We're sharing what it's REALLY like to live out of a suitcase (travel capsule packing tips!)

Summary

Episode Summary: "We're sharing what it's REALLY like to live out of a suitcase (travel capsule packing tips!)"

In this engaging episode of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, and Signe Hansen delve deep into the realities of living out of a suitcase. They explore effective travel capsule packing strategies, share personal experiences, and offer valuable tips for maintaining a versatile and intentional wardrobe while on the move.

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1. Living Out of a Suitcase: Personal Experiences

Alyssa Beltempo shares her extensive experience of living abroad in Italy for seven and a half months. Unlike typical short-term travelers, Alyssa navigated varying seasons and the complexities of traveling with her cat. She explains, “[...] I brought one medium suitcase and a carry-on, and we're good with that” (02:35).

Christina Mychas contrasts her approach by being a "carry-on only gal," emphasizing the challenges and benefits of minimalist packing. The hosts discuss the necessity of balancing personal needs with practical travel requirements, especially when factoring in elements like traveling with pets.

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2. Core Capsule vs. Outfits Planning

The conversation highlights the core capsule approach versus traditional outfit planning. Alyssa emphasizes starting with versatile core pieces that can be mixed and matched throughout the trip. She states, “I started by packing a core set of items that I knew would carry me from December all the way to June” (02:53).

Christina adds her strategy of packing individual items rather than complete outfits to enhance flexibility and reduce the likelihood of overpacking. She explains, “I found that always made me overpack like without fail because it's like, oh, now I need like four or five different tops rather than having three or four really good ones that can interchange and mix and match” (07:05).

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3. Maximizing Versatility with Clothing Pieces

Both hosts discuss the importance of selecting versatile clothing items. Alyssa’s core capsule included two pairs of jeans, a button-up shirt, long-sleeve merino tops, and running shoes. She highlights the value of choosing pieces that serve multiple purposes: “I've worn everything and I've brought with me. Like there was nothing that didn't serve a purpose” (06:11).

Christina emphasizes versatility further by selecting items that can be dressed up or down, such as a blazer that transitions seamlessly from casual daywear to evening attire. She shares, “I like to do something that can kind of dress up and dress down” (11:10).

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4. Prioritizing Footwear in Packing

Footwear plays a crucial role in the hosts’ packing strategies. Alyssa admits, “my footwear to clothing ratio is usually pretty high because shoes are like the biggest game changer in switching up your vibe” (14:49). She prioritizes shoes that can enhance different looks, even if they take up more space in her suitcase.

Christina echoes this sentiment, noting that a good pair of shoes can add significant interest and versatility to simple outfits. She mentions her love for playing with shoe styles to create varied looks: “I really do like to play with the shoe... to add a lot of interest” (28:24).

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5. Avoiding Overpacking: Strategies and Mindset

To combat the temptation of overpacking, Alyssa introduces the “play it out strategy,” which involves envisioning worst-case scenarios to assess the actual necessity of each item. She explains, “playing it out as you're packing... is very helpful to avoid overpacking” (08:06).

Christina reinforces the idea by focusing on packing items that are essential and versatile, thereby mitigating the urge to fill every available space in her suitcase: “Laundry is the secret hack” (33:25).

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6. Handling Seasonal Changes and Collaboration with Friends/Family

Alyssa discusses the logistical challenges of packing for multiple seasons, especially during extended travel periods. To manage this, she shipped heavy winter items home and utilized the support of friends and family. “[...] utilize your friends and family as often as possible, if that's possible” (04:59).

This collaborative approach allowed her to maintain a minimalist suitcase while still having access to necessary seasonal clothing when needed.

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7. Dealing with Boredom in a Capsule Wardrobe

Living with a limited wardrobe can lead to boredom, but the hosts share creative solutions to keep outfits fresh. Alyssa found that repeating outfits with slight variations, such as changing belts or shoes, helped mitigate monotony. She notes, “the more I outfit repeated, the less bored I was” (25:38).

Christina adds that experimenting with different pairings and accessories can breathe new life into basic pieces, ensuring that the capsule remains exciting and functional.

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8. Practical Packing Tips for Successful Capsule Wardrobe

Alyssa’s Top Three Tips:

1. Avoid New or Unfamiliar Items: “Don't pack anything that is new to you or that you don't know how to style” (31:48).

2. Choose a Cohesive Color Palette: “Choosing a color palette is key, because then everything really does work together” (31:48).

3. Do Laundry on the Go: Bringing eco-friendly laundry strips allows for washing clothes in sinks, extending the usability of the packed items. “Laundry is the secret hack” (33:25).

Christina emphasizes the importance of versatile pieces and suggests prioritizing items that can be mixed and matched easily to maximize outfit options without overpacking.

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9. Final Thoughts and Takeaways

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the benefits of living out of a suitcase, such as increased resourcefulness and a deeper appreciation for versatile clothing. Alyssa shares her anticipation to return to her full wardrobe, particularly missing items like sandals and structured trousers that she found highly functional and enjoyable.

Christina highlights the joy of playing with accessories and shoes once the weather warms up, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful packing can enhance both travel experiences and personal style.

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Notable Quotes

• Alyssa Beltempo: “I started by packing a core set of items that I knew would carry me from December all the way to June” (02:53).

• Christina Mychas: “Laundry is the secret hack” (33:25).

• Alyssa Beltempo: “Don't pack anything that is new to you or that you don't know how to style” (31:48).

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This episode provides a comprehensive look into the practicalities and philosophies behind minimalist packing for long-term travel. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first extended trip, Alyssa, Christina, and Signe offer actionable insights to help you create a functional and stylish travel capsule wardrobe.

Transcript

[Alyssa]

Welcome to Sustain this, a podcast where we discuss mindful consumption, personal style, and the quest for living a more intentional life. I'm Alyssa, a sustainable stylist.

[Christina]

And I'm Christina, a shopaholic turned minimalist.

[Alyssa]

Ish.

[Sina]

And I'm Sina, a color consultant and slow fashion style coach.

[Alyssa]

Together we will unpack the nuances of what it really means to be a conscious consumer and find more joy in what we have right now. So grab your tea, your coffee, or whatever floats your boat and join us in the conversation. Let's go. Yay. Yay. Hello. Welcome back. Exciting topic today, one that I am very familiar with.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

What's it like to live out of a suitcase?

[Christina]

Yes. Travel. Travel capsule, wardrobes, do they work? What's it actually like? And Alyssa's been in Italy for the past, like, four months now, I want to say, since like the beginning of the year. So. And you just packed a carry on, right?

[Alyssa]

No, no, this time I brought like, for the long. For the longer trips I bring. It's a medium sized suitcase. I don't know if you want to just get right into it. We can start with luggage. We can do like luggage and work away.

[Christina]

Let's talk about. Yeah, yeah. I'm a carry on only gal. Like, that's all I have. So I don't. I don't even have bigger luggage, actually. I just have the carry on. Yeah. Oh, that's amazing.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, no, for like five. For five months plus I was traveling in winter. It was like there was no way I couldn't do it without, like a bigger checked bag often. I think the longest time I've done with carry on only is two months or like six. Yeah, about six weeks to two months. And that's definitely doable. But yeah, because when I travel with Apollo, which I do, I get a lot of questions about Apollo. So, yes, I also travel with my cat for these longer periods.

[Christina]

Not only did. Not only are you living out of a suitcase, you. You had to pack your cat.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, yeah. So it's a lot. But when you travel with an animal, I don't know if anyone knows this, you have to. The animal, when they're traveling with you in the cabin counts as one personal item. So I don't have. I can only do the carry on. And because I need to have my laptop and you need to pull it out with security, et cetera, I needed a carry on that had the capability of taking out the laptop and doing all that. So. So I just. I needed a carry on that had that pocket Capability because I was missing a personal item. So that was kind of difficult. But it was good. It all worked out. So I have one medium suitcase and a carry on and we're good with that.

[Christina]

For how long?

[Alyssa]

So for how long? Six months? Six, Seven months? Actually, seven and a half.

[Christina]

Wow.

[Alyssa]

Wait, Sorry. I left December. December to mid June. This is a long time.

[Christina]

Wow. And we have some different seasons in there, so. Yeah. Let's talk about how you packed.

[Alyssa]

Well, I. Full disclosure, I packed. I started by packing a core set of items that I knew would carry me from December all the way to June. So those items were two pairs of jeans, because I wear jeans even when it's hot. My button up shirt and my long sleeve merino tops. And those are like the core pieces. Also my running shoes. Like my running, running shoes. I left the cute lifestyle sneakers at home because they just wouldn't serve. And then so once I had that little core capsule, then I added what I knew I would need for the colder weather. I think all in all, I did a video about it. I think I had 13 to 15 pieces for the winter season and that lasted me December, January, February, March. So four months in like a temperate kind of winter. It was, it never goes below zero. It never went below zero in Milan.

[Christina]

But like, how nice.

[Alyssa]

I know, it was amazing. It was amazing. It was beautiful. What I did do for outerwear, I packed my puffer jacket and then my big wool overcoat on top. Oh, and the other core item was my a little, like, jacket, like a little beige jacket. And it kind of could be a blazer, but also could be outerwear. So it.

[Christina]

Oh, okay.

[Alyssa]

That was also part of the core. Like, I thought maybe that could work. I never wore it in the winter at all. It was just too cold. I was always wearing the puffer and the overcoat. I brought a bunch of boots. And then, full disclosure, I shipped a bunch of the heavy, heavy winter items home because I didn't want to travel with them until June. It just didn't make any sense. And I knew my parents were coming in March and that I would see them, so I had them bring a little carry on with my summer stuff. And we met up, we did the exchange.

[Christina]

Utilize your friends and family. This is how you do it.

[Alyssa]

100%. 100%. Because for that long, for seven months and, and I'm in the shoulder seasons, like, I'm not even in full summer. So yeah, it's an awkward time to pack for like, there's, there's no way that I would Keep all of my winter stuff just for the sake of being able to say I did it with the one suitcase or whatever. So. So I shipped some stuff home and then I sent a couple of additional items back with my parents as well that I had kept specifically for my trip to Switzerland and Prague because it was going to be cold and I needed to keep some stuff for that. So, yes, utilize your friends and family as often as possible, if that's possible. But I really found the starting with the core capsule was key. Like those items that can be versatile through all kinds of seasons and those I've worn, I've worn everything and I've worn, I've worn everything. I've. I brought with me. Like there was nothing that didn't serve a purpose.

[Christina]

Okay, can you remind us of the core capsule that you brought? You said it was like 15 pieces.

[Alyssa]

Yeah. So it was definitely. Well, okay. No, so all together you were talking about you had.

[Christina]

You had like two. You had like five pieces that were like ultra core and then like you had.

[Alyssa]

The rest was winter. The whole 15 pieces was. Was the core plus winter.

[Christina]

Oh, okay.

[Alyssa]

So, yeah, so the only core items were the two pairs of jeans, a button up shirt and two long sleeve merinos plus and your sneakers.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Okay, so those count. Yeah, so six. So it's not a lot like you can't. I mean you probably could. Two pairs of jeans and three tops. You could totally do like a whole bunch of different outfits around. But it wouldn't have been enough for the amount of time that I was.

[Christina]

Not enough to make you feel like yourself though. Like not enough outfits. Like it's enough to cover you to, you know, but you're like, I want. You probably want a little bit more variety. You're in a fashion city or in.

[Alyssa]

Yes.

[Christina]

You know.

[Alyssa]

Yes.

[Christina]

100% getting inspired by where you are. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Yes.

[Christina]

You do want to bring a little more.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, I wanted to bring some interesting things. Oh, no, I lie. There was one more core item that's what I wore on the plane, which is my wide leg, black trousers and those all year round. The comfy ones. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's. That was it. But yeah.

[Christina]

Did, did you pack your suitcase full to the brim or did you leave room for shopping?

[Alyssa]

I left room for shopping for sure.

[Christina]

So that's a tip. So don't fully pack all the way. Yeah. Because I feel like there's a temptation to like use up all the room you have in your suitcase regardless of whether or not you're traveling. Like Light. If you're traveling long and far for a. A long period of time or even if you're not, I think overpacking is very tempting. But I feel like, especially if you're going to be somewhere for a little while and shopping's on the agenda, thrifting's on the agenda, you're going to want to leave a little bit of space.

[Alyssa]

Totally. I think the question that gets most people when they are packing, that induces this must fill it to the brim and have all my things is that whole like, what if scenario or the just in case scenario. I think we all do that. Yeah. And I think what I like to do to kind of combat that is a. Is shopping on the menu. And yes, for me it is like, I usually. I typically only shop when I travel. So for me, that's. I knew that was going to happen. But also it's the whole. I talked about this in a, in a substack newsletter actually was. I like, I call it the play it out strategy. So you just play out the scenario, like the worst case scenario of your what if? Or your just in case, and it kind of reminds you of all of the things you have. And. And like, it also reminds you how resourceful you are. It's like, okay, worst case, I could go out and find something if I was invited. But then it also forces you to consider the likelihood of these just in case scenarios. So playing it out as you're packing, like doing that little thought exercise, like forcing yourself to see the future, is very helpful to avoid overpacking. For those just in case scenarios, I want to hear about yours. Like, how do you pack? Cristina, I know you've done a bunch of videos on it, but do you start with a core or what's your strategy?

[Christina]

Yeah, I think I do always start with the core. I. One thing I learned to start doing was I don't pack outfits. I pack my items, my tools that are in my closet. So I know that, you know, I wear like, what are my frequent flyers that, no pun intended, that I wear every single week that make me feel like myself. And I try to pack pieces that can be mixed and matched, but also kind of dialed up and dialed down in terms of their formality and like, how I want to feel depending on where I'm going. So if I'm going to be going for. I don't know if I was going to Europe, how nice there's probably going to be. You know, I would need some casual, everyday, comfortable clothing. I know that we like to kind of lounge around and hang out like in the hotel or wherever we're staying to wind down. So I'll probably want some like comfy, laid back things and then I want things, things for dinners and date nights and. And that's, you know, that kind of pretty much covers it. So something casual and chill and comfortable and then something a bit more elevated but still comfortable. So I usually will pack things like an everyday tank top, T shirt, jeans. I might not even pair. I might not even pack things like trousers or anything like that. I might just pack a more elevated pair of jeans, like a pair of jeans that I feel like dial things up a little bit. So right now it's something that's a bit more sculptural or if I want to dial things up, I might pair. I might pack like a really nice shoe or like a sandal and use that as my tool to dial things up. Or I might pack like a blazer that's like a bit more chill or. Sorry, that's a bit more. That I can kind of dress up and dress down too. So nothing like too oversized, too laid back. Because then I. It just might not be able to translate across all areas of what I want. So yeah, I find it's. It's easier to think about like whenever I packed in outfits. And I know it's so much fun to like create little outfits and like pack, you know, and think about what you're going to be wearing on day one, day two, day three. But I found that always, always, always made me overpack like without fail because it's like, oh, now I need like four or five different tops rather than having three or four really good ones that can interchange and mix and match and be layered differently and things like that. So I think it's really choosing the pieces that are versatile and that and then it's kind of like your accessories and maybe a couple of layering pieces or like one or two more like just more interesting pieces. Pieces that can kind of punch up an outfit and make it not feel so basic and so casual. So I like to do that.

[Alyssa]

I think the layering pieces are huge and you don't even need that many because they're the third piece. So it's like one or two. I find the biggest piece for me with packing our tools instead of our outfits, as you mentioned, which is exactly like the best way to build a travel capsule is again, if I was bringing two of the same things. So for example, two pairs of jeans, I make sure that they have a really different element. So either a completely different silhouette or a completely different wash or color, because that's where you get so much more versatility. Like you've only got two items and yet they're spanning both ends of the elevated casual spectrum.

[Christina]

Exactly. Yeah. So I was thinking about like my tank tops, for example. So I might pack just like a plain white cotton jersey tank for every day, but I like to wear things like bodysuits or more form fitting tube tops or things like that. And then if I layer that with a blazer and a pair of jeans, it's still just like a little bit more. There's a little bit more to it. But then if I want to wear that tube top and I'm in Italy or in like Santorini or something, then, you know, I'm gonna pair that tube top with a pair of linen pants and my sandals. And now I have like a daytime casual, cute but still elevated kind of minimal chic outfit. So it's really like, what can you. How do these mix and match? How do they, how do they elevate? How do they, how do you dial it up? How do you dial it down? And that's what I think makes for a really versatile capsule wardrobe. So depending on where I'm going, you probably. I tend to have a habit to do this, but I never actually end up wearing the pieces. So like I want to pack a plain white T shirt and then I want to pack a black one, but it's like, maybe I'll just stick with the one T shirt and then save that room for like the tube top, the tank top, the bodysuit, other pieces that I can wear that just give me a bit more flexibility.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, 100%. I think the only. What I struggle with, or it's not even what I struggle with, I also find footwear, even though it takes up the most space, my footwear to clothing ratio is usually pretty high because I think shoes, okay, shoes are like the biggest game changer in switching up your vibe. So I, I usually reserve more room for footwear. Like I'll sacrifice a pair of pants or a dress or something like a sweater, for example, for a good pair of shoes.

[Christina]

I almost never pack dresses, although I feel like for some people, dresses are probably a really great, versatile piece that can be dialed up and dialed down so easily. Like if you have a really good slip dress or something, then you can huge wear that to dinner, but then wear it the next day with a T shirt layered over top and like a tote bag and you're Good to go for the market, you know, so. But yeah, I agree. I usually we'll pack footwear in favor of like the extra layer like that. So it just depends what you, what you want and what you're going for and where you're going and where you're going.

[Alyssa]

Yes.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

When the last time you traveled was it to la? Christina?

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Did you wear everything that you brought?

[Christina]

No. Really?

[Alyssa]

Okay. Okay. All right. How come?

[Christina]

I just found, when we got there, like, I think it was just based on kind of what we did and where we went. I outfit repeated a lot. Like I, you know, that was a trip and I feel like you kind of learned that. Like, you know, I just said, you know, I try to pick, try to pick things that have a range. But for example, I find like every. I always pack a button down shirt because it is super versatile and it's like, I can wear this as a jacket. I can wear this. Like. And now I'm into wearing them more than I was before. They're. They were a piece in my wardrobe that I love to buy but hated to wear. But now I actually wear them more. But so far, when I've traveled with them, I never reach for them. I'd rather wear something that I've already worn than go for that. And I don't know why. I think it just feels. Well, in la, it was too much. It was like too formal, too, too heavy even. It just didn't really work for how I was feeling and where we were going and stuff like that. And even when we went to Copenhagen and London, I never, I didn't wear it. So it's like, okay, you know, maybe next time I'm going to think about packing the button down. But historical behavior says I probably won't wear it. So maybe that's not something.

[Alyssa]

Sorry, go ahead. I interrupted.

[Christina]

Probably like, probably another. Probably either like another pair of shoes or maybe like an extra. Probably a different top. So like, I think I like having variety in tops. Bottoms definitely easier for me to get away with and wear. Like, I could wear the same like 2, 3 bottoms the entire time. But where I feel I get the most bang for my buck and variety is in tops.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, of course.

[Christina]

So just having a different, a different vibe across the board. But yeah, but like, for whatever reason, I didn't want, like, I'd, I'd rather reach for like a denim jacket when I was in la or like a long coat than, than the button down at the time.

[Alyssa]

That makes sense. A button up feels. I've never Been to la, so I don't know, but I would imagine it, it would feel like too dressed or stuffy for la, from what I understand of that city.

[Christina]

Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

I think that's one of the biggest challenges is going to a place you've never been before and balancing your, your personal identity with also wanting to kind of honor the place and the vibe of that place. And it's hard if you've never been like, you don't know. You don't know what you're gonna wear or not wear, you know? So.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

What about working?

[Christina]

Sorry. I hear the birds.

[Alyssa]

Oh, yes. Do you want me, Is that bad? Do you want me to close?

[Christina]

No, no, I like it. It's very.

[Alyssa]

I thought it was pretty. I was like, I think a bird or two is fine.

[Christina]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. If the dog's barking, I'll.

[Alyssa]

I'll close the window.

[Christina]

Oh, okay. Sorry. What did you ask?

[Alyssa]

Did you pack workout gear?

[Christina]

Yes, I did. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

How much space does that take? Because literally my workout gear takes up like to have all my suitcase. I get so discouraged.

[Christina]

Really?

[Alyssa]

Yeah. In the winter. In the winter, my running gear, my pants are fleece lined, thicker socks. I bring like a small puffer, a neck warmer. Like the mittens, like the winter running gears. For real? Yeah.

[Christina]

I do a lot of thin layers. I haven't had to do it yet, but. But I mean, I would. I usually just pack like two pairs of leggings, two sports bras and then the, the running shoes. And that does take up space, so. But my winter running gear is a bit thinner, so I'll do like, like a long sleeve. Like a long sleeve and then a long sleeve merino. And then I have like my Uniqlo down vest. Like a thin, thin gloves, thin necky neck thing. Yeah, it does take up space, but I guess it just depends, like, what's, you know, if that's important to you and you know that you're going to be working out. Because I find I have ambitious goals. It's like, oh, my God, I'm going to work out every day. And we did in Copenhagen.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, we did.

[Christina]

But like in la, no, we just walked every day and I'm like, okay, I'm counting that as my exercise. So we, we. I shouldn't end up working out when we were there. So it just depends. I think I would say pack it as a packet. Don't pack too much. And if you do pack it, then try to, try to do it. Especially if it did take up that space we were in.

[Alyssa]

Copenhagen. I remember I was so angry at myself because I didn't bring my mittens, but it was. I didn't think it would be that cold. I don't know if you're like this, Christina, but whenever, like, I was like, whenever I travel to a coolish destination, even with Switzerland, I was like, I'm Canadian. Okay.

[Christina]

Five degrees is nothing.

[Alyssa]

I'll be fine.

[Christina]

And no, I'm a big baby.

[Alyssa]

It's so cold.

[Christina]

Yeah, no, I'd rather be warm than. I'd rather de layer than have to struggle to find layers a hundred percent.

[Alyssa]

And in Copenhagen, I remember I wore my socks on my hands because it was so cold, and I forgotten my gloves. So I ran with socks because I was like, I'm going to. I'm not going to. I'm not going to not go for a run because I forgot gloves. I had everything else in my kit.

[Christina]

You do warm up after a bit anyways.

[Alyssa]

Totally.

[Christina]

You know.

[Alyssa]

Totally. And then I had a bunch of people DM me being like, I do this all the time when I run and I forget my gloves.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Alyssa]

Guess I'm not that creative.

[Christina]

Oh, okay. There you go.

[Alyssa]

So many. So many runners do it. They're like, oh, yeah, all the time. Okay, fine.

[Christina]

Okay. What I want to talk about, I want to know, are you getting bored with what you packed?

[Alyssa]

This is a great question. The winter stuff. Yeah, I did get bored for sure. Yeah. Because the palette I. Starting off, I don't have a lot of color in my closet, and when I travel, the color palette gets reduced even more just because it's. That's practical for me. So in the winter, I was getting bored, but I went thrifting, and I injected a bit of color and some other layers. So I'm not. I don't know if I went thrifting. This is a good question. I didn't. I wasn't going thrifting with the intention of, oh, I'm going to buy something. Because everything I bought was dark, was made in black, which is exactly the color of capsule. So it's not like I was like, I need color. I'm going to inject it. I did buy a pale. A really nice pale yellow sweater, which had been sort of living rent free in my head for a while. So I just grabbed that. Yeah, I definitely. I was getting bored for sure.

[Christina]

So what did you like? And it's it. Because did you find yourself really trying to make that capsule sort of mix and match, or were you wearing the same things over and over?

[Alyssa]

Like, no, I Was wearing all my different combinations. But you know what I did? I. I think I did a reel about it. I was. I was like, I'm just really bored. And I went to Pinterest and I found a look, and it was a combination that I actually hadn't put together before, and I. I used that, and that was really helpful also. Yeah, no shopping. My closet was probably the biggest. The easiest thing to do. It did make me miss my closet because it was a picture of, like, a pair of jeans with a baby blue button up. And I was like. And I remember debating, like, do I bring the baby blue button? Because it's the light color.

[Christina]

Right.

[Alyssa]

I brought the white one. Yeah, I just. The. The material of the white one is better for all seasons. It's like a heavier, canvasy cotton, so it works better in the winter as well. And I wanted something goes for the entire time, so.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Yeah. So I definitely shopped my closet. And you know what else is odd? I found the more I outfit repeated, the less bored I was, because I would put together a look that I really, really liked. And I was like. And I remember waking up the next day and being like, oh. Like, I don't really. I'm kind of bored of my clothes. And I was like, well, I really liked yesterday's outfit. Why don't I just wear it again? And I did, and it was great. So, like, there's no. You know, belts were also huge. I brought three belts with me, which I think is a lot for a capsule wardrobe. And they. That's. Yeah, belts. Belts are great. That's also something that I pull a lot if I'm feeling bored. Even if it's the exact same look, I just swap the belt and it's good. Sometimes I wore shoes that were probably not the most functional for my day, but I wore them anyway because I was like, I just need something different. Here we go.

[Christina]

Like what?

[Alyssa]

The high boots? Well, so I brought my knee high boots with a heel, and they're super comfortable. I could wear them all day. And I remember I wasn't wearing them as much as I liked. Like, I was only wearing them at night at first, and then I was like, eff it. Like, I'm gonna wear these during the day. Like, I'm wearing to the grocery store store. Like, why not? So that really helped. Pulling in things that I had categorized to only wear for a certain occasion. And same thing with my leggings. I brought a pair of black leggings, which I was like, these are good for when I'M lounging around because they're not a workout pair of leggings. They're like, just a nice, cozy pair. And then same thing. When I was getting bored, I was like, I have these leggings. I'm gonna wear them in public. And I did.

[Christina]

It was great.

[Alyssa]

And I wore them, but I wore them, like, with a high boot, so I dressed them up. So I mixed. I took, like, a piece that was completely on one end of the spectrum, and I paired it with the opposite. And that's something that I. I think I've mentioned a lot in videos, is when you're stuck, like, just take something that is completely on the opposite end of the style spectrum. And. And it worked, and it was great.

[Christina]

So nice.

[Alyssa]

Those are. Those are two things I did.

[Christina]

So what did you find yourself craving as time went on? You were saying, I'm feeling like you wanted some color, I guess. Was there anything else?

[Alyssa]

No, I think. Honestly, I think it was just the entirety of my closet. Like, I. I love my clothes. I love all of my clothes, and I just. I really missed being able to play. I missed being able to experiment. Yeah. I just. I missed the texture. I'm a very. Texture is probably one of the key elements of style that I like to work with. And in winter, it's denim and knitwear for me.

[Christina]

Yeah. So.

[Alyssa]

And I think for most people. So I missed. I missed just being able to play. I just miss my closet in general. Nothing specific.

[Christina]

What are you most looking forward to wearing when you get home?

[Alyssa]

Oh, my God. What a great question. Oh, my sandals. My. Like, well, hopefully it'll be warm by then. My sandals. All of the jeans that I. I miss my jeans. All your jeans, actually, Christina. Literally all of Christina's jeans that I am now a proud owner of. Like, the Levi's. Like, the cool, like, vintage Levi's. I really miss. I missed wearing my nice. Like, I really missed my great structured, like, wool trousers.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

So, like, just those. Those interesting pieces, I think.

[Christina]

Yeah. And. Yeah. Because what. When I. I find I. I'm, like, thinking about what I'm craving about wearing now that spring is coming and we don't have to wear, like, snow boots anymore. And soon it'll be. It's like ballet flat weather. Like, you sometimes. Like, soon you won't be happy. You don't need to wear socks, even. And I just find that's when I. I find that's when, like, I can have so much interest and variety in my outfits because I really do like to play with the shoe. Like, again, my style of uniform is pretty much the same. It's like always a blazer, tank, or T shirt and then some kind of pair of jeans, maybe sometimes like some kind of pant. Right. And so I really like playing with a shoe to add a lot of interest, to add like little pops of metallic or red or white or whatever it is. And I find at least that's what I'm craving now that the weather is getting warmer. And it's like, you have so much fun with the shoes. So how, like, what do you have for your shoes there? You said you over prioritize shoes. Oh, there you go, girl.

[Alyssa]

Let me show you.

[Christina]

If you're listening, there is a wall of shoes. We have about five pairs on here.

[Alyssa]

Yeah. Oh, wait, hang on. I'm missing a pair. Hang on, Let me go get them.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Alyssa]

Shoe wall. There we go.

[Christina]

Oh, nice. Oh, I love.

[Alyssa]

Right. Little ballet flat.

[Christina]

You sent the boots back.

[Alyssa]

I did boots back, yes. With Mama Bell Tempo. I kept those until the very end, though, because they're so great, like with little shorts during transition weather. So. So yeah. So there's the running sneakers, which I still loathe actually. No, I don't, because they allow me to run. So I love them very, very much. They're probably the most used shoe in all of this.

[Christina]

But they're just not fun to wear with other. I guess.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, they're just not beautiful. Come on, Nike. Come on. Whoever. Whoever. Anyway, whatever. And then the more lifestyle sneaker. These are new thrifted purchase. They're just like a lower profile white sneaker. I really wanted a colorful sneaker. This is where again, like, I could add color and interest, but I've decided I'm gonna just add colorful laces to these. Ballet flat. Yeah, that's. That'll be my color ballet flat. The slingbacks and the loafers have. And the running shoe. Actually, these guys were with me from the beginning too, but they were more for, like, honestly for content creation. Because I was like, I didn't think I'd be able to wear them much in the winter. And I knew I would still have to create content. And I thought they would be good to have. And they were. So I wore them inside.

[Christina]

Now's the time to wear them too.

[Alyssa]

Exactly. Yeah. So six, Currently six pairs of shoes.

[Christina]

Wow, that's a lot. Well, I mean, for. If you're there for six months, I feel like. Yes, that's actually quite. I'd say that's quite minimal. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Okay, great. Thanks.

[Christina]

Great. So what's one like, if people are thinking about packing or going to live out of a suitcase, what's, like, your top three tips that. That we can share before we go.

[Alyssa]

Right. I would say don't pack anything that is new to you or that you don't know how to style. Like, that is not a go to because you'll just get frustrated. Same thing as you. I would say don't pack in terms of outfits. Like, make it a true capsule in the sense of. I would say choosing a color palette is key, because then everything really does work together. So I think that the main, like, focus on two or three core elements, and in my opinion, the ones that are the most important to create cohesion are color and silhouettes. So make sure whatever silhouettes you're packing on the bottom can add both tension and balance with whatever tops you have. And then with your colors, make sure that all of your colors work together. And that's not to say that you cannot have a colorful travel capsule like you 100% can. It's just make sure the colors work together and play together nicely. And then three, we didn't talk about this, but I do laundry when I travel, and I bring the little eco strips. I think you do too, Christina.

[Christina]

Yeah, when you travel.

[Alyssa]

Yeah. Because if you bring, they pack so easily. You just throw them in. They're amazing. And you can do laundry in your sink. So I would say pack. I would say definitely pack those, because you don't know you can do them. Even if you're in a hotel and you're not in a. In an apartment, you can still do laundry, which gives you more use out of what you have.

[Christina]

Yeah, exactly. Laundry is the secret hack.

[Alyssa]

100%. And, like, I don't bring. I get asked about what kind of underwear. Like, how many pairs of underwear do I bring? And I think I bring, like, 12. For long trips. Like, if you're going for more than. For two months or more, I bring at least like, 12 to 14, which I know seems like a lot, but time. Time flies, so.

[Christina]

Yeah, yeah, No, I think that's reasonable. I think that's great. Cool. Well, this is. I. I feel like I learned a lot, and I think it's really cool to see what it's actually like to live out of a suitcase for, you know, experience. Yeah. From someone's who. From someone who is doing it in. In real time. So I hope you guys learned something. I hope that there's something that you could take away for your next trip. Let us know what it is down in the comments below and don't forget to like subscribe. And if you want even more bonus exclusive content you can just hit join on YouTube. The button is right down below and you can get get more of us there. So we'll see you next week. Thanks for listening. Bye bye.

[Sina]

Thank you so much for joining in our conversation this week. If you're enjoying the show we'd love it if you subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple and leave us a rating and review. It's one of the best ways to support the Sustain this podcast at zero cost to you.

[Christina]

We're also a community led podcast so if you have any questions for us, topic requests or even guests you want to hear from, please send us a DM on Instagram @Sustain ThisPodcast. We read all of our comments and look forward to hearing from you.

[Alyssa]

We hope you join us again next Tuesday where we'll talk about so much more than clothes. Ciao.