A Lookbook v.s. a Capsule Wardrobe: What’s the Difference?
While these two travel style approaches can give similar results, they are not the same. What you need to know.
When planning outfits for travel, there are two great approaches to help ensure that you have curated a co-ordinated, flexible and photo-stylish wardrobe for your travels: the lookbook/mood board and the travel capsule packing approach.
Both of these can be very helpful for crafting your ultimate travel style, but they do have some unique differences. So, which one should you try first?
A Lookbook and a Capsule Wardrobe: How they Differ
Here are the differences between a lookbook and a capsule wardrobe and how you can best leverage one (or both) for your travel style packing.
1. Purpose
Lookbook: A lookbook is a visual collection of styled outfits that you plan to wear during your trip. Think of it as a personal fashion diary or travel-style scrapbook.
Capsule Wardrobe: A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated selection of mix-and-match items (tops, bottoms, shoes) that maximize outfit combinations with minimal pieces.
2. Planning Style
Lookbook: You plan complete outfits ahead of time—down to the accessories and shoes—for each day or occasion. It's ideal if you want to look polished and styled in photos or want to remember what you wore on your travels. Start with a mood board to save ideas.
Capsule Wardrobe: You pack a tight set of basics that can be remixed in many ways. You may not plan every outfit in advance, but you have the tools to create them on the go.
3. Visuals
Lookbook: Includes photos or sketches of actual outfits, mood board elements and travel style inspiration. This content is often used for both travel styel documentation and social media sharing.
Capsule Wardrobe: Usually consists of a list or flat lay images of garments, with possible outfit formulas (e.g., "white tee + denim shorts + sneakers").
4. Flexibility
Lookbook: Less flexible, but more curated. Great for travelers who want to feel styled and confident every day.
Capsule Wardrobe: More flexible and spontaneous. Great for light packers or minimalists who like to mix and match.
5. Social and Memory Factor
Lookbook: Doubles as a travel keepsake or social media content tool. It’s fun to look back at what you wore in Paris or Tokyo.
Capsule Wardrobe: More functional than visual. It’s not about recording, but about packing smart.
In summary:
Lookbook = storytelling through outfits
Capsule wardrobe = efficiency through versatility
Can You Do Both?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s an approach that we recommend for several reasons. More on that in our post about lookbooks and mood boards.
There are two ways you can go about it.
1. Start with a capsule wardrobe to make packing easier, and then build a lookbook by styling specific outfits from those pieces. You get the best of both worlds: stylish documentation and practical versatility.
2. Start with a lookbook to generate ideas and styles, and then narrow that down into a curated minimal list of clothing items for your capsule wardrobe.
Lookbook, Mood Board and Capsule Wardbrobe: The Ultimate Travel Style Creative Combo
No matter which way you go about it, using lookbooks and mood boards to power a capsule wardrobe is a super smart and effective way to get the best possible travel style for your next vacation. Try it and see what you come up with.
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