Minimalist Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe for Packing Carry-On Only 

ByNausheen Farishta
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Need inspiration for a minimalist winter travel capsule wardrobe? 

As someone who primarily travels carry-on only, I’ve got you covered. I’m the one friends usually look at and exclaim, “wow, you packed so light!” After multiple successful packing experiences, I’m confident that I’ve mastered the art of curating a minimalist winter travel capsule wardrobe. 

It may not be the most glamorous, but it will also save you from the embarrassment of lugging massive bags across cobblestoned paths or stairs in various destinations. I call that a win, so let’s get into it!

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Packing Your Minimalist Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe

First things first, what are we actually packing all of this into? Depending on the length of your trip, you could manage with either just a backpack, or a backpack plus rolling carryon. 

I’ve done both, although typically winter packing tends to take up more space than packing for warmer destinations or months.  

My go-to travel backpack has become this Lubardy one that opens like a suitcase and fits SO much. For a 2-week trip to Oaxaca City, combined with some Mexico City travel, I took only this and it worked out perfectly. 

Often, I also bring along my American Tourister rolling carryon. What I love about it is that it’s slightly bigger and more spacious than the average carryon but still qualifies. Usually. 

If your trip includes flying some smaller, budget airlines (like the ones in Europe) you might need something smaller. In that case, you might consider this Wrangler. 

Key Pieces for Your Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe 

Here are the basics you should include – a series of items that can easily be mixed and matched. Keep in mind, you should plan to wear your thickest clothes on travel days (instead of packing them up). 

Depending on how harsh the winters are in the destination(s) you’re headed to, you may want to adjust or choose warmer / lighter versions of each of these items: 

Jeans

The easiest travel piece, especially if you already tend to wear jeans a lot in your daily life. I always bring one lighter wash pair that’s more casual, and one darker wash that works well in more formal situations. 

If you’re headed somewhere really cold, you might add a pair of corduroy jeans as one of your options. Depending on the length of your trip, you may also be okay with only one pair of jeans. 

I’ve rarely (if ever) been in situations where I needed more than two pairs even when traveling for months at a time. 

Fleece Lined Tights 

One pair of fleece lined tights (or leggings that look like tights, essentially) can do double duty. For one, you can layer these under your jeans for added warmth. On milder days, you can wear them on their own under a long sweater or sweater dress. 

Sweaters 

Depending on the length of your trip, pack 2-4 sweaters. It’s best to pack sweaters you already love and feel comfortable wearing if you have them.

We tend to want to buy new clothes for our trips (at least I do), but I’ve found that when I bring my favorite clothes with me it’s easy for me to wear them confidently over and over again. 

Still, if you’re newly building out your wardrobe or wanting an update here’s what I recommend.

sweater and scarf combination for minimalist winter travel capsule wardrobe

Go for mostly neutral colors, as they’re much easier to mix and match. I like to have 1 thin, black cardigan that I can either layer over one of my thicker sweaters if needed, or wear on its own over a tank top on warmer days.

It’s of course, also a good idea to include 1-2 slightly thicker sweaters. Go for options that fit well, and would be easy to dress up or down. 

Make one of these a more brightly colored, or patterned, sweater for a bit of variety. Since you’re wearing these over jeans, mixing and matching won’t be as big of a challenge. 

Finally, you might consider bringing one longer tunic sweater that can either be tucked into jeans or worn over your leggings. This offers a bit more variety in your wardrobe. Alternatively, you might bring along a satin dress that you could wear over leggings, and under one of your sweaters to create a skirt look. 

Play around with some options to find what you feel most comfortable in – that’s the key. The more comfortable you feel in the clothes you pack, the more likely you will be to actually wear them and ensure their usefulness! 

Sleep Set

Be sure to bring something comfortable to sleep in. Shorts or thin yoga pants and a tank top can pack up pretty small. Bring a tank top to sleep in that you would also feel comfortable wearing under any of your sweaters, as an additional layer if needed. 

I don’t recommend sleeping all night in your fleece lined tights (from above) if they’re tight, so be sure to bring separate bottoms you can sleep / lounge in that also don’t take up too much space.

Scarf

I never travel without a scarf. It’s so versatile, and it’s easily wearable so you don’t have to worry about finding room to pack it up. It’ll keep you warm on flights and trains, and it can add to the look of any outfit. You could also wear it as a wrap, use it as a blanket or as a pillow. 

Definitely bring one along. You could choose an oversized scarf, or something like this one depending on your preference. 

Undergarments

This varies so much person by person, but I’ll give you my personal tips. Again, consider the length of your trip and how often you plan to do laundry to determine how much of these you want to pack. 

For bras, bring at least one nude/white colored one and one darker/black one depending on the tops you’ve packed. You may only need lighter or darker colors based on the color scheme of your sweaters and how sheer or thick they are. 

Waterproof Jacket 

back of woman with open green umbrella and open coat looking at colosseum in Rome

I recently visited Paris in February and brought only a wool blend pea coat. Overall, this served me alright for most of my trip through wintertime France. However, I wished I would’ve instead brought my waterproof, fleece-lined coat. 

The exact one I have doesn’t seem to be available anymore, which is a shame because it served me well on months of winter in Europe in a previous year. I also loved that it did so without being too bulky. 

Here is a similar option instead.

Comfortable Walking Shoes 

Especially in winter, you can pack pretty minimally on shoes. For sure bring a comfortable, waterproof and grippy pair of ankle boots. These continue to serve me so well. 

And consider also bringing a comfortable pair of sneakers. When you’re doing a lot of walking day after day, it can feel really nice to give your feet a break from one shoe to another. Trust me, it does make a difference. 

Another benefit is that even waterproof shoes sometimes need a day or so to dry off. Having a second pair keeps you comfortable and dry. 

It also gives your wardrobe a bit of practical variety, and helps you adjust to normal winter shifts between milder and colder days. 

I tend to bring my Allbirds because they’re very packable and light. But if you do the same, note that they’re not the best to wear on rainy days if you’ll be walking on any sort of cobblestone paths – they tend to be too slippery then. 

Don’t forget socks!

Winter Accessories 

On a visit to Lucerne in winter, I ended up buying a headband to keep my ears warm. It was necessary! So, know that you always have that option – to get what you need at your destination. 

But if you’d rather be fully prepared in advance, be sure to bring: a hat or ear band, gloves, an umbrella. 

Additional Essentials for Your Winter Packing List 

woman smiling at camera, sitting at a cafe in Lisbon

In addition to your wardrobe, don’t forget:

  • Sunscreen – the need to apply doesn’t go away in winter! This one’s my favorite, and I layer it over this primer that I originally grabbed in Paris but repurchased online
  • Sunglasses – as my optometrist recently reminded me, “even on cloudy days!” Protect your eyes with polarized sunglasses.
  • Jewelry – but minimalist. I travel with one, maybe two pairs of studs that go with everything and maybe one necklace that does the same. Sometimes I’ll add a statement earring because these are small and easy enough to pack yet still offer a lot to an outfit. 
  • Anti-theft crossbody purse – a non-negotiable. Here’s mine. 
  • Portable travel charger – another non-negotiable. Here’s mine. 
  • Adapters – if you’re traveling internationally, don’t forget about this. I like these because they offer multiple ports (USB, plug) so you can bring less of them with you. 

Final Thoughts on Curating a Minimalist Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe 

There are so many wonderful winter travel destinations out there for you to explore. Packing light, although it can be challenging at times, will ultimately help you have a more enjoyable experience. Edit this minimalist winter travel capsule guide however you like to fully suit your preferences, and enjoy your travels!

Nausheen is a solo female traveler who is passionate about travel as a way to increase self love and confidence. She focuses on slow travel and bouts of digital nomadism, and has experience living abroad across several continents. As a post-divorce, South Asian woman in her 30s Nausheen aims to empower fellow women of color in particular to live life on their own terms. She shares travel itineraries, tips and inspiration on her blog and social media channels.