Let’s be real—family vacations are already chaotic enough. The last thing you need is to overpack outfits you never wear. This post breaks down how I packed just 12 clothing items and created 20 outfit combos for a full week of travel with the kids — and yes, I still had options!

👒 Who This Post Is For:

  • Moms who want to simplify packing
  • Travelers using only a carry-on or small suitcase
  • Families heading to warm-weather destinations
  • Anyone who’s done with the “I have nothing to wear” hotel crisis

🧳 The 12 Core Pieces I Packed

Here’s what I brought—everything is from Amazon and chosen for versatility, comfort, and mix-and-match magic.

👚 Tops (4):

  1. CRZ YOGA Butterluxe Tank – Neutral 
  2. Amazon Essentials Relaxed Cotton Tee – White 
  3. PRETTYGARDEN Button-Up Blouse – Lightweight 
  4. GRACE KARIN One Shoulder Sequin Sparkly Tops – Dressy Option

👖 Bottoms (3):

  1. Colorfulkoala High-Waisted Leggings – Black 
  2. GRACE KARIN Paperbag Waist Shorts – Khaki 
  3. Levi’s Women’s 501 Shorts – Denim 

👗 Dresses (2):

  1. ZESICA Sleeveless Midi Dress – Boho Style 
  2. BTFBM T-Shirt Dress – Casual & Layerable 

🧥 Layers (2):

  1. Levi’s Trucker Denim Jacket 
  2. Amazon Essentials Lightweight Cardigan 

🩱 Bonus Piece:

  1. Tempt Me One-Piece Swimsuit – Black 

🧷 How to Build 20+ Outfit Combos

💡 Pro Tip:

Stick to a simple color palette: black, white, tan, denim, and 1 accent color (like blush or teal). This makes mixing effortless!

👗 Outfit Ideas by Category

✈️ Travel Days
  1. Leggings + Relaxed Tee + Denim Jacket
  2. Shorts + Tank Top + Cardigan
  3. T-Shirt Dress + Slip-on Sneakers
🏞️ Adventure Days (Parks, Sightseeing)
  1. Leggings + Button-Up Blouse (tied at the waist)
  2. Denim Shorts + Off-Shoulder Top
  3. Paperbag Shorts + Tank + Denim Jacket
  4. Midi Dress + Sneakers
🍽️ Dinner or Dressier Vibes
  1. T-Shirt Dress + Cardigan + Sandals
  2. Off-Shoulder Top + Black Leggings + Statement Earrings
  3. Midi Dress + Button-Up Layered as a Shacket
  4. Tank Top + Levi’s Shorts + Slides
🛍️ Shopping & Exploring
  1. Paperbag Shorts + Cotton Tee
  2. Midi Dress + Cardigan
  3. Button-Up + Denim Shorts + Tote
🌊 Pool / Beach / Water Play
  1. Swimsuit + Shorts as Cover-up
  2. Swimsuit + Midi Dress as Cover-up
  3. Swimsuit + Button-Up + Flip-flops
🚶‍♀️ Casual Repeats
  1. Tank + Leggings + Denim Jacket
  2. T-Shirt Dress + Button-Up Worn Open
  3. Paperbag Shorts + Off-Shoulder Top

🧼 Laundry Tip:

If you have access to laundry mid-trip, you could even reduce this to 8–10 pieces and still rotate looks without issue.

🫧 Travel Hack: Pack a travel-sized laundry detergent or these SinkSuds travel packets for emergency washing in a hotel sink.

🧳 Other Must-Pack Travel Essentials

🧡 Final Thoughts

Packing smart doesn’t mean dressing boring. With just 12 pieces, I had options for every vibe: park day, sunset dinner, road trip, splash pad—you name it. The best part? I felt good about what I was wearing without bringing my whole closet.

Try this packing list on your next trip—and don’t forget to tag @RelaxationPlanner with your favorite looks!