Spring Travel Capsule Wardrobe: How-to Guide and Inspiration -

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Spring is one of my favorite seasons, but it’s also one of the trickiest to pack for. One way to make it easier is by taking time before your springtime trips to curate a spring travel capsule wardrobe.

With a bit of intentionality, a few light layers and a closet fashion show or two you’ll have a confidently packed suitcase!

In this post you’ll find key principles and considerations for planning your spring travel outfits. I’ll recommend staple items, and a mood board of great pieces to choose from to add to your vacation capsule wardrobe. Let’s get into it!

Guiding principles for building your spring travel capsule wardrobe

woman kneeling in front of a mirror outside with raindrops in it. she is wearing goldish orange pants and an olive green raincoat.

If the thought of building a spring travel capsule wardrobe feels daunting, begin with these key principles:

Decide on a color palette

First and foremost, choose your color palette. You can’t go wrong with neutrals as your base. For a spring wardrobe, consider pastel neutrals for a softer look.

Building your capsule wardrobe around a unifying color palette helps you to be able to mix and match throughout your trip.

Adapt the 5-4-3-2-1 principle

Sometimes, it helps to have a structured starting point. The 5-4-3-2-1 method was popularized by fashion bloggers some years ago, and can serve as a great starting point for building your spring travel capsule wardrobe.

Traditionally, this consists of: 5 bottoms, 4 tops, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, 1 accessories set. Personally, this is not how I pack.

Usually, bottoms are what I pack the least amount of! But the beauty of this method is it’s entirely customizable based on personal style preferences, season, trip type, etc.

woman holding her phone to take a photo of herself in mirror. she is smiling, with her head tilted. she is wearing jeans, an olive green rain coat and a black crossbody purse as part of her spring travel capsule wardrobe

For instance, for a summer capsule wardrobe perhaps you’d pack 5 dresses, 4 tops, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 bottoms, 1 swimsuit… For a winter travel capsule wardrobe you’d probably include sweaters, a coat and winter accessories – just to give you an idea.

Depending on how much space you have in your luggage, you could also pack more or less than what the 5-4-3-2-1 method accounts for.

Build upon the method based on what styles you’re most comfortable in, the length of your trip, your trip type (ski, beach, sightseeing, etc), and the weather at your destination.

Inspiration for spring travel outfits

Here is a mood board with ideas for pieces to include in your spring travel capsule wardrobe. Aim to include a variety of styles, textures and colors (based on your palette) that can easily be mixed and matched to create different looks.

For details on staple pieces to include and additional guidance keep reading down below.

What to pack in your spring capsule wardrobe for travel

The mood board above is based on my personal preference for feminine and practical pieces, and you should definitely curate your own spring travel outfits based on your preferred style.

Here are the staple clothing items to consider including in your spring capsule wardrobe:

Tops

Spring weather can feel cooler some days, warmer on others. Be sure to check the weather at your travel destination to help you decide whether to veer more toward short-sleeves and tank tops or long-sleeves and light sweaters.

I recommend bringing at least one short-sleeve or tank top that can be used for layering as well as worn on its own. At least one dressier top, like a blouse or a nice sweater, will help you take outfits from day to night more easily.

On my most recent trip through Europe I brought along a couple cropped button-downs – one in white and one in pastel pink. I loved how perfect they were for throwing over dresses or simply pairing with jeans for a casual yet put-together look.

woman in beige tee shirt and dark jeans in front of an orange pillar with Japanese letters written on it

Bottoms

For me, jeans are a staple item. I bring one light and one dark-colored pair on most of my trips.

This allows me to mix up my looks day by day, and provides me a nice evening option with the dark jeans. Plus, jeans go well with everything so it makes mixing and matching a lot simpler.

Sometimes jeans are too thick, though. Other bottoms to consider including in your spring packing list would be trouser, skirts or even shorts if it will be warm enough where you’re headed.

When it comes to skirts, I’ve tried and tried but they just don’t work for me. I prefer to throw on a dress instead of finding a top that pairs well with any skirt option. To each their own!

Shoes

You’ll want at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes. Ideally these would be waterproof in case of spring showers.

You might also consider a comfortable pair of sandals – I wear Clark’s sandals because they’re the most comfortable ones I’ve found to walk around in all day.

I also always bring a pair of flats for evenings and dinners. They don’t always get worn, but I’ve had enough moments during a trip of wishing I’d brought them along that they are now a just-in-case travel essential for me.

Sometimes, you just don’t feel complete without a nice close-toed option for dinner. I never travel with heels and if you plan to, consider wedges for more comfort and ease.

Of course, remember to factor in your unique trip activities. Do you need hiking sandals or shoes? Water shoes? Pack accordingly.

Dresses

Dresses are my favorite travel-wear because they’re so straightforward. I opt for comfortable, sleeveless maxi dresses that are no-fuss so I can throw them on and be out the door.

They translate easily from day-wear to nighttime with a simple swap of accessories and shoes.

If your destination will be windy and a bit on the cooler side, opt for longer dresses. If it will be fairly sunny and on the hotter side where you’re going, mix it up with shorter dresses.

Just remember that if you plan to visit churches and cathedrals, you’ll want knees and shoulders covered on those days.

Coat

woman taking selfie, smiling and holding hand over eyes to shield from sun, wearing a scarf and a black leather jacket

Spring is trench coat season! Alternatively, you could go with a light leather or suede jacket as well.

Accessories

No wardrobe is complete without accessories, which can go a long way in helping you mix up the look and feel of repeat pieces.

Consider including a belt, your favorite jewelry, a hat, a pair of sunglasses, a crossbody purse and an umbrella. Lightweight scarves are another great addition for spring.

Final considerations

Once you’ve gathered all your pieces, don’t forget to try them on before your trip! Start by jotting down all your mix-and-match outfit ideas. I challenge myself to ensure that every piece of clothing I pack can be matched with at least two other pieces, if not more. Otherwise, it stays at home.

Next, try on all the outfit ideas you wrote down to ensure they look and feel how you envisioned them to. Throw accessories into the mix, too. While it may sound like a lot of effort, you’ll be glad when you’re on vacation and can confidently pick each day’s outfit.

Finally, remember that packing in this way – with an intentionally curated capsule wardrobe – keeps you from overpacking. Which means… more room for souvenirs.