Inside: How to Pack a Week’s Worth of Outfits in a Cabin Holdall. Collaborative post.
There is something so exciting about getting ready for a summer holiday. The countdown, the travel plans, the promise of warm evenings, slow mornings and a change of scenery. But if there is one part of going away that can feel stressful, it is trying to decide what to pack.
How many outfits do I need? Will I actually wear this? What if the weather changes? Do I need three pairs of shoes?
The temptation is often to pack for every possible scenario, filling our suitcase with clothes we might wear. But the reality is that most of us end up reaching for the same few favourite pieces again and again.
This year, I am taking a more mindful approach: creating a summer holiday capsule wardrobe. A small collection of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create plenty of different outfits, all packed neatly into a cabin-sized holdall.
Because packing less doesn’t mean having fewer options. It means choosing pieces that work harder.
The secret to a stress-free holiday wardrobe
When I am planning outfits for a trip, I start with a few key pieces that I know I will wear repeatedly. I look for comfortable, easy-to-style items that can take me from exploring during the day to dinner in the evening with just a few simple changes.
Neutral colours, lightweight fabrics and pieces that can be dressed up or down are always winners. A good pair of sunglasses, comfortable sandals and a co-ordinating set instantly make getting dressed feel effortless.
The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is that every item has a purpose.
The hero piece: a summer co-ord
A two-piece co-ord set is one of my favourite holiday essentials because it gives you multiple outfits from one purchase.
Worn together, it creates an easy, put-together outfit that requires almost no thought. Add sunglasses, a pair of wedge sandals and a simple bag, and you have the perfect look for wandering around a new town, enjoying lunch outside or heading to a holiday market.
But the real magic is that the pieces can also be worn separately.
The top can be paired with shorts or jeans for a more casual daytime outfit, while the trousers or skirt can be styled with a simple vest top for an evening look.
One outfit becomes three. Three outfits become a whole holiday wardrobe.
What I would pack for a week away
For a seven-day summer trip, I would focus on a handful of pieces that can all work together.
The co-ord set
My main outfit for travelling, sightseeing and evenings. It is comfortable enough for a long journey but still feels like I have made an effort.
A simple daytime dress
A lightweight dress is one of the easiest holiday pieces. Wear it with sandals during the day, then add wedges and jewellery in the evening to completely change the look.
A pair of shorts shorts
A holiday staple that works with almost everything. Pair them with the co-ord top, a simple T-shirt or swimwear for a relaxed beach look.
A couple of tops
I would choose pieces that can be worn with different bottoms rather than packing lots of separate outfits. A white shirt, vest top or lightweight blouse can create several different combinations.
A versatile evening layer
Even summer evenings can feel cooler, especially near the coast, so I always like to include a lightweight layer that works with multiple outfits.
Taking your holiday wardrobe from day to night
The best holiday outfits are often the ones that require the smallest changes.
A daytime look of a co-ord set and sandals can become an evening outfit simply by switching to wedge sandals, adding sunglasses in your hair, applying a little more make-up and adding some jewellery.
A simple dress can be worn sightseeing with comfortable footwear, then transformed for dinner by changing accessories.
This is why I love packing with a capsule wardrobe mindset. It gives you freedom. Instead of spending your holiday worrying about what to wear, you already know that everything you packed works together.
The cabin holdall challenge
One of my favourite holiday packing challenges is seeing just how much you can fit into a cabin bag.
The trick is not trying to squeeze in as much as possible – it is packing smarter.
Rolling lighter clothing, choosing pieces that can be worn more than once and planning outfits before you go means you can avoid the “just in case” items that usually end up untouched at the bottom of your bag.
For a week away, you really don’t need a huge suitcase full of clothes. A carefully chosen collection of favourites can give you everything you need.
My holiday essentials would include:
- A cabin-friendly holdall that is easy to carry and keeps everything organised
- A versatile co-ord set that creates multiple outfits
- A pair of sunglasses that instantly finishes every summer look
- Comfortable wedge sandals that work for both daytime exploring and evening dinners
- A handful of mix-and-match basics
Packing less, enjoying more
There is something quite freeing about travelling with less. Fewer decisions, less stress and more space to enjoy the actual holiday.
The aim is not to have a different outfit for every photograph. It is to have clothes that make you feel comfortable, confident and ready for whatever the day brings.
A summer capsule wardrobe proves that you don’t need endless options to create beautiful outfits. Sometimes a few carefully chosen pieces are all you need for the perfect getaway.
So this summer, instead of filling your suitcase with everything you own, why not challenge yourself to pack a little lighter?
You might be surprised at just how much you can create with less.