Your accommodations are booked and your itinerary is set, but the one to-do on your travel checklist that’s often left to the last minute: deciding on your vacation attire.
No matter where your travels are taking you this season, it is easy to overpack. In fact, what we deem as necessary might simply be taking up space in our luggage unnecessarily (guilty). It’s also never the easiest task to figure out what to wear to and outside the airport.
Thankfully, fashion expert and stylist Jasmine Snow stopped by the 3rd hour of TODAY to share some wardrobe essentials to include in your vacation attire. Some of her recommendations consist of everyday basics, stylish and waterproof jewelry and more options to save you room in your bag (and time from outfit planning).
So put down those extra pair of shoes — these are the travel wardrobe basics to pack in your bag, according to a stylist.
Best travel capsule wardrobe basics seen on TODAY
“A great capsule wardrobe always starts with the perfect tee,” says Snow. “These have that soft, broken-in feel with a clean silhouette that works well layered under jackets, over dresses, or tucked into jeans and trousers.”
You get a pack of two relaxed-fit shirts starting at $11, so you can stock up on multiple colors for travel days, sightseeing and casual dinners out.
Snow says linen “is one of the smartest fabrics for summer travel” since it’s breathable and lightweight, keeping you cool during the warmer months. These H&M button-ups are made with a linen-blend fabric that Snow says has a softer feel and is less prone to wrinkling. They’re perfect to toss over a swimsuit or pair with shorts or chinos.
“This dress is the perfect component to a capsule wardrobe: it’s comfortable enough to walk in all day but polished enough to wear straight to dinner,” says Snow.
It also has a four-way stretch, quick-dry fabric, and two different ways to wear. You can wear the cutout design open-back or flip it around for a tasteful cropped look.
These polished pants may look dressy, but they actually feel like activewear. They’re perfect for travel because you’ll feel put together yet extremely comfortable, making them a great option for going from the plane to plans.
Jewelry is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel new and fresh, says Snow. That’s why she loves this layering necklace from Baublebar, which she says “creates that styled, put-together look with minimal effort.” Plus, they’re waterproof, so you can wear them to the beach or pool without worrying about them getting tarnished.
Baublebar also offers this waterproof two-tone earring set, which can be worn as your earring stack or mixed and matched with various outfits.
When it comes to travel, Snow says a comfortable sneaker is a “non-negotiable.” These sneakers have a retro look and offer Dr. Scholl’s signature comfort and support for all-day wear. They come in a variety of colors, but a classic white complements everything, from dresses to jeans to athleisure.
More travel capsule wardrobe basics
Inicat Large Crossbody Bag
“This large (but not too large) crossbody bag has become the star of my latest trip abroad. Not only did I get tons of compliments from friends, but it also fit everything I needed for a day exploring a foreign city, all while feeling secure,” says editor Shannon Garlin in a review article.
“This hat is both fabulous and functional — wide brim for sun protection, and it easily packs in your bag,” mentions Snow. “It’s a timeless neutral, so it works at the beach, pool, or even walking around town while on vacation.”
If your travel plans include a sandy beach and warm water, be sure to have a classic flip-flop on hand to add some charm to your beach attire, like this Travel Awards-winning pick.
A traveling hack is packing a shoe that can pair with all of your vacation attire, such as this comfortable find from Cushionaire. “These aren’t just cute — they take up minimal space so they’re easy to pack,” says Snow. “They are perfect for daytime comfort with memory foam footbeds, arch support — so yes, you can actually walk around in them all day.”
It weighs less than a pound and lies flat in your bag (or can be folded), so it shouldn’t take up the space of all of the souvenirs you might be bringing back.
Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics to wear in a warm climate. This pair of shorts from Quince is made from 100% European linen, according to the brand, for a breezy fit and feel.
Quince offers a similar option for men, too. This pair features an adjustable drawstring for easy wear.
It’s never easy to figure out what to wear to the airport. Although jeans never seem like the comfiest option on the plane, the Flex High-Waisted Wide-Leg Stretchy Jeans from Halara look like denim but have the feel and stretch of athleisure.
We ranked Baggu's Medium Nylon Crescent Bag as the "best travel purse" in our Travel Gear Awards. It's equally practical as it is stylish, with ample room to store essentials, a versatile way of wearing (crossbody or over-the-shoulder) and a convenient machine-washable design.
"This dress is super cute and easy to style,'' boasts writer Emma Stessman. "I could 100% picture myself throwing this on under a jean jacket for a casual day walking around or wearing it with a nicer leather jacket to dress it up for dinner. It comes in so many different colors and the price is great." And the best part? The dress has pockets!
Former associate editor Sierra Hoeger said in our best sandals coverage that Birkenstocks are one pair of shoes she has in her spring and summer rotation. “These are my favorite style of Birkenstocks, so much so that I buy a new pair whenever the old ones break," she raved. "Birkenstocks are durable, comfortable and truly stand the test of time. Once your feet mold to the footbed, they’re truly the most comfortable sandal you’ll own.”
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Jasmine Snow.
- Jasmine Snow is an on-air fashion expert and stylist.
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As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers on the hunt for the latest products to help improve their lives. Items are sold by retailers, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil