Radiant greetings to you!
Are you planning to travel this holiday season? I have some great packing tips for you. They all start with a well-organized wardrobe that works seamlessly together. I actually have fun packing now that I implement these strategies into my wardrobe.
Enjoy the newsletter and have a brilliant week!
~Tatyana
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You will find the “shoppable” versions of these looks at the bottom of the page.
Anti-aging colors: Today I talk about making monochromatic capsules to organize my wardrobe. Here’s an example of one in a color that I love and that loves me back: magenta. Which of your best colors do you love so much that you have an entire capsule dedicated just to it? If you’re not sure, keep reading and you might get some ideas in today’s article.
Flattering Capsule Wardrobe Basics: You’re never going to want to get rid of your favorite sweaters, high-quality outerwear, and well-fitting trousers in your favorite colors. Super fun and super sustainable.
Impactful Accessories: Chunky statement pieces to bring a little extra light to the darker seasons.
Most People Pack Wrong For Winter Travel But These Sustainable Style Secrets Will Change Everything
Winter travel packing used to drive me absolutely crazy. After years of hauling overstuffed suitcases through airports and still somehow never having the right things to wear, I finally cracked the code. It happened during a particularly challenging winter trip to Nashville a few years back when I found myself with a suitcase full of clothes but nothing that actually worked together that worked well for the various occasions I needed to attend.
That frustrating experience led me to completely rethink how I approach not only packing but my entire approach to shopping, closet organization, and wardrobe management. This has been especially helpful when packing to travel to cold-weather destinations. The solution isn’t about more clothes – it’s about a wardrobe that’s easily mixed and matched.
Let's talk about how this actually works.
First things first: the capsule wardrobe concept. If you're anything like me, the word "capsule" might make you break out in hives. I'm definitely not a minimalist—quite the opposite, actually. I wish it weren’t so, especially being a sustainable fashion writer. But here's the game-changer I discovered: choreographing multiple capsules in which all pieces work seamlessly together. Think of it as “color capsules”.
When your core pieces work together seamlessly, you suddenly have countless outfit combinations without overpacking. The key is starting with your biologically correct colors—those shades that make your skin look alive rather than washed out.
For my cool-toned clients, this usually means working with jewel tones, clear blues, and crisp pinks. Warm-toned folks tend to shine in coral, turquoise, and those gorgeous warm reds. The difference in how these colors affect your appearance is actually mind-blowing.
Another beautiful bonus to focusing on building capsules around tones that most flatter your face is that they usually also look amazing next to one another.
There are a couple of ways I organize my capsules. First, I do have basics in neutrals such as navy, black, and beige (not as many in charcoal and brown). These can be mixed and matched with any of my monochromatic capsules. When wearing neutral basics, I usually snag a piece from my color capsules depending on the occasion and mood because I just don’t like all-neutral outfits.
I also have a few monochromatic capsules based on my most flattering colors because I love monochromatic outfits. (Please reach out or check out www.lightlovescolor.com to learn which colors might be best for your undertone.) Mine are pinks (a whole range from fuchsia to magenta fits here), another one is royal blues, and one more I recently added is the cool reds. To make a monochromatic capsule, all garments such as pants, skirts, tops, and jackets must be mostly made out of fabrics in the same color family. I learned a long time ago I could never be ok with a minimalist capsule wardrobe, but this hybrid capsule approach gives me lots of options and it means I can appease both my creative, fun side and sustainability. I have clothes that are unique, high-quality pieces in each capsule. It’s a lot of fun to get dressed when you always have something that suits the mood and occasion.
Packing A Trip Capsule
Where most people go wrong when it comes to packing is they pack their favorite “outfits” without considering how they'd all work together for a multiplication effect. My favorite packing tactic is to pack a capsule of elevated pieces that all work together. They’re also chosen based on color psychology, comfort, and care requirements (I’m not trying to bring a bunch of ironing on vacation).
Because winter travel is truly unpredictable, let's briefly talk layers. The trick is to think in terms of texture and weight. Start with the softest, most breathable pieces closest to your skin. I'm talking about the ever-elegant light merino or cashmere sweaters and high-quality, non-iron button tops. Then build outward with increasingly structured pieces.
This approach completely transformed my business travel wardrobe. Instead of packing bulky sweaters that take up tons of space, I now rely on lightweight layers that can be mixed and matched effortlessly.
The real magic happens with accessories. This is where you can completely transform a basic outfit without taking up much suitcase space. A bold necklace or vibrant scarf in your perfect colors can make even the simplest outfit look intentional and pulled together.
“Care for your clothes, like the good friends they are” – Joan Crawford
Article Continued…
Comfort = Style
But here's something that took me way too long to learn: comfort doesn't mean sacrificing style. Actually, the opposite is true. When you're comfortable, you naturally carry yourself with more confidence. That's why I always recommend slightly stretchy fabrics for travel clothes—they move with you instead of fighting against you.
The tailoring piece is crucial too. Nothing ruins a potentially great outfit faster than poor fit. I learned this the hard way during a conference where my supposedly perfect blazer kept riding up awkwardly every time I reached for my coffee. Not exactly the polished look I was going for.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead makes all the difference. I know it sounds obvious, but hear me out. Instead of throwing things in your suitcase the night before (guilty as charged), try laying out your outfits and actually trying them on. You might be surprised by what works—and more importantly, what doesn't.
Those packing cubes everyone raves about? They're actually worth the hype. I use different ones for different categories—one for tops, another for bottoms, and so on. It keeps everything organized and surprisingly wrinkle-free. (Here are the ones I have from Amazon.)
Don't forget about your travel outfit. This isn't just about comfort, though that's obviously important when you're stuck in a plane or car for hours. Your travel outfit should work with the rest of your packed clothes and might actually have some of the bulkier items to save suitcase space. I learned this after one too many trips with a random travel outfit that didn't match anything else I brought.
The toiletries situation deserves its own mention. I've found that even the most perfectly planned wardrobe can fall flat if you don't have your key styling products. Travel-sized versions of your favorite products are worth the investment. Nothing worse than trying to style your hair with whatever random hotel products are available.
Remember, sustainable style isn't just about choosing eco-friendly materials, though that's certainly important. It's about building a wardrobe that truly works for you, reduces waste, and makes you feel confident no matter where your travels take you.
These changes have completely transformed how I pack for winter travel. No more lugging around massive suitcases filled with clothes I never wear. No more outfit anxiety when I reach my destination. Just a well-thought-out collection of pieces that work together effortlessly.
Of course, this is just what works for me after years of trial and error. Your perfect packing strategy might look different, and that's totally fine. The key is finding what works for you and sticking with it.
The best part? Once you figure out your system, packing becomes almost enjoyable. Almost. Let's not get too carried away here.
Share your favorite packing tips with the community in the comments below.
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“Just In Case” Items… Do or Don’t?
If left to your own devices and without workable strategies, I would tend to overpack. I noticed a sneaky way that it happens: it’s those little "just in case" items. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who does this! I think we all tend to have them. You know the ones—that sparkly top you might need if you randomly get invited to a fancy dinner, or those cool shoes that don't really go with anything but might come in handy. Trust me, they usually just take up valuable space. I guarantee if you pack a capsule that all works together, there won’t be any need for a “just in case” item.
I'm packing for a winter trip soon, so this article was very needed! I use similar strategies for warm weather trips :)