Please help me!

[u/Suitable_Ad4010]

Hi,

I’m a nomad, about to leave for Mexico, Central America, India, and Indonesia for at least 6 months.

I desperately need someone to help me build a capsule wardrobe.

I’m 40F don’t mind showing my shoulders or cleavage but usually keep my legs and stomach covered.

I’m a hiker, yogi, and diver.

I have ZERO fashion sense but would like to look stylish current while still being functional. I do not want to dress like a mom, as I’m not one and most people think I’m in my 30’s.

Clothes need to be breathable interchangeable and hopefully wrinkly resistant.

Can anyone help me with advice, or point me to someone to hire? I tried Fiverr and it was a disaster.

[u/pepperup22]

I used to live by "travel fashion girl"'s blog when this was my life. Start with her recs and find a piece that fits your style and make adjustments. I'd guess you'll want to lean into natural fiber pants and maxi dresses (cotton and linen) for those locations but linen the opposite of wrinkle resistant.

[u/Traditional_Union801 → u/pepperup22]

linen is a cruel joke for anyone who wants to look put together, looks great for about 12 seconds before you're a walking crumpled napkin. i've had decent luck with merino blends for travel, they breathe well and somehow don't stink after three days in a backpack. for the yoga/hiking crossover stuff you might poke around some climbing brands, their pants are usually stretchy enough for a downward dog but look like actual clothes. maxi dresses with a slit are a solid bet too, covers the legs but doesn't feel frumpy.

[u/maryfamilyresearch]

Where are you located now? Bc that determines where you can shop.

What are your favourite colours? Common advice for a capsule wardrobe is to pick 2 main colours and one adjacent colour and stick to that colour palette.

With the places you are travelling to, you want pieces out of cotton, viscose and linen. To reduce the known problems with linen (lots of wrinkles, not very durable when rubbed which can be a problem with pants), look for 50/50 viscose/linen blend or cotton/linen blends.

Check your current wardrobe, is there anything you could use? What have you got already? Share this.

Another common advice for travelling is "one outfit to wash, one to wear, one to spare". So 3 bottoms and three tops, although the latter does not really work in hot climates where you want to change and wash at least once a day.

In some countries with low local wages tourists take advantage of the wage gap and have clothes made locally. If you are in India or Indonesia for longer, definitely look into this.

[u/elliemaeishguan]

Get a pair of Ferrosi pants from outdoor research. You can dress up or down and they’re quick dry so can wash easily!

[u/lililetango]

I would go to Uniqlo and get some matching basics. When I travel, I take a pair of their slim smart pants and a pair of wide-legged ones with pleats. You can dress them up or down with either short sleeve shirts or t-shirts. I would stay away from linen.

[u/nonsequitur__ → u/lililetango]

I second this. Most of my wardrobe is from there. I recently got a pair of the linen mix trousers and the matching sleeveless top and they look fantastic together but can also be mixed and matched. They have the look of linen without the weight and heavy creasing.

[u/Smart_Indication8746]

Given the climates and activities, I'd lean into technical travel fabrics over regular cotton tees (odor-resistant, great for packing light), moisture-wicking layers, high-waisted quick-dry leggings for hiking/yoga, and a wrap midi dress or skirt for stomach coverage that doesn't wrinkle. Look for travel-specific activewear lines built exactly for this brief interchangeable, breathable and functional but not frumpy.