto, then train home!