I’ve just returned from two fabulous weeks in London and Paris! I love traveling this time of year; the weather was GORGEOUS for most of my trip. And I was able to see everyone I’d planned to meet up with, as well as two blogger friends who happened to be in Paris at the same time. I’m settling back in, have unpacked and done laundry, so it’s time to review my fall travel capsule wardrobe.
Over the years, I often refer back to these recaps when planning future trips. They’ve been a good reminder of what worked or didn’t, and help me to continue to refine my travel style.
What I packed…
I usually lay out and photograph my travel capsule a few days before I leave. You can read all of the details and why I chose what I did here: Smart Casual Fall Travel Capsule Wardrobe for London and Paris. And then I keep an eye on the weather forecasts, and make some last-minute edits or swaps. This time, I pulled the green cardigan in favor of an ivory hoodie, and added a lightweight water-resistant quilted jacket. (At the time of departure, there was some rain in the forecast that never really materialized.)
What I wore
Every time I share one of my travel wardrobes on social media, I always receive a few comments expressing that I’ve either packed too much, too little, or not the right things. In this case, I’ll admit that I could have pared back a bit, based on what I actually wore.
Overall, I’d give this wardrobe 7/10, with points subtracted for items packed but not worn. (But the pieces I did wear were 10/10. 😉) So here’s how everything stacked up:
(I use sports/baseball terms to rate my wardrobe pieces, but am sometimes asked what they mean. “MVP” means Most Valuable Player. A “pinch hitter” is a player not in the regular lineup who takes over to bat for another player. I use it to mean something I wore occasionally, that worked well in the moment, and that I was glad to have handy. And “benched” means “didn’t wear it.”)
MVP’s
- The loafers. I’d been experiencing some painful tendinitis in one foot a few days before my trip, so selected harder-soled shoes than I might normally pack. I’m happy to report that even with all of the walking I did, my tendinitis cleared up within a few days. So I think my shoe choices really helped. These Vince loafers were the pair I reached for most often. (As with most Vince shoes, they run 1/2 size large, so suggest sizing down.)
- The Betty cardigan. This piece has become one of my travel stalwarts, which I wear open as a jacket alternative or buttoned as a mid-layer. Even though it’s a little bit bulkier to pack than some other sweaters, it more than earns its place every time. (And it’s one of the pieces I reach for at home most often during cooler months.)
- Barrel jeans. Comfortable enough for travel days, but polished enough to go Smart Casual. (Budget-friendlier similar style HERE.)
- Barrel trousers. Fun, comfortable, and easy to style. And I actually received several compliments (from strangers) on these in London. (Budget-friendlier similar style HERE.)
- Leather jacket. The perfect topper for days that swung from chilly to mild. Layered well over whatever else I was wearing.
- Layering tees. Similar striped | similar solid
Pinch hitters
- Quilted vest. Another topper that worked really well for days that fluctuated in temperature. It adds interest and warmth without weight. I’m wearing size Small.
- Striped shirt (similar). I wore this on a couple of the warmer days as a topper over a tee.
- Silk scarves. Most days were warm enough to not need a scarf, but toward the end of my trip the weather cooled down enough to add one. (Leopard print HERE.)
Benched
- I did overpack sweaters, and never wore the lightweight merino crewnecks which I’d anticipated using as base layers, or the peach cardigan. (I purchased the red sweater I’m wearing above from Me+Em, and the weight & warmth were perfect for the last few London days.)
- Straight-leg jeans. Never wanted to wear these, was much happier in the barrel leg pair.
- Quilted jacket. Rain was negligible this trip, so I never needed a water-resistant piece.
So there you have it: my fall travel capsule wardrobe for London & Paris review! I’ll have more travel recaps and tips in future posts, as well as more travel capsule ideas for cooler weather ahead. In the meantime, be sure to visit my Travel Wardrobe Resource Hub for packing tips, gear reviews, and more travel wardrobes.
Do you keep notes on what you wore when you travel? What are some of your favorite items to travel with?
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