I'M A TRAVEL EDITOR, AND I BUILT THE PERFECT CAPSULE WARDROBE FROM 14 BASICS YOU'D NEVER GUESS ARE FROM AMAZON
I can make dozens of outfits with them — and still fit them all in a carry-on.
Building the perfect travel capsule wardrobe takes a lot of thoughtful consideration. You need a cohesive set of pieces that can easily be mixed and matched, ones that are versatile enough to pull their weight in almost any situation — and work double duty for multiple outfits so you can save precious space in your suitcase.
After years as a travel editor, I’m happy to report that I’ve finally perfected my list. These are the timeless, effortless pieces I reach for trip after trip, and they have basically paid for themselves over the years. From the comfortable Allbirds sneakers that I can’t leave home without to the black pants that I wear on repeat, each of these styles has been tested over thousands of miles and many hours of travel. Best of all, I found them all at Amazon for as little as $13.
Related: Build Your Capsule Wardrobe With These 15 Fashion Essentials From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Oversized White Button-down
$30
This is the holy grail, friends, and one of my most-worn travel pieces. It’s dressy enough for a work trip but when left unbuttoned, it can be used as a casual cover-up at the beach. Wear it with almost any pair of shorts, midi skirt, or pants, and tucked in, unbuttoned, or even tied in front to change any look — making multiple outfits with just a slight tweak. The options are practically endless. Trust me, this breezy top has been with me around the world, from the office in New York City to the beaches of Florida, and it’s always come in handy. As other reviewers mentioned, “it doesn’t wrinkle easily,” but it does have its limits, so make sure to fold it nicely when you’re packing.
Black Pants
$39
Versatile black pants like these Baleaf joggers are your best friend for travel; I find they’re an easy base for any airport outfit or hiking outfit. I’ve taken this particular pair everywhere from Vietnam to Iceland, and I couldn’t imagine a comfier, more useful pair at this price point. They’ve performed on hikes up waterfalls and 14-hour flights, plus a Mekong Delta tour in the 100-degree heat. I even got a compliment from the tour guide in Vietnam, who said these are the perfect lightweight pants for the tour because they’re quick-drying, so they wick sweat in the heat but still provide necessary sun (they’re UV-blocking with a UPF 50+ rating!) and bug protection. If you’re looking for something a little less sporty, I also think this Skechers Go Walk pant would be excellent for everyday wear (and you could even get away with dressing them up with an oversized blazer).
Supportive Running Sneakers
$98
There’s no doubt about it, comfortable walking shoes are an essential you just can’t skip out on — nor can you skimp on the quality. That’s why if you’re going to splurge on any one item, you should make it running sneakers, because there’s no faking quality support, especially if you’re hoping for out-of-the-box comfort and cushion that will carry you through even the longest travel days. That’s why I love the Allbirds Wool Runners — they have cushioning for days. Case in point: I hiked up Hawaii’s Diamond Head wearing these straight from the box and never got a single blister.
Black Dress
$30
Walking tours, the perfect sunny picnic day in the park, pickleball matches, running errands — when isn’t a casual black dress useful? I always have one on rotation, including this one from Amazon-loved brand Ewedoos. It’s sweat-wicking, so it’s great in the heat, but if there’s a breeze, I like to layer my oversized button-down over it. For something a bit longer when I’m traveling to a more conservative place like Egypt where it’s best to wear longer lengths, I also have a black dress similar to this Amazon one that I wear at least once a week in summer.
Basic Tanks
$15
When I first received these flattering tanks, I was shocked at how good the quality was considering the low, two-for-one price tag that brought them to just over $7 each. But they are my repeat M.V.P.s on trips, whether I need an undershirt or just a basic white tank to pair with jeans or skirts. Trust me, when you’re a carry-on-only traveler, less is more. Plus, I’ve found that these are easy to care for on the go.
Black Midi Skirt
$32
This is an all-seasons skirt that practically lives in my suitcase. In summer, I wear it with a tank and sandals; in winter, with a chunky turtleneck and tall booties. The silky material can make this look dressed up for nice dinners out with the right top and heels, but it can also be dressed down with casual sandals and accessories. Plus, it folds up into practically nothing.
Belt Bag
$13
True story: I love this belt bag so much that I bought it in two colors that easily fit into my monochrome capsule wardrobe, white and black. If you’re starting with one, I recommend the black one since it’s easier to keep clean and blends seamlessly into any look. I love that these keep my hands free at the airport but my belongings close to my chest (aka pickpocket-free) and reviewers point out that it’s “high-quality and half the price of Lululemon.” No wonder it’s an Amazon No. 1 best-seller.
White Sneakers
$175
These Vejas are beloved by globetrotting celebrities (and me!), and I will tell you exactly why. They’re seriously stylish and more put-together than your average athletic sneakers, so they can easily pair with sundresses and shorts; but they also look right at home with comfy joggers, too. I’ve worn mine to Egypt and France, at home in Boston, and beyond, and they fit in everywhere I go.
Bike Shorts
$20
I use these high-waisted Gym People yoga shorts for working out on repeat, but they’re also my go-to athleisure for summer or lounging around. I like to pair an oversized sweatshirt over them Princess Diana-style, and sometimes, I’ll throw them under dresses if the destination I’m traveling to is windy. Oh, and they have a perfect side pocket for your phone.
One-piece Swimsuit
$28
I have an Amazon bikini that I absolutely swear by, but my favorite swimsuit of all time has to be this striped one-piece. Why? It doubles as a cute tank under shorts or a skirt, making it an easy-as-can-be, full-fledged outfit on beach or boat days. I also like one-piece swimsuits because, for me, they tend to offer the most secure fit, so I can partake in active adventures like snorkeling, cliff diving, or jumping off the back of a boat in the Aegean without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions. I’ve had this flattering, full-coverage Amazon one since I bought it for a trip to Bolivia in 2019, so it’s lasted five years and counting.
Wide-leg White Linen Pants
$27
I wear these breezy linen-cotton blend pants on repeat in the warmer months and during beach trips any time of year. You can throw them over a one-piece bathing suit and wear them straight from the beach to a bar or restaurant, or you can dress them up for a resort-ready look on a big night out with the right sparkly accessories. But hey, don’t just take it from me. One traveler, who took them on a 10-day trip to Europe, said they “wore them every day.”
Waterproof Sandals
$25
My white EVA Birkenstocks are a must for the beach since they’re waterproof, but I also wear them for walking around town because they have cushioning, arch support, and a lip that folds up to keep dirt off your toes (these Amazon sandals are their budget-friendlier twins).. When my outfit calls for black footwear, I also have these Teva sandals that I got from Amazon and are absolute game-changers. They can get wet in a beach situation, and I love that they have hook-and-loop straps that secure them to your feet for day hikes.
Matching Set
$26
My favorite trick of the trade for maximizing the number of travel outfits you can stuff into one carry-on is to invest in a neutral-colored matching set — you can mix the top with other pieces in your wardrobe (that silk midi skirt! Your wear-everywhere pants and jeans!) as well as the shorts (with that button-down! Or over your swimsuit!), or wear them together for a super on-trend, effortless look, resulting in at least three separate outfits with just one buy. I currently have a set from Anthropologie, but I’m eyeing this Automet matching set at Amazon that’s sitting at just $26 for all of my 2024 trips.
Comfy Jeans
$35
Hot take: jeans are a necessary travel wardrobe essential. A lot of travelers will disagree, finding them too rigid, but I always have a pair in my suitcase to switch up my look or give it a more put-together feel. Plus, they look so classic with a white or black tee and white sneakers (show me a city that this combo wouldn’t look good in!) The key is finding a pair that’s equal parts flattering and comfortable. I swear by Abercrombie and Fitch’s mom jeans, which have way more give than any other pair of denim that I've tried, but this Lee pair from Amazon is similar and has an even lower price tag.
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2024-04-10T10:06:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd