Deciding what to wear can be difficult at the best of times but travelling throws up all sorts of extra problems. For one thing you have to decide well in advance what you might need. That can be difficult as there are so many unknowns when you are on holiday. You have to consider the vagaries of the weather, the possibility of impromptu excursions and the dress codes in any restaurants or clubs that you might want to visit. These issues are all the more problematic if you are travelling to somewhere you have ever been before.

Baggage Allowances

Of course the biggest problem is not the advanced planning, it is the amount of space in your luggage or perhaps your reluctance to travel too weighed down. In the era of budget airlines, luggage allowances can be a little mean and you may even be travelling with cabin baggage only which gives you a very small bag indeed into which to cram everything you need.

It is also advisable to avoid over stuffing your luggage in an attempt to give yourself more flexibility whilst you are away as doing this will give you absolutely no flexibility regarding what you can bring back. If you want to shop whilst you are away or think that you might be investing in some souvenirs then you are better off leaving a little space in your luggage.

You need a Capsule Collection!

So what is the best way forward? Well it really helps if you approach the task of packing as one of building a capsule collection. For the uninitiated, a capsule collection is a modestly sized collection of clothes which all mix and match.  Mix and match items give you the most flexibility as you can create numerous outfits from a small number of garments. Your collection will be even more versatile if you throw in a few colourful accessories which will transform a look in an instant into something entirely different.

Pick the right combination of tops, bottoms, dresses and accessories and you can ring the changes in a surprising number of ways to produce very different looks for various purposes. A simple day dress will work for a night out if vamped up with a bit of sparkle, a pair of jeans can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion and a pair of shorts will look completely different paired with dramatically differing tops. A carefully conceived travel capsule wardrobe will serve you well for even the longest holiday and it is doubtful if anyone will ever notice your clever trick! You can find great guides online to help you in your quest, from fashion bloggers to Travel Capsule Wardrobes from independent retailers like Wigley’s Shoes.

Perfect Preparation

When it comes to travelling, a little advance planning will make all the difference. Take only pieces which can be worn with several other garments, think long and hard about your colour combinations, favour styles which can be dressed up or down and don’t forget to take a selection of striking accessories. You can’t exaggerate the usefulness of a good lightweight scarf and a sparkly necklace!

Of course your other option is to book accommodation with a washing machine. This will enable you to travel with even less but it does mean that you will have to do a few chores whilst you are away. It possible to kit yourself out appropriately for any trip but perhaps not if you try to choose your wardrobe at the last minute!

Article by Sally Stacey