How to Make 8 Entirely Unique Travel Outfits from 4 Multi-Way Clothing Items • Her Packing List
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The following post on travel outfits from multi-way clothing was submitted by Elizabeth McCarthy.
Like many Her Packing List readers, one of my favorite ways to pack light is by bringing items that can be used in multiple ways. Clothing that can be worn in many ways, like reversible and convertible travel clothing, makes it easier for me to pack less without feeling like my options are limited.
These items work great for travel, but if used regularly they can also help create a more minimalist capsule wardrobe at home. They may even become a wardrobe staple.
The Chrysalis Cardi is an ever-popular choice at Her Packing List, and over time I have added several other multi-way items to my collection. Using more than one multi-way clothing item at a time increases the outfit possibilities significantly.
I decided to challenge myself to create as many travel outfits as I could from 4 multi-way clothing items without repeating a style for any item. The result is eight entirely unique outfits.
RULES FOR THE EXPERIMENT:
Many of the items I chose can be worn in 8+ different ways on their own, meaning the actual look/outfit possibilities from a wardrobe with just these items is drastically higher than the 8 produced in this post.
I wanted to keep it simple. To create the travel outfits from the multi-way clothing items, I did not repeat any of the looks/styles for an item. For example, if I had an outfit with black pants, I didn’t create another outfit with black pants. If I had one outfit with the Evolve Top as a tank top, I wouldn’t use that same style in another outfit.
The 4 Multi-Way Items I Used
- Encircled Chrysalis Cardi: Pitched as a multiway travel dress, this circle scarf with snaps can be worn in over 8 different ways on its own. Check out HPL’s review, Encircled’s Chrysalis Cardi: The Traveler’s Scarf, Dress, and Top in One.This video shows you exactly how the scarf transforms between a dress, skirt, scarf, wrap, and more.
- Encircled Evolve Top: This reversible, back-to-front, cowl neck shirt can be worn in 8 different ways using snaps to change sleeve length. You guessed it, HPL has reviewed this item as well, The Evolve Top Review: One Top Worn 8+ Ways.
- Helene Clarkson Nadi Wrap: A rectangular piece of fabric with buttons that allow it to be styled in 7+ ways. If you’re confused as to how one rectangular piece of fabric can be worn as a shirt, poncho, skirt, or top, take a look at the video below.
- Helene Clarkson Aro Reversible Pants: Pull-on pants that reverse inside-out from solid black to a slightly patterned charcoal gray.
I consider all of these items to be on the expensive side, although, because they can be used in multiple ways they are definitely investment pieces. Nonetheless, I asked for and received the Cardi as a gift, and the other three pieces I bought on sale.
As a reference, I am 5’4″ and wearing an XS in the top and pants, and petite in the Cardi. The wrap is one size.
The 8 Unique Outfits I Created
Again, each of the outfits I created didn’t repeat a style. Here they are in more detail:
Outfit 1:
- Cardi as a cocoon cardi
- Top as a boat neck with cap sleeves
- Wrap as a short scarf
- Pants black side
Outfit 2:
- Cardi as a Grecian tunic
- Top as a cowl neck with cap sleeves
- Wrap as a double-looped circle scarf
Outfit 3:
- Cardi as a long skirt
- Top as a boat neck with the longest (dolman) sleeves
- Wrap as a cardigan (called a bolero jacket by Helene Clarkson)
Outfit 4:
- Cardi belt only
- Top as a sleeveless cowl neck
- Wrap as a skirt
Outfit 5:
- Cardi as a one-shoulder dress
- Wrap as a one-shoulder top
Outfit 6:
- Cardi as a short skirt
- Top as a sleeveless boat neck
- Wrap as a long scarf
Outfit 7:
- Cardi as a wrap dress
- Wrap as a wrap (no buttons used)
Outfit 8:
- Cardi as a double-looped scarf
- Top as a dolman sleeve cowl neck
- Wrap as a poncho with buttons on the shoulder
- Pants gray side
Bonus Looks
Because the pants can only be worn two ways, that was a limiting factor for my unique outfits. Above are three more possibilities for tops:
- X-back halter top with the Cardi (first two images)
- Cape with the Cardi (third image)
- Wrap as a poncho with buttons in the front (fourth image) worn over the Cardi as a wrap dress
There are also additional options for some items, including different styles and lengths for scarves, tying the belt in other ways, adding it to more outfits, and using different lengths for each sleeve of the shirt.
What I Learned
1. This was a surprisingly fun exercise!
At first, I was overwhelmed by all the possible combinations. Although I do not particularly care about fashion or consider myself fashionable—I generally prioritize looking presentable without sacrificing comfort—I find using convertible and multi-way clothing to make travel outfits makes me feel more stylish and increases my confidence.
Clothing that can be worn in many ways poses a fun challenge. I enjoyed the challenge of thinking of new ways to use these items and making them work together.
2. I came up with outfits that are appropriate for many occasions, both casual and more formal.
Changing shoes and adding jewelry are easy ways to dress the outfits up or down even more. Some (such as 1 and 8) would be great with sneakers for travel days or when the weather is cooler, while others (especially 4) paired with sandals are ideal for hot weather.
3. Some looks work, and some looks don’t.
As Caroline mentioned in her review of the Chrysalis Cardi, most people will prefer certain travel outfits from multi-way clothing, and may even have some styles that just don’t work for them. The Nadi Wrap can be worn as a strapless top, which looks cute but won’t stay up on me unless I pin it.
In general, I don’t really like off-the-shoulder or one-shoulder looks. This is why I combined the two one-shoulder looks in outfit 5. However, I actually think both one-shoulder styles look good on their own, too!
Having clothing that can be worn in many ways allows me to occasionally wear things I wouldn’t normally, without spending more money on a specific item I don’t think I would wear regularly.
4. I don’t have to worry about temperature fluctuations throughout the day.
Another thing I love about wearing these multi-way clothing items to create my travel outfits is that I can easily change my outfit throughout the day. If I’m wearing the Wrap or Cardi as a scarf and I get chilly, I can easily change it into a poncho or cape to cover my shoulders. I do this type of quick change very often while traveling!
Things to Consider
Despite the overall success of this project, there are several things to keep in mind:
There’s an essential (for me) feature missing from these items.
Perhaps the biggest consideration for me is there are NO pockets (often the downfall of travel dresses as well)! I often avoid bringing a handbag if I can fit my phone, wallet, and keys in my pockets. With these outfits, I would have to bring one.
I would absolutely bring both a small sewing kit and several small safety pins.
Because the Cardi has snaps that can become loose, and the Wrap relies on buttons, having a sewing needle and thread is a necessity. When I am wearing the Cardi as either type of skirt I don’t feel totally secure with just the belt holding it up, so I add a safety pin under the belt to secure the fabric.
Safety pins always come in handy.
This combination of items only works for certain kinds of trips.
It’s great for city breaks but would not work well for trips that involve any hiking, for instance. Although I brought my Chrysalis Cardi on my trip to North and West Africa and it was useful, this whole combination would not be a good choice for that trip or similar trips.
The fact that I bought a white Evolve Top also excludes it from some of my trips. Plus it and the Cardi take longer to dry. The Nadi Wrap is lighter weight and faster drying, so that may be a better choice for certain trips.
My Final Thoughts
Once I feel safe traveling again, I think it would be fun to go on a trip with just these items and a purse or small bag like Clara Bensen did in her book No Baggage: A Tale of Love and Wandering, and Brooke’s three-week trip with just a handbag. Because I can wear all four items at the same time in multiple ways, I would not need to pack any of them on travel days.
But at the same time, I wouldn’t have to wear the same outfit every day like Clara did on her trips.
In the future, I will use this combination as a starting point for packing, then add or subtract other items to make the combination that works best for each trip. Even using three of the items instead of four would give me lots of outfits!
Although I like wearing skirts and dresses, I tend to wear pants more often. If I were traveling with only these four items I would likely wear the pants more than I did in these outfits. However, every outfit I came up with was both comfortable and, I think, looked nice.
For now, I will keep wearing these items in my everyday life at home!
Multi-Way Clothing Alternatives from HPL
While we love all these items that Elizabeth is wearing, you might not like the fit or style of one of them. You might also be in the market for some more multi-way clothing items to add to your travel outfit collection.
We’ve listed some alternative clothing items that can be worn in many ways so that you can choose what works best for you and your travel style.
Use Elizabeth’s looks as inspiration or create something completely unique.
Encircled Chrysalis Cardi Alternatives
Encircled Sleeveless Revolve Dress
It’s no secret that we love Encircled. They have so many options for clothing that can be worn in many ways and the Sleeveless Revolve Dress is no different. This dress can be worn in at least 6 different ways including a dress, tunic, or top.
This style was updated in April of 2023. We have a review of a slightly older version, Encircled Revolve Dress Review: 6 Ways to Wear for Your Minimal Travel Wardrobe.
Diane Kroe Reversible Resort Dress
Diane Kroe is another brand that creates innovative clothing that combines fashion with function. Diane’s mission is to help her clientele look their best while packing light.
The Reversible Resort Dress is perfect for this. With plenty of styling options and a reversible print, it can be worn in 22 different ways. Yes, you read that right, 22! See some of them in the video below.
Infinity Wrap Dress
We are huge fans of infinity wrap dresses at HPL. They can be worn as a skirt, dress, or top in so many different ways. Your imagination is really the limit here.
Find out even more reasons why we love this dress in our blog post, Infinity Skirt: Our Packing Problems SOLVED.
Encircled Evolve Top Alternatives
Birch & Grace Short Top
The simple and versatile Birch & Grace Short Top can be worn in 18 different ways including a poncho, vest, cape, scarf, and more. It even comes with a style guide to hang in your closet so that you never forget just how many ways it can be worn.
This same top also comes in a long version.
Elesk Apparel Evolution Cardigan
The Elesk Apparel Evolution Cardigan is a modern twist on a wardrobe staple. This seemingly simple cardigan can be transformed into a scarf, a shawl, and multiple different top options. There are 32 different ways to wear this piece and it will no doubt come in handy on your travels.
Helene Clarkson Nadi Wrap Alternatives
Diane Kroe Butterfly Wrap
The Diane Kroe Butterfly Wrap is a convertible cover-up perfect for traveling and everyday wear. It can be worn as a shawl, skirt, dress, tunic, and more. Dressed up it is perfect for the evening but it also works as a beach cover-up over your bathing suit.
This item is more of a layering piece as it is quite sheer. However, it will still allow you to diversify your travel wardrobe with just one item. See all the styling options below:
This wrap comes in both solid colors and fun prints.
Encircled The Everyday Twist Top
The Encircled Everyday Twist Top is a drapey top that can be worn in 5 different ways. The hidden snaps allow this top to be easily changed between styles from a cardigan to a high neck long sleeve and more. This comfortable shirt will be a travel fav!
Helene Clarkson Aro Reversible Pants Alternatives
Helene Clarkson Aro Reversible Bootcut Pant
Two pairs of pants in one. Yes, please. The Helene Clarkson Aro Reversible Bootcut Pants can be worn either way to reveal a dark denim color on the one side and black on the other. Plus, they have an elastic waistband making them perfect for travel day comfort.
Diane Kroe Pocket Pants: Wide Leg to Dressy Joggers
The Diane Kroe Pocket Pants are ideal for traveling. This flattering design turns easily from wide-leg pants into dressy joggers with hidden snaps.
Caraucci Ruched Pants
The Caraucci Ruched Pants feature drawstrings that can transform the flowy look into a ruched style. The loose fit and breathable rayon fabric will keep you cool and comfy.
About the author: Originally from Pennsylvania, Elizabeth has lived in several states, went to graduate school in Australia, and currently resides in Ithaca, New York. She and her partner run The Hat Off His Head: Stories of Kindness Across Cultures. Find it on Instagram or Facebook to read the stories and share your own.
*Photos of Elizabeth are courtesy of Mark Gallardo
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