I didn’t do a post about what I packed for our recent trip to Mexico, but regardless of where you’re going or for how long, the key to packing successfully is to choose pieces that coordinate well with one another so that they can be combined in different ways. One easy way to do that is to choose a limited colour palette. For our recent trip, I chose mainly blues and neutrals.

Today, I’m going to show you several ways that I wore one top with other pieces from my suitcase. The photos were taken in our hotel room as I didn’t want to climb up and down Mount Dunamar (our nickname for the 60 stairs from ground level to our fourth storey room) in between outfits.

First, let’s look at the Calvin Klein top that I bought second-hand at one of our local thrift shops in the summer of 2022. Simple and sleeveless with a gathered neckline, it can easily be dressed up or down. The timeless animal print pattern in black, white, and beige coordinates well with other neutrals.

For a casual daytime look, I wore the top with a pair of white shorts.

To go for dinner, I wore it over a little black sheath dress that I’ve probably had for 30 years or more. It originally came with a separate chiffon overlay, but all I remember about that piece is that it was predominantly red. That’s how long it’s been gone from my closet! The little black dress is perfect for travel because it doesn’t wrinkle, hardly takes up any space in a suitcase, and while I probably wouldn’t wear it alone, it can be worn with so many other things. 

The wide-legged pants in the next few photos didn’t actually go to Mexico in my suitcase, but they did come home with me. I fell in love with them in the resort gift shop. When I discovered that they were made in Mexico and that they were on sale for more than 75% off their original price, I knew they were meant to be mine. Since a general rule of thumb is that a fuller shape on the bottom looks best with a more fitted top, they paired well with the animal print top, but my dilemma was whether or not to to tuck it in. I rarely tuck my tops in because I think that that emphasizes the fact that I don’t have a very feminine waistline, but I liked the interesting waistband and wanted to show it off. 

I decided to step outside my comfort zone and wear the outfit to dinner with the top tucked in. Which look do you like better? 

The pants are very lightweight, totally unsuitable for winter in Alberta, so they’re now in storage with the rest of my warm weather clothes, but I’m looking forward to wearing them again when summer returns. The top is one of those pieces that stays in my closet year round though because it can easily be worn under a cardigan or jacket.