I Just Went to NYC—This Was My 3-Day Capsule Travel Wardrobe

I’ve historically been just an okay packer—not incredible, but not horrible. On a grading scale, like a solid B. That said, mapping out a true travel capsule wardrobe ahead of a trip has helped me over time (ahem, reaching more of that A status). Oh, and if you’re unfamiliar with a capsule wardrobe, it’s an edited assortment of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.

I recently took a quick three-day trip to New York City, and I thought about key pieces ahead of time and how I could re-wear items (not including underwear, socks, etc.) to maximize suitcase space and create easy yet chic outfits for my time in the city. I unpacked everything and organized it in the closet of my hotel room to keep everything visible. FYI, I stayed at The Luxury Collection in Midtown—very chic as you can see in the photos above.

Below you’ll find the key items I packed (showcased with various womenswear pieces and not including all of my accessories like sunglasses and a belt), along with some of the outfits I put together and where I wore them. For reference, I did bring three white tees to keep fresh during my stay. Keep scrolling for more.

One of my favorite easy and chic looks is a button-up shirt over a white tee. So yes, I wore this combo for a lovely lunch and day of shopping. To dress up the vibe, I opted for trousers with my comfortable sneakers. It’s also to note that I invested in this Loewe clutch over the summer, and it was my daily bag. It’s a pouch that fits a nice amount of stuff (great for travel), but it can also be converted into a shoulder bag or a crossbody. So versatile!

Dinner and a Show: Blazer + Tee + Trousers + Pouch + Loafers

For dinner and a show that night, I swapped my button-up shirt for a double-breasted blazer and slipped into beautiful loafers rather than my sneakers.

Coffee Run: Tee + Sweater + Trousers + Sneakers

That trusty white tee, trousers, and sneakers were perfect for a coffee date. I also brought my cashmere sweater to drape over my shoulders and wear if it got chilly, and I used my travel tote with this look.

Brunch + Museums: Striped Shirt + Sweater + Jeans + Pouch + Sneakers

I kept it comfortable and cool for brunch and museums with my striped shirt, cashmere sweater on top, jeans, and sneakers.

Dinner and a Show (Part Two): White Shirt + Blazer + Jeans + Pouch + Loafers

For another night of dinner and a show (love a Broadway moment), I mixed in a white shirt with my blazer and went for trousers again with loafers.