Carry-On Only in the South of France: My Capsule Wardrobe and Lessons Learned
A behind-the-scenes look at how I planned my travel wardrobe, what worked, what didn’t, and the packing decisions I'd make again.
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How I Planned My South of France Capsule
Packing for 13 days in the South of France in only a carry-on meant really understanding my itinerary and thinking through every activity we'd be doing - lots of walking and sightseeing, casual lunches, and a few nicer dinners. I wanted to be comfortable but still look a little polished. It was France, after all!
October temperatures were expected to be in the upper 60s to low 70s, with cooler mornings and evenings and some chance of rain. So I planned around clothes I could comfortably wear during the warmer part of the day, then added layers for when it cooled off.
That's really the key to packing for changing temperatures. Rather than bringing different outfits for different weather, I make sure the pieces I bring can be worn together.
What I Packed and Why:
The Shoes - That’s Right…Only Two Pairs!
Two pairs were enough: sneakers for long sightseeing days and black flats for dinners and shorter walks.
Comfort was a priority since I knew we'd be covering plenty of ground. Both pairs could handle light rain sprinkles, which seemed sufficient based on the forecast.
Pro-Tip: Start your travel capsule wardrobe planning with your shoes. Building outfits around your shoes helps keep the shoe count in check, rather than adding extra pairs to accommodate specific outfits.
Bottoms and Tops
For a trip under two weeks, three bottoms were plenty. I built my capsule around black pants, dark denim, and terracotta pants.
The black pants were versatile enough for just about anything. The dark denim was a little more elevated than traditional blue jeans, and the terracotta added color to the wardrobe.
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I paired them with five tops that could mix and match with all three bottoms. I included a floral blouse for nicer dinners, a few prints for variety, and a basic black T-shirt.
I love a black T-shirt for travel. It's the master of disguise! It's so basic, no one even notices when you wear it multiple times.
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One Dress
I packed one printed dress. Dresses are my favorite pieces to travel with because they're comfortable, flattering, and make getting dressed so easy.
This was the perfect travel dress…stretchy and comfortable, no wrinkles, and it packed easily! And I loved the fun print. I wore this dress multiple times, spacing it out on my itinerary so I did not wear it on back-to-back days.
Layers and Coats
I brought two cardigans, one black and one brown, because I wanted a little color variety. I also included a lightweight jacket. Each could be worn separately, and I could combine them when I needed more warmth.
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The Packable Raincoat
I packed a longer, water-resistant raincoat as well, giving me two outerwear options, which is more than I typically bring, but it was the perfect weight for the expected warm temperatures and it packed small.
The short, lightweight jacket was better suited to mild days, while the longer coat was for rain.
Accessories
I brought a couple of scarves, a coin charm necklace, and two small handbags, one black and one brown.
I like my handbags to coordinate with my shoes, and since I had both black and brown footwear, I brought a bag for each. Both were small and packable, so they didn't take up much room.
The necklace was a nice alternative to a scarf on warmer days.
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I hand-washed underwear and alternated between two pairs of pajamas, washing one while wearing the other. I also tucked in a packable duffel in case I did some shopping.
The Luggage
I packed in my ultralight Samsonite Cosmolite carry-on (because I prefer to carry clothes, not bag weight) and my Lo & Sons Rowledge II backpack. I particularly love the backpack for its organization, structured shape, and polished appearance.
Everything fit, although there wasn't much room left over!
I had a designated airplane outfit that I wore both there and back, and of course I wore my bulkiest shoes on the plane.
How the Capsule Performed
The weather turned out warmer than expected, with many days in the mid to upper 70s. My layering strategy worked exactly as intended. I wore my base outfits during the day and added a cardigan or jacket when it cooled down.
The final two days brought heavy rain, which put a few of my packing decisions to the test.
Everything in my capsule got worn, but some pieces were clear favorites.
My black pants got the most wear because they fit me better than the others and they felt the most comfortable.
My black cardigan was another favorite. It was the softer and cozier of the two, and I wore it constantly. With casual outfits, dressed up for dinner, buttoned up as a top, and even over my pajamas in a chilly hotel room.
And then there was the dress. Comfortable, flattering, and cute, it was one of my favorite outfits to repeat. No surprise there!
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What I'd Do Differently Next Time
I always do a post-trip packing analysis. Looking at what I actually wore, what worked, and what I'd change helps me make better packing decisions for the next trip.
Here are my takeaways from October in the South of France.
Trust What You Love Wearing
I know how much I enjoy dresses when I travel, yet I limited myself to one with the intention of being disciplined in my packing. In hindsight, I would have been happier with another dress and one or two fewer tops.
The same goes for my black pants and cardigan. They were my most-worn pieces because they were the ones I felt best wearing.
The lesson? Don't overlook your favorites when planning a capsule. Those are usually the pieces you'll reach for again and again.
Don't Let Style Override Practicality
I loved the look of my sneakers, but they had a little suede trim that concerned me before I even left home. I knew they weren't the smartest choice if it rained, but I liked them so much that I convinced myself they'd be fine.
When the heavy rain arrived, I left them in the hotel and wore my flats instead. The flats worked, but I would have appreciated the warmth and comfort of my sneakers.
I made a similar decision with my pants. I had considered bringing an ankle-length pair but preferred the look of my full-length, wide-leg pants. Those long hems were a nuisance in the rain.
In both cases, I knew better. I chose fashion over function, and it got me!
My travelmate got the ankle-length pant memo!
Choose Outerwear That Do Both Jobs
I packed a lightweight jacket and a separate, longer raincoat. Both were useful, but I should have chosen one coat that could serve both purposes. That would have been the smarter choice for a carry-on traveler.
And here's something worth mentioning about my raincoat.
It was water-resistant, not waterproof, and I’m happy to report it performed beautifully with an umbrella, even during some very heavy downpours.
But there's an important distinction. I wasn't planning to spend entire days outdoors in sustained rain. For sightseeing with an umbrella and opportunities to get out of the weather, my water-resistant coat was sufficient.
If I were planning an all-day excursion with significant rain in the forecast, I'd absolutely want a fully waterproof coat. That's still my recommendation for that kind of travel.
Allow Yourself a Little Variety
Could I have packed one cardigan instead of two? Absolutely. One handbag instead of two? Of course.
But I had room, everything got worn, and I enjoyed having those choices.
I don't believe a successful carry-on capsule means eliminating every extra item. Sometimes having a little variety is worth sacrificing the space, especially when everything has a purpose, and you know you'll use it.
It's not about packing less, it's about packing what matters.
Overall, I was very happy with this capsule. It handled the changing weather, everything got worn, and I had plenty of outfits for thirteen days.
There are a few things I'd change, but that's why I do a post-trip analysis. Every trip gives me a chance to fine-tune my packing decisions for the next one.