If you’d love to see more capsule wardrobe ideas, including everyday wear, workwear or travel, visit our capsule wardrobe index here.
Sponsored by Motto
We talk a lot about capsule wardrobes here at Styling You – and, I believe I do so with good reason. A capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to limit your outfit creativity. What it does is create the framework for building a wardrobe that works for you.
My good friends at Motto are all about creating garments that will work back with others from their collections – or pieces in your wardrobe.
With all the new spring-summer pieces landing online and in store, designers Lauren and Faye set me the challenge to create a travel capsule wardrobe from six of my favourite pieces in the current collection.
Challenge accepted.
These are the pieces I worked with.
Top (from left): red jersey wrap tunic $149.95 | charcoal jumpsuit $129.95 | silver tank $69.95
Bottom (from left): cami $89.95 | skirt $99.95 | Gold La Sport jean $119.95
SHOP the entire capsule HERE and save 20% if buying all pieces
These pieces offer up combinations from casual, to smart-casual to dressy. Eleven different combinations, in fact. I’m in size 14 in each piece, which is true to size.
Want to take a look?
Look 1
This is my hero piece number one of this spring travel capsule wardrobe. It’s so comfortable; it would double as pjs!
I am head over heels in love with this jumpsuit – in this colour (charcoal) below but also in red and black. I seriously struggle to find a jumpsuit that fits my long-ish lower torso. This has plenty of room and you can shift the elasticated waist to sit wherever best suits you.
Look 2
Hero piece number two is a red jersey wrap dress that as you will see has more than one fabulous function in this capsule. The red is just spot on and will suit so many skin tones and the wrap works to create shape.
It’s not my natural dress shape preference because I have a short waist but it works for me thanks to the jersey stretch and frilled finish.
Look 3
This is where the true versatility of this dress comes into its own. Yes, wear it as a frock for a work or dressed-up occasion as above or wear it open as a duster jacket for warmth and outfit interest.
Look 4
One of the hottest trends this summer is combining the same print or colour in a top and skirt or top and pant. The effect is creating the illusion of a frock or jumpsuit, but with the versatility of separates. Maybe you’re different sizes in tops and bottoms. This is a way to get a look that works for your shape, much like you’d buy swimwear separates. I’m in love with the print and the line of this skirt.
Look 5
Again, add the red wrap dress as a duster and you’ve got arms covered and are instantly making a statement.
Look 6
Switch out the matching printed top for plain and instantly you have a different look (and more than one option for wearing back with the skirt).
Look 7
Add the red wrap dress (yes, it’s working overtime for you!) and the look is different again.
Look 8
Apart from in high summer when it’s a sweaty, sticky situation, you’ll always find a pair of jeans in my travel capsule wardrobes. And I’m fully on board the sport luxe trend that includes a cream/gold fleck strip down the outside of each leg. It’s a flattering detail and gives your whole outfit an on-trend edge. Like all Motto jeans, these are SUPER comfortable on. Love quality stretch denim.
Look 9
Pop the outfit with the red dress as a duster and it’s lifted up several notches for brunch or lunch out.
Look 10
Mix pretty with sporty. It’s all about the contrast.
Look 11
Even with sneakers, the red dress works its magic as the ultimate outfit finisher.
SHOP the entire capsule HERE and save 20% if buying all pieces; if buying individually, make sure you’re signed up as a Motto member for 10% off.
WIN
Get excited. FIVE Styling You readers could win their choice of one of the featured pieces above. Follow the steps below to enter.
- Head over to Motto HERE. Fill in the form.
- Once filled in, you’ll be directed back here to answer this question in the comments below: Have capsule, will travel. Where is your dream destination to take this capsule wardrobe?
Entries open on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 5am (AEST) and close on Wednesday, November 9 at 5pm (AEST). Australian entries only, sorry. The five winners of the “answer the question” competition will be judged on originality and creativity. Both steps of the competition need to be fulfilled to be judged a winner. The winner will be emailed and their name will be published here. Entrants must include an email address when the filling in the commenting system below to be eligible to enter. Full terms and conditions here.
Location: The Whitehouse, Paddington, Brisbane. Thanks to interior designer Nat Winter for opening up her stunning renovation project to us for this photoshoot.
Photography: The Photo Pitch; Hair and Makeup: Dale Dorning/Arc Creative
Comments 58
My dream destination to take this capsule wardrobe would be down by the beach
Charcoal Dina Culotte Jumpsuit with simple, make up and on cheeks a touch of peach
Happiness, smiles & joy as Christmas celebrations will surround
A love of family, friends and holiday festivities all around.
with a capsule wardrobe like this I could holiday anywhere. The challenging decision on what to pack has been sorted for me !
Positano ! This capsule of 11 looks would do me for 11 days !
This summer, we’re camping & fishing, staying at a luxury resort for a few days and then having Christmas with family – a capsule would be ideal to cover the different locations and events!
My dream destination is Italy.
My dream destination would be 106 night world cruise
These pieces would cover all my needs for traveling from formal to casual and easy care fabrics.
I adore that wrap dress. I want to throw this capsule wardrobe in a suitcase and fly away to the Amalfi coast.
Fiji would be my dream destination to take this capsule wardrobe. My favourite is look 1 – not something I would usually wear as I am on the shorter side but it looks great on you Nikki and would love to try it.
Oh my gosh I’m so excited to say my dream holiday that hubby and I have been planning for years finally arrives in April 2019 when hubby and I will be celebrating our 50th birthdays in Malta (where his family is from) and Italy (can’t wait for Cinque Terre & Venice) finishing with a cruise. This capsule would be tremendous for this trip and the red dress WOW how good would it be for the cruise formal night!! An outfit for every occasion
I’m dreaming of lovely Noosa as a destination for a spring getaway. The versatility of the so many fabulous options in this capsule – coffee – shopping – dinner – walking – cocktails – romance – happy moments. I would be able to be ready in a jiffy for any and every spontaneous plan. Happy holidays.
So many dream destinations I would make reality with this capsule! Hawaii, South Africa or a Caribbean cruise, anywhere with warm sun and a cooling breeze.
My husband has just booked a trip to Italy for our 30th anniversary. I am of course planning my wardrobe already. This caplule wardobe is the perfect start.
Living in Southern Tasmania, I dream of a warm Spring break to beautiful Brisbane. The stylish and SO versatile capsule would be perfect for the exploring this gorgeous city that I have not visited for many years.
The dreaded office Christmas Party – I never know what to wear and I agonise over it for months leading up to it. This capsule wardrobe would give me 11 options!
This capsule wardrobe will be perfect for spring, but also the festive season! I could see myself wearing these outfits to summer evening barbecues with loved ones, office do’s or even Christmas and New Year celebrations!
This capsule wardrobe will be fantastic on my cruise to the UK via Mauritius and several African stopovers. Cheers
On a cruise ship to Mystery Island
Have capsule, will travel to Italy! I can see this cap working in so many ways. From dinner in Positano to walking between the villages of Cinque Terre and staring at the magnificence of David in Florence. This cap would be all I need to pack. Oh and some fabulous Frankie shoes of course.
This capsule would be great for my first holiday in years and years on a cruise with my husband.
All of these would be perfect for the significant birthday adventure our daughters are taking us on to the South of France – stylish and sophisticated with an easy casual vibe.
Greece!! I loved Lindos when I visited with my bestie two years ago. I’d love to go back! Love that red dress. It’s gorgeous.
I’m off to Singapore next year, this capsule wardrobe would be so handy!
Please just take me to Greece. Pretty please? …
Vietnam, minus the jeans!
Next year we are heading to Budapest in Hungary to meet my husband’s extended family, the first time for me. I can’t wait and it would be fabulous to take that red dress with me.! Holiday of a lifetime.
Love all these pieces and I’m thinking my fav place to take them would be a wedding in Port Douglas .
I don’t think I would need much else !
Swim suit maybe !!
New York, New York for my daughters 21st birthday wish. We could wardrobe share, but there might need to be two of the jumpsuits!
My dream destination is any where but here, it’s been 6 years since my last holiday and that was when my husband and I honeymooned. These pieces would look beautiful with the New Zealand snow capps in the back ground. I love the versatility, styling and colours of all these wardrobe must haves.
The capsule would be perfect for a lovely trip to Port Douglas to indulge in the Tropics of our Gorgeous Sunshine State….
We are off to Sicily next May, the ideal holiday on which to show off these pieces. Love that red dress, I was married in a dress that colour!
These pieces would be amazing for my trip to Japan next year. Loving the idea of using the wrap dress as a duster!
Would love to shrug off my “new Mummy” frump with this beautiful capsule – so versatile, stylish & comfy looking! My dream destination is Italy, Hubby’s never been & I want to wander the cobbled lanes & drink wine in countryside Tuscany, toast champagne while taking in the beautiful buildings in Venice, and eat gelato while roaming around Rome with my best friend. How stylish would I look (and feel!) on our Italian holiday!
I would not have thought to use such a dress like a dust jacket. Brilliant! I’d love the collections as I’m heading to Vietnam next year and have been stressing about what to wear. It will be hot! But I’ll want to pack light. Something that makes me look more chic calm and comfortable rather than frazzled (like my hair will be in the humidity) would be perfect.
Perfect capsule for a long weekend escape, everything I would need for a spot of shopping, long lazy breakfasts/lunches, dressier for a show or fancy dinner. I would just add a swimsuit and kaftan for by the pool
Such a wonderful capsule to travel light! Amazing how many gorgeous outfits the 6 stunning pieces can make! I’d road-test the capsule in my favourite east coast spot: Byron Bay. A long weekend with strolls on the beach, leisurely lunches and dressy dinners. Not only would the capsule be absolutely perfect but I’d also be able to travel hand luggage only – winning!
The perfect cruise capsule….just in love with the jumpsuit!! Next year I hope to go cruising and do a quick trip to the US !! ❤️
With a Motto capsule wardrobe the world would be my oyster!!
Whilst I can dream of exotic overseas destinations .. I am just as happy on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Champagne and a killer platter .. throw in views of Old Woman Island and I am one happy lady!
A perfect capsual for a Malaysian holiday, heading to Kuala Lumpur just after Christmas. Mix and match, just add shoes. I love it, the jumpsuit is definitely my favourite piece for versatility! Nikki, Motto, you nailed it!
Love love love every piece and the effortless style you have put together, everything looks amazing!
I’d love this beautiful collection to wear in Prague when I travel there next year to hopefully achieve my lifelong dream of having a child with donor eggs (after 11 failed Ivf attempts with my own eggs) provided by a most selfless, generous soul who donates her own for someone like me. I would look and feel fabulous!
Love this collection you’ve put together Nikki! It’s the perfect travel capsule wardrobe for me because it works for my dream round-the-world trip! I could pack light and these pieces could take me from museums in Japan to boat rides on the Mediterranean to adventures across the USA!
I’d love to take this capsule to South America, I can just see myself doing a tango in Argentina wearing that red dress!
I would love to wear this capsule in Japan in spring time admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms. It’s definitely on my bucket list
This stylish wardrobe would fit nicely anywhere on Queensland’s sunny coast.
The charcoal jumpsuit is my poolside vibe and then on to a balmy twilight dinner.
These pieces would fit into my ideal plan of my trip to the US.. Palm Springs, San Francisco and a cruise. These Motto pieces are extremely stylish and would be stunning to be worn confidently on my trip!
I love this capsule wardrobe that screams a style. I love how the pieces mix and match effortlessly.
The stunning charcoal jumpsuit belongs on Queenslands Sunshine coast on a beach or poolside enjoying an icy cold glass of crisp wine in the twilight.
I love this capsule wardrobe that screams a stylish style. I love how the pieces mix and match effortlessly.
The stunning charcoal jumpsuit belongs on Queenslands Sunshine coast on a beach or poolside enjoying an icy cold glass of crisp wine on the twilight.
I’d like to take this Capsule Wardrobe to Greece in the summertime! Sightseeing, relaxing, drinks by the pool and shopping – this has me covered…
My dream destination for this wardrobe for this wardrobe would be New York love the layering of these pieces. And I so love the red wrap dress
I would love to take this gorgeous capsule on a Mediterranean cruise! Nikki’s outfit choices would be perfect for every occasion. From sightseeing excursions to sunny seaside lunches and days browsing the markets to formal onboard dinners.
I would love to take that charcoal jumpsuit on my cruise to PNG next year. Absolutely loving it with the red dress. Two of my fav colours to wow in!!
This capsule would’ve come in handy last night when I was packing for Melbourne at 8:30pm at night! I leave today. Lol. I’d definitely take these pieces next time I go…. and a pair of miracle pants. I was dreaming of them while packing last night. All my ponte pants are now too big for me!
“O sole mio!” Sailing the canals of Venice with a gondolier serenading me..sigh..
This is a fabulous capsule! I would take this on my annual trip to Europe to visit my family as it truly covers all kinds of occasions and weather situations. That red dress is pretty spesh!!
This is just my style, perfect for a trip to Spain, dressy but plenty of casual dressing for sunny Spain.
What a great capsule! Would be perfect on the Amalfi Coast, Italy – effortlessly stylish, with casual and dressy options for any occasion. ❤️
This capsule would be great to wear in Paris. Wearing these gorgeous outfits would show the French fashionistas that us Aussie’s know how to dress stylish too!
Off to New Zealand and any time from this beautiful collection would be welcome in my suitcase. Clever styling (as usual). Beautiful location for photo shoot
This would be perfect for a European summer holiday! Love the versatility of this capsule, the red is stunning!