You’ll know that for a long tim I’ve been searching for the secrets to a perfect packed suitcase, and while the 5,4,3,2,1 Rule continues to help keep the numbers down, I’ve recently noticed an even more important factor for the perfect pack – colours. A while ago I talked about the concept of packing one set of complimentary colours, but over time I’ve realised that picking a single additional colour palette can be tricky in reality. Times like when you’re going away for longer, or when you don’t actually own enough of that highlight colour to pack it can mean limited choices and boredom with what you take. Which is why I recently worked out how to increase your colour options without throwing the whole concept of a curated pack out the window. Introducing, colour capsules. Pretty much just a fancy name for additional items you plan, match and add to your suitcase to give life to your simple basics, without the limitation of a single highlight colour. They act to add vibrancy to an otherwise basic holiday uniform.
Packing for a Holiday : How to Plan Your Colour Capsules
Start with key essentials in base colours
These pieces are going to be the foundation for all your outfits, and therefore you should feel comfortable in them and they should all go together. A simple mix of black, white and denim never fails, but if you want to you can also add camel, cream or any other colour that you wear as part of your essentials. Most of your suitcase will be taken up by these items – you won’r regret it!
Decide how many colour capsules
The length of your trip will determine how many colour capsules you should take with you. Anything less than a week you probably only need one colour capsule, but with more time than that two colour capsules will give you the right amount of variety. More than a month you may want to add in a third small colour capsule, so long as the items aren’t too bulky. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t have lots of items in a single colour, you can take less items for each capsule, and more capsules – it all depends on what you have in your closet – there’s no need to buy a whole ned closet, unless you want to :). Stay tuned in the next few days for a little more information about colour pairings.
Pick the right colours
For this trip and in the image you can see I’ve chosen blush pink and khaki for the colour capsules, because they’re key colours I’ve been wearing recently, they go together really well and are also complimentary to all the essentials I was taking. It’s important that you choose colours that suit you – what you have in your closet and your unique style. Maybe you’ll want to take a red colour capsule, maybe it’s a green or a yellow one. Either way, focus on colours that go with your essentials and also don’t clash too much together – this will ensure the most amount of outfit options.
Add complimentary accessories
Finally, and this one’s obvious, you’re going to want to choose accessories that go with both your essentials, and the colour capsule/s you’ve chosen for your trip. I always reach for black and tan, knowing that they can be worn together to match or mixed up without any drama, and they all go with the colours and essentials I pack.
I’m down in Australia at the moment and will be away 3 weeks in total, so two colour capsules were in order for my wardrobe. You can see I used black, white and blue for my essentials and pink and khaki for
Oroton suitcase, Vintage Levi denim jacket, sandals designed by me (stay tuned!), The Fifth watch, Kikki K passport holder, H&M bikini top, DIY pink dress, DIY pink top (coming soon), Market panama, Rayban round sunglasses, vintage DIY cut off shorts.
Oroton suitcase, Target sneakers ($5!!), Paddo to Palmy Dress, DIY cut off shorts, J Crew Jacket, Tory Burch sandals, Reformation dress, market scarf, Rayban sunglasses, Coach bag.
Love it how clever your method is to pack! Just bookmarked your side because packing belongs to my personal challenges 🙂
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Nice tips!
http://arganlifeherbalshampoo.blogspot.com
Thanks so much love. x
Love the colour palettes you chose!
http://www.livealittle.gr
That is such a good method! I used to just pack clothes for each day, which required me to know not only what weather will be like way more but also what I will feel like in few days. I need to try this one!
I will definitely keep this in mind for my next vacation. I really love the pieces you’ve chosen, and it’s so helpful to see what to pack and never look boring in the things you have!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
I know what you mean, hopefully your next vacation comes soon! x
This is so helpful, I will definitely keep this in mind for my next vacation. I love the pieces you’ve chosen, it’s easy to see what to pack and never look boring in the things you have. Combination is key!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
I agree completely! x
Thanks for the tips on packing, ultimately I suck at packing outfits I actually want to wear!
http://www.wanderfreeblog.wordpress.com
x
I know what you mean, it’s so important to visualise what they’ll actually look like! x
Smart. I love the idea! I still wonder what to wear and how to pack it even if I am doing this since my first trip at 8. I still packing every day outfit. Time to change!
I agree, packing can be such a struggle, no matter how much you travel. x
Great post – it is such a challenge to pack for holidays but this method is genious!
xx. Mirjam
http://www.miiju.ch
I’ve not thought about this but it makes complete sense. I’m definitely going to try and use this concept for my next holiday (if I already have the right pieces to play with)
So great to hear that! x
Great to hear Mun x
Where is the pink corduroy dress from in your color capsule section?
Here it is…. I want it too! http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/moto-pink-cord-pinafore-dress-5243411?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=pink%20dress
What a great way to pack! Love this!
x
StephC
http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much, glad you like it 🙂
Thanks! I hope it helps 🙂
“Colour Capsules” are such a cool concept. Definitely bookmarking this for my trip in 3 weeks!
Yay! Have a great trip. x
[…] A great (holiday) packing guide. […]
I love that khaki long skirt! Pls where I can find it?
Thanks love! http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/tall-satin-pleated-midi-skirt-5415858?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=khaki
Love this idea for packing, so much more organised than my method! I love all the pink items <3
http://www.britishmermaid.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks Cara! x
[…] Packing in color capsules. […]
This is a great theory for packing! I also really love your selection of khaki and blush pink pieces in your example, they are colour I’d never have thought of as going well together but they certainly do.
Thanks Roli, visualising your packing together is so useful! x
[…] Packing tips to help you make the most out of your travel wardrobe. […]
I love your take on mixing colours. I always tend to just bring the neutrals when I travel, because they are so much easier, but now i can se how to incorporate a colour or two! 🙂
XX Carina
I just ADORE this. Brilliant!!! <3
Awesome post. Such great advice. With the cost of checking bags, I will be checking this out again for my next trip! Thanks!
BTW – love the Tory Burch sandles 😉
Lisa @ MissPersnickety.ca
Thanks so much, I know what you mean! And who can be bothered lugging crazy amounts of luggage? x
great tips! i am going on a few trips in the next few months and have been thinking about my wardrobe and what to pack, i like packing light so I’m not dragging around a huge suitcase.
http://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
hey, where is the leather jacket in the essentials from?
Thanks!
[…] Inspirujące A Pair & A Spare o pakowaniu się na wakacje, ale nie nie takim zwykłym, ale w wersji color capsule (metoda kapsułkowa z kolorem) czyli podstawa + kolor. Dla wszystkich, co nigdy nie mają dość rad dotyczących pakowania, szafy i porządkowania garderoby. […]
I’m just getting ready to go on holiday – the point about colours is one i NEED to take on board! I tend to throw in individual items, without thinking of the whole trip and getting the most out of my clothes. Thank-you!
Absolutely LOVE the tips, especially the ones about colour capsules. I find packing extremely frustrating and time-consuming. Thanks for the help!!
I also instantly fell in love with the sandals you designed. Where can we get them??
Thank you!
xoxo
[…] PACKING FOR A HOLIDAY: COLOUR CAPSULES […]
[…] A great (holiday) packing guide. […]