Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
Many travelers choose to pack light with a carry-on size backpack and minimal travel clothes. This travel outfit style-mix shows you how to mix and match the 8 Piece Travel Essentials Packing List.
Travel Essentials Packing List: Style-Mix
25 style ideas to mix and match with just 8 pieces of women’s travel clothing!
Leggings are a great multi-purpose item to add to your travel capsule wardrobe! You can use them for added warmth, as pants, or pajamas. A basic set of black leggings is wearable with anything! Choose a thin, microfiber type fabric and even the cheapest leggings will practically come out dry from the washing machine. Ideal!
These are the most recommended, best leggings for women who travel.
If you only pack one dress, make it a little black travel dress. You can top it with a tank or cover it up with a button-down top. Style it up for a night out or make it casual for the day. Every girl should pack at least one dress as part of her backpacking clothing!
Check out our top choices for convertible travel dresses.
Whether you choose a flirty mini like this one or a more flowy and relaxed style, a plain black skirt is a good alternative if you want to pack light and still have the option to wear a dress once in a while.
Choose a basic black skirt and pair it with a black top to make a Little Black Travel Dress!
Tip: Want to pack light, find out how packing cubes can maximize the space in your bag here!
Shorts are another travel essential if you’re traveling to warmer climates. Whether you choose to bring denim shorts, capri length pants, or dressy shorts, they’re very versatile can go days without a washing.
If you choose the shorter length like shown above, wear leggings in more conservative areas.
Dressier options like the ones shown in this Europe packing list work well for Europe.
Many girls hate convertible pants for women and would much rather travel with jeans (these are the best ones). However, you should include a comfortable set of pants that can double as active pants in your travel wardrobe.
While some women like to wear leggings on active adventures certain styles of cargo pants can also be cute. The best thing is the fabric–it can go forever without washing or looking dirty!
These are the best travel pants for women. Find out why!
Need help creating a capsule wardrobe?
Savvy travelers know that a capsule wardrobe is the secret to traveling carry-on only. Pack Light Stylishly is our eBook that shows you exactly how to make a functional yet stylish capsule wardrobe for travel.
Learn more about Pack Light Stylishly here!
For more tips on travel outfits, please read:
- 8 Travel Capsule Wardrobes for Any Trip
- Most Cute and Comfortable Travel Shoes
- How to Pack Carryon Every Single Time
- Free Printable Vacation Checklist
LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!
We are going on a 21 day transatlantic cruise to Rome. From there we will do Tuscany for a week and then two weeks in Croatia. I understand the capsule, but I’m struggling with how to prepare for cruise and land travel, since you usually have to have a few dress clothes/shoes for the cruise. Any suggestions? Thought about once we got off the cruise, shipping some of our closes home that we won’t need to Italy & Croatia.
Hi Sherrie, thank you for reaching out! ?
A good place to start is to take a look TFG’s signature packing lists for ideas for a capsule wardrobe and how many clothing items you can pack for your trip: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/ The packing lists show you how to pack light and have the right clothes no matter the destination or the length of the journey! Then depending on your preferences you can choose more bottoms, less dresses, more tops – you have the ability to adjust the combination based on your needs.
For tips to help you adapt your packing list for your trip, check out this guide for Italy: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-italy-dress-like-a-local/
And for your cruise: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-a-transatlantic-cruise/
I would also highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post any questions you have there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ It’s a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their awesome advice and feedback.
Hope this helps you with your packing. Have the most incredible time on your travels! ?
Where is the hat from.
Traveling to Spain and Italy for 11 days and want to travel light and only pack in a carry on. With the mix and match outfits I’m assuming you wear them several times without washing them. Is there anything to use to keep clothing item smelling fresh? I know odd question but just thought I would ask. This is going to be my first travel experience.
Hi Alee, it’s actually a great question. Yes you would rewear some clothing but you can also do laundry half way through your trip if needed. Here are a few other tips:
1) hang up your clothing after wearing it to let it air out
2) spritz a bit of febreze of needed
3) stick a fabric softener sheet inside your luggage
4) choose fabrics that don’t absorb sweat and scents
5) pack more tops and less bottoms because it’s easier to rewear bottoms without washing
6) if traveling in the summer, take dresses!
Depending on the time of year you’re traveling, you could take 3 bottoms + 7 tops and only rewear 4 of the tops or just wash them by hand after a week. Choose easy to wash fabrics.
If you’re only spending on or two nights in each city and doing laundry on the go is difficult:
– For cold weather travel, wear merino wool thermals under everything – they can be worn for days and won’t absorb scents so you’ll only need one or two pairs. Since they’re closest to you skin you won’t need to wash the rest of your clothing.
– For hot weather travel, clothing is lighter so you can pack 3-4 bottoms and 11 tops and not do any laundry at all. That’s the Maximista size capsule wardrobe and should still fit into a carry-on with packing cubes.
Hope this helps 🙂
Hi Alex. Where’d you get the striped tank & white sleeveless blouse?
Hi Darlene, to be honest this post is a couple years old now so I don’t really know. I’m sorry about that!
Hi! I’m a nannie traveling to northern Michigan with their family for almost two months of the summer and I need to keep my stuff confined to 1 suitcase. Any tips? Thanks!
Hi Emma, these tips are a great place to start:
https://travelfashiongirl.com/learn-the-secret-to-packing-light-in-60-minutes/
https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/packing-cubes-video-tutorial-learn-how-to-pack-light/
https://travelfashiongirl.com/category/packing-2/packing-tips/
I’ve also posted your question on the Facebook page so stop by and keep an eye out for replies: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl
Hi Alex- Where is that navy button up from?
Hi Jo, I think it was H&M. Thanks for reading!
Leaving for Italy the end of January for a couple weeks. Only taking one medium//large suitcase as once we get there as we will be traveling by train. I know the weather is similar to the northwestern US which is where I live. I could use help for practical dress and packing more effectively. Especially for shoes/ boots.Thanks in advance. Love your website!
Hi Shellyb – thanks for your comment! You might find this article helpful: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-italy-from-a-locals-point-of-view/.
I’ll post your question on TFG’s Facebook page to get more feedback from other travelers: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl
Also, you might want browse the existing questions about Italy on Facebook as you’ll great tips as well.
Thanks again for reading 🙂
I’m doing 2 months in SEA next spring and have a gazillion clothes I barely wear that are basically brand new. What’s that Pareto rule – we use 20% of the things we have 80% of the time. So I’m researching my buns off to learn how to mix and match clothing to get different outfits (I’m also terrible at matching so this is certainly a challenge!). Great article, thanks for the tips! :o)
Don’t worry – Southeast Asia is super easy to pack for. This might help: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-backpacking-south-east-asia-holidays/
OK I totally need help before my family accuses me of committing another atrocious OVER PACKING CRIME LMAO! We are going to Miami/Orlando for Thanksgiving week – 8 days. We will be going for a somewhat family vacation, daughter’s competitive event, enjoy a football game, Sea World, Magic Kingdom – the works – have fun, nothing crazy. What would you recommend I pack…I am really torn b/c the weather is really in between its not HOT but it’s not COLD either…any help/recommendations for outfits please!! I am very known in the family to over pack like crazy and not wear half of what I pack, not to mention shoe wise I always go overboard LOL I always want to bring my entire closet for the what ifs. Avg temp is low 50’s and highs in the mid 70’s. Mornings and nights can be chilling and the afternoons warm. It also has a tendency to rain unexpectedly in FL. And I am planning on working out so workout gear is a MUST.
PLEASE HELP and help me amaze my family during this trip 😉
I hope you got this list because I had you in mind when I created it: https://travelfashiongirl.com/one-bag-travel-how-to-pack-for-a-weekend-trip/ and https://travelfashiongirl.com/thanksgiving-packing-list-10-piece-capsule-wardrobe-for-3-5-day-trip/
I have struggled with finding the right packing cubes. Do you have a recommendation for how to choose the best ones for a particular suitcase? Should I start by measuring my suitcase & then selecting cubes that fit that space?
Hi Marie, this article is going to tell you everything you want to know about packing cubes: how to use them (with video), the best ones to use, where to buy them, the best ways to pack using them, and if they’re worth it. Hope it helps!
https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/packing-cubes-video-tutorial-learn-how-to-pack-light/
Hope you enjoy your trip!
But how could you survive with the lowest temp. being 50 and the highest temp. being 70?!?!
Its hard enough with 30!
XD
Hi Emma, this guide will help you pack for mixed weather: https://travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guides/10-step-guide-to-packing-for-different-climates/
Hi, I will going to Texas next week for a 10 days trip. Im an islander, so I’m not comfortable with cold. The weather must be around 64 degrees. I had never experience that kind of weather before, I’m going crazy thinking about what to wear. It’s going to be a special trip, I’m going to meet up with my bf and celebrate my bday. Help me out, please!!
Hi Vanessa, thanks for your comment! I have posted your question on our Facebook page to see if we can get a wider range of feedback from you from other travelers: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl. Thanks!
Hey alex,
Where did you find the black dress pictured?
Thank you for the travel fashion inspiration! I’m a notorious over packer and hoping to be better with your help on our upcoming European vacation!!
I am traveling to Mexico city next week. I read that shorts and thight clothes are not ok. I was taking leggins as is the rainy season, but now I am having second thoughts. Help please!
Hi Lety, thanks for your comment! Mexico city is a very modern city and you’ll see many local fashionistas and hipsters. The Condesa and Roma areas in particular will leave you wishing you brought your coolest clothes from home.
You can most definitely wear leggings and skinny jeans/jeggings. I think when it says to avoid anything tight, think more along the lines of a clothing item that is overly fitted in your rear or bust area 😉
Shorts are actually ok however if they’re very short you’re rolling solo in some areas you may receive unwanted looks. Obviously shorts that are very short and revealing are never a good idea. I’d pack a pair if I were you, feel out the vibe and worse case, wear them over your leggings! The best way to wear shorts is to balance them out with a longer sleeve top 😉
Any of these looks work in Mexico City (except Escondido): https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-mexico/
Hope this helps! Mexico City is an AWESOME city 😉
Oh my! I have been googling and imaging minimalist wardrobe all day. Bonzai!! I am not going to “keep”, “toss” “donate”… i am going to toss
my entire closet and going on a quest for these oh so versatile pieces. Heck, in my walk in closet of over 100 items, of which I wear maybe 10… This will be so awesome!
That’s so great to hear 🙂 I’m happy this helps! It’s really helped me to let go of the hundreds of the clothing items I was hoarding in my storage.
Check out the latest packing list ensembles: https://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/
Thank you so much for this, I am terrible at mixing and matching so this gives me some great ideas 🙂 Anyway that you could tell me where you found that dress? It would be perfect for my upcoming trip to europe 🙂
Hi Jane, glad you enjoyed this list 🙂 The dress has been sold out for some time but it was from crumpetengland.com. Check out modcloth.com for great dress options found in my new packing lists: https://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/
Thanks for reading 🙂
thanks Alex!
Where do you find leggings that fit? The ones I’ve tried always stretch out in the crotch making me feel like I’m a duck waddling along. I never wear leggings alone but can’t imaging the waddle with a cute pair of shorts or a shorter skirt.
Hi Katara, the trick is to wear leggings with tunics so you have a bit of extra coverage in all the right places 😉 Alternatively, you can find leggings that are “legging” type material but have a more structured pant style cut that won’t result in the stretched out crotch which is the crappy part of leggings.
check out this post on Tunics 🙂 https://travelfashiongirl.com/travel-wardrobe-essentials-womens-tunics/
I have been looking all over for cute cargo pants! What brand are the ones pictured? They are very cute.
LOVE the fashion tips as well. I am hoping to do some traveling soon 🙂
These are BKE Dakota Convertible Pants. Although sold out they were on Buckle.com. Love the look of these too. Let me know if you find some your like!
Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi,
My personal favorite cargo pants are the Kuhl roll-ups! Capri’s in an instant,
and look nice either way. They also come in a pretty large number of colors,
and roll up small enough to pack easily.
I’ve also found that they tend to not wrinkle.
If you like lighter weight cargoes, then I like LLBeans stretch version. They are called Vista Camp pants, and can roll up, or be pulled in at the ankle for a different look. These always go with me because they are also workable as sleep pants. The fabric is stretchy in all. Very, very light and comfortable. Best of luck to all!
Connie Q
directions!
Great tips! I always travel on planes in a dress with leggings. It’s at least as comfortable as tracksuit pants but much more versatile. Generally I’m traveling from a cold Melbourne winter to somewhere warm so when I get to my destination I can just take off the leggings & I’m ready to go.
http://dayjaunts.blogspot.com/
Love the idea about layering a dress over leggings for a plane ride! Beats changing outfits, just remove and you’re ready to go.
thanks for the tip 🙂
I have seriously studied how to travel with less clothes, and have taken a carry on for my annual week in Maine. But, there is now way I would wear shorts that short. I am going to Germany and Poland next summer, for 13 days and was considering taking a duffle, instead of a carry on. But, maybe I can get by with just a carry on, after all. I do take a personal item, with my netbook, travel info. like tickets and itineraries, and plastic zipper bag of toiletries, as well as a book and my MP3 player.
Hi Cassie, thanks for commenting! Ha, don’t worry all the clothing is just meant to represent an item. shorts can be longer or shorter – it’s just up to the individual. Or if you go to a colder place, maybe you pack more pants and no shorts. You just have to adjust the lists and items for your own needs 🙂
Yes it’s nice to travel Europe without wheels – I used a duffle/wheel bag when I went in 2008. Found it nice to have access to both features. A carry on for 13 days sounds doable especially because you’d probably only need travel size toiletries – they can usually last a couple of weeks. safe travels!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
love this mix. it’s true. you don’t have to pack much to look good. i’ve been traveling with a carry-on for 3+ years and I haven’t once sacrificed style.
that’s awesome! yes, it’s just about choosing the right pieces. find myself to be more creative with less options 🙂
Totally true. Too many options make simple decisions much more difficult! Packing smart is the way to go. I unfortunately, throw a bunch of things I “enjoy wearing” and just hope* things come together. Definitely going to start using this site to eliminate half of the stuff I never wear anyway while overseas! Trekking it all is such a headache.
Thanks Adriana! I think people get more creative with their outfits at home or traveling when they have less clothes – I know I do! 🙂