Building a Spring Travel Capsule Wardrobe with Talbots

Spring is here, a favorite season for travel. Whether you're heading overseas or checking out local destinations, you may be considering what to pack and how to pack the least but achieve the most style (and outfits). A capsule wardrobe can help you create multiple looks from a relatively small number of garments. I created this spring travel capsule wardrobe with Talbots New Arrivals, focusing on the T by Talbots collection of stylish separates for active lives and travel.

This article is sponsored by Talbots.

Building a Spring Travel Capsule Wardrobe with Talbots

I tell people my favorite color is orange, but over the years, it has progressively gotten redder, going from tangerine to blood orange. I also have a thing for tomato red and vermillion. From my nails to my phone case, I sport these firey colors and love how they're the perfect pop any time of the year with most any other color.

Picking a Focus Color

So when I saw this lightweight quilted jacket at Talbots, I knew I needed it. A lightweight quilted jacket had been on my travel fashion wish list since last spring when I attended Merefest, and I wished I had one like many of the other attendees. This jacket from Talbots looked more refined than others I had been considering, and the matte finish makes it look more like an indoor jacket than classic puffer fabric. With zipper pockets and the pocket interiors stitched to create interior smartphone-sized pouch pockets, this looked like a great addition to a spring travel capsule wardrobe.

Adding Interest with Stripes

One thing to know about my style is that I love stripes. Consider it my signature style. I find stripes interesting without being overwhelming, more elevated than many other prints, timeless, and fun. I like this Talbots Supersoft Jersey striped tee; it has an interesting seam detail on the back that doesn't take away from its versatility. It's that perfect length and fabric that can be worn untucked or tucked.

Choosing a Versatile Day Bag for Travel

I wanted to see what else at Talbots came in Vivid Red. A warm tomato red like this can be day or evening, athletic or elegant. I used the search bar at the top of the page and entered the color name of this jacket. This belt bag matches the jacket perfectly; I love a belt bag for travel because of its versatility:

• Pack a belt bag with your plane essentials like lip balm, eye drops, ear buds, eye mask, and sanitizing wipes. Tuck the belt bag into the top of your carry-on bag, and once you can remove your seatbelt, you can snap on your belt bag and have everything at arm's reach
• Once off the plane, the belt bag is stretched to its full length and becomes a crossbody purse.
• Wear as a crossbody when sightseeing under your jacket and cinch it to a height that is comfortable and not dangling off your side.
• For active adventures, wear as a classic belt bag
• Pack with essentials and wear as a shoulder bag when heading to the gym, grabbing coffee in the morning, and casual situations
• Use at the beach in place of a zipper pouch to hold essentials in your beach tote. It's easy to snap around a chair leg, your waist, to the strap of a bigger bag, or grab it and wear it like a crossbody or shoulder bag when going to grab food or a beverage.

Adding a Look for Elevated Situations

I thought about how versatile my 2023 navy T by Talbots dress is and how much I love it for travel. I saw this Mixed Media Short-Sleeve Dress in black and thought it was different enough but likely just as versatile. It's a midi length with deep pockets and a bungee cord to cinch or loosen the waist so it can adjust to delicious meals, sunburn, bloating, and activity. My recommendation? If in doubt, size up with this dress so you can have room for adjustment and all-vacation comfort and style!

pants | leggings | dress | jacket | cardigan | shell | striped tee | black top | sneakers | flats | sunglasses | scarf | earrings | belt bag | dumpling bag

Completing the Spring Travel Capsule Wardrobe

I then added pieces from Talbots New Arrivals to create a variety of looks for different travel scenarios, all of which fit in a carry-on.

• The Out and About Wide-Leg Pant is a whisper-thin yet opaque stretch nylon fabric that doesn't take much space or weight and feels cool on a humid day. A wide and smooth waistband, deep pockets, and clean lines mean these pants can do a hike in the morning and dress up with a camisole or sweater in the evening.
• Envisioning an active vacation with hikes, walks, gym time, and maybe even athletic classes, I wanted to add a pair of leggings, but ones that also could be worn with streetwear. The Performance Interlock Leggings aren't super shiny, have great stretch and bounce back, are completely opaque, and have a nice-sized pocket on both thighs.
• The Charming Cardigan and matching Charming Shell are Talbots classics, and for a good reason. A lightweight but tightly woven cotton/Tencel blend in saturated colors and a classic silhouette, I chose Tropical Punch, which is a cheery spring color and also a great complement to the Vivid Red jacket.
• A few accessories complete the capsule: classic ballet flats, breathable and stretchy yet elevated sneakers with arch support, classic aviator sunglasses, a chic scarf to add variety, and this purse that is simple enough to last in your closet for years but interesting enough that you will continually reach for it (also like the crossbody to clutch versatility).

Sample Outfits from the Capsule Wardrobe

From this spring travel capsule wardrobe with Talbots, I created nine different looks that would be great for your next getaway. Tap any of the thumbnails to see the looks larger; tap outside the image to return to this screen.

Extending the Capsule for More Versatility

You can easily add to this capsule wardrobe with additional items to extend the capsule even further.

• Consider a second pair of pants: olive, white, or a light brown neutral would coordinate nicely.
• Add a dressier top in black silk, crepe, or a wrinkle-free synthetic for additional elevated looks.
• A black active top can extend if you need more day and excursion looks.
• A rainjacket is a smart addition for spring travel; this hooded trench would be an excellent choice.

Thank you to Talbots for sponsoring this spring travel capsule wardrobe and giving me the freedom to create content I enjoy making, and I hope you find it enjoyable and useful!