Stumped on how to pack for your next long weekend trip? Learn to travel in style step-by-step with Personal Stylist Los Angeles Meg Gallagher’s guide on how to pack a weekend trip travel capsule wardrobe!
We’ll cover all the bases from dressing for the plane ride, to city walks and evenings out.

Keep reading for Meg’s Ultimate Fall & Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing Guide, her Travel Wardrobe Essentials Must-Haves Shopping List and tips and tricks for planning itinerary-based outfit ideas.

A Common Packing Mistake: The Problem with “Wearing All-Black”

If I’m going out on a trip, I want to feel fabulous. How on earth do you do that with a limited wardrobe?
A typical mistake I see clients make with their capsule wardrobe is packing an all-black wardrobe in an attempt to avoid figuring out what to wear. For many, black is comfortable for avoiding stains and wrinkles, along with sticking to the idea that it “pairs with everything”. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to walk around in all-black travel clothes. Purchasing a bunch of pieces in one color not only feels boring, but looks boring. It’s a mindset that’s all about playing it safe. It’s time to dispel the habit of hiding away in all-black clothing!

What I do believe in is traveling comfortable and chic. For beginners, a capsule wardrobe can easily be achieved by limiting yourself to coordinating neutrals and select easy-to-pair classic colors like red, pink or blue. There are so many options these days for versatile, anti-wrinkle pieces to include in your travel wardrobe. Sticking to a few classic pieces that can mixed and matched, as well as built up or down with accessories keeps you from not packing too much or too little.

Start with breaking down your itinerary.

Where are you going? Are you headed to New York or Paris, where everyone dresses up? Or a casual mountain lodge with friends where loungewear, denim and sweaters will be appropriate? Don’t look like a tourist! A simple search on instagram or google will give you a good idea of what people typically wear at your destination.

Don’t forget the weather. Check the weather before your trip to figure out what kind of layers you will need.

What’s the itinerary? Break down your itinerary and determine the outfits you’ll need throughout the day based on your activities.

Will you have time to change? If you’re going from a city walk to a nice dinner or evening out, you’ll want to make a decision on whether it’s feasible to go home and change, or if you’ll need to plan out a day-to-night transitional outfit by bringing alternative accessories or shoes, a removable sweater or shirt over a dress, etc.

Can you wear the same thing twice? Think about access to laundry machines, the amount of physical activity and walking you’ll be doing, which pieces could get sweaty or dirty, and whether you’d want to wear the same outfit twice to determine how many outfits you’ll need to pack.

A 4 Day City Weekend Sample Itinerary:

DAY 1: Flying to your Destination and Dinner
Travel Look: 2-Piece Knit Set and sneakers.
Once you arrive to your hotel, you change into your dress with jewelry, a coat and ballet flats and head to dinner.

DAY 2: Sightseeing at museums, walking the city and shopping.
Sightseeing Look: White tee, denim, ballet flats or sneakers and coat.

DAY 3: Meeting friends for lunch, then going to the theater in the evening.
The Day to Night Look: Re-Wear your Dress from Day 1 with a sweater layered over the top. Remove the sweater and swap for a wrap, then add jewelry for theater look.

DAY 4: Brunch and fly home
Travel Look 2: Re-wearing your Sweater, Denim and sneakers.

How many pieces were used? Only Ten:
2-Piece Knit Set 
White Tee
Denim
Dress
Sweater
Coat
Wrap
Sneakers
Ballet Flats
Jewelry

The Travel Capsule Wardrobe Packing List

Here is a great list to jumpstart your minimalist travel capsule wardrobe.

–Light to Mid Weight Coat (that can go from day to night)

–A Top Layer (cardigan, sweater, hoodie, sweatshirt)

–Dress or Jumpsuit (for dinner looks)

-2 Piece Knit Outfit 

–Versatile Pants/Bottoms (knit pant, denim, trouser or midi skirt)

–Versatile Tees/Tanks (if they get sweaty, you switch it out)

–Button Down Shirt (to layer with clothing and change up your look)

–Sneakers

–Shoe for Evening (ballet flats or ankle boot)

–Crossbody Bag (that converts to clutch for evening) 

–Scarf/Wrap (for airplane and potentially as a wrap for evenings)

–Accessories (the easiest way to change up your look)

Shop Stylist-Approved Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobe Pieces:

Light to Mid-Weight Coat

Pack a light to mid-weight coat (determined by your destination’s location and projected weather) that’s versatile and easy to throw over denim and t-shirts, along with dresses and skirts. Aim for simple, oversized neutrals that are easy to layer and wear over thick knit tops and sleeves. We love double faced wool coats, relaxed leather jackets and cape jackets for Fall 2024!

Top Layer (Cardigan, Sweater, Hoodie, Sweatshirt and/or Button Up)

Use a top layer over tees, tanks and dresses to change up your outfit:

Pants or Skirt (Knit Pant, Denim, Trouser or Midi Skirt)

We love these basics for travel!
The Ruti Ultimate Barrel Jean is both comfy and not an overly exaggerated silhouette.
The Effortless Pant is a low maintenance trouser ideal for travel.
The Westport Brushed Pant is a sophisticated pull-on pant with a comfortable waistband ideal for plane rides and traveling around the city.
The Flannel Midi Skirt is another favorite that gives the same versatility as denim or a trouser, but in the form of a packable skirt.

Dress or Jumpsuit for Dinners and Evenings Out

Pair or layer over these dresses/jumpsuits with cardigans, sweaters, button ups and sneakers for days out. Dress them up with accessories and flats or booties for evenings and going to dinner.

Two Piece Travel-Friendly Knit Sets

Versatile two piece knit sets are great for plane rides and sharp casual outfits, along with mixing and matching into other outfits. We suggest purchasing a set in a neutral or easy-to-pair color way:

Tops (a Tee, Tank and Knit)

Mix your basic tees, tanks and knit tops with denim, trousers, skirts and more. Check out our favorite chic basics that open the door to endless outfit ideas on your trip:

Sneakers

We love a great sneaker that pairs with trousers, dresses and denim for plane rides and days full of walking the city. We suggest this year’s hottest sneaker, the Adidas Sambas, or Veronica Beard’s elevated slip-on Valentina Sneaker:

Shoe for “Everything” (Day to Night Shoe)

Pack a shoe in addition to your sneakers that you can walk around in and wear to dinner. Ballet flats and booties are great choices for Fall 2024:

Accessory Essentials (Multi-Purpose Bag, Scarf/Wrap, Sunglasses, Jewelry)

Personal Stylist Meg Gallagher loves this pocket scarf from Lafayette. It’s a blanket for the plane, and an extra layer to throw on while walking around on nights out, or at dinner. You can even keep your phone, glasses and AirPods in the pockets!!!:

Use this great belt as a versatile accessory to dress up denim and trousers, or for belting coats and dresses:

The LV Pochette Coussin Bag is a versatile 3-way hybrid bag, converting from shoulder or belt bag during the day to a clutch for evenings out.
The Mango Black Shopper Bag is a versatile large bag that’s useful for carrying city essentials, umbrellas, and more on shopping and exploring days out in the city:

Here are some great examples of packable trend-right versatile jewelry and accessories that can change and elevate your outfit while not taking up any space in your carry on bag:

Want more great styling tips? Check out more of wardrobe stylist Meg Gallagher’s blog posts here!