A Summer Capsule Wardrobe for Travel in Europe

Packing for a summer trip to Europe doesn’t have to be stressful or involve stuffing your suitcase until it bursts. With a little planning (and a whole lot less overthinking), a capsule wardrobe can totally change the way you travel.

A simple travel capsule means fewer decisions, more outfit combinations, and way less lugging stuff around. Think light, breezy, and effortlessly put together- no matter where your summer adventures take you. Whether you’re jetting off to a beachside escape or exploring a new city, this guide will help you pack smart, stay stylish, and leave the suitcase chaos behind.

Let’s dive into how to build your ultimate summer travel capsule wardrobe that’s easy, versatile, and ready for anything.  You’re gonna look amazing on those vacation photos! 📸

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Why a Travel Capsule Wardrobe?

Packing a capsule wardrobe for travel is all about making things easy. By choosing a small collection of pieces that mix and match effortlessly, you can create tons of outfits without a ton of clothes. 

It saves you time when getting dressed, space in your luggage, and the stress of figuring out what to wear each day. Plus, sticking to a cohesive color palette means everything works together so even if you grab clothes at random, you’ll still look put together.

With fewer items to manage, you’ll spend more time actually enjoying your trip. It also frees up room for souvenirs or that spontaneous market find you just have to bring home. 

And don’t even get me started on checked bag fees…

Whether you’re a minimalist traveler or just trying to streamline your vacation style, a capsule wardrobe is the easiest way to dress chic without the clutter.  

Clothes to Bring

You only need the following to create 16+ outfits:

• 2 dresses + 1 pant set
• 3 tops
• 2 toppers
• 2 bottoms 
• 2 shoes
• 1-2 bags 
• Accessories 

And that’s it!  Piece of cake. 🍰

DRESSES/SETS: Long Stripe Dress ₊ Short Pink Dress + Red Pant Set
TOPS: White Top + Sardine T-Shirt ₊ Pink Ribbed T-Shirt
BOTTOMS: Crop Jeans + Linen Wrap Skirt
TOPPERS: Chambray Button Shirt + White Cardigan
SHOES: Navy Sneaker + White Sandal
BAGS: Navy Tote Bag + Straw Bag
SWIMSUIT: Green Stripe Bikini
ACCESSORIES: Green Sunglasses + Turkish Beach Towels

How to Pick Your Clothes

There are just a few steps that I have figured out that make it sooo much easier to decide what to bring- starting with patterns is the key.  So let’s get going with step #1.  

Step #1- Patterns

Yes, you can bring all solid colors and that’s completely fine.  I like a little pattern in my life, however, and thought you might too.  If so, that’s what you’re going to do first.  

Whether you’re using clothes you already own or shopping for something new it will be much easier to match everything if you start here then pull out the colors you’ve picked for the rest of it.

Pattern Dresses

Long Stripe Dress
That dress, right?  It’s just perfection.  I knew I absolutely had to have it.  The colors are just so cheery and summery to me.  I just want to twirl around in circles like I used to as a little kid.  

I’m a big fan of long dresses for summer because they function just like pants- except they’re way cooler.  And unlike a short dress, you don’t need to worry about the wind blowing it up.  

And also, I live in land of the mosquitos in the DC swamp 🦟 and I’m an absolute magnet.  But long dresses seem to perplex those little buggers- so I wear a lot of them.

Short Pink Dress
Wearing this dress is like wearing a cloud.  Seriously.  My husband hates my obsession with shapeless dresses but I L.O.V.E it.  The pink is so pretty and it’s nice and cool and flowy.  

Wear it with sneakers or flipflops and be super casual.  Or toss on nice sandals, put your hair in a high bun with some fun dangly earrings, and you have a more formal option.

You can wear it as a dress or… 👙 wear it as a coverup at the beach.  See what I did there?  It’s a two-fer!

Pattern Tops

Sardine T-Shirt
This tee makes me think of the beach.  And it’s just a little more fun than a plain one.  If this particular one is not for you, there are a bunch of similar ones.  Or just get plain grey.  

I consider a graphic T-Shirt a pattern simply because it has different colors to coordinate with and add a little interest.  

Step #2- Solids

Now you’re going to pick colors that go with those patterns so everything matches.  In this case, it’ll be pink and red so far.  Or get something that complements the colors like green or blue. 

Solid Tops

White Top
This split-neck top from Gap will match every single thing and then some.  If you’re worried things will look too basic, just add in a colorful accessory.  It could be a necklace, shoes, hat, floral headband….  The options are endless.  

Since it’s summer, I decided to add in a fun pair of sunglasses in green which I think also spruce up and outfit. 

Red Pant Set (top)
I adore a set.  Worn together, it looks like you actually put thought into what you’re wearing (fooled ‘em, huh?).  But then worn separately, you can make all sorts of outfits.  So a set is not just a two-fer but more like a 6-fer. I’ll give you ideas below. 

I like this sleeveless version because it’s nice and cool.  If the red is just too much for you, this set also comes in navy blue which would be nice with the other colors.

Pink Ribbed T-Shirt
Yes, another tee.  But you’re on vacay so relax and be comfy!  I feel like the ribbing on this one jazzes it up just a little and you can’t go wrong with Gap.  It’s a basic so you know it’ll fit and not fall apart as soon as you wash it.  

Solid Toppers

Chambray Button Shirt
I’m a firm believer that chambray goes with everything- like jeans.  It’s the perfect neutral in my book.  This one from the Gap is good to put on if there’s a little chill in the air in the evenings.  

You can leave it open over a T-shirt or dress, tie it at the waist with pants, wear it alone with a skirt, tuck it into jeans.  Button shirts are so versatile when you’re trying to make the most outfits out of the least amount of clothes.  And the perfect thing for a warm weather trip.     

White Cardigan
Instead of a blazer in this capsule, I decided to put a cardi since it’s for a casual trip.  I just want to snuggle up with this one.  You might not need a full-on sweater when you’re on vacation but I always need one for the flight.  And just draping it over your shoulders can give your outfits a little interest even if you don’t need it for warmth.  

Solid Bottoms

Crop Jeans
I know you already own jeans- they’re a basic.  Just use those if you want but I wanted to share these specific ones with you- especially if you’re short like me.

I absolutely love Joe’s Jeans.  They’re soft and comfy and the crop ones hit at just the right place (which is more like ankle length on me).  So if you’re looking for a great last-forever pair of crop jeans (or ankle if you’re short), then give these a try.

Red Pant Set (pants)
And here’s the bottom of your pant set.  I love this because they’re cropped and RED which is fun!  I’m really short and have so much trouble finding things that fit but I’m loving the crop era because they might not be crop on me… but I don’t have to spend a million dollars at the tailor getting them to fit.  So yaaaay!

Linen Wrap Skirt
I love love love a wrap- a wrap skirt, a wrap dress, a wrap shirt.  I love them all because they fit no matter what.  Eat a big thanksgiving dinner?  Just loosen it a bit.  Lose a few pounds?  No need to buy more clothes, just tighten it.  Want to wear it higher so your belly doesn’t show in that crop top?  Or lower so it sweeps the floor?  You can!  

And this one is in a neutral color to go with everything.  They have a stone color as well but I like that this has a little color to it but is still neutral.

>> Check here for more travel capsule wardrobes all year round
☀️ summer, 🍁 fall, ❄️winter, & 🌷spring

Step #3- Shoes

To me, shoes can make or break a trip.  I have literally thrown shoes away on a trip because they gave me so many blisters there was no point in keeping them (edit: I didn’t actually toss them, just left them in the room and hoped the housekeeper knew someone in my size).

Be sure you’re buying shoes that are comfortable if you plan on doing lots of walking.  It’s worth paying a little bit more if you know they’ll be comfortable and not fall apart after a year.    

Shoes

Navy Sneaker
This is probably the MOST important thing on the list.  I have worn my New Balance sneakers all over the world and I still love them.  Bonus* they come in a million different colors to match everything (or you can’t go wrong with white).  

White Sandal
I think Vince shoes feel so wonderful on.  And I love these white ones that will go with literally everything you own this summer.  They’re comfortable enough to wear while wandering those cobblestone streets and nice enough to wear out to dinner.    

Optional: Flats or sandals
If you want to bring another pair of shoes, I’d suggest a pair of flats or fancy, non-sightseeing sandals.  

Step #4- Accessories

This is the fun stuff where you can really add some personality to those basics.  They don’t need to MATCH everything else, just GO WITH it.  So instead of a pink or red purse, you’re going to get something in a complementary color like navy or green.  If you want to be really daring, go for orange.

Navy Tote Bag
This bag from Bric’s is convertible from two short straps to one long one.  AND the interior pouch comes out and becomes its own bag (whaat???).  Again, double duty is my favorite.  You don’t even need to bring another bag if you don’t want to since this one is so versatile.

It’s great for when you’re out sightseeing when you might need to carry around a water bottle (it’s hot in summer) or your cardigan for when the sun goes down.

Straw Bag
If you want to bring another bag, this adorable straw one is a good choice.  It’s nice to ditch the big bag that you’ve been carrying around all day when you head out to dinner. 

This one is great because you can carry it by the handles or attach the strap and wear it crossbody.  It doesn’t actually zip closed, however, so be sure you’re careful not to lose anything while you’re using this one. 

Green Sunglasses
Sunglasses are always a good idea in summer.  And why not get them in a fun color?  These will make a basic outfit a little more interesting and match everything here.  If you want to be bold, do red or bright pink instead.

Be sure your glasses have UV protection- I don’t want you hurting your eyes while out enjoying yourself! 

Jewelry
Add interest with some jewelry.  A pair of dangly earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet can make all the difference between boring and fabulous.  

For the Beach
Green Stripe Bikini
This adorable swimsuit is the perfect thing to take on a trip.  The bottom is reversible so you can get different looks depending on how you wear it.  

And the short pink dress will look great as a coverup over it.

Turkish Beach Towels
I love this set of towels (you can also buy just one) that I bought a few years ago.  They just get softer and softer with every wash and dry in no time at all.  

I always bring one with me when I travel because you can use it for everything from a beach or bath towel (of course), beach blanket (it doesn’t trap sand), picnic blanket, yoga blanket, airplane blanket… 

I even bring it INSTEAD OF a neck pillow on the plane.  You just kind of fold it and wrap it around your neck like a scarf and it supports your head.  And then you don’t have some annoying plane pillow to carry around your whole trip.  

Other things you might consider bringing on a summer trip is a packable hat for the sun, scrunchies to put your hair up in when it’s hot, and a packable bag for all your beach gear. 

The Basics

I bring 6 pairs of undies and 5 socks (make sure they’re wicking) and wash them every few days.  Usually, I can get by with 3 bras– unlined so they dry faster.  

I love a pair of silky pajamas because they don’t take up much space and dry in no time if you need to wash them.  And I have been known to wear the top with a pair of jeans every once in a while.  You can too- I won’t tell.    

The Outfits

I know, I know- putting together outfits sounds hard. But honestly? It’s not. Not when you’ve got a capsule wardrobe. It’s actually kind of foolproof. You could close your eyes, grab anything from your bag, and chances are, it’ll all work together.

I’m all about keeping things simple, and this approach makes it super easy to look effortlessly stylish on vacation with hardly any effort.

Below are just a few outfit ideas to get you started—I’m sure you’ll come up with even more!

DRESSES/SETS: Long Stripe Dress ₊ Short Pink Dress + Red Pant Set
TOPS: White Top + Sardine T-Shirt ₊ Pink Ribbed T-Shirt
BOTTOMS: Crop Jeans + Linen Wrap Skirt
TOPPERS: Chambray Button Shirt + White Cardigan
SHOES: Navy Sneaker + White Sandal
BAGS: Navy Tote Bag + Straw Bag
SWIMSUIT: Green Stripe Bikini
ACCESSORIES: Green Sunglasses + Turkish Beach Towels

Longer Trips

I dream of renting a place for the summer somewhere beautiful- Spain or Italy maybe.  One day.  And if I do, I still doubt I’d bring more than a carry-on because it’s absolutely not necessary.  

If you’re in Europe and don’t have laundry where you’re staying, don’t worry.  There are laundry places everywhere because Europeans need their clothes washed too!  You can find wash-it-yourself places but there are also ones where you drop it off, go sightsee, and then pick it up later or the next day.  

As for undies, bras, and socks, you can just wash them in the sink.  Or do what I do and wash them when you’re in the shower anyway then hang them to dry.  I bring only quick-dry socks and my underwear is think and dries overnight.  Just be sure you do it when you have a day or two to let it dry if you’re washing anything cotton.  

Sixteen outfits can easily get you through a couple of weeks without needing to do laundry. I usually wear each top or dress twice before it really feels like it needs a wash. Jeans? I can wear those forever- or until I spill something on them.

Shorter Trips

If you’re going on a shorter trip, just pare it down until you’ve got the right number of outfits- you’ll still be perfectly coordinated. Or hey, bring it all and change for dinner every night. Totally your call. Do what feels right.

Or you can check out my article for What to Pack for a Weekend Trip for ideas. 

My Favorite Travel Websites

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Ready to plan your trip?  
Here are my favorite travel websites to get you started.
✈️ Flights  🏨 Hotels  🚃 Trains 
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Questions about Travel Capsule Wardrobes

Do I need to buy all new clothes for a travel capsule?
Definitely not! This is just an example to give you a little inspiration and make planning easier. You can totally raid your own closet and pull together most of what you’ll need. That said… I’ll admit, I sometimes use packing as a reason to treat myself to something new (I bought the dress for my trip to the Albanian Riviera).  No judgment if you do the same!

What do I need to bring on my trip besides clothes?
I have an article (and checklist) for that!  Take a look at my Ultimate Packing List for a Trip to Europe for everything you need to bring and how to organize it.  If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll have access to checklists!

What do I wear on the plane?
You should always wear your largest items on the plane to save room in your luggage.  In this case, you’d wear the jeans, tennis shoes, and cardi with whatever shirt you want.  

There’s really no need to check a bag when you travel. Do yourself a favor and travel carry-on only and experience the freedom it brings.  
And of course- let me know how I can help!
Happy travels… ☀️👙🏖️