As we head towards summer, the same conversations start to come up with clients.
“I need some new holiday clothes – what shall I buy?”
“How do I stop overpacking?”
“What’s the Sudoku packing method?”
“I just want everything to go together!”
And interestingly, many women who tell me they struggle getting dressed day-to-day are actually better at packing for a holiday. Without realising it, they’re creating themselves a capsule wardrobe because:
They plan outfits before travelling.
They think about colour combinations.
They choose versatile pieces they can re-wear.
They avoid packing completely random items.
They end up wearing far more of what they take away.
Unlike many generic capsule wardrobe articles and advice online, holiday packing is more intentional, personal and practical. There’s usually a reason and a plan behind what goes in the suitcase.
For many women, their holiday wardrobe actually feels easier to wear than their everyday wardrobe at home – usually because it’s been chosen more intentionally and picked with purpose.
The Appeal Of A Capsule Wardrobe
In my experience, many women like the idea of a capsule wardrobe because they want simplicity and ease when getting dressed. But the minimalist “own less” approach doesn’t always feel realistic or comfortable for them.
If I’m honest, what they really want is:
– less overwhelm
– fewer shopping mistakes
– clothes that work together
– easier outfit choices
– more confidence in what suits them
– a wardrobe that feels more “them”
Who doesn’t? That’s often why capsule wardrobes have become the must-have for many.
The idea of opening your wardrobe and feeling like everything coordinates sounds incredibly appealing, especially when life gets busy or your shape, lifestyle or confidence changes. It’s also why many women become frustrated. They feel like everyone else has somehow cracked the code and there must be something wrong with them because their wardrobe still doesn’t feel easy.
There isn’t. It’s all rather normal in fact. A lot of capsule wardrobe advice online is still too generic. It’s one of the reasons I originally ran capsule wardrobe workshops before later creating my on-demand Capsule Wardrobe Masterclass and guides – many women wanted help creating a wardrobe around what actually suits them rather than following a generic formula.
The Problem With Generic Capsule Wardrobe Advice
You’ve probably seen the articles: “10 timeless essentials every woman needs.” “The summer capsule wardrobe checklist.” And, “Every woman should own…”
The problem is, there’s no such thing as one universal capsule wardrobe.
A white shirt or T-shirt that looks effortless on one woman is likely to feel completely wrong on another. The beige trench coat will look so chic on one, then drown another. A neutral-coloured wardrobe may work beautifully for someone, but leave another woman looking washed out and feeling flat or boring.
The same applies to:
– body shape
– colouring
– proportions
– personality
– lifestyle
– climate
– comfort
– and how you actually spend your time
Many women don’t struggle because they “have no style” or they’re “too old”. They struggle because they’re trying to build wardrobes based on someone else’s formula which doesn’t work for them.
Why Holiday Packing Works Better
When packing for a holiday, you naturally become more selective. You don’t have the space, or suitcase-weight to pack everything you own. You’ll often pick your favourite pieces, or items which will specifically suit how you’ll actually be spending your time. They have a purpose, you enjoy wearing them and, you have a weight-limit!
Often, you’ll give what you’re taking more thought. You might even have a try-on. Sometimes, you even give yourself a bit more freedom because “you don’t know anyone there”. You’ll pack for comfort, for ease and what suits the climate. It’s fascinating really – because what you’re actually doing for that two weeks of the year, is what you could also be doing at home for the other 50.
Even packing methods like the popular Sudoku packing approach are really based around the same principle: creating multiple outfit combinations from fewer pieces.
And when it works well, it creates ease and less overwhelm. It highlights how much easier getting dressed can feel when your wardrobe has more intention to it.
A Good Capsule Wardrobe Should Feel Like You
This is the part many articles miss.
A capsule wardrobe shouldn’t strip away personality or leave you feeling restricted.
It should contain:
– your most flattering colours that suit your features
– styles which work with your body proportions, height and scale
– clothes which suit your lifestyle, preferences and needs
– work for your personal style and how you want to dress and feel good
– items which reflect the reality of your everyday life, as you spend it now
Because the goal isn’t to own the “right” items according to a checklist. It’s to create a wardrobe where more things work together and make getting dressed feel simpler, more enjoyable and where you feel more confident.
For some women, that starts with understanding their colours properly. For others, it’s understanding shape, proportions, fabrics or shopping habits. Sometimes it’s simply learning how to stop buying disconnected pieces that never quite earn their place in your wardrobe.
It’s about getting to know yourself a little better too.
What Your Suitcase Says About You
If you’ve successfully packed for a holiday and found yourself actually wearing the majority of what you took, then you’ve already experienced the foundations of a capsule wardrobe. One created with intention that actually works for you.
That’s usually the difference between a wardrobe that simply looks good online and ticks the boxes, to one that genuinely works for you in your real life.
If you’re struggling to work out what really suits you, my colour and style consultations are designed to help you gain clarity and understand what works for your colouring, shape, style and lifestyle. Appointments are available to book over the summer.
And if you’d prefer to take a more independent approach, my Capsule Wardrobe Masterclass and guides are designed to help you build a wardrobe around you rather than a generic formula.
Find out more here: https://www.tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk/product-category/guides/