Wardrobe | Home

Tina, here.

It's like a capsule wardrobe, but smaller.  I love giving myself these challenges. How, you say, can I get through a Summer trip with just 3 pieces??  I know, it's a bit aggressive but if you were only allowed 3 pieces to wear your entire trip, and let's say it's just a long weekend, then these would be my choices for you. Ok, ok, I'll give a little  - how about I include multiple options for each category so you could double or triple up on some of the colors and types within the categories? And accessories don't count towards the 3 items. Done. Scroll down after the list to see how your suitcase / outfits might look.

May I present to you,

Packing For A Summer Vacation With These Three Pieces

Oversized Button-Down

The point of this piece is that it serves triple-duty. It is a cover-up at the pool or beach. And if you give it enough time to air out, it is a blouse to go over slim pants (the second piece) with dressy sandals and jewelry at night. Or, you can tie it over your sundress, the third piece in your suitcase, Daisy Duke-style to cover your arms (see below). If you pack a tunic rather than a button down shirt, then the tunic is the cover-up by day and a dress by night.

I'm wearing an old cover-up/tunic, because it's an old picture. :roll:  And I couldn't get a new pic of me in it so that had to do. mkay and thx for understanding :-)

Slim Ankle Pants

The point of these is that they are not evil capris or short-shorts or camp counselor clothes. So, granted, you'll need a couple pairs of these on a trip. But if you only take one pair, then they must, must, must be white. Must. Ok, or off-white. That's because white is dressier than any other color (including black, in the summertime) and everybody wants to change clothes after a hot day and put on something nice for dinner. They can be linen. They can be cotton. They can be denim. They do need to be slim so you can wear them with every single pair of shoes you bring. Sandals or sneakers during the day. Heels or flats at night. And yes, I'd wear white on white as long as they are different fabrics (white cotton or linen button-down with white jeans) in the Summer with colorful jewelry and sandals.

Sheath or Sundress

RELATED: A Sheath, A Shift and a Shirtdress

Your first objection is that you don't wear sleeveless anything. I have a solution! This is one of the reasons the oversized button-down is in your suitcase. You don't have to button it, just toss it on and tie up the two corner ends in a knot. ↓  You're going to wear it Daisy Duke-style over the sleeveless sundress!

This is another reason you want your linen or cotton button-down to be oversized, so you can tie it Daisy Duke-style over your sundresses!

 

Putting it all together in a suitcase and making your outfits:

OPTION 1.

OVERSIZED BUTTON-DOWN FOR DAYTIME / BEACH / POOL

FOR EVENING WITH A SUNDRESS AS YOUR "WRAP"

FOR EVENING AS A TUNIC WITH PANTS

OPTION 2

COVER-UP FOR DAYTIME (I think it's too short to be an actual dress, as they call it.)

FOR EVENING AS A TUNIC WITH PANTS

FOR EVENING, YOUR PINK PANTS WITH YOUR 2ND COVER-UP 

Option 3
COVERUP FOR DAYTIME 

FOR EVENING AS A TUNIC WITH PANTS 

MORE MIX AND MATCH IDEAS

If you're going on vacation, bon voyage!