1. Ralph Lauren fitted top / 2. Thread Supply Chambray Top [similar] / 3. Iris & Ink cashmere sweater / 4. Joseph striped sweater [similar] / 5. J. Crew matchstick cords / 6. J. Crew long sleeve painter tee / 7. MOTHER yellow jeans / 8. Edith Miller turtleneck / 9. Madden Girl booties / 10. Biba leopard print scarf
Every year in December our family travels to visit my husband’s grandmother in North Carolina. 
Because we fly, I need to pack both for warmth (it’s cold in the mountains) and fitting into one carry-on.
Usually that means a couple of sweaters and some jeans, but this year I wanted to mix it up a bit. This capsule wardrobe represents what I packed for our 4-day winter trip.
Sweaters were still a must-pack, but I limited myself to two (a universal grey crewneck cashmere and a black and white striped cable knit) and added in two button-front shirts, one in a denim chambray and another in a neutral khaki. Because they’re button front, I can wear them either under or over the sweaters; both options are warm layers but make a completely different look.
Instead of denim, I went with color: burgundy (or “oxblood” as the trendsters were calling it this year) skinny cords and my new favorite mustard skinny jeans. Both are muted enough they can be worn with anything else.
Keeping with the theme of the sweaters, the final items packed were a grey long-sleeved T-shirt and a black and white striped turtleneck. These could also be layered with each other for yet another combination option.
This was for 4 days, but I could get at least a week’s worth of outfits from these pieces. The magic of layers!
Get a checklist of the key wardrobe pieces you’ll wear every day plus a guide to which clothes flatter your body most. It’s all included in “No More Yoga Pants: How To Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow style workshop. For less than the price of a new pair of jeans, you’ll also learn what to get rid of in your closet (and what to keep) and how to shop smarter while spending less. Dress better, feel better: Get instant access today!
[Affiliate links disclosure]
Other posts you might like:
What to pack for a 10-day winter trip
Road-test results: What to pack for a 10-day winter trip
Working mom outfit of the week: Weekend casual cold weather uniform