The space-saving strategy to keep your suitcase packed with fashion, but not overpacked.
Vacations are made for relaxing, so don’t start off your summer trip with packing stress. And checking a bag at the airport can definitely be a stress-inducing experience. Not only does checking luggage take time (and money!) at the airport — especially when you’re traveling internationally — but many airlines have come under fire in the past few years for losing passengers’ bags during layovers.
So how do you stick to only a carry-on, but still feel like you can show off an array of exceptional outfits on your holiday away? Enter the capsule wardrobe. It’s a small, highly curated collection of clothing items you can mix and match to create multiple unique outfits during your trip. It has the dual purpose of streamlining your choices and ensuring that every outfit is chic and easy. So whether you’re on a romantic trip to the Amalfi coast or a girls’ getaway to Paris, you’ll feel confident and put-together.
When curating your own travel capsule, it’s essential to be discriminating about every piece, and plan ahead about where and when you’ll wear each item. If narrowing down your packing list sounds overwhelming, we’ve got good news: Talbots has every item that should be on your packing list, from clothes to shoes to accessories. That includes items that fit the small-bag criteria in terms of fabric and construction: Skipping items that need to be dry-cleaned or heavily steamed, leaving bulky or structured clothes at home, and foregoing anything that requires special undergarments (like a strapless bra). We know it’s a lot to keep in mind, so we’ve done the work for you with a packing list that’ll suit a weekend away, a weeklong vacation, and everything in between… so you can keep calm and carry-on.
The Main Staples:
White Denim Jacket
Talbots Classic Jean Jacket
Why we love it: No matter how trends change, a denim jacket will never go out of style. A white jacket is perfect for summer, and this fitted version will keep you covered during sunset cocktails and early-AM sightseeing alike. It’s also a great layer for your travel day.
How to wear it: This will be the top staple in your travel wardrobe, since it goes with everything. Pair it with a casual or formal dress, shorts and a T-shirt, or any other outfit that needs an extra layer.
Neutral One-Piece Swimsuit
Talbots Sun Ocean Sand Tie-Waist One Piece
Why we love it: This suit is almost universally flattering — it offers solid coverage without looking dowdy, and navy blue looks good on pretty much everyone. Plus it’s got an adorable little nautical belt, and has SunWell UPF 50+ protection. It’s the only suit you’ll need, no matter the length of your vacation.
How to wear it: Since it’s in a neutral color, you can wear this suit every time you lounge by the pool or take a dip in the ocean. Just switch out your jewelry and cover-up for a different look each time.
The Dresses:
Neutral Shirt-Dress
Talbots Linen Fit & Flare Shirtdress
Why we love it: Like most of the items on this list, this dress can look completely different depending on how you style it. The neutral olive color allows you to get creative with colorful accessories, and the loose fit will keep you comfy during a multi-course meal or a lengthy city stroll.
How to wear it: For a casual look, wear it with cute sneakers and simple jewelry. For a more elevated vibe, pair it with statement sandals or low heels. You can also add a belt and big earrings to take it up a notch.
Patterned Formal Dress
Talbots Birds & Palms Voile Fit & Flare Dress
Why we love it: Whether you’re on a 3-day or 10-day getaway, a statement dress is a must. This one is soft and unstructured, so it can easily fold into your bag — and it’s machine-washable, so there’s no need to worry about finding a dry cleaner in a faraway destination.
How to wear it: This dress is deliciously summery, and the striking pattern means it’ll work well with any neutral sandals or heels without compromising on elegance. When it comes to jewelry, pair it with large bangles if you’re looking to make an extra splash.
Breezy Cotton Dress
Talbots Crochet Trim Nantucket Slub Side-tie Dress
Why we love it: This dress is lightweight, easily packable, and a beautiful color — just pop it on and you’re set for the day. The wrap-tie at the waist also gives it more elegance than a plain shift.
How to wear it: This fresh color will look fab with a white denim jacket and gold sandals — but it can also be thrown over your bathing suit for walks to and from the beach.
Multipurpose Jumpsuit
Talbots Lightweight Woven Stretch Wide Leg Jumpsuit
Why we love it: Unless your vacation plans include numerous sweat-inducing workouts, there’s no reason to go overboard on packing sportswear. You’ll feel comfortable and beautiful in this lightweight jumpsuit whether you’re exercising or sightseeing.
How to wear it: Pair it with sneakers for an active day, or wear it with dressy sandals to a seaside brunch.
The Tops:
Basic White Tee
Talbots Seychelles Roll Cuff Crewneck Tee
Why we love it: This is an item you might actually want to bring two of, since you’ll likely wear it often. The cuffed sleeves on this tee add extra interest, making it stand out from your run-of-the-mill classic white shirt.
How to wear it: This can go with any skirt, shorts, or pants in your suitcase. The white will keep you cool on warm days, and the simple style will draw attention to your favorite jewelry if you’re wearing it out on the town.
Dressy Long-Sleeve Shirt
Talbots Satin Charmeuse Utility Shirt
Why we love it: While we know you’re going to spend many a day having low-key fun in the sun, it’s important to include some pieces that look and feel upscale. We love this top because the silky material will make anything you pair it with look chic, but it’s machine washable, so there’s no need to fret if you spill a sip of sangria.
How to wear it: We love this top with white jeans and wedge heels — it’s a fun and youthful combo, and is elevated without making you feel overdressed.
Sleeveless Linen Top
Talbots Sleeveless Linen Boyfriend Shirt
Why we love it: The shorter sister of your linen shirt dress, this is a vacation staple. It’s the chameleon of tops: It’ll look elegant coming back from the spa or heading out for salsa dancing. Plus, the material will keep you cool while protecting you from the Mediterranean sun.
How to wear it: Throw it over a bathing suit during the day, or over white pants for a classic beach-chic look at night.
Multipurpose Workout Top and Skort
Talbots UPF 50+ Piqué Sleeveless Polo and Tech Piqué Wrap Skort
Why we love them: Whether you’re playing tennis at the hotel or on a lengthy walking tour, this color-coordinated top and skort are picture-perfect. The top is also made of sun-protective material that’s great for high UV days when you want to avoid getting scorched, and the flamingo design is so retro-cute.
How to wear them: This polo top doesn’t scream “athletic,” so you can wear it with jean shorts or a skirt if you’re going for a preppy-casual look.
Beach-Chic Tunic
Talbots Embellished Palm Tunic
Why we love it: This tunic will breathe some old-school elegance into your vacation. The vibrant color and delicate embellishments will have you turning heads with your Palm Springs style, no matter where your travels take you.
How to wear it: Wear this over your navy suit for a bit of beach glamour, or with a pair of white pants for a sunset sail.
The Bottoms:
White Jeans
Talbots High-Waist Straight-Leg Jeans
Why we love them: Like your white jacket, these pants will pair well with every top in your suitcase. Since they’re jeans, they’ll give you a bit more warmth if it’s slightly too cold to wear a breezy dress.
How to wear them: The great thing about white jeans is their versatility — they’ll look preppy and nautical for a beach stroll, but also look much more dressy than blue jeans if you want to wear them out to dinner. For a more casual look, wear these with an oversized button-down, or dress them up with a form-fitting patterned top.
Shorts
Talbots Roll Cuff Cargo Shorts
Why we love them: Cargo shorts are making a comeback this summer, and frankly we couldn’t be happier. These have a simultaneously utilitarian and polished look that you can dress up and down, and the functional pockets are a definite bonus. This pair is loose enough to help you avoid chafing on even the hottest days, and they’ll give your legs a breath of fresh air.
How to wear them: We like these best with a casual button-down and sneakers, but you can also easily throw them over your bathing suit and wear with a pair of sandals.
Bold Versatile Skirt
Talbots Birds & Palms Canvas A-Line Skirt
Why we love it: Limiting the items in your suitcase doesn’t mean avoiding anything bold and fun. After all, you’re on a fabulous vacation, so you should pack high-impact items you might not include in your everyday wardrobe. The pattern of this skirt is eye-catching, but the casual silhouette will allow you to get creative with the rest of your outfit.
How to wear it: Wear with sneakers or casual sandals and a white tee for daytime, or with an oversized, tucked-in button-down and wedges for cocktail hour.
The Accessories:
Summer Belt
Talbots Slim Leather Belt
Why we love it: Belts — they’re not just for keeping your pants up! This tan one is a great staple because its color pairs well with anything else you could pack, and the unobtrusive size gives shape without distracting from your larger outfit.
How to wear it: Adding this belt is the simplest way to transform a casual dress into cocktail attire — and the altered silhouette will make it appear like you’re wearing an entirely new outfit. You can also wear it with white pants and a white top for a crisp, eye-catching vibe.
Patterned Scarf
Talbots Underwater Vision Oblong Scarf
Why we love it: A scarf might be the most versatile accessory. Wear it around your neck, as a headband, as a belt, or even as a hair covering, à la Roman Holiday.
How to wear it: You’ll feel like a movie star with this scarf holding your hair back as you peek above your oversized sunglasses on a poolside chaise lounge; or make a neutral dress pop by adding it as a neckerchief.
Summer Statement Earrings
Talbots Beaded Starfish Earrings
Why we love them: These earrings are giving us some major nostalgia with their ‘90s preppy summer vibes, and even though the shape is bold, they’re neutral enough to go with any outfit.
How to wear them: These are a fun addition to any patterned dress or skirt, but also a simple way to dress up a shirtdress.
Small Simple Hoops
Talbots Bamboo Texture Hoop Earrings
Why we love them: These little hoops are petite and feminine and can elevate even the most casual outfit — and they’re neutral enough to wear over and over (and over) again.
How to wear them: Unless you’re opting for a dramatic jewelry night, we suggest keeping these earrings on for your entire trip.
Small Statement Earrings
Talbots Thread Wrap Statement Earrings
Why we love them: These earrings are striking, but not so heavy that you’ll be desperate to take them off after an hour. The beads give these more flair than other drop earrings, and they’ll brighten up your outfit if you want to opt for darker-colored clothing.
How to wear them: White and gold are major themes in our capsule wardrobe, so even though these earrings are unique, you’ll find you can wear them with almost anything. We love them paired with a simple dress and gold sandals to tie the outfit together.
Beautiful Beach Bag
Talbots Straw Tote
Why we love it: While this is an absolute classic beach bag, the coral color will make it stand out, especially if you’re using it with one of your neutral outfits.
Where to wear it: This can — and should — be your “everywhere” bag. Yes it can serve as a beach bag, but you can use it as a daily shoulder bag, too. You can also pack it to the gills on the plane as an extra space-saver, and the top zipper means your passport will be secure as you make your way through customs.
Sunglasses
Talbots Jane Round Sunglasses
Why we love them: Sunglasses don’t just have to be for protecting your eyes — they can be a beautiful accessory all their own. Finding the right frames to flatter your face might seem impossible, but trust us: This shape looks great on everyone.
Where to wear them: This sea-glass color is gorgeous and practically made for an ocean backdrop. But they’re still neutral enough that you can wear them anytime you’re basking in the sunshine.
The Shoes:
Gold Slide Sandals
Talbots Hannah Metallic Vachetta Slides
Why we love them: Nothing says “summer vacation” like a pair of gold sandals. The metallic finish gives these some edge, so even though they’re super comfy, they look more fashionable than utilitarian.
How to wear them: The sleek shape and finish won’t draw too much attention from an eye-catching patterned dress or skirt, and they’ll also scale up a more casual outfit like shorts and a white tee.
Lightweight Wedges
Talbots Royce Cork Wedge Sandals
Why we love them: When the day (or night) comes where you want some lift, these will be your go-to shoes. Since they’re wedges, they’re much more comfortable than traditional heels, and the cork soles make them light as air.
How to wear them: These wedges will look great with any dress in your wardrobe, but will also complement white pants by adding a bit of earth tone.
Plain White Sneakers
Talbots Brittany Knit Sneakers
Why we love them: Simple white sneaks are casual, cute, and comfy — and classic for a reason. Need we say more?
How to wear them: These sneakers work with athleisure, a casual dress, a jumpsuit, or anything in-between.
