Vacation Packing by Colour Season: Capsule Wardrobes for Jet-Setters
Jetting off this summer? Whether you’re planning a city break, a Grecian escape, or a countryside retreat in the Cotswolds, there’s one thing that never changes: the suitcase dilemma. What to pack, how much to bring, and how to make sure everything goes together? Enter colour analysis and capsule wardrobes—a match made in style heaven. By going back to basics and understanding your seasonal colour palette, you can streamline your packing process and build a travel wardrobe that’s cohesive, flattering, and effortlessly chic. So before you stuff your suitcase with random outfits that might work, let’s talk about how your colour season can guide your summer holiday capsule.
Summer:
Summers are cool, soft, and muted, with elegant pastels and soft blue undertones. Think… Sabrina Carpenter. Your perfect pallet will consist of watercolour prints, dove grey, lavender, and French blue.
Pack this:
- A cornflower shirt dress
- Icy baby pink swimsuit
- Lavender tweed co-ord
- Periwinkle floral mini dress
- Brushed silver or charcoal sunnies
- Light denim tailored shorts with a chalk white cotton knit
Summer palettes are all about understated elegance—think relaxed romance and cool sophistication, not bold contrast. Your neutrals are chalk white and an icy grey.
Winter:
Winters are cool, deep, and bright—with high contrast. Think… Anne Hathaway. Your best suitcase is filled with strong colours like black, white, cobalt, magenta, and emerald.
Pack this:
- A cobalt blue swimsuit
- A fuchsia linen co ord with silver detailing
- Dark denim flippy shorts and a carmine red satin top
- Crisp white t-shirt with an emerald green sarong skirt
- Navy playsuit
- Black statement sunnies
- Silver Accessories throughout
Winter palettes are bold, refined, and dramatic—perfect for high-impact looks that travel well. Your neutrals are black, brillaint white and charcoal.
Autumn:
Autumns glow in deep, muted and warm tones like rust, olive, terracotta, and mustard. Think, Zendaya. For your summer capsule, lean into natural textures and rich, earthy hues.
Pack this:
- A linen jumpsuit in burnt orange
- An olive-green two-piece set
- Woven raffia accessories and antique gold jewellery
- A rust or paprika-toned maxi dress for evenings
- Pea green swimsuit
- Cream cotton t-shirts for your perfect white
Even on a summer holiday, Autumns shine in their rooted tones. Think bohemian ease meets rustic charm. Your neutrals are cream, dark brown and a greige.
Spring:
Springs shine in warm, bright, and light tones—think coral, peach, turquoise, and golden yellows and imagine Emma Stone. Your suitcase should feel joyful and playful. Choose breathable fabrics and light textures in sunny hues.
Pack this:
- A floaty sundress in a warm kelly green
- Watermelon pink swimsuit
- Aquamarine two-piece set
- Ivory linen trousers and a butter-yellow camisole
- A true blue denim jacket for cooler evenings
- Accessories in brown leather, camel, yellow gold, or ivory
Springs are radiant in bright colours—so skip the dusty shades and embrace vibrancy. Your capsule will feel fresh, youthful, and full of light. Your neutrals are a ivory, milky brown, beige and camel.
Each colour season creates the foundation for a beautifully cohesive travel capsule. When you pack within your palette, mixing and matching becomes effortless, and every photo from your trip looks polished.
But here’s the twist—this is only half of the piece.
Knowing your style personality will fine-tune your wardrobe even more. Are you a Dramatic, reaching for exaggerated garments and sharp silhouettes? Maybe you’re Classic, favouring timeless tailoring and refined basics that never go out of style. Or a Natural, leaning into relaxed silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and effortless ease… making comfort the top priority.
Do you love a Gamine twist—playful, cropped, and quirky proportions? Or find yourself more Romantic, choosing ruffles, lace, and flowing shapes that feel like poetry in motion?
You might find you’re more of a Modern Chic, all clean lines and elevated minimalism? Or are you Ethereal, floating through soft layers, sheer textures, and dreamlike palettes?
Perhaps you’re Ingénue, with a love for sweet details, soft colors, and subtle charm.
Your seasonal colours tell you what to wear. Your style personality tells you how to wear it.
Written by Addie Bryant
Addie Bryant is a seasoned fashion expert with over a decade of experience in the industry. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles—alma mater of The Hills star Lauren Conrad—Addie has honed her craft across the style spectrum, from trend forecasting to personal styling.
Today, she is the founder of Colour Conviction, a bespoke styling business rooted in the transformative power of colour. Through personalised services including colour analysis, style analysis, bridal discoveries, personal shopping, and wardrobe edits, Addie helps people from all walks of life feel like the best, most confident versions of themselves.
Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe, preparing for your big day, or rediscovering your personal style, Addie’s mission is simple: to make getting dressed a joy—and a true reflection of who you are.