Earlier this spring, I spent a week in London for work. While most of my days were spent in an office, I squeezed in every chance I had to explore the city. (Stay tuned for a full post on everything I managed to see in such a short span!) But first, I wanted to talk about something that surprised me even more than the sights: how much I loved what I packed.
For years, I’ve admired capsule wardrobes on Instagram and Pinterest — stylists and bloggers making them look effortlessly chic with one perfect trench coat or the right pair of jeans. The idea is simple: only invest in pieces you truly love that can mix and match seamlessly. Minimalism with style.
But I never quite got it to work for me… until this trip. For the first time, I managed to fit an entire week of outfits into a carry-on, with options for both work and play — and London’s unpredictable spring weather. Not once did I struggle with “what do I wear today?” and honestly, that felt magical.
Here’s how I made my London capsule wardrobe work:
Tip 1: Let basics be the star.
When I started packing, I laughed at how boring my suitcase looked. No bold prints, no “wow” pieces — just basics. Normally when I travel, my style is more adventurous than at home (where my default is a black bodysuit). But leaning into simplicity turned out to be the secret.
Here’s exactly what I packed, which gave me 12 different outfit combinations for work meetings and after-hours exploring:
- Bottoms: black trousers / blue jeans / black midi skirt
- Base layer tops: black tank top, white short-sleeved crop top
- Layering tops: black and white striped cardigan / oversized white button down shirt
- Black classic dress
- Outerwear: white trench coat / black cropped tweed jacket
- Shoes: black chunky loafers for the daytime / black pointed low heels for nighttime
Most of a capsule wardrobe will consist of basic pieces.
Tip 2: Stick to your color palette.
Your color palette doesn’t have to be boring, but it does have to be consistent. For me, it’s black with gold accents. All my jewelry is gold, and I like how cohesive it makes my outfits feel.
That’s why the jacket I packed (below, black with gold buttons) worked perfectly. If it had been silver instead, it wouldn’t have blended with the rest of my wardrobe, and I’d have hesitated to wear it.
When traveling, keeping to a color palette ensures that every item in your suitcase can mix and match. At home, there’s more flexibility, but when packing light, consistency is everything.
Know which colors and shades you like to wear.
Tip 3: Don’t settle for “almost”.
I’ve always loved the look of a trench coat — sleek, refined, timeless. Every blogger will tell you it’s a capsule wardrobe essential. But until this trip, I’d never found one that worked for me.
The coat I finally landed on (stone-cream, with black buttons) ticked all the boxes. It’s long enough to hide anything underneath, versatile enough for both office meetings and cocktail bars, and polished without being boring.
The key lesson? Don’t impulse buy a piece that’s almost what you’re looking for. It’s better to wait until you find the perfect version you’ll wear for years, rather than filling your closet with “close, but not quite” items.
Tip 4: Accessorize (Simply, but Intentionally)
Where would this simple outfit be without a belt?
Seriously, just cover up the gold buckle of the belt with your finger for a moment and look at the outfit. It suddenly looks way less put-together.
Accessories are what will tie the basic pieces together into something that looks intentional. The accessories I packed for this trip were:
- Black belt with a gold buckle
- Gold jewelry
- Purses (I brought two – this is where I failed to travel light)
- Black sunglasses
Don’t forget the final touches, or the all of the basic pieces in the outfit might not come together for a completed look.
Bonus Tip: Sometimes, the coat is the outfit.
London weather in the spring is mild but unpredictable (think mid-50s to low-60s), and I spent plenty of time outdoors. That meant my trench coat became the focal point of nearly every outfit. Honestly? I didn’t mind.
Even though I wore completely different outfits underneath, the coat tied everything together — and in most photos, it’s the only piece that really stands out.
If you’re a capsule wardrobe pro, none of this will sound groundbreaking. But for me, this London trip was a lightbulb moment. I packed less, dressed better, and never felt the stress of “what do I wear?”
Now that I know how well this system works, I can’t imagine packing any other way. Next time I’m headed to Europe, my carry-on will be ready — with fewer pieces, but more outfits.
