10 Pieces, 14 Outfits: Thanksgiving Packing

Capsule Wardrobe: What to Pack for Thanksgiving

It’s time for another annual Thanksgiving Packing post!  I’ve done these every year around this time since 2012 so that you don’t have to think very hard about what to pack during the holidays.  You can see my past packing posts HERE.  I typically use closet staples and favorites for the season, so I still love all the past packing lists even though they’re a few years old.  I also more or less have all the pieces from the most recent few years!

This year’s list is also full of pieces I love, and almost all of them were part of the PMT Fall Outfit Challenge that began earlier this fall.

For newer readers, I started packing mini capsule wardrobes for trips because one year for Thanksgiving I packed in outfits in an attempt to not overpack, but none of my clothes went with anything outside of its designated outfit. Once I was on my trip, I absolutely hated the outfits I packed and didn’t want to wear them. Since nothing could go with anything else, I was stuck with the outfits I brought and hated. On top of that, I actually didn’t have appropriate clothing for some unplanned activities on the trip. For a week I was stuck with a suitcase full of clothes that I either didn’t want to wear or couldn’t wear, and I felt trapped with no options!  Packing mini capsule wardrobes give me tons of options without overpacking. It’s the best! Instead of being limited to set outfits, I have a mix and match suitcase full of outfit options for whatever I want to or need to wear that day. 

Capsule Wardrobe: What to Pack for Thanksgiving
SHOP THE CLOTHES

red plaid top (exact in collage, similar)  |  navy printed blouse (exact in collage)
striped tee (similar, similar)  |  maroon top (exact–size XS)
black cardigan (similar, similar)  |  beige cardigan (exact in outfits, similar)
navy vest (exact wearing; exact in collage)
dark wash jeans (exact–size 4)  |  maroon jeans (similar, similar)
black jeans (exact–size 6)

ACCESSORIES & SHOES
leopard print scarf (exact, similar)  |  mustard scarf (similar, similar)
tall boots (exact, exact more colors)  |  brown booties (similar, similar)
black booties (exact, similar, similar)

 

GENERAL PACKING LIST

After all these years I’ve landed on a generalized list that I usually go back to, which is:
  • 4 tops – Usually I pick two solid tops and two printed ones, but this year I went for 3 printed tops.
  • 3 different colored bottoms – skirts, pants, shorts, etc.  Usually I want each bottom to go with at least 3 out of 4 tops, and even better if they each go with all the tops.  That will help you maximize your outfits.  This year I broke my rule since the maroon bottoms only go with two of the tops!
  • 3 completer pieces – The more different they are from each other, the more varied your outfits will look.  For example, a vest provides a much different feeling for an outfit than a cardigan while two cardigans of different colors might feel the same after a while.  And a blazer makes outfits much sharper than cardigans do.  Not always, though!  If you don’t care as much about outfit variety then it doesn’t matter either.  This year I used two cardigans because I don’t think I’ll find myself in a situation where I’ll need to be more dressed up.  If that were the case, I’d swap one of the cardigans for a blazer in the same color.
  • 2 pairs of shoes – I usually limit it to just 2, but I’m breaking all my rules this year and going with 3!  I could definitely get away with just either the brown booties or boots and the black booties, but this year I’m gonna live a little!  😛
  • 1-2 scarves – Usually one printed and one solid, but it doesn’t matter.
  • A handful of necklaces – Some years I rely heavily on necklaces and if you bring some colored necklaces, boy do they really change the looks!  This year, however, I used necklaces minimally.
  • Jacket (not shown).  I always only bring one jacket when traveling to save my precious suitcase space.  Jackets are bulky!

 

TRIP DETAILS

  • Duration: 7 days.  I want to clarify that while this could be used for a 14 day trip, I personally would probably not use this list for a 14 day trip slotting one outfit per day. Using this list that way would only put you back in the trap of having set outfits and doesn’t give you margin for things to get dirty, not having the right outfit for the right occasion, or the weather not cooperating with your planned outfit for the day.  For me the point of this is to have some options for those unexpected times, so I can be ready for getting spilled on, the weather changing, or unplanned activities–without packing half my closet for all of those “just in case” events.  I would pack this for a 7-10 day trip, but not a 2 week trip.
  • For a longer trip, I would pack 1-2 more tops which will go a very long way.  Also, maybe one more completer piece, like a pullover sweater or some sort of structured jacket like a utility jacket or blazer.

What to Pack for a Fall Trip: 10 Pieces 14 Outfits

Very maroon-y and red, but whatever!  I feel like most of these outfits are my comfy go-to’s and I’d be happy wearing any of them!  😀

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