Recently, I had the chance to visit San Diego for a short, and sweet bachelorette trip. Planning a trip in April was the perfect choice, as it gave me a chance to escape the gloomy East Coast. As a first timer, though, I definitely learned a thing or two about the dramatic temperature difference throughout the day. So if you are looking to maximize your outfit choices while staying comfortable, here is an effective packing guide to copy. Use these San Diego spring outfits as a starting point to building your own travel capsule wardrobe!
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With the mornings feeling brisk and afternoons reaching the mid-to-upper 70s, I found packing the right outer layers to be extremely important. To maximize suitcase space, I limited it to 1 denim jacket + 1 lightweight coat. This piece can be a cropped trench coat (which is what I did), or a cute cargo or bomber jacket. Something light that will go with any bottom, or full-body piece (e.g. Dress, Jumpsuit).
One of my favorite Spring jacket recommendations is this cropped trench coat because it is water resistant, and wind proof. For how light it is, I am always pleasantly surprised by the diverse weather it carries me through.
One of the pieces I’ve been into recently is an elevated sweater shell / tank. Quince recently came out with this cotton version I love, but Banana Republic also has a more open-knit version. These are slightly lighter than your full-sleeved sweater, but weightier than a plain tank top. I love how easily they layer underneath a lightweight coat, and they can be mix and matched with many bottoms.
The final top piece I’d recommend is a button-down or cardigan. On warmer days, this can also be your outer layer.
Pick 2 bottoms that can be mix and matched with your tops. I love this poplin maxi skirt because it’s super easy to pull-on, and has an elegant volume to it. For this trip, I also packed a pair of wide leg jeans and I found this pair super comfy with a flattering fitted look through the hips. Also sharing a few more relaxed bottoms below that are travel-friendly!
While mixing and matching neutrals can feel easy, I am also a firm believer of injecting colors and prints through standalone pieces like dresses and jumpsuits! Poplin is my go-to fabric in the Spring, and I love this adorable midi dress for its scalloped hem. For my jumpsuit, I chose this striped linen style that is a easy relaxed pull-on and comes with a tie-waist belt. This style is perfect for April in San Diego, and comes in a few other neutrals.
I don’t wear hats often, but I actually got a scalp burn while visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields. So with that in mind, I’d highly recommend bringing a straw hat. I am not super complex with my handbags when I travel, but this MZ Wallace crossbody is my favorite (reviewed HERE) – it has 3 compartments and easily helps me to find whatever I need.
Lastly, for shoes, I brought 1 pair of sneakers and these Reef slides that have a supportive / waterproof sole. I am accustomed to doing up to a few miles of walking in both of these pairs, and would recommend them for this trip!
When you’re packing your San Diego spring outfits, feel free to draw inspiration from this travel capsule guide. One of the beauties of a capsule is you can customize it according to your color palette, and as long as you keep the quantity of pieces the same, you can safely fit all of these items into a carry-on with plenty of room to spare!
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