Have you ever found yourself staring at an overflowing suitcase and still worrying about whether or not you forgot something? We get it, and that’s why we’re here to help!
We’ve dedicated countless hours to perfecting the art of stress-free travel. Heck, we even designed an entire capsule wardrobe of all the essentials we wished we had on so many of our adventures.
So here are all of our tips and tricks for packing a flawless travel capsule wardrobe for men, and some of our favorite pieces we never leave behind.
What Is a Travel Capsule Wardrobe?
A travel capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits for travel.
Similar to regular capsule wardrobes, a travel capsule wardrobe minimizes the amount of clothing you need to pack by including items that all work together to create a versatile wardrobe with minimal pieces.
Essential Men’s Capsule Wardrobe For Travel
Here at TEREN, we’ve perfected the art of a good capsule wardrobe. We’re avid travelers and adventurers with a passion for creating high-quality clothing items that look great whether you’re going on outdoor adventures, to the office, or even on more formal occasions.
Here are some of our favorite staple pieces in our travel attire:
The Lightweight Travelers Tee
The Traveler Tee is hands down one of the best t-shirts you’ll ever own and should be a staple in any minimalist travel capsule wardrobe because of its incredible features.
This shirt is made from 100 percent Merino wool— this shirt is ultra-soft, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and can regulate body temperature in cold weather and warmer climates.
What makes this shirt so great for a capsule wardrobe is that it can withstand multiple wears between washes because of its breathability, odor, and wrinkle-resistant properties. Whether you’re on a business trip, backcountry camping trip, or going on a long backpacking trip through Europe—this shirt can handle it all.
Merino wool will last many years if you know how to properly care for it. Check out our guide to caring for Merino wool so you can get the most out of your clothing.
This shirt comes in several different color options as well as a long-sleeved option!
Daily Driver Shirt
If you’re looking for the perfect button-up for a night out, and the sleekest hiking shirt on the market— you’ve found it!
The Daily Driver Shirt is made from a blend of bamboo which makes it incredibly soft and lightweight. Bamboo, much like Merino wool, also has anti-microbial, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying abilities which make it an ideal choice for a men's travel capsule wardrobe.
The versatility and functionality of this shirt allow you to pack light and save space. You can put together multiple outfits for plenty of different occasions.
Don’t believe us that this sleek shirt is designed for outdoor use? The collar stays of this shirt double as a fire starter, so you’ll never have to worry about being stranded without warmth or a way to cook.
Choose between several different color options and even a long-sleeved option. Also, read our guide to properly care for your bamboo clothing to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
The Lightweight Travelers Pants
The Lightweight Traveler Pants are the epitome of versatility and functionality.
They weigh just a few ounces, making them an ideal travel wardrobe choice. These pants are also packed with essential features for both outdoor activities and urban settings, like a gusseted seat, 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking, sun protection, and antimicrobial properties.
With six strategically placed pockets, including hidden zippered compartments, your valuables remain secure. They’re the perfect alternative to jeans (and much more comfortable too!)
They feature six strategically placed pockets, including hidden zippered compartments, so you can keep your valuables secure. The traveler pants also include long-lasting insect repellent for some added protection while outdoors.
These pants are perfect for adventure, business, going out, and travel.
Daily Driver Shorts
The Daily Driver Shorts are the cousin to our beloved Daily Driver Pants. They come in 7-inch and 9-inch inseam options and boast all of the same great specks of the aforementioned pants.
These shorts come in several different color options and are perfect for capsule wardrobes because of their versatility— just like our Daily Driver Pants.
Campfire Puffy Jacket 2.0
Last but not least, we created the Campfire Puffy Jacket 2.0 to be the last puffy jacket you’ll ever need. This jacket is ideal for added insulation during winter sports, or even just a warmer layer to throw on at night while exploring the city.
This jacket is highly insulative but is also made from a blend of breathable fabrics to help regulate your temperature and moisture levels. The Campfire puffy packs down incredibly small so you can pack smart and light.
These are just a few of the items that we sell on our site here at TEREN. When shopping with us you can be sure that every single item is crafted with care to create the best multi-use capsule wardrobe possible!
5 Tips For Creating The Best Capsule Wardrobe
Here are 5 of our top tips for curating the perfect capsule wardrobe:
1. Opt For Neutrals
While there is room in a capsule wardrobe for statement pieces and bold colors — utilizing neutrals is a great way to ensure your wardrobe stays versatile.
Opt for colors like white, black, gray, khaki, or navy for a good portion of your wardrobe. For those who want more adventurous colors, consider adding them through accessories or a few strategically chosen pieces.
2. Quality is Key
Building a minimalist wardrobe or capsule wardrobe means that you're going to be wearing the same items over and over again.
You could purchase low-quality pieces, but you’ll have to replace them much sooner. We highly recommend investing in quality pieces. Not only will they last longer, but higher quality technical clothing has tons of advantages.
For instance, fabrics like Merino wool and bamboo are naturally anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant. This means that you’ll have to do less laundry overall and your clothing will work for you.
Fun fact: Merino wool is known for its ability to keep you warm, even when wet! This makes it an ideal choice for anyone in humid climates, or anyone who participates in lots of outdoor activities like backpacking, skiing, or cycling.
3. Learn to Layer
Learning to layer is a skill that everyone could benefit from perfecting. This is true for those who live in both warm weather and colder weather. But layering isn't just about functionality, it also adds more dimension and style to an outfit.
The best base layers are fabrics that are moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and lightweight. This is why we created our Travelers Tee and Daily Driver Tee, they’re made from bamboo and merino wool which have so many natural qualities that make them excel as a base layer. Consider keeping your base layers as neutrals and adding pops of color later.
Mid-layers in the warmer months can simply be a button-up shirt or a lightweight jacket. In the winter, your mid-layer should have plenty of insulation. We recommend a puffy jacket or fleece jacket.
Outer layers should protect you from the elements in winter and bad weather. It’s important to find something that is water-resistant, breathable, and durable. We recommend the Cloudland Shell as the perfect option for those looking for an outer shell that can withstand anything.
4. Be Mindful of Fabrics
Yes, we’ve already expressed the importance of shopping for the right fabrics, but that’s because it's so important!
It’s imperative to know what functions you need each of your layers to provide. Your base layer should keep you dry and odor-free, your mid-layer is for insulation, and the outer layer should keep you protected from wind and rain.
This is true even if you’re traveling to warmer climates. You’d never want to meander around a hot city with sweat stains and body odor. That's why it’s important to find materials that work with you, not against you.
5. Pack For Laundry
Always ensure your travel clothes can keep up with the demands of your trip and the sometimes scarce laundering options.
We love traveling with biodegradable laundry sheets so we can wash our clothing just about anywhere (and they take up almost no space!). But we also like to ensure we’re traveling with clothing that can handle multiple wears without needing to be washed.
For instance, our Traveler Tee, Daily Driver Tee, and Daily Driver Shirts can withstand multiple wears between washes. This is because of the fabrics we used to make them.
Because they’re so breathable, wrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, antimicrobial, and moisture-wicking, they’re fantastic at keeping you looking and smelling great for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about crafting the perfect men's travel capsule wardrobe:
What are the best fabrics to include in a capsule wardrobe?
Include versatile fabrics like Merino wool and bamboo in your capsule wardrobe for their anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant qualities, ensuring durability and functionality across various climates and activities.
How can I avoid wrinkles in my clothes while traveling?
To avoid wrinkles while traveling, roll your clothes instead of folding them, choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics, and use packing cubes for organized compression.
How do I plan for laundry during a longer trip?
Opt for odor-resistant fabrics like Merino wool, pack versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, and consider doing laundry strategically at accommodations or local services.
Final Thoughts
Creating the perfect travel capsule wardrobe can be a tedious process, but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve dedicated years to developing the perfect capsule wardrobe items for professional, adventurous, and style-conscious men.
A great capsule wardrobe ensures a carefully curated collection of versatile, high-quality pieces that effortlessly mix and match, offering endless outfit possibilities with minimal items, ultimately simplifying the decision-making process and promoting a sense of timeless style and efficiency in dressing.
Be sure to check out the rest of our collection so you can start curating your dream travel wardrobe that’ll last for years to come and withstand whatever adventures you throw at it!