Applying a capsule wardrobe to jewelry
The capsule wardrobe, popular with minimalists and fashionistas, goes beyond just clothing. The concept of curating super versatile staples applies to your jewelry collection as well. I love the capsule wardrobe concept because it forces me to keep my closet clutter to a minimum. Here are my tips for selecting capsule jewelry pieces that are great for traveling.
Bring simple + versatile pieces
Sticking to simple, versatile pieces means it goes with everything. I like to avoid having to change out my jewelry while I travel. I pick pieces that look great with every outfit so I can set it and forget it! If a piece of jewelry doesn’t look great with all my outfits…erg. Sorry, little guy but you’ll have to sit out this trip. But hey! You can come with me to a party next week!
Bring capsule jewelry that looks great in photos
Whenever I’m having a hard time deciding which pieces to wear for a trip, I go bold or go home! Kidding. But I have noticed that bold jewelry shows up better in photos. Also, with all the selfies, earrings and necklaces are the most noticeable, being closest to the face.
Bring capsule jewelry that YOU like
Wear what you like, and ignore what I just said above. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to jewelry. Some might hate hoop earrings, while others (like me) love them. There are lots of opinions and advice on what everyone should have in their capsule jewelry collection. Choose items that are comfortable to wear and that reflect your personal style.
Bring no-brainer pieces for capsule jewelry
No-brainer jewelry is anything I do not have to think about. This is especially important while traveling. I have too many other things to think about in a new environment. I stick to pieces that can be kept on all the time. For example, rings that must be removed before washing hands are a no-go. Earrings that need to be removed before bed are a no-go. A necklace that needs to be removed before showering is a no-go. You get the idea. The less often you have to remove it, the less likely it is to get lost or misplaced.
Bring something to store your capsule jewelry
I recommend only bringing the jewelry that you’re wearing and nothing more. But just in case you need to take something off, get a small case to store your jewelry in. Although I have several nice jewelry cases meant for travel, I use a $1.50 pillbox from Daiso. It’s my favorite storage solution because I like how lightweight, compact, and inconspicuous it is to carry around. My little pillbox works double duty because it also holds my travel meds, aka the Lactaid, which I force down my husband’s throat to keep him from blowing my cover ~ off.
Hoops for side-sleepers
When it comes to travel earrings, I prefer hoops. Small hoops for nature trips and medium-sized hoops for city trips. I hate taking my earrings on and off each day while away from home. Wearing hoop earrings lets me avoid all that. As a side sleeper, I struggle to sleep with post-back earrings. But I can sleep comfortably with non-post-back style hoops. If you can sleep comfortably with post-back earrings, then lucky you! You can disregard this piece of advice and flaunt your sexy studs in my face.
Don’t bring anything too valuable
Don’t bring jewelry that would upset you if lost. Jewelry can break unexpectedly, get lost or misplaced, etc. If you have to go back and retrace your steps to search for a lost item, that’s a lot of precious vacation time. The search becomes even more challenging in a foreign country or crowded touristy areas. Leave your delicate, sentimental, and valuable jewels safe at home. For me, that means swapping out my engagement ring + wedding band for an inexpensive band.
Don’t bring too much
Limit how much jewelry you bring. If you pack too many, it’s easy to lose track of things. What’s too many? That depends on you, but I try to stick to five. Five is a manageable number to keep track of and enough to bling up my outfits. Also makes for quick inventory checks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, CHECK. Ok, let’s go! Happy travels everyone!
My capsule jewelry picks for travel
- Hoop earrings – I like a medium size that goes from day to night
- Short necklace – for high or round neck tops
- Long pendant style necklace – for V-neck or low cut tops (also great layered with short necklace)
- Chunky bracelet – make sure it has a secure clasp!
- Bold right hand ring – simple but packs a punch
