Packing A Capsule Wardrobe For Travel

Testing the packability of the Oliver Charles All-Season Quarter Zip.

Functional And Durable: Surviving Different Weather Conditions With My Sweater

Introducing the 2nd blog in my 3-part blog series about putting the Oliver Charles All-Season Quarter Zip to the test from Augusta, Georgia, to Costa Brava, Spain, and the journey along the way.

For this blog, I make my way to the Iberian Peninsula. We’ll explore the packability of the All-Season Quarter Zip in creating a capsule wardrobe while traveling. I will also explore its functionality in both the airport and on board the plane.

• 7 Day Sweater Challenge
• My Travel Essentials
• Exploring The Coast Of Costa Brava

----------

We all have hobbies in life that bring us joy. Whether the hobby is birdwatching, gardening, baking, or another one, there is something about exploring a passion that makes us feel more in sync with ourselves. For me, that hobby is traveling.

From a young age, travel has inspired a sense of wonder I rarely find elsewhere. This wonder is what inspired me to become a travel writer.

When I venture to new destinations, I enjoy the process from brainstorming locations and planning details to the final execution. If I’m honest, however, there is one aspect of travel that I never look forward to: packing.

The task of organizing clothes and essentials is tiresome, stressful, and is something I tend to put off until the last minute. It is, therefore, very appealing when I find an item that makes packing easier.

In my first blog post, I discuss my impressions of the Oliver Charles All-Season Quarter Zip during and after a 7 Day Challenge.

It is now time for me to partake in another challenge: preparing for a trip abroad with my sweater in tow.

Packing for travel within the domestic United States presents its own set of challenges, but entering another country takes it to another level. In addition to a passport, you must read up on new climates, languages, and customs, as well as each country’s travel requirements.

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is an economical, sensible, and lower-stress approach to packing for an international journey. Depending on the length of stay, a well-packed capsule wardrobe can be the difference between a free carry-on bag and a costly checked bag.

It can also mean less luggage to roll around those centuries-old cobblestone streets. A damaged suitcase wheel can really put a damper on your carefree vacation mood, so less is more when traveling abroad.

For my journey, I travel to the beautiful region of Costa Brava, Spain, along the Mediterranean Sea. In my capsule wardrobe, I strategize packing layers for comfort and versatility.

A Modern Workwear

As a self-proclaimed lover of athleisure wear, I dedicate around half of my clothes to this style. Thanks to my 7 Day Sweater Challenge, I have discovered that the All-Season Quarter Zip complements this style very well.

In my carry-on bag, I pack a pair of black leggings, navy blue leggings, and black athletic shorts. I also pack a variety of white t-shirts and tank tops that easily work with all my athleisure bottoms, as well as my sweater.

The Intentional Explorer

For an intentional look that is also comfortable and practical, I pack two pairs of shorts: one linen pair and one pair of jean shorts. I also pack a pair of light denim jeans for cooler days. If you viewed my first post, you can tell that I am a big fan of headbands.

I appreciate the versatility of the sweater, which allows for a casual or polished look depending on the accessories. With these outfits, I add some nice jewelry and a headband for a fun, feminine touch.

Going For Preppy And Polished

Finally, for an evening out when I’d like to have a dressier look, I pack a white denim skirt and white pants to pair with a pink tank top. As seen in my 7 Day Sweater Challenge, I tie the sweater around my shoulders and pair it with some white leather sneakers.

This is a classy, preppy look, and it has got to be one of my favorite outfits.

When traveling to coastal destinations, warm days are often followed by windy, cool nights. While it is never a bad idea to pack a light jacket, I rarely find one that is compact. For my trip to Spain, I substituted a light jacket for my Quarter Zip.

As I discovered in my prior trip to Saint Simons Island, Georgia, this sweater works well at keeping me warm in windy scenarios. It’s also a great choice for a capsule wardrobe since it lies flat in the suitcase.

A Cozy Flight Accessory

The last test for the All-Season Quarter Zip in this travel challenge is its use on an airplane. As any avid traveler can attest, airplanes often operate in two temperatures: extremely warm or ice-cold.

After takeoff, my flight leans more to the latter, so I retrieve my sweater to warm up. Since this was an overnight flight, I was quite sleepy as it is and felt immediately more comfortable after putting it on. I wear it the entire duration of the flight as it feels more like a cozy blanket than a pullover.

Final Thoughts On My Sweater’s Packability

So, how does the Oliver Charles All-Season Quarter Zip fare as a capsule wardrobe staple? From my perspective, it fares very well. As someone with a distaste for packing, planning my clothes around coordinating and functional pieces proved to be a satisfying experience rather than a daunting chore.

It also takes the pressure off thinking about each day’s outfit individually. I love the ease of the capsule wardrobe and admire that it is also a more economical choice. From one traveler to another, give the capsule wardrobe a go to see for yourself. Bon voyage!

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.