My latest trip back to the Midwest was a packing challenge. I am an egregious over-packer by nature--I'll bring a 50-pound duffel on a 10-day trip--but last week I really needed extra space in my teeny carry-on to bring books and photocopies back, so I tried to whip myself into shape with a packing challenge. Inspired by Elsie's 8 pieces, 8 Outfits, I thought that I'd pack only 8 pieces (plus 2 pairs of shoes) for my week-long trip. These outfits are definitely basic, but I was proud of how much wear I got out of each piece. Here is a mostly-accurate* rundown of what I wore on my trip:
pink dress from ruche; steve madden boots; h&m striped tee and blazer; gap jeans; j.crew white tee, plaid shirt and cardigan; UO flats
*Modifications: I actually packed danskos (go ahead and laugh) instead of flats because the weather was pretty snowy and rainy, but had the weather been slightly better, these flats would have been the shoe of choice (they take up much less space and they're about 12 times cuter).
This was a fun experiment, I'm off to give myself a few pats on the back for packing so lightly and conquering my tripod to take my own almost-in-focus-photos--huzzah!
I'm a bike-riding bookworm in DC trying to make better use of a sometimes-vanilla closet. You can read a little more about this blog
71 comments:
I love all these outfits! You're fantastic at planning outfits and experimenting with the pieces you have!
~Sara
sarastrauss.blogspot.com
Love all of them! I love the way you layer!!
I'm definitely inspired by this! I would love to pair down my closet and be able to mix anything with everything in it (successfully, haha). Great looks!
www.petiteonapenny.com
My favorite part about this is that, because of how you alternated the pieces and the shoes, none of the looks are too similar to one another. Great remixing skills!
-Stephanie from Chocolate Laced
ahh, simplicity! very nicely done. :)
I'm the same way with packing - I'll have to give this a try next time I go somewhere! You look put-together in every single one! Impressive!
Love! I did 6 Items or Less for a month last year, and it totally changed how I pack. I wish I could say it changed my closet dramatically, and it did in some ways, but more for vacations. Capsule wardrobes are ever so much fun!
Well it looks to me like you totally won the challenge. I wish I had your kind of restraint, but when i go on trips, i pack a suitcase and a half! I figure it's better to play it safe. Either that, or I live in denial. It's most likely the latter.
Two thumbs up!
so smart! i need to copy this for when i'm traveling. so many great looks!
Ey girl, nice polka-dotted scarf. ;)
I love outfits 2 & 7!
http://olgasrecord.blogspot.com/
I obsessed with that mustard color. It pairs well with so many other colors. Great scarf too!
awesome. way to mix it up! i need to learn how to pack like this ... i'm always overpacking because i like to give myself options .. and then i always end up wearing the same 3 items anyway.
and btw .. i happen to love your danskos! :)
I love this idea, and your outfits all turned out super cute. It's a little like the condensed version of Kendi's 30 for 30, isn't it?
Way to go Tania! I really fail at packing and always find myself with an overly stuffed and extremely heavy suitcase. Will definitely have to try this next time I'm traveling.
I LOVE the second and third outfit! I suck at packing and, for some reason, have a huge mental block against packing pieces I can mix and match. Inspiration for the next time I need to pack~
What a great idea! I have packing down to a science at this point, but I might have to incorporate some of this into my plan...and just in time to pack for my trip tomorrow!
@sequins--yes, it kind of is like kendi's 30 for 30! i did the 30 for 30 three times and loved it. for a shorter trip, i was thinking more along the lines of elsie's 8/8 (linked above) and the 6-piece capsule wardrobe, which was a national concept (bibliomomia mentioned it above). there are so many awesome "remix" concepts and examples out there, and kendi is of course a big inspiration on that front :)
that is so fun! you did a great job!!
http://babybakerlove.blogspot.com/
Nice work! I'm heading to NYC this weekend and my challenge is needing to dress for different levels of fanciness in a short period of time. I've been trying to fiddle with accessories (which take up less space) to make things go from day-to-evening a little better.
Great job. All your outfits are cute. You did a great job mixing and matching.
Http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Great job. All your outfits are cute. You did a great job mixing and matching.
Http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Love the remixing!
I tried to do this just over a year ago with 10 pieces. My didn't look as lovely as yours. BTW love your polka dot scarf. Where is that from?
Kelly xo
Bravo on mastering your packing challenge! You looked amazing!
http://stylishsass.blogspot.com
you go girl! this challenge is GREAT for an over-packer like me...you did amazing mixing and matching and giving each piece their own twist!
GO GIRL GO! I would have never guessed this was like only a few pieces. I love them!
love your blog!
wanna follow each other?
xoxo
cc
i am definitely using this post as inspiration when i travel to iceland this summer! i dont want to check anything AND i need room for souvenirs ... the worst thing will be packing shoes! :(
I love all the outfits too! I love simple looks. My favorite is #2!
This skill is so key these days when travelling with luggage just isn't worth it. Literally. I really need to master the art of the carry on so next time I travel I will give this a go. It's so simple, but my favourite is the striped shirt and skirt. Mostly because I'm wearing that exact shirt right now :)
I love these type of posts! I, too, am an overpacker and love to see how others made a few pieces go a long way! Congrats on this accomplishment :)
okay that awesome that you got so much wear out of just 8 pieces, and i love them all!!! these outfits are adorable, i should do this next time i travel, thats extremely impressive!!
Wow, super impressed! I would not be able to do that; I'm an overpacker like you. I hope your trip was fun!
Wow! Looks great! I'm going to have to remember this post the next time I'm packing for a trip!
--TS
http://thriftedshift.blogspot.com/
Aww, this is an adorable idea (and definitely easier to deal with than 30 items). I love how each outfit looks pretty unique and works with what you have. The yellow sweater/pink dress combo is my favorite.
This is great! I'll have to remember to look at this while I'm packing for my 2 week trip to Ireland this summer. I hate lugging large luggage (alliteration! haha) around airports!
@kelly--it's from eastern market, just at one of the street stalls!
so so darn cute! xx
natalieoffduty.blogspot.com
What versatility you've managed to squeeze out of these pieces. It makes me want to mix up my own wardrobe more.
Good job. And super helpful too. I would not be able to do this, but kudos to you.
How creative! I love the mustard jacket + pink polka dot dress pairing.
Fabulous mixing and matching - I need to get better at packing this way! Sometimes I find this type of focus even helps with smart clothes buying...
Love this idea! I will have to try this next time we travel - I always over pack and never wear half of what I bring! You managed to put together 8 great outfits :)
awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com.au
This is a total inspiration. I thank you - and my husband thanks you more! :)
So inspiring post! I'm going for a week trip next month and I'll definitely try this. The only problem is, the weather is so hot and I think I need to bring more clothes since I'm gonna be sweaty and couldn't do laundry on there :|
Come and hail to my cruise, yo mates!
Ahoy,Keenan!
I'm so impressed. This is probably like a record or something!!! I wish that I was more prepared to do something like this so that I didn't fill up our suitcase all on my own. :)
http://one-girl-vs-world.blogspot.com
Lovely outfits. I loved your blog!
Love travelling, hate packing. I find the trouble with vacations is usually the variety of activities one needs to cover (which, on my last trip ranged from fancy dinners to camel riding, snowy mountains to desert. ack), so I end up throwing in stuff just in case... aaaand hating everything I've brought.
anyhoo, I am well impressed by the range and versatility of your outfits. and cuteness! great remixering :)
I am super impressed by your skills! I really need to try this next time I travel!
Great post, and perfect timing. I'm getting ready to go to San Francisco for a week and I'm getting stressed about what to pack. This gives me some good ideas!
so happy i found your blog! such adorable style! this exhibits perfectly how to rewear and restyle clothing!
xx
http://spoonfulofdiamonds.blogspot.com/
How inventive! That's super impressive. I always pack too many clothes. Kudos!
Seriously, navy gingham and striped shirts are the best.. they go with EVERYTHING! It's amazing they are the shirts of all trades.
-Erin
erinscurrentlycoveting.blogspot.com
I love these type of posts, especially as I am a recovering over-packer as well. All your outfits are cute, and I seriously love that yellow polka dot scarf!
packing goddess! my carry-on and i both heart you. xo
i love posts like this...where you create different combinations from a few pieces! looks lovely :)
http://roccitystyle.blogspot.com/
I literally LOVE every one of the pieces and every one of the outfits. Exceptional work!
http://itstheperfecttimeofday.blogspot.com/
You are a genius. xD
Adorable dress, by the way!
http://gabrielle-adel-photography.blogspot.com
It's so great!! I love it!
Awesome idea! Great looks
I love this post! I always try to take a suitcase that I can carry-on (the thought of lost luggage causes much anxiety) so it's great to see how much you can do with a few key pieces. I've definitely learned planning ahead and having things that mix well with several other items makes a trip much more enjoyable (less time fretting over what to wear!).
great post!! we just discovered your blog and now follow you...we would love for you to stop by and follow us if you like what you see xo
Oh you did really well! All the outfits are really cute. I'm the worst packer, oh lord.
lol,nice...www.crantzcouture.blogspot.com
All of them are so original and cool! follow u now, do u wanna follow me :) ?
unknownlooks.blogspot.com
XXX
Borrowed your striped shirt + dark blazer look for an interview dinner. Such a comfy combination, since I was stuck on an airplane for 4.5 hours.
Bravo! This is quite impressive. I will be doing the same thing very soon--only it'll be for three month Europe trip and all my clothes with have to fit into one backpack. Hopefully I can pull off my challenge as well as you did yours. :)
http://livingmypinterestlife.blogspot.com/
I have to admire a women who can put that many outfits together with so few pieces and they are all cute! I hereby deem you the best packer ever!
These is so adorable, love your outfits especially the 3rd one.
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