Summer Travel Essentials Packing List

Simplify your approach to packing with a summer travel capsule wardrobe. Whether beach bound or hiking the Alps, coordinate a highly versatile and timeless collection of staple wardrobe pieces that can be mixed and matched with ease. Our summer travel packing list breaks down everything you'll need to help you maintain your style, no matter where your plans take you.

Essential Summer Travel Clothing Pieces

Essential summer travel styles are the closet MVPs that are equally classic and versatile–including your most reliable basics styled with a few statement pieces–for effortless dressing that’s as comfortable as it is polished. For example, pair printed blouses with neutral linen pants and a lightweight layer. Capsule closets are all about striking a balance between outfit formulas and personality pieces.

Versatile Dresses and Shirts

Women's dresses top our list for many reasons. Not only do these outfit heroes offer a complete look with just one piece, but their versatility means you can dress them up or down and add layers to create a multitude of looks. Explore our distinctive collection of sophisticated women's dresses for everything from breezy shirt dresses perfect for the beach to invaluable little black dresses you can slip into for dinner out.

When choosing women's tops for vacation outfits, queue the classics. Striped tees and unexpected necklines like scoop and boat necks come in handy for casual day looks, and our Britt Linen Shirt works equally well as a swim coverup or topping dresses and skirts.
Our classic Men's shirt collection is where you'll find breathable staples with plenty of structure and sophistication.

Summer Sweaters and Knits

Even in mild climates, you'll need to layer up for chilly mornings or breezy beach days. Pack plenty of pullovers and cardigans to complete your relaxed summer travel outfits.

Men's knits and polos offer effortless refinement that's perfect for any trip. A polo is a great choice if you plan on playing a quick round of golf before lunch, but it also offers a stylish and packable option for sightseeing, relaxing, or dining outdoors.

Our selection of women's sweaters offers cozy, lightweight pieces you can easily add to dresses and tees. Featuring classic cardigans or raglan pullovers in versatile materials like linen and cotton, our sweaters are a capsule must-have.

Likewise, Men's Sweaters offer just-right depth that works with practically anything. Add a striped sweater to your tee and shorts for boating, or wear a quarter zip to pair with casual pants on a morning run for pastries and coffee.

Accessories and Footwear

Since capsule wardrobes lean on basics, thoughtfully chosen accessories and footwear make a significant impact. Whether it's an elegantly woven bag and pop-of-color sandals or a structured carry-all tote and boat shoes, it's the details that make the most of any capsule collection.

Summer Bags

Add interest to your reliable staples with summer bags that deliver plenty of texture and color. Elements like bamboo top handles or handbags made from straw and wicker enhance anything from a crisp white shirt and skirt combination to a paisley printed shirt.

Consider something from our collections of men's travel bags for classic totes to top off an out-of-the-office-approved menswear look.

Comfortable but Stylish Footwear

Comfort and style are non-negotiable when it comes to summer travel style, and our women's shoes strike the ideal balance. Opt for chic and sleek sneakers that keep you comfortable while you're taking in the sights. Wedges and heels perfectly complement dressy outfits and also elevate casual staples. From our men's shoe collection, leverage polished options like suede driving moccasins or slip-on retro-inspired trainers for easy-going comfort.

Other Summer Accessories

Be sure to leave room for other thoughtfully chosen summer accessories. A luxurious belt or a wide-brim hat are worthy additions to your capsule wardrobe that shouldn't be overlooked.

Creating a Balanced Travel Wardrobe

Focus on key pieces and break your packing down to categories like, three bottoms, five tops, two layers, and a dress. This ensures that you select pieces that can be mixed with each other for maximum versatility.

For your most efficient packing, our men's collection has you covered. Polo shirts blend the effortlessness of tees with the polish of collared shirts, while structured layers like linen blazers and safari jackets make layering up a cinch.

Here's an example of what a summer capsule wardrobe might include: Start with a linen shirt to wear over your swimwear or dress up with skirts and tailored shorts. Add breezy pants and a lightweight blazer for a structured layer that dresses up your looks, then pepper in accessories like a chic sun hat, a belt, and complementing footwear to finish things off.

Packing Tips and Tricks

Once you've finalized your packing list, try these smart packing tips to maximize space in your luggage:

• Roll jeans, pants, and t-shirts instead of folding them to save space.
• Consider using packing cubes to organize items by category. You can even pack complete outfits in separate cubes to simplify dressing while traveling.

With a little preparation and forward-thinking, a chic summer capsule will have you spending your time abroad creating memories rather than creating looks.

Explore more summer closet staples from J.Mclaughlin.