The Art of Packing Light: A Luxury Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Pictured: Tilly Dress

At the FLANNEL Girl’s core is the desire to travel; to wander barefoot along foreign beaches, and delve into the rich cultural history of towns different from home. But along with this wanderlust spirit comes the desire to dress well. To be elevated yet a little tussled undone, to be comfortable but refined, and to be able to adapt a piece to any occasion.

Of course, anyone who’s travelled understands the anxiety of packing a suitcase. The pieces need to be perfectly curated, without receiving that “overweight” label at check-in. So, here is our guide to travelling light — a luxury travel capsule wardrobe.

HOW TO PACK LIGHT, AND MAKE EVERY PIECE COUNT

I’ve scoured the internet to try and combine a few general rules that I live by when packing. I often came across this widely accepted rule; the 5,4,3,2,1 rule. This restricts your packing to 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 layers and 1 set of accessories. However, as an experienced packer, I just don’t think this is realistic for a woman who refuses to compromise on style at all stages of a holiday.

How to Build a Capsule Travel Wardrobe, the FLANNEL Way

A Simple Camisole Dress

Pictured: Lenny Slip Dress

A cami dress is one of the most versatile pieces in your travel capsule wardrobe. Effortless to wear, and impossible to overthink. Slip it on in the morning and let your accessories do the storytelling. A pair of slides and woven beach bag, and you are ready for a sun-soaked afternoon. Swap them for a strappy sandal or small bag, and the same dress becomes evening-ready without a second thought.

Curated Cami & Pant Set

Pictured: Sierra Cami & Sierra Pant

A matching set earns its luggage space more than most pieces, because in truth, it is three outfits wearing the disguise of one. Wear the set together for an effortless, put-together look that photographs beautifully and requires no thought. Pair just the cami with a tailored pant or something more relaxed. Or style the pant with a different top entirely, and the outfit transforms completely.

Versatile Pant

Pictured: Lenny Pant

The backbone of the capsule, and the piece worth investing in most. A well-cut trouser in a quality fabric will carry you from a long-haul flight to a restaurant without a wrinkle in sight. Choose between a fine silk or lace for warmer climate destinations, or a clean-cut jean in a darker wash that reads more refined than casual.

Button-up Shirt or Blouse

Pictured: Essential Shirt & Essential Short

Worn open over a cami and shorts, tucked into the tailored pant, or worn loosely over the slip dress. A well-chosen button-up in a lightweight linen or silk travels easily, steams back to life in minutes with a hot shower nearby and adapts to nearly every context.

Shorts

For warmer destinations, a short is the practical piece that never looks like it is trying too hard. A skort has the ease of shorts with the silhouette of a skirt, and is a quietly clever solution for days that involve both movement and moments you’d like to photograph well without having to think about it.

Lightweight Cardigan

Choose fine cashmere or a cotton-blend in a neutral colour. It should be light enough to fold into your bag without bulk, and warm enough to be useful. A cardigan in a beautifully natural hue or soft camel reads as polished rather than practical, even when it is both.

Camisole

Pictured: Tilly Cami

A silk or lace camisole works as a standalone top, a base layer beneath the button-up, or the top half of an impromptu outfit when everything else is hanging to dry. Pack two if you’re travelling more than five days, in your neutral colour, or add an accent colour for some fun, and they will appear in more outfit combinations that you expect.

Lightweight Scarf

Pictured: Primrose Scarf & Erika Sleeveless Dress

Tied as a headscarf on a boat or at the beach, draped over the shoulders at a breezy terrace dinner or on a sunset sail when the evening turns cool. A large, fine-woven square in a lightweight fabric can pull together every outfit, and pack down to almost nothing. Hot tip: It also doubles as a lightweight throw on those long-haul flights that are always colder than you expect!

Refined Sneakers

A clean, minimal sneaker in white is now one of the most travelled shoes in the world’s most elegant suitcases. A slim leather or canvas sneaker pairs with the tailored pant, the slip dress, and the short with equal style. Our Ansel Sneaker are the perfect example — made in Portugal, these easy-wearing sneakers are lightweight, comfortable, and pair perfectly with any look! 

Matching Accessory set

The final touch is a curated set of accessories. A matching pair of leather slides and crossbody bag in a neutral hue will go with any outfit and instantly elevate any basic pairing.

Most importantly, leave a little room for some unexpected treasures, collected from vintage markets and local boutiques. Safe travels x 

Pictured: Ottavia Cami & Ottavia Cami Dress