The night before a trip, I don't stand in front of the wardrobe wondering.

The same pieces come out, in more or less the same order, and the carry-on case is closed in under an hour.

People often ask me what I actually pack.  The answer is surprisingly simple. I rely on a small collection of the same trusted pieces, because they're comfortable, versatile, and work together effortlessly. Sightseeing, catching a flight, business meeting, or dinner.  They cover it all.

That's really all a travel capsule wardrobe is.  Fewer pieces, chosen well, that combine in more ways than the number of items suggests.

First, why I choose silk for travel

When it comes to natural fibre travel clothing, silk is surprisingly practical, and especially so in our Silkspun knitted blend of 72% silk, 15% cotton and 13% merino wool.  All natural fibres, no synthetics.  It's naturally thermoregulating, which matters more than anything else when you leave a New Zealand winter and land somewhere humid, or step off a warm plane into a cold morning.  The same garments handle both.

Silk is light, too.  It packs into very little space, making it ideal for carry-on luggage, and because each piece layers beautifully with the next, it's easy to create multiple outfits from just a few garments.

That's exactly what you want from a travel capsule wardrobe.

If you want the longer version, we've written about why more people are choosing silk over merino.

Now, if you were to peek inside my suitcase, this is what you'd find:

Silkspun Infinity Scarf

I can't imagine travelling without this. The Infinity Scarf has a hidden zip pocket that keeps my passport, credit card and lip balm close at hand, giving me peace of mind in airports and on public transport.  If I happen to fall asleep on a flight, I know my essentials are still safely tucked away.  Once I arrive, it becomes an everyday scarf that works with almost every outfit.

Silkspun Longline Sleeveless Top

I've worn one of these almost every day for the past eight years, so naturally it comes on every trip.  In warm weather the Longline Sleeveless is perfect on its own.  When temperatures cool, it becomes the foundation layer under cardigans, jackets and knitwear.  It works harder than almost anything else in my suitcase.

Silkspun 3/4 Sleeved Top

If I could only pack one top, I think this would be it.  The 3/4 Sleeved Scoop or 3/4 Sleeved V Neck work with skirts, trousers and jeans.  The 3/4 length sleeve offers a little extra sun protection, and these tops always look polished without feeling overdressed.

Women's Silkspun Lounge Pants

These are always the first thing I put on before boarding a long flight.  Our Lounge Pants are soft enough to sleep in, smart enough to wear to dinner or a casual meeting, and the relaxed fit keeps me comfortable no matter the situation.
One garment that does all this truly earns its place in the capsule.

Slimline Skirt

One skirt, countless outfit combinations.
With sandals the Slimline Skirt is perfect for sightseeing.  Change my shoes, add jewellery or a cardigan, and it's ready for dinner or a meeting.
Fewer clothes doesn't mean sacrificing variety, and for the space it takes, this little gem is impossible to beat.

Women's Silkspun Short Sleeved Crew

The everyday hero.
Soft, breathable and endlessly wearable, my Short Sleeved Crew is the top I reach for when the weather is warm and the itinerary is full.

Puresilk Sheer Longline Cardigan

Every traveller needs one reliable extra layer.
Aircraft cabins, air-conditioned restaurants and cool evenings can all catch you by surprise.  The Puresilk Sheer Longline Cardigan folds into almost nothing, weighs almost nothing - and has even doubled as a hotel robe more than once!
It's one of the most useful lightweight travel clothing pieces I own.

Silkspun Sleeveless Dress

Whenever I want to pack particularly light, this is always the dress I choose.
Worn on its own the Sleeveless Dress is effortless.  Add the Cardigan and it becomes a whole new outfit.  It packs flat, travels beautifully, and easily transitions from daytime to night, which is exactly what you want when you don't yet know what the evening holds.

And for him

He packs the same way.  Fewer things, worn more often.

Men's Silkspun Lounge Pants

The Lounge Pants are always the first thing out of the wardrobe.  Comfortable for the flight, relaxed enough for sightseeing, and smart enough that he'll happily wear them out to breakfast or dinner.

Men's Silkspun Short Sleeved Crew

The Men's Short Sleeved Crew is the kind of wardrobe staple that gets worn on repeat throughout a trip.  Breathable, comfortable, and easy to pair with everything else in his suitcase.

Men's Silkspun Travel Shirt

The Silkspun Travel Shirt is ideal when you want to travel light.  Roll the sleeves up, button the collar down, wear it for days on end.  It keeps looking, and smelling, fresh across multiple occasions.

Men's Silkspun Half-Zip Sweater

This one usually gets packed "just in case", and is worn almost everywhere.  The Half-Zip Sweater is warm but light to carry, casual yet smart, and perfect for cool flights, crisp mornings, or evenings when the temperature drops.

Doing more with less

These aren't just my favourite travel clothes, they're the pieces that have proved themselves over countless trips.

They pack small, layer beautifully and work together in almost endless combinations.  Instead of filling my suitcase with clothes I might wear, I pack pieces I know I will wear.

For me, that's the beauty of a travel capsule wardrobe.  Fewer clothes.  More outfit combinations.  A lighter suitcase.  And one less thing to think about while I'm away.

Questions we're often asked

Does silk crease in a suitcase?

Silkspun is far more forgiving than woven pure silk.  Roll rather than fold for less creases, and most pieces settle within an hour of hanging. 

How many pieces do I actually need?

Eight to twelve garments will cover a two week trip, as long as every top works with every bottom.  That's the test.  If a piece only goes with one other thing, leave it at home.

Can I wear silk more than once between washes?

Yes.  Silk is naturally breathable and odour resistant, which is one of the reasons it travels so well.

How do I wash silk while travelling?

Easy.  Just hand wash with a little gentle detergent or shampoo, rinse well then gently squeeze out the excess water.  Roll it in a towel if needed, then hang it to dry overnight.  For more, check out our Caring for silk page.

Is silk warm enough for cold destinations?

Silk is naturally thermoregulating, so it insulates in the cold and breathes in the heat.  Layered under a cardigan or half-zip sweater, a silk base layer handles surprisingly cold conditions.  Read more on our Why silk? page.