I'm Spending One Week in Italy. Here's My Easy Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
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I’m planning a trip to Tuscany at the end of this summer to participate in a Katonah Yoga retreat and to live out my art history nerd dreams. To prepare for yoga, biking along vineyards, and touring museums, I’ve also been planning my travel capsule wardrobe. If you roll the clothes, you may be able to fit everything in your carry-on luggage, but I’m taking a checked bag to fit souvenirs and the mass amount of yoga leggings I will be packing.
You’ve probably heard of a capsule wardrobe before. If not, it’s simple. A capsule wardrobe is a subset of your clothing that you keep out to wear and mix and match to create simple outfits. A capsule wardrobe checklist is used for planning trips (or seasonal wardrobes) and can be helpful because you know how many days to pack for, though you’re limited with how many items you can fit into your luggage. I know a handful of activities that I want to do while in Florence: visit cathedrals and museums, walk around exploring the city, do plenty of yoga, and of course, eat some of the best things Italy has to offer—pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine.
I plan to pack loose fitting items made from lightweight fabrics in this capsule wardrobe for my week in Italy. Ideally, I’ll be able to use clothing I already own, too. I also plan to pack neutral clothes so that I can mix and match items together to create more outfits. And, of course, I won’t forget about accessories like sunglasses, hats, purses, shoes, and swimsuits because it will be hot in late August.
A skort
Price Range: $$
The first item I added to my wardrobe checklist was a skort. I’m thrilled they’re back in style because they’re comfortable, versatile, and generally tend to be sweat-wicking. I have the Wrap Skort from Girlfriend Collective and I love the slightly compressive shorts, hidden pockets, and the tie closure on the side. A skirt pairs well with a bikini top, bodysuit, or t-shirt and keeps you covered while biking and walking. Outdoor Voices also has a few styles in different lengths and colors.
Image: Outdoor Voices
Sport 4” Skort
Outdoor Voices
Image: Girlfriend Collective
Midnight Weekend Wrap Skort
Girlfriend Collective
A flowy, sundress
Price Range: $$ – $$$
When I looked up photos of Italy, I knew I’d want a white sundress to wear around the city. A longer dress that covers my shoulders and knees is appropriate for cathedrals and certain art sites, while the lightweight fabric will keep me cool. I shopped for a tiered sundress with thicker straps, and I also love the style where the mini-sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulder.
Image: Madewell
Sophia Midi Dress
Madewell
Cropped Tank
Price Range: $ - $$
Summers in Italy are known to be hot and humid, due to Italy’s Mediterranean location, so cropped shirts or tanks are a must. I’m an active, sweaty person as well, so I tend to wear sweat-wicking fabrics in black to hide sweat stains. Basic tanks are easy to use in minimal wardrobes when not traveling, and they’re easy to pair when you are abroad. I found this checkered swirl tank from REI Co-Op and I love that I can wear it for yoga or as a casual top.
Image: Nordstrom
Image: REI
Mountain Stretch Tanklette
Mountain Hardwear
Linen-Blend Shorts
Price Range: $$
While some people love denim, I find it rough and constricting during the warmer months. Instead, I plan to pack several pairs of pull-on shorts. Linen-blend fabrics are comfortable and lightweight, and the longer styles keep legs from chafing. Stretchy waistbands are also easy to pull on over a swimsuit and linen-blend styles pair well with tank tops and tucked shirts alike.
Image: Nordstrom
Pull-On Relaxed Shorts
Treasure & Bond
Image: Madewell
Linen-Blend Easy Shorts
Madewell
Swimwear
Price Range: $ - $$$
Swimwear is always on my packing checklist, and I’m excited to swim in the natural lakes Tuscany has to offer. Any swimwear will do, but I suggest packing styles that you can pair several ways to have more options. I also like to have a one-piece too, because it can work as a bodysuit under shorts or a skirt.
Image: Nordstrom
Always Fits One-Piece Swimsuit
Good American
Image: Aerie
Image: Aerie
Bodysuit
Price Range: $ - $$
When it comes to a capsule wardrobe checklist, versatile items are important. You only have so much space in your carry-on luggage or checked bag, so having clothing pieces that can be worn multiple ways—or with various other pieces—ensures you’re getting the most wear out of what you pack. Bodysuits are a prime example of functional basics; you can wear them with any bottoms and layer them for travel or touring. And, depending on your comfort level, you might not need a layer underneath them so they can be an easy outfit to throw on quickly.
Image: Girlfriend Collective
Fawn Marlow High Neck Bodysuit
Girlfriend Collective
The Cami Bodysuit
Everlane
Breathable Undergarments
Price Range: $ - $$
No one ever wants to forget underwear while traveling! I always pack extra in case I can’t do laundry while I travel, and I was long ago given the advice to keep an extra pair in your carry-on for emergency situations. Since I know I will be spending most of my days outside, I’m bringing breathable and comfortable undergarments. If you’re looking to buy new styles, I suggest shopping sustainable brands like Everlane and Parade—both of which I’ve tried and loved.
Image: Everlane
The Invisible Bikini
Everlane
Image: Lululemon
InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong underwear
Lululemon
Image: Parade
String Cheeky
Parade
A Fanny Pack
Price Range: $ - $$
While traveling, you’ll need a bag to carry your things: chapstick, sunscreen, wallet, maybe even your passport. You may have a favorite purse or crossbody bag to pack, but to keep your items close to your body and keep your hands free, consider bringing a fanny pack along. They are so useful when traveling, and because they’re back in style, you have plenty of options to shop. I swear by my BAGGU fanny pack because its nylon fabric dries quickly and the waist strap can be lengthened to wear as a crossbody. Amazon also has dozens of options, but look for styles with multiple pockets and a buckle clip for convenience.
Image: Amazon
Fanny Waist Bag
Amazon
Image: Baggu
Fanny Pack
Baggu
Huarache Sandals
Price Range: $ - $$$
Huarache sandals have woven leather uppers, so they are a breezy shoe. I love the Nisolo Huaraches, and will pack mine for museum days and walking around the city. They look minimal and put-together with a dress or shorts but are slightly fancier than sneakers. DSW also has several affordable Huaraches in black, silver, cream, and navy.
Image: Nisolo
Huarache Sandal
Nisolo
Image: DSW
Ranie Huarache Flat
EuroSoft
Comfortable walking shoes
Price Range: $$ - $$$
You’ll want to have comfortable shoes for walking during your travels and for when you reach your destination. This pair of shoes is usually what I wear on the plane because they are comfortable and tend to be the bulkiest pair of shoes I pack. This summer I’m planning to wear the Circle Vees from Vans, but other low-top sneakers will work just as well.
Image: Everlane
The Forever Sneaker
Everlane
Image: Vans
Circle Vee
Vans
When it comes to a capsule wardrobe checklist, you want to pack items that you can pair together, that make you feel good, and that will allow you to do the things you plan to do. Feel free to adjust the list as needed. If you’re going to the beach, pack more bikinis and swim coverups. If you’re going to an urban center, pack more shoes and going-out outfits. Ideally, your capsule wardrobe reflects your plans. Be sure to have enough tops and bottoms to last you the length of your trip, but challenge yourself to try new outfit pairings.
