One of the most fun parts of Ireland was planning what I was going to wear. I was very intentional about not overpacking but also having a wardrobe that I don’t look back on and cringe because of how dated or unkempt it looked. Part of turning 30 this year has really had me focus on what helps me feel put together. I don’t care what’s going on around me, if I don’t feel put together I am not going to look back at it with a positive view. Thus, my Ireland capsule wardrobe was born.
European fashion tends to be less colorful so I focused on classic layers and tonal dressing. (You’ll hear my love of tonal dressing this fall a lot. I just found a way to make it work for me I and cannot get enough.) But overall, I didn’t find anyone in Ireland dressing for anyone but themselves which was just so fun. Dublin is heavily influenced by Trinity College fashions and it was very on-par with what you’d see on Instagram, just perhaps more subdued than the US fashions.
While thing were more on the casual side of style, dinners were chic and approachable in style. I loved how women wore so many chic blazers and men were more exciting with their subtle approaching to print mixing that I tend to not see in the states. But the worlds of fashion between Ireland and Chicago felt more similar than they did different which made me feel right at home.
Shop My Ireland Wardrobe
I really wanted a wardrobe that I could easily mix and match throughout the week. Thankfully last time Abby and I worked together we worked on foundational items so I was able to build a mostly monochromatic wardrobe and a mini-capsule for Ireland! Never did I think I would say I want to dress tonally but here we are. Even when I varied from the outfits I had planned, the mix-match nature of what I had in my suitcase mean it truly all worked together.
There are some items that aren’t available now that I wore, like this Ulla Johnson dress I got last winter. I’ve worn that dress so much and it’s a great example of an item that has brought me joy multiple seasons and I plan on keeping it for years.
Oh and there’s some less fun but very functional items I do recommend, namely compression socks for your international flight. You’ll want them to be tight, really tight but they truly are great for long-haul flights. I love them so much I wear them at home now.
How I Wore My Capsule Wardrobe
90% of what I wore in Ireland is what I planned before leaving, but sometimes the weather made me change last minute or not wear some items at all. My favorite outfit is what one of my friends called “white lady Carmen Santiago” and you all reached out about it on Instagram as well! Of course a lot of people commented on being afraid they’d get the white clothing dirty. I did! Surprisingly there were a few spots but none were visible and easily came out when I washed them.
I threw in a few pairs of yoga pants, but I didn’t wear them! These clothes were comfortable whether I was doing a day trip or an active day in Dublin. The best though was getting ready and feeling put together instead of wondering if I really liked what I was wearing. There was one day where I was “meh” about it but by the end I was thankful I wore what I did for the weather and amount of activity!
