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Urbanite | Suburbanite - Personal Wardrobe Styling & Fashion Blog

July 31, 2025

The secret to packing like a stylist

by Paul Julch in the tip


Sometimes I’m full of ideas for what to write about - and sometimes I’m not. Because I’ve been writing about style & fashion for the past 12 years. So, I often think, “do people really want to hear about this again?”

So, last week on Instagram, I asked what my followers wanted to hear about. And guess what they asked for most? Vacation packing tips.

And I think it’s because (unless you travel for work) packing isn’t something you do very often. And you can probably name at least a few times when you could have done it better. And you think there’s some big secret to doing it ‘right’. But here’s the thing - ‘right’ means different things for different people. You may want a mix & match wardrobe with fewer pieces, but more outfits. Or you may want an array of options so you can tweak things when you get there. Or your highest priority may be fitting things in a carryon.

So, rather than saying that these are the ‘right’ ways to pack - let’s just say that these are the methods I’ve used with clients for years. And the feedback I get is that they packed less than they normally do, felt great with what they chose & didn’t feel like they overpacked at all.


I titled this post ‘the secret to packing like a stylist’ for a reason. And it’s not because all stylists recommend the exact same method. But there is something that all the stylists I know agree on - especially when you want a mix & match vacation wardrobe:

Pick a color palette.

Simply pick 2-3 colors as the foundation of your vacation wardrobe. Because that way, different pieces will go together in different ways. So, you can bring 3 tops & 3 bottoms - but that equates to many more than 3 outfits. Here’s what I mean.

The color palette for this vacation capsule is black, white & tan - as a super simple example of creating a color palette. It’s generally easier to start with 2 neutrals & then add a pop color (if you like) - but your palette is up to you & what you have in your wardrobe. And I also love starting with a print (like this matched set) & then pulling your color palette out of the print. Because it adds interest & keeps things cohesive…

NOTE: I’ve shifted my blog from my website to Substack. Click here to read the rest of this article on Substack.

And click here to subscribe to my newsletter (aka Style Mail) on Substack.

If you sign up for the free version of Style Mail, you’ll hear from me 2X/month with my latest articles & curated collections of the style strategies I share with my clients. If you sign up as a paid subscriber (what I call ‘Style Mail VIP’), you’ll also get:

  • Monthly VIP Look Book: Outfit inspiration with 30+ outfits that I created for a one-on-one client.

  • Shoppable links: See something you like? You'll get direct links to snag these pieces (or find similar ones).

  • Monthly Style Challenges: Get prompts to push your style boundaries, rethink what’s already in your closet & shift your mindset around getting dressed.

  • Plus, more exclusive content & connection just for VIPs!

I look forward to seeing you on Substack.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER!
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TAGS: vacation, travel, capsule wardrobe


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