I think we can agree that it's been a wild winter this year, can't we? So, not to rub it in, but I'm headed for vacation next week to sunny Miami and I can't wait! The stresses of customs combined with the lengthy waits at the baggage claim have made me decide to pack for this 7 day trip in a carry-on.
You've seen me pack in a carry-on for a business trip with the Report on Business, now I'm going to apply the same techniques when packing for a week of fun.
My trip is a City Vacation, and it will be hot during the days and cool at night. While we will definitely hit the beach & the pool, it's not a 'lay on the beach and rotate every 45 min' kind of trip. There will shopping & wandering (hello Miami Deco & Versace's Mansion!), dinners & evenings out (salsa dancing I hope!), and even gym-going....I know.
This kind of trip seems to require a lot of different kinds of clothing for difference kinds of activities but, done strategically, you can still be properly attired with lots of variety and YES: make it all into a carry-on bag.
I don't think I've ever done this before, but I'm going to share MY OWN wardrobe pieces with you right now. Ready? Here's what I'm bringing to Miami (outside of cosmetics, workout gear & socks/personals):
Steel Blue Stretch Cotton V-Neck T, Charcoal Grey Easy-Fit Tank, Mauve Matte Silk Jersey Asymmetrical Top, Steel Blue & Cream Floral Bustier
Charcoal Grey Cropped Skinny Pant, Dark Indigo Flare Jeans, Cream Self-Belt City Short
Mashable-Packable Multi-Coloured Strapless Day Dress, Steel Blue Matte Jersey Off-The-Shoulder Dress
Steel Blue Linen Blazer, Coral Pink Linen V-Neck Sweater
Nude Heels, Brown Wedge Sandals, Charcoal Grey Shimmery Thongs, Deep Purple Scarf, Brown Leather Shoulder Bag, Shell Coloured Shimmery Suede Clutch, Brown Wide Belt, Gas-Spill Metallic Twist 'n Tie Belt
And yes, it all fits in a carry-on! There's even enough room for a travel companion...sorry Minouchka, not this time!
What I love about this capsule: 1) The colour palette mixes a constant neutral (Charcoal Grey) with 4 flattering colours (denim blue, mauve, steel blue, and coral pink) that work well in warm weather, 2) The fabrics mix well together and for different levels of dress because they are light weight, smooth textured, and 3) Every piece does multiple duties so there's lots of bang for buck!
So where's the work out gear? I put it into my gym bag of course! This Lug Puddle Jumper also makes a perfect tote bag for travel. Lots of compartments and a tonne of internal space, I fit in two sets of workout gear, gym shoes, weight gloves, my laptop, iPod & earphones, and a slew of other odds & ends for the plane ride (like my laptop, trail mix & kale chips).
Ooh! One last tip: I choose to wear some of the heartier clothing on the plane so it doesn't take up valuable packing space. My 'travel outfit' will be the jeans with the chambray tunic, the jacket, accessorized with the platform shoes (with cute crochet sockettes for the Toronto portion), wide belt, large brown purse, and purple scarf. Upon arrival I can peel a layer or two off and feel perfectly suited for the Miami warmth!
Play with this capsule! I bet you can think up far more than just a week's worth of outfits here! And I'll show you some of the combos I wore when I return!
