Capsule wardrobe – Travelling light

Travel challenge.

My husband Mr P had a significant birthday this month and as a treat we decided to take a short break in Morocco starting off with two nights in Marrakech and then four nights in a magical hotel in the Atlas mountains.

I was given strict instructions that I was only allowed to take a carry on suitcase for the trip which was quite a challenge. At least BA is a little more generous with the size of case than Ryanair. Still I had a variety of activities to accommodate ranging from doing the tourist thing in the Souks of Marrakech, to trekking in the mountains to romantic dinners by candlelight.

Below are a few outfits I put together. Photos by Mr.P

How to make a long black dress work in three different ways:

 

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Most of the items I am wearing are several years old. If you are interested in trying out the look I have added a selection of similar at the bottom of the page. 

capsule travelling wardrobe
Please keep the comment coming I love to hear from you.

22 Comments

  1. Cathy
    14th March 2014 / 16:07

    Great ideas for different looks from one dress. That hotel looks fabulous!

  2. 14th March 2014 / 16:54

    You did really well and look fab! Wish I had known you were going, I’m trying to find someone to get me a Moroccan wedding blanket for my daughters wedding xx

  3. Janet
    14th March 2014 / 18:59

    I just found your blog today it’s wonderful beatuful photos such an inspiration – keep up the great work Best Wishes

  4. 14th March 2014 / 20:18

    You have cleverly achieved a different stylish look in each photo with so very little. I am attempting to have just carry on luggage for my next trip to France – wish you could pack for me! Bon week-end

  5. 14th March 2014 / 22:59

    Those are all great looks! I love how you’ve used tops over the dress, adds a whole new dimension and styling options.

  6. wendymcleodmacknight
    15th March 2014 / 10:34

    You look awesome and I now seem the absolute good sense of a black maxi dress! Since I already have a black jersy maxi skirt, that’s going to be my workhorse this summer! Just wonderful and what a lovely get away for your husband!

  7. 15th March 2014 / 14:29

    LOVE the long skirt. Truly they can go anywhere and look wonderful. And, so comfortable. And, yes, you look wonderful. Now, if I could only go on this trip (which would be a major one if travelling from Texas!).
    xx’s Josephine

  8. Barbara mcgovern
    15th March 2014 / 19:25

    Really good ideas. So difficult to pack these days with the luggage restrictions. This is an idea I will copy!

  9. 15th March 2014 / 22:10

    A wonderful lesson in making the most of a few pieces!! You look terrific. You just can’t beat the LBD, whether long or short for travelling.

    Cheers, M-T

  10. Loretta Smyth
    15th March 2014 / 23:26

    Thanks so much for the great ideas, I am going to Marrakesch and Essaouria in May and will be traveling light so will borrow some of your ideas as I want to buy while I am there and need the luggage space to bring it all back !!

  11. 17th March 2014 / 09:50

    It is great to discover your blog this morning. I have just finished an MA in Fashion Futures and focussed on designing for older women. I love the fact you want to look chic rather than wearing multi-colour ensembles.
    I am hoping to launch my label soon, and am presently fund raising and visiting manufacturers. It would be great to get your feedback of the market place presently to feed into the design development process.

  12. 17th March 2014 / 13:29

    Hi Vivienne and welcome to my blog. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. You are welcome to email me.

  13. Linda Charie
    17th March 2014 / 16:22

    Hi Josephine, Always enjoy your blog and read it regularly but loved the black maxi dress, you not only look very chic but made it into some other good looks, hoped you enjoyed your trip, loks fab. You have also inspired me as I have just had a knee replacement operation and have to wear white surgical stocking for 6 weeks (not a good look! I have been moaning about it because I cannot wear usual trousers/leggings as my knee is swollen, after seeing your blog I can now see that a black maxi dress would solve all my currentl problems!

  14. 17th March 2014 / 17:58

    Hi Linda. Glad you found the “black dress looks” inspiring. I know the feeling of the dreaded white stockings, I had to wear them when I had my veins done. I did find that my wider trousers worked.

  15. 17th March 2014 / 18:56

    So much fun! I’ve never been. And that first look is my favorite, so clean and simple, yet so dramatic.

  16. 18th March 2014 / 07:06

    I think your Twitter account has been hacked, as I’ve had a very strange tweet from you!

  17. 25th March 2014 / 11:42

    Your are a genius when the three looks. I’m visiting from Une Femme and can’t wait to read more about your trip and how you managed to pack for such diverse activities and temperatures. Merci beaucoup for this. We spent three months in Provence and the temperatures when from a very cold spring to very warm before we departed. I wish I had known your secrets then. I just became a Facebook fan so now I won’t miss anything from now on.
    Sam

  18. sybes1
    26th March 2014 / 14:26

    Fabulous! I’m so impressed with your fashion choices: you look so chic! I was in Morocco when I was 23–very different time and though I had nothing but a backpack, I also didn’t care about how I looked.
    Sally

  19. 30th March 2014 / 13:07

    Wow! What you did with so few pieces! I sort of love the challenge of packing light. For a trip to Italy, I once took black and taupe palazzos–with tons of scarfs and different tops. I managed very nicely, so it’s just proof that we need far less than we have most of the time.

  20. Geraldine
    4th April 2014 / 22:34

    Hi I have just been reading about you in Woman & Home. Delighted to find a blog which is full of suggestions about what to wear. I have been looking for some ideas as all of a sudden the clothes that used to suit just dont work for me anymore. I am looking forward to following you.

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