Packing Smart for Your Holiday Wardrobe: Light and Versatile Styles for Your Trip
Holidays should above all be about relaxation. Yet for many, the stress starts the moment it’s time to pack a suitcase. Holiday luggage often ends up overflowing because we want to be prepared for every eventuality – and usually end up packing far too much. The question “What clothing do I really need on holiday?” comes up again and again.
Here’s our solution: With the capsule wardrobe principle, you can reduce your luggage to a minimum without compromising on stylish looks. In addition, we’ll share practical tips to help you pack wisely and enjoy your destination without a care.
Fewer Pieces, More Outfits: The Capsule Wardrobe Concept
Instead of packing “just in case” items and ending up with too much, focus on a selection of favourite pieces that can be styled in multiple ways. A capsule wardrobe is a small, well-thought-out collection of basics that are coordinated in both colour and style. This minimalist holiday wardrobe ensures you have the right outfit for every occasion while saving space and weight in your suitcase.
The result: More comfort on your trip, no excess baggage and no stress about what to wear once you arrive at your destination.
Light and Versatile Basics: What Belongs in the Suitcase?
Now it’s time to choose the specific wardrobe for your trip. The key is a good balance of tops, bottoms and at least one one-piece such as a dress or jumpsuit. Opt for crease-resistant fabrics (e.g. jersey or blended materials) and plan for more tops than bottoms, as tops tend to need changing more frequently in warmer weather.
Must-haves for a summer capsule wardrobe include:
Tops (T-shirts & blouse): Pack around 3 tops – for example, 2 comfortable T-shirts and 1 lightweight blouse or tunic. A classic white T-shirt and a colourful printed shirt from the FRANK WALDER Basics collection are versatile options. The blouse adds variety and, paired with a necklace or scarf, creates a more polished look for the evening.
Lightweight trousers and shorts: Take one pair of long, airy trousers (e.g. 7/8 length) along with shorts or a knee-length skirt for hot days. Both bottoms can be easily combined with all the tops mentioned above.
Summer dress: A breezy summer dress is a must – ideally a knee-length jersey dress that doesn’t crease easily and can be styled casually with sandals or dressed up with a blazer. Our jersey dress with a summery print from the current FRANK WALDER collection is a perfect example.
Blazer or lightweight jacket: For cooler evenings or more formal occasions, a lightweight blazer or cardigan is essential. A cream-coloured FRANK WALDER blazer matches almost all the pieces above and instantly elevates even simple shorts-and-T-shirt outfits.
Outfit Inspiration: From Beach to Dinner
With the pieces mentioned above, you can already create numerous outfits. With just a few quick changes, you can put together different holiday looks, such as:
Daytime look: Pair the white T-shirt with the lightweight trousers and comfortable trainers – perfect for sightseeing and strolling around town. For the beach, choose the colourful top with shorts and flat sandals (don’t forget your sun hat!). If it gets cooler, simply throw on the blazer.
Evening look: Slip into the summer dress and layer the blazer over it. Add a pretty necklace or earrings and elegant sandals to create a stylish ensemble for dinner or a special occasion in no time. Alternatively, a blouse-and-trousers combo, elevated with a statement accessory, makes for a great evening look.
As you can see, a compact selection of clothing items can create a wide variety of looks. Every piece in your suitcase is used multiple times, which makes packing much easier while still giving you plenty of variety.
Accessories and Shoes: Less is More
It’s worth being selective when it comes to shoes and accessories.
Take no more than two pairs of shoes: one comfortable pair for daytime wear (trainers or flat sandals, depending on your destination) and one smarter pair for the evening. These should be neutral enough in colour to complement all outfit combinations. Anything beyond two pairs will only take up unnecessary space in your suitcase.
For accessories: choose pieces that can be worn in different ways. A lightweight scarf in one of your chosen colours can be a real multitasker – worn as a stylish accessory during the day or draped over your shoulders in the evening when it gets cooler. A slim belt that works with both dresses and trousers is also a practical addition. You don’t need to pack lots of jewellery – just a few favourite items, such as a delicate necklace and simple stud earrings, are enough to give any outfit a finishing touch.
Travel Packing List: Your Capsule Wardrobe at a Glance
To round things off, we’ve put together a handy packing list so you won’t forget a thing and know exactly how many pieces of each type are ideal for your trip. Adapt the list to suit the length of your holiday and your personal style, but use it as a starting point for a perfectly coordinated travel wardrobe:
| Clothing item | Approx. number |
| T-shirts / Tops | 3 |
| Blouse / Tunic | 1 |
| Lightweight trousers (long) | 1 |
| Shorts or Skirt | 1 |
| Summer dress | 1 |
| Blazer or Cardigan | 1 |
| Shoes (pairs) | 2 |
| Scarf / Shawl | 1 |
| Belt | 1 |
| Jewellery pieces | 2 |
Note: Please remember to pack underwear and similar essentials separately.
Travel light and carefree
If you put together your holiday wardrobe according to the capsule wardrobe principle, you will quickly feel the relief: less luggage, yet perfectly dressed for every occasion on your trip. With a little planning in advance, you can avoid problems such as overflowing suitcases or the feeling of having “nothing to wear” despite full bags. Instead, you can enjoy your well-deserved break and always rely on your cleverly packed wardrobe.
This way, the relaxation begins while packing – and you can start your holiday in style and completely carefree!