Nikki Parkinson from Styling You is here to help you master the art of packing for any getaway. With her extensive expertise and impeccable sense of style, it’s time to get ready, steady, pack.
Founder of Styling You the Label, entrepreneur, popular blogger, author, designer, and our very own FRANKIE4 ambassador—Nikki knows a thing or two about dressing to match the vibe of a destination. Whether you're wandering cobblestone streets in Paris or beachside in Greece, her packing tips will help you travel in style without the last-minute panic.
The biggest key to stressing less about the packing process is not leaving it until the last minute. For our recent European adventure, I started tracking the temperatures in the destinations we were heading to a year out. This helped to get an understanding of how varied the days could be as the seasons change. Nearer to actually putting things in my suitcase, I could see exactly what we could expect.
Creating a travel capsule to suit the destinations you’re visiting doesn’t have to limit your personal or holiday style. I know I'm a tourist when travelling, but I want to dress with a nod to the location. Greek Islands? Yes, I've got a heavy palette of blue and white. Paris? I'll be all about effortless neutrals.
A travel capsule creates a structure for your packing, but it opens up lots of outfit options. Start by deciding on your colour palette and build your capsule with separates in those tones, ensuring they all work back with each other. A starting point would be three tops, three bottoms (skirts, shorts, pants), and three dresses. Then add in outer layers to suit the weather at your destination. To make it easy while you’re away, as you pack, take and save photos of yourself in all of the possible outfit combinations from these pieces.
When shopping, look for features that combine comfort and fashion: sneakers with arch support, layered footbeds, dual-density soles, and adjustable fit options. The right pair blends effortless style with all-day comfort, making them a go-to in your wardrobe for both work and play.
Let’s talk shoes! What shoes you pack is the most important part of your holiday capsule wardrobe. Think about it. When on holidays, you typically walk so much more than you do for the everyday. The comfort factor is a non-negotiable. I only ever travel with FRANKIE4 shoes. Whether it’s a sneaker, slide, or low heel, I know I can confidently pack FRANKIE4s and be in comfort (and look good) every day.
Sticking with the rule of three concept for your capsule, start with three different shoe styles and/or colours. Ideally, these shoes should work with all of the clothing pieces that you’ve packed.
For my recent trip to Europe, I packed four pairs of shoes that I'd highly recommend:
I’ve stuck with neutral tones so that they all work back with the tones in my Euro travel capsule wardrobe. I added in the kitten heels as we have a particularly special evening out in Paris. I couldn’t not pack Coco for that.
My final tip? Pack a few outfits and a shoe change into your carry-on bag. Consider this your insurance policy should your luggage not make it to the destination with you. This way, you can start your holiday without stress the moment you reach your accommodation.
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