Back in the early days of this blog, I would share my style wish lists at the start of each season. If you weren’t around during that time, those posts were exactly what they sound like: a round-up of garments I considered purchasing at that time.
While I love looking back at those lists, and many of those garments eventually found their way into my wardrobe, I don’t know whether they hold much value to you as a reader (and given fashion’s vicious cycle, they certainly don’t hold their value over time). So this spring I thought I’d try something a little different: today I’m sharing a selection of twelve travel-ready spring pieces as an inspirational travel capsule. And not just twelve garments, but twelve sample outfits made from just those twelve pieces.
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I love sharing my real-life packing lists with you all and will continue to do so, but I have to admit I really enjoyed putting together this round-up for you! Lately, my eyes have been drawn to a more flirty silhouette, but as much as I love a hint of skin or a puff sleeve, they don’t always translate well to traveling light.
Certain sights require, say, covered shoulders or knees to enter, and puff sleeves make it difficult to layer (something that’s essential when you’re only bringing a few items!). So with each piece, I’ve sought to balance out timelessness while nodding to the current trends, all with a sense of practicality. I’ll share a little about each piece and why I chose them, twelve fun combinations, and a few bonus accessories too.
Looking for some packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
A quick note before diving in: because the cycle of fashion is spinning faster than ever, it’s likely that these products won’t be around by next spring. But chances are, you already have something comparable in your wardrobe. I hope that this fun exercise inspires you for your next trip!
SPRING TRAVEL CAPSULE
Boatneck Tee | You probably already have a white cotton tee in your wardrobe, but if you’re looking for something a little different, this boatneck version could be a strong contender. The neckline isn’t as wide as a traditional boatneck, but it still has that gorgeous face-opening effect. The longer sleeve length is a little unexpected, but since it still reads as a short-sleeve shirt, it’s primed and ready for layering.
Silk Cropped Tee| Spring is silk’s time to shine! There’s no time spent worrying about sweating through and ruining the fabric (though I personally always wear a tank underneath, just in case). And the cropped length of this tee is very of the moment, playing well with high-waisted pants and denim. For my color-loving friends, I went with this stunning dark rust instead of the expected black – and I kind of love it too.
High Rise Mom Jeans | (Yes, you read that right – these jeans are from A&F). I couldn’t send a spring capsule wardrobe out into the world without a pair of light-wash denim. They’re the ultimate in casual comfort – and the distressing brings them down to earth even more. These jeans are just begging for a fun day popping in-to funky thrift stores on your trip.
Two Piece Halter Dress* | Promise you won’t get mad? This dress is actually two pieces (hey – you promised!). And it’s not just two pieces that can be worn separately, but the skirt is reversible as well. So really, it’s like having a dress, a top, and two skirts all in one. I suppose I could have made an entire packing list out of versatile pieces like this, but that felt a bit like cheating…
Cotton Cardigan | Spring nights can still get a bit chilly, so this cotton cardigan would certainly come in handy. It’s more versatile than a jumper as it can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned, and since it’s made from cotton it will keep you cool and comfortable in the sunshine too. As an added bonus, I’ve seen several people successfully wear this cardigan with the buttons in the back.
Barrel Pant* | It’s clear my mind is somewhat stuck in these days of early Spring; although many of the garments are light and breezy, this capsule is geared toward the days of April and May. Depending on the Junes of your climate, you may be better off swapping these pants for a pair of shorts or a skirt. But until then, these pants do a great job toeing the line of both a straight and slim-cut silhouette.
Trench Coat | I love a good trench coat (and in fact own this in the gingham pattern – size down!), and spring’s unpredictable showers make it an essential packing list piece. This version is a bit on the longer side, which makes it perfect for wearing on a long international flight. Best of all, no matter how hard I try, I can’t get this thing to wrinkle. It’s basically magic.
Pointed-Toe Mules | These mules read like warm-weather shoes but have the security of a closed toe. Thanks to its insole this pair is antimicrobial, and the upper portion of the shoe is made from plastic water bottles – and I dare say a lot more attractive than many other knit shoes (plus, you can save $10 with code WAYWARD).
V-Back Jumpsuit | It’s the little details for me. This pima cotton/modal blend jumpsuit is buttery-soft, and I love the swishy wide leg. Adjustable straps and a back panel make it bra-friendly, and the signature gold stud is like a small piece of jewelry. The tie at the waist makes this style a bit more elegant while remaining approachable.
Low Top Sneakers | All great packing lists need a simple sneaker, and for this round, I chose a low-profile option. If you’re new to wearing sneakers, this one is a great place to start. With minimal stitching, limited branding, and a matching sole and upper, it’s easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe.
Convertible Crossbody [save 20% with code WAYWARDBLOG20] | I don’t usually count bags and accessories as part of a capsule, however, I felt this particular group of garments didn’t need another piece added in – so I’m counting this purse as one of my twelve items this time around. This bag takes the form of your current favorite purse, whether that’s a crossbody, belt bag, clutch, or shoulder bag. It also includes a built-in wallet and a zippered pocket for added security. Plus it comes in this goes-with-everything neutral with an interesting woven texture.
Button-Down Shirt | This oversized button-down is perfect for wearing long and drapey, or cinching at the waist by tucking or tying the ends. The kale color seems to have the magical ability to be read as a green-green, or as an earthy neutral. It may not be the most exciting piece on this list, but I think it serves a necessary purpose.
SPRING TRAVEL OUTFITS
The key to many of these outfits is layering – and the versatility of many of these garments plays a huge role in the ability to create so many combinations (there are many more possible combos – I just picked my twelve favorites!). A fairly cohesive color palette also helps, with light neutrals serving as the backbone. The shoes chosen here can really change the entire vibe of the outfit – switching the sneakers for the flats in many cases takes it from a chill daytime look to evening-ready.
BONUS: FOUR FUN ACCESSORIES
I’d be remiss if I skipped over the large impact accessories can have when you’re traveling, and they take up very little room. Since we’re now bearing our arms again, a bracelet is a fun outfit addition.
Reversible belts kind of get a bad rap, but they’re perfect for traveling. This belt* switches from black to brown and has the most perfect, simple square buckle.
Bandanas can be so useful for traveling (I even wrote an entire blog post about them!), and this one comes in a sweet, springy floral. Keeping with the lighter tones, this hat is made using bleach straw and a lovely leather band – and best of all, it’s packable!
*this item is no longer available and a similar product is linked
Enjoyed this post? You may also like:
- All of my Packing Lists
- Choosing the Right Jewelry for Travel, Featuring GLDN
- I Tried Quince for the First Time and I Have a Lot of Thoughts
- A Cozy Fall Haul from Pact
- Home Try-On: Three Packable Straw Hats Under $100
- Mott & Bow Denim Review
- A Review of the Everyday Chelsea Boot from Nisolo
- Three Ways to Style the Perfect Block Sandal from Sarah Flint
- All of My Everlane Reviews
- Traveling Hands-Free with Parker Clay
- A Review of the Melia Flat from VIVAIA
- A Review of Cuyana’s Classic Leather Zipper Tote and Tote Organization Insert
- Three Outfits for the Spring of Deception from American Giant
- Review: The Clara Shirt Dress from Wool&
I’d love to know what you think about this type of post – if you found it helpful (or unhelpful), would you mind leaving a comment? It will better help me tailor my content for the future.
