Capsule wardrobes are incredibly useful — and honestly, life-changing. I took the plunge in September 2020, when my husband and I started living in Airbnbs full time all over the U.S. A year later, we took things even further and started traveling the world with just carry-ons.
💨 Fast forward to now: I’ve been living out of a suitcase since 2021, I only shop for some basic items a couple times a year, and I’m still putting together new outfits all the time. So yes — I feel pretty qualified to share this 7 piece capsule wardrobe checklist, and show you how to make every piece in your closet work harder for you!
You don’t need more clothes, you need the right clothes.
Whether you have a full closet or live out of a suitcase like me, these 7 pieces will help you simplify, get creative with what you have, and finally stop overthinking what to wear.
Ready to learn what to actually include in your capsule wardrobe checklist? Let’s do this!
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Estimated reading time: 18 minutes
A Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – 7 Items To Start With:
These 7 pieces aren’t just random picks — they’re the foundation of almost every outfit I wore during our 3-month trip to Turkey (our very first destination as full-time travelers!).
Of course, I packed more than 7 pieces… but after looking back at all my outfit photos, these 7 items stood out. They’re the pieces I wore on repeat, styled in countless ways, and still continue to pack on every trip.
That’s exactly why they made it into this capsule wardrobe checklist — because they truly work, no matter where you’re headed!
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #1: White Button Down Shirt
I’ve had white button down shirts since I can remember! I love them because you can layer them, tie them around your waist, wear them open with a cami or t-shirt underneath, use them as a cover-up for the beach or just simply wear them as they are (which I rarely do!).
I wear my white button down shirt multiple times a week and it’s still in great shape. I’ve had it for 3 years or so.
I recommend linen because it works for hot weather and acts as a shield from the sun. And if you want to use it when it’s a little bit colder, then you can layer it with a sweater or jacket like I did below.
As you can see in the 4 photos below, it looks great with skirts, over a midi or short dress, as a cover-up and with a crewneck sweater on top. Also, it can be dressed up or down according to the occasion. You just have to play with the right accessories.
⭐️ BONUS! More Styling Tips – White Button Down Shirt:
Think outside the box and ways you can layer it…
1️⃣ tie it around your waist
2️⃣ tuck it in and add a cool belt
3️⃣ accessorize it with a statement piece like a necklace or earrings
4️⃣ unbutton it and wear it with a lace bralette underneath
5️⃣ button it all the way up and add a statement necklace
6️⃣ and don’t forget you can wear your button down shirts for the beach/pool with a mini skirt, over a short dress or with shorts.
There’s so much you can do with a button down shirt like this one!
🎯 Pro Tip: All of these styling tips apply for any button down shirt! It doesn’t have to be white.
You May Also Like:
- How To style A White Shirt (even more outfit ideas with this closet staple!)
- How I Fit 6 Months Of Travel In A Carry-on!
- The 15 Best Travel Essentials For Women (no BS!)
- How To Choose The Perfect Color Palette For Any Trip!
- Create a Travel Capsule Wardrobe For Summer (12 Pieces)
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #2: A Midi skirt
Oh, midi skirts… I didn’t always love them. In fact, I avoided them for years! But once I finally gave them a chance, they quickly became one of my favorite pieces — and now I never travel without one.
They’re comfy, easy to style, and yes — you can wear them all year round. Don’t just think spring and summer! Pair them with tights and classic booties in the fall or even a chunky sweater in winter, and you’ve got yourself a chic, effortless outfit.
This green one I’m wearing is from GAP (and sadly no longer available), but don’t worry — midi skirts always make a comeback once the weather warms up, so keep your eyes peeled! 👀
In the meantime, you can browse my favorite midi skirts from Quince here!
More Styling Tips – Midi Skirt:
When investing in a midi skirt, think about the colors you already have in your closet. A printed one is a great option too! Also, remember you can style it with different colors and don’t forget about monochromatic outfits. Some of my favorite looks with this midi skirt are the ones where I style it with green tops, even if they were not the same shade of green.
🌟 Also read: How to style a midi skirt for more midi skirt outfits 🌟
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #3: Wide Leg Pants
Wide leg pants are another surprise in my capsule wardrobe checklist. I’ve always been a skinny pants kind of gal, but 2 years ago or so, I tried wide-leg pants for the first time and OH MY GOD, they are SO COMFORTABLE!!! Not to mention, super flattering for a girl with big hips like me!
The ones I’m wearing are unfortunately sold out, but here are a couple of stores that I like for wide leg pants and comfy pants in general:
🎯 This one for sustainable, high quality and comfortable options. (and affordable too!)
🎯 This is the store where I got the ones I’m wearing. They don’t have many options available this time of the year, but check in April-June when they re-stock!
⭐️ BONUS! More Styling Tips – Wide Leg Pants:
I recommend investing in a good pair of wide leg pants and have fun with the prints! It can be a fun print with just a few colors like mine because you can style them with black, white or grey but also with a colorful top for a pop of color.
Also remember you can wear your wide leg pants with sneakers, sandals, booties or heels!
Is Your Closet Working For You OR Against You?
If you’re loving the idea of building a capsule wardrobe, but still feel like getting dressed is harder than it should be… your closet might be working against you. Maybe you have pieces you never wear, things that no longer fit your style (or your body), or too many random items that don’t really go together.
But don’t worry — I can help!
Take the closet score quiz to find out if it’s time for a little closet refresh. You’ll answer just 7 quick questions, and based on your results, I’ll send you a free step-by-step email course to help you clean out your closet, define your personal style, and build a wardrobe that actually makes sense for you.
Get started right away ⬇️
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #4: White T-Shirt
Honestly, this probably should have been #1 on the list… but since all these pieces are wardrobe MVPs, we’ll call it #4 and pretend I’m not playing favorites 😉.
I’ve had white t-shirts in my closet for as long as I can remember — and they’re still one of my absolute favorite pieces to style. Why? Because they go with literally everything. Jeans, skirts, shorts, linen pants, layered under dresses, with a blazer for a more polished look… the possibilities are endless.
A great white t-shirt is like the best travel buddy: simple, reliable, and always makes you feel good. You can dress it up, dress it down, and wear it in every season. (Pro tip: pack at least two when you travel — trust me, you’ll reach for them more than you think!)
If you don’t already have one you love, it’s time to find the one. Once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
🎯 Here’s where I get my white t-shirts (and all my T-shirts!). They have the best basic pieces, are great quality and are not super expensive.
⭐️ BONUS! More Styling Tips – White T-Shirt:
Remember you can do so much with these! Layer them, dress them up with accessories or just simply wear them with jeans and white sneakers, I promise they will never go out of style.
Also, it doesn’t have to be white. I understand this color is not convenient for every lifestyle, so also consider a graphic one, a black one or a neutral color that will work with different pieces in your closet.
Your style is unique to you, so have fun and think about what would work out for YOU!!
👉🏻 Also read: How to wear a white t-shirt for more outfit ideas with this closet staple!
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #5: Crewneck Sweater
This might just be one of the most underrated pieces in your closet — and one of my personal favorites! With so many trendy sweater styles out there (balloon sleeves, cropped knits, crazy prints), a plain crewneck might seem… well, boring. But trust me, it’s anything but!
A classic crewneck sweater is like a blank canvas. You can dress it up, dress it down, layer it over dresses, tuck it into skirts, or throw it on with jeans and sneakers for an effortlessly cool look.
On my Turkey trip, I styled my black crewneck with both pairs of pants, layered it over my floral midi dress, and wore it with my green midi skirt.
It’s simple, versatile, and will never go out of style. If you don’t have one yet… consider this your sign. You’ll be reaching for it way more than you think!
🎯 This is where I get most of my sweaters
BONUS! More Styling Tips – Crewneck Sweater:
Remember that because they are so simple, you can do anything you want with them! I recommend investing in a high quality piece that you can wash multiple times and it will still be in great shape.
Also consider a neutral color like black, grey or beige. Think about a color that would work well with the other pieces you plan to style it with.
👉🏻 Also read: How to style an oversized sweater for more outfit inspo!
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #6: White Sneakers
If there’s one shoe that always makes it onto my capsule wardrobe checklist, it’s a pair of white leather sneakers. I’ve worn mine in all kinds of weather, on city streets, beach towns, and everywhere in between — and they’ve never let me down.
👟 They go with everything: dresses, skirts, pants, shorts… hot days, chilly days… you name it! White sneakers are the ultimate go-to for travel and everyday outfits alike.
These are the exact ones I wear (and love), and honestly — they’re so good that both my husband and I travel with them. #twinning 😄
🎯 Here’s a more affordable, but still sustainable option.
Check Out These Other Posts 👇🏼
- How to wear white sneakers all year round!
- The 5 best shoes for travel! The ones I’ve had for over 2 years 👟
- Stylish & comfy airport outfits ✈️
- What to pack for a beach vacation 🏝️
- Top 10 essentials to pack for spring in Europe.
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist – Item #7: Black Pants
And last but not least… black pants! (Or comfy joggers — whichever fits your style best.)
When I first made this capsule wardrobe checklist back in 2021, I chose black skinny pants over a denim jacket for this final spot, just to keep things super simple for anyone getting started.
And to be fair — I wore those pants all the time during our 3 months in Turkey. They went with everything: white tees, black tops (to create a faux jumpsuit look), sneakers, sandals, dressed up for dinner, dressed down for market runs… you name it!
Would I still pick skinny pants today? Probably not. If I were updating this list right now, I’d go for a pair of black wide-leg pants or elevated joggers — something comfy but chic, and easy to dress up or down. But I wanted to keep it to the things I packed for Turkey because it shows that I actually did wear these 7 pieces a ton!
In the end, skinny pants served their purpose well, and the point is: you need a reliable pair of black pants that work for your body and style.
So whether you choose classic black pants, joggers, or wide-leg trousers… just make sure they’re comfortable, versatile, and something you actually want to wear. Trust me, they’ll be one of your most-used pieces.
And don’t worry — a denim jacket is still 100% a capsule wardrobe must! It didn’t make this particular list, but it’s absolutely part of my overall essentials.
🎯 This is where I get most of my pants!
Final thoughts – Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
And there you have it — my 7-piece capsule wardrobe checklist, straight from someone who’s been living out of a suitcase for years! I hope this shows you that you really don’t need a closet full of clothes to feel stylish, put-together, and ready for anything.
It’s all about having the right pieces and knowing how to mix and match them.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start, take a deep breath — I promise it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with this simple capsule wardrobe checklist, look at what you already have, and go from there. Little by little, you’ll build a closet that actually works for you (and makes getting dressed so much more fun!).
Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. It’s been great to have you :)
XO,
Aimara
PS: remember to take the closet score quiz before you leave. It will help you find your personal style!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.
I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.
Related Capsule Wardrobe Posts You Will Also Like:
1️⃣ How to create a travel capsule wardrobe for summer.
2️⃣ How to create a spring capsule wardrobe that works for your body type!
3️⃣ How to create a summer capsule wardrobe with just 25 pieces.
4️⃣ The perfect spring shoe capsule (just 5 pairs!)
5️⃣ 30 pieces – 100 outfits (an all year capsule wardrobe)
Did you find this capsule wardrobe checklist useful? Please share it on Pinterest!
Can you tell me how tall you are? I usually wear petite clothes and regular sizes are very long on me. I’m trying to pack for 6 months and this capsule is amazingly helpful. Thank you!
Hi :) Maybe I should start mentioning that in my blog posts lol
I am 5 4′. I buy a mix of petite and regular size, it depends on the brand… but usually petite fits better!
Hope this helps. And safe travels! You will be amazed at how many different outfits you can create with the right pieces ;)
Hi can you tell me about your lovely black flower dress? Is it a dress or a skirt?
Hi :) It’s a dress but I like to wear it as a skirt too ;)
It’s an oldie from American Eagle. I couldn’t find it online because I got it like 4 years ago, but maybe they’ll have something similar.
Good luck!
It’s interesting to see how far this overlaps with what 1 wore travelling for a month in Europe many years ago. I took 10 items total, including what I was wearing. 1 pair of jeans, 1 maxi skirt, 3 T shirts, 1 cardigan, 1 foldaway raincoat, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of trainers, 1 hat. Nowadays I would add a button down shirt and a thermal T shirt.
10 items!? Wow this is GOALS for me haha – love it! That’s the advantage of having a classic style. You can never go wrong and kind of recycle the same looks for years! Love it!
Where did you find those cute strappy black sandals? I need a pair of comfortable sandals for Italy
Hi Paulina! Those are oldies from Everlane, unfortunately out of stock :(
I used to live in Turkey so it was fun to see where you took the photos- thanks for including that! Love see it again. Love your top picks for travel. We travel a lot and only take large backpacks so it’s important that every item work with the rest of my wardrobe. We are spending a month in the UK this summer and I have to choose wisely what I take in my backpack. Thanks for your list. I’m going to bring all of them except the skirt- I never look good in skirts. Wish I did. Anyway, thanks for sharing!
So lucky that you used to live in Turkey. It’s a very special country ❤️ Happy to hear you found the list useful Michelle. Have fun in the UK! We want to go soon!
Can you tell me the brand of the taupe crossed sandals you are wearing? Are they Birks?
Hi! yes, they are and they are amazing for traveling! The model is called ‘Yara’ – here’s a direct link: https://www.birkenstock.com/us/yara-oiled-leather/yara-core-oiledleather-0-eva-w_3974.html#sz=216 I have them in Tobacco ;)