I Swear This Flawless Summer Travel Capsule Wardrobe Fits in My Carry-On

Look, I'm not here to pretend that I'm a carry-on-only traveller year-round. As far as I'm concerned, fall layers and winter footwear require a checked bag, and I'm fairly sure anyone who claims otherwise is lying. But! When it comes to summer travel, I really have it down. Do I travel this way all the time? Absolutely not—but even when I don't, these 20 core summer items are inevitably what I end up wearing on repeat.

This capsule is a not-too-dramatic evolution of summers past, with a few happy little additions that feel fresh for this season. It's obviously grounded in loads of neutrals for maximum mixing and matching, but insert punchier options should you have a bit more of a devil-may-care attitude to colors and prints. For the record, I have the Away Bigger Carry-On suitcase, and I love her dearly. All of this (just subtract my airplane outfit) fits happily inside, plus a book I probably won't read and a week's worth of undies, socks, and swimwear. If I can do it, I promise you can too.

Relaxed Pants

If I could only take one outfit with me on a trip this summer, it would 100% involve a pair of wide-leg linen or poplin pants. If you have room, both a solid neutral plus a bright stripe option is definitely the way to go.

Go-To Tank

You know it's your go-to when you buy multiple in the same color and deem one of them your "good tank." My personal rule is that a go-to tank should be under $50, but this Toteme ribbed style is so good I broke my own rule.

Minimalist Heels

If you're into a heel, then one low, strappy pair really is all you need. Black or another neutral is easy, but taking one colorful style and pairing it with everything—even when it's a little bit wrong—is big vacation energy.

Flip-Flops

Full transparency: I actually skipped the heels on my trip to Spain last month and just went for two pairs of flip-flops (leather and rubber). Zero regrets.

Black Dress

Find yourself a lightweight black dress that speaks to your style, and wear it with leather flip-flops every single time you're forced to go straight from your daytime activities to dinner.

Light Knit

Whether it's a crewneck cardigan or a V-neck sweater, you want a light little knit that will fit in your tote just in case the AC is out of your control.

Easy Shirting

Re-up on a classic white button-down, or feel free to lean into variations like summery eyelet details and boxy, silky styles.

Tailored Trousers

A little more put-together than those aforementioned pants, these are ready to be either paired with sneakers by day or belted for some extra polish when you're heading to dinner.

Breezy Top

I'm talking about summery tops that feel super effortless yet pack a little drama—think tie-fronts, billowy sleeves, relaxed ruffles, and lots of eyelet details.

Long Vest

If you haven't yet paired a long black vest with a white skirt, have you even gotten dressed this summer?

Sneakers

In place of the all-white sneakers that dominated past seasons, I'm currently a fan of low, vintage-inspired sneakers that feel just a little bit wrong (but oh so right).

Oversize Tee

I've written before about how oversize graphic tees were very notably everywhere in Spain, worn long over linen trousers and poplin skirts alike. It takes every fiber of my millennial being to avoid the half-tuck, but I promise it's key.

Happy Jewelry

Simple gold chains and classic silver earrings are all well and good, but the vibe is more about fun pieces that can punch up your basic capsule wardrobe. Colorful jewels, cord necklaces, and beach-inspired pendants are where it's at. Totally fine to get a little weird.

Polished Belt

My top picks are slightly sculptural, with hardware that feels like a little piece of art.

Classic Cap

I only ever want my caps to feel like they've been borrowed from someone's parent's friends during a visit to their beach house over a holiday weekend.

Woven Tote

Summer's raffia bags are never not a thing, but a woven rope tote is where I've landed this summer. They're market-bag adjacent, just with a little more structure.

Zip Pouch

A tidy little zip pouch will double as a way to stop your things from jiggling around in your rope tote and an evening bag to take to dinner. Loewe's Puzzle Fold clutch is firmly on my mind as a great leather option complete with a handy wristlet, but sometimes canvas and raffia styles are more the speed.

Long Shorts

Slightly controversial, but I love a long short. Just lean into the knowledge that they're not meant to be flattering. They're just meant to be belted and worn out for a wine when pants feel like too much to ask.

Ankle-Grazing Skirt

Poplin, satin, silk, or linen. Pick your poison, pair it with a longish top and flats, and you'll be on your way.

Strapless Top

My pick is a longer style of strapless top with a little structure or shape, rather than a standard, tight boob tube. So good to elevate those long shorts or wide-leg pants and strike that balance between chill and polished.