Less than one week to go until Beth and I take off for Paris. The time to prepare kind of snuck up on me, to be honest. But, a capsule wardrobe will help me keep things straight; be less overwhelming, will help me to not overpack, and no matter how I mix and match my separates, I will have confidence and feel comfortable in my outfits. So what am I packing? Today, I’m sharing my Paris capsule wardrobe for petites.
Much like my Packing For a Beach Vacation post, I start with knowing what my activities will be: lots of walking, standing, and more walking, plenty of time spent sitting at cafes and one day-long cooking class. Checking the weather forecast will help a bit, but also, it’s not set in stone so I want to be prepared – but not overdo it. I want to think in layers.
For neutral fall tones, I am thinking black, brown or camel, olive green and grey. This neutral color palette will inform my outfit choices and allow me to pepper in a pop of color. Let’s start with bottoms and build out the rest from there.
The Summary
Today, Kelly is sharing her Paris capsule wardrobe for petites
The capsule includes tops, bottoms, outerwear, shoes, and accessories
Each item is shoppable via text- and image-widgets
Make sure to check out the end of the post too! Kelly is sharing several outfits she’s built from the capsule wardrobe
Pack With Me For Paris: My Paris Capsule Wardrobe For Petites
1. Bottoms
For my bottoms, I want to bring two pairs of jeans in different washes, one blue and one black, or grey. And two pairs that can be dressed up or down depending on what I need. So I will bring a pair of faux leather jeans and the Kate Straight Leg Pant can be dressed up like slacks for a dinner out
Board: High Rise Faux Leather Vintage Jean (Gap) | High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans (Gap) | Paige High Waist Straight Leg Jean (Nordstrom) | Kate Straight Leg Pant in Four Season Stretch (J.Crew)
Shop the Board
2. Tops
For my tops, I will bring a couple long sleeve cashmere sweaters, one in black and one in camel. A few plain cotton tee shirts to mix and match under my sweaters. I will also bring a couple cashmere tee shirts, one in a bright, punchy color that will go with my neutrals to mix things up a bit. Plus, two button up shirts; which are great on their own but also work for layering under a sweater. I am bringing one dressier top, similar to this one by Frame, but sleeveless. For a second dinner out option, I have a cable knit sweater with ruffled shoulders. It’s from last year, but here is a similar version: Ruffle Cable Knit Sweater. I will bring a sweater vest. I can wear it on its own, or over a tee or button up.
You will notice my capsule wardrobe is mostly made up of J.Crew pieces. This is because J.Crew is great at classic basics and polished separates that coordinate well with each other. This is the essence of a capsule wardrobe.
Board: Treasure and Bond Cable Knit Sweater Vest (Nordstrom) | Cashmere Classic Fit Crewneck Sweater (J.Crew) | Cashmere Cropped Crewneck Sweater (J.Crew) | Relaxed Cashmere Tee Shirt (J.Crew) | Classic Fit Shirt in Crinkle Gingham (J.Crew) | Classic Fit washed Cotton Poplin Shirt (J.Crew)
Shop the outfit
3. Outerwear
Because the weather forecast is showing a mix of weather, I am going in prepared with classic outerwear: a trench coat, a leather motorcycle jacket, a lightweight quilted coat and a black blazer. I am also bringing a sweater blazer.
Board: Petite New Icon Trench (J.Crew) | Leather Moto Jacket (Madewell) | Quilted Lightweight Lady Jacket (J.Crew) | Petite Going Out Blazer in Stretch Twill (J.Crew) | Cecile Relaxed Sweater Blazer (J.Crew)
Shop the outfit
4. Footwear & Accessories
I am going to try and keep my footwear and accessories simple. It is always hard for me to resist the urge to bring shoes just to have a variety of choices. My choice in footwear at home really depends a lot on my mood, so I hate to not have options when I travel.
A simple ballet flat is always a chic, classic and comfortable choice no matter my mood, so I am definitely packing my Everlane Day Glove flats. I am bringing my Converse high tops for comfortable walking shoes. For my dressy shoe, I am bringing the ultra comfortable black and white Rowan Penny Loafers. And because I may feel like wearing heels, I will bring the Cole Haan Vestry Bootie, which pretty much goes with anything and everything.
I have my Large Transport Camera Bag for daily use, and then I am bringing the Sydney Clutch for going out.
Board: Italian Leather Day Glove (Everlane) | Converse x Comme des Garçons PLAY Chuck 70 (Converse) | Rowan Penny Loafers (J.Crew) | Cole Haan Pointed Toe Vestry Bootie (Nordstrom) | Large Transport Camera Bag (Madewell) | Sydney Clutch (Madewell)
Shop the outfit
5. How I’m Styling My Capsule Wardrobe
High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans (Gap) | Cashmere Classic Fit Crewneck Sweater (J.Crew) | Quilted Lightweight Lady Jacket (J.Crew) | Converse x Comme des Garçons PLAY Chuck 70 (Converse) | Large Transport Camera Bag (Madewell)
High Rise Faux Leather Vintage Jean (Gap) | Treasure and Bond Cable Knit Sweater Vest (Nordstrom) | Cecile Relaxed Sweater Blazer (J.Crew) | Italian Leather Day Glove (Everlane) | Petite New Icon Trench (J.Crew) | Large Transport Camera Bag (Madewell)
Ruffle Cable Knit Sweater (Belk) | Kate Straight Leg Pant in Four Season Stretch (J.Crew) | Sydney Clutch (Madewell) | Rowan Penny Loafers (J.Crew)
Paige High Waist Straight Leg Jean (Nordstrom) | Classic Fit Shirt in Crinkle Gingham (J.Crew) | Leather Moto Jacket (Madewell) | Large Transport Camera Bag (Madewell) | Converse x Comme des Garçons PLAY Chuck 70 (Converse)
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Jennifer shared 5 beauty essentials you need for Fall. Click the title or image below to read the article.
5 Beauty Essentials You Need This Fall
About The Author
Instead of bringing all that cashmere, shop at Crimson Cashmere in the 8th! Linda Wright is the best!😊
Oh, thanks for the hot shopping tip, Laura! ; ) xo Kelly
I love your choices Kelly! Those Converse kicks are so quirky, but in the best way.
Hi Lisa, Aren’t those cute? They are a collaboration between Converse and Comme Des Garçons. Thanks so much for stopping by today! xo Kelly
I’m decidedly not petite, but love your combinations and can certainly riff off of the concepts. Great choices for Paris! Have fun!
Thank you so much, Vanessa! xo Kelly
Or for really cute, reasonably priced cotton or blend button up shirts, go to Coton Doux. In the 3rd and the 4th, other shops too. Such cute shirts! I personally would bring my Nordy or J Crew cashmere. I like your outfits, were it me, in one carryon, a pair of shoes and a jacket would have to go. To make room for shopping!
You read my mind with the carry on, Susan! Plenty of room to spare for shopping! Thank you for stopping by today! xo Kelly
The combinations are beautiful but at 5’-8” none of clothing works for us taller gals. Nice inspiration though.
Are you planning to fit everything in a carry on suitcase?
Hi Jane, Most (if not all) the clothing I link to in this post comes in regular sizing as well as petites. I am planning to check one bag and have one carry on. Thanks for stopping by! xo Kelly
You might want to reconsider the number of outerwear layers you’re bringing. I just got back and did the same as you and found I could have done with just the trench, leather jacket and sweater blazer. Have a great trip!
Hi Carlene, sounds like you hit the weather just right! As of now the forecast is for high 50s with off and on rain showers. Thanks for the tip! xo Kelly
Lots of cute outfits, Kelly. Have fun on your vacation in Paris!
Thank you so much, Heather! xo Kelly
Cute outfits; styling is great! I don’t know if you said how long you’re going for, but I recently took a trip for 6 days and only took 4 pairs of pants, and that number includes pants that I wore on the plane, and I couldn’t stand that I had to wear a pair twice, but I didn’t want to overpack! Looks like you have it down to a science!
Have a wonderful time! I’m sure you and Beth will take pictures of your outfits to post upon your return! Hope so!
Hi Nancy, I expect to wear the jeans twice, which doesn’t bother me, but I also might throw in a pencil skirt, just for fun. We will have a lot of pictures to share when we return! Thanks for stopping by! xo Kelly
You don’t say how long you are staying or whether you have access to laundry facilities, but IMO, and I go to Paris regularly in the fall, you have way more than you need! (Though everything looks great!) You only need one piece of outerwear, the trench or the black quilted jacket. (You are unlikely to be walking in pouring rain will have an umbrella.) Some women take all kinds of clothes but I go for 3 weeks with one carryon. As long as you are not attending formal events, you really only need 3 days’ worth of clothes. No one knows if you are wearing the same outfit on Day 3 as Day 5. Amusez-vous bien!
Hi Duchesse, We are only going for 7 days and since it’s my first trip to the City of Light, I am excited to have outfit options. Normally I am a carry on kind of packer, but for international travel, I am all too happy to check one bag. Thank you for sharing, it sounds like you are an experienced traveler and I appreciate your insight. xo Kelly
Lots of good choices. I went to Paris about this time several years ago and froze!!!! Seems like 50 degrees in Paris feels like 40! We all had to buy a few wool sweaters and gloves! Yes gloves it was so cold. Our last:night boat ride on the Seine was miserable! Well as miserable as Paris can be! Just really cold.And rainy. I suggest a puffer coat that can be smushed for packing. Ditch the moto jacket as it’s heavy and takes up space. Add some water repellant booties that are good for walking. And your umbrella!
Hi Cher, you’re right; a damp cold feels way colder than a temperature alone would suggest. Thanks for your tips! xo Kelly