A plus size carry-on travel capsule for the winter holidays.

I was getting a lot of requests lately, which helps me so much, so please, keep ’em coming!

Anyway, one of the requests was for a post on what to pack when traveling for the winter holidays and avoiding checked bags.

So, voilà!  I give you a wintery mini-capsule with most of what you’ll need for a trip this holiday season!

Plus Size Carry-On Travel Capsule – Winter Holidays

As Always, a Disclaimer

Let me preface this with what I regularly say when creating a capsule:  I am NOT a minimalist.   

If you’re looking for a minimalist capsule, I’m not your girl. 

I am an unapologetic clothes horse.  Every closet in my house, plus a spare bedroom, plus half of my dining room, is full of clothes!  (I need an intervention.)

So this is a collection of ‘mix and match’ outfit ideas for fall and winter work wear.

Plus Size Carry-On Travel Capsule – Winter Holidays

Capsule Outfits

This thirty-one piece mini-capsule, with only nine pieces of clothing and three pairs of shoes, has a look for practically everything.

Starting with some easy athleisure looks for traveling days, lounging with family, or running errands.

Then some moderately casual outfit ideas all the way to some festive and “dressed up” outfits.

Plus Size Athleisure Outfits Details

Layer a plus size brown coatigan over a striped tunic tee or black cashmere tunic sweater.

If you want a longer and heavier coatigan, try this one from Eloquii.

Or if you want a lighter weight black tunic, try this one.

The point is, you can adapt this capsule to whatever cold climate you’re headed to.

And all of these layers will provide bum-coverage, which is great with my favorite ponte knit leggings.

Plus Size Athleisure Outfits

My Favorite Ponte Leggings

While any ponte leggings will do, I wanted to mention my favorite ones.

These leggings are stretchy enough to be comfortable but sturdy enough to maintain their shape. 

And they are thick enough to look smoother than a typical legging.  

Many readers have emailed me to say how much they love these leggings as I have been recommending them for years now!

However, if you are petite, try these.  For tall, try these.

And lastly, if you want my favorite activewear style leggings (for working out and compression), see these.

I explain why I love them and why I think they are worth the price here.

Plus Size Athleisure Outfits Sneakers & Accessories

I’ll get more into the accessories, but for now, complete your athleisure looks with some timeless yet trending Adidas samba sneakers.

I wore them in the ’90s, ’00s, and beyond! 

Try these for a similar sneaker at a lower price.

Top the athleisure outfits with one of my fave pairs of shades and a Baltimore (represent) black baseball cap.

You can find a plain black baseball cap here.

Plus Size Casual Leggings Outfits Details

You can also rock these looks with leggings and these waterproof Chelsea boots in tan.

I love mixing these neutrals together, but what really makes them ahh-mazing is the Burberry tote bag.

This timeless plaid tote is a great investment piece- it will work with a variety of outfits.

But, if it is over your budget, check out my links below for some less expensive but similar options.

Plus Size Casual Leggings Outfits

Casual Jewelry

For the majority of these mini-capsule outfit ideas, I went with my usual gold jewelry picks.

Starting with some trendy sculptural gold hoop earrings.

So trendy and pretty.

As for the wrist stack, I included this Tory Burch watch and bangle bracelet.

And I have the featured chain bracelet, it’s great and fits my slightly-larger-than-average wrists.

Try one of the Amazon bracelets for a selection of sizes at more reasonable prices.

And lastly, a bold domed gold ring.  See a similar but less expensive option here.

Plus Size Casual Jeans & Sneakers Outfits

Stay comfortable in your Samba sneakers with the wide leg crop jeans which also come in a “curvy fit.“

I chose cropped jeans because I think the work well with all of the shoe options and for “dressier” outfits.

But, just a preference, any jeans will do!

Plus Size Casual Jeans & Sneakers Outfits

J.Crew Sizing

These wide leg crop jeans are from J.Crew.

In case you haven’t heard, J.Crew now has many items in plus sizes up to a size 24 or 3X. 

Their sizing is comparable to Lane Bryant. 

One thing to note is that some of their pants and jeans come by waist sizing (vanity), so check the size chart below to see which size you are.

Plus Size Casual Jeans & Boots Outfits

Take the same looks and swap the Samba sneakers for the waterproof Chelsea boots.

These will be very handy if it snows where you are!

You might notice that I added a new piece in these looks: a cocoa brown camisole.

I also included a black camisole, but I like the brown cami with the tan boots.

But, they’re all neutral, you truly can’t go wrong.

Add this coin necklace, which I have and love, with the brown camisole.

Plus Size Casual Jeans & Boots Outfits

Strapless Bra Recommendations

When going strapless or wearing a camisole, I always recommend two bras, one is strapless and the other is a multi-way bra with removable straps.

First, the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra (also, here or here) which has excellent reviews and fits up to a size 44G.

Second, the Multi-Way Boost Strapless Bra which fits up to a size 50DDD.

But, for the sake of packing light, I would go with the Multi-Way bra as you can comfortably wear it with all of the pieces.

Plus Size Dressier Casual Outfits

Dress up the jeans by make a few changes.

Layer a black blazer or brown coatigan over a camisole.

Swap out the bulky Burberry check tote for a black clutch.

You might remember this clutch from my Thanksgiving outfits.

Next, swap out the Chelsea boots for some black pointed toe flats.

Also, swap the brown belt for a black one.

Plus Size Dressier Casual Outfits

Gucci Flats

You may notice that these flats are bonkers expensive.

I recently had someone suggest that I include more designer shoes.

So I love these with the gold horsebit details and pointed toe with stitching.

So chic!

But, if they’re over your budget, try these from Boden.

More Plus Size Dressier Casual Outfits

With the tunic-length stripe top and tunic sweater, I recommend tucking in part or half of it to make it a more flattering length with the jeans.

And topping with the relaxed black blazer for a warmer and more polished look.

More Plus Size Dressier Casual Outfits

Perfume

I also included the infamous and almost too popular Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume by Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

If it’s over your budget, I highly recommend you try the Dossier version.

I ordered a bunch of Dossier’s “designer-inspired” scents.  And so far, I love them! 

Try their “Ambery Saffron,” which is inspired by MFK’s Baccarat Rouge 540.

Oh la la!  An amazing luxury scent at a fraction of the price!

More Plus Size Dressier Casual Outfits

I also wanted to show that you can “dress up” the leggings by topping with the black blazer and wearing the black flats.

And of course, grab the black clutch.

So chic!

Plus Size Dressiest Outfit

And in case you want to go all out or have a holiday party or dinner that you want to dress up for, add a gold sequin cami to the mix.

Then add some statement crystal earrings, or try these from Amazon which are very similar at a better price.

And, of course, carry the black clutch and wear the black flats.

Love this!

Plus Size Dressier Outfit

Like I said, this mini-capsule has outfits for everything from lounging with family to going out for a nice dinner or attending a holiday party.  

So, do you feel ready to pack?

Plus Size Carry-On Travel Capsule – Winter Holidays

Shop the Capsule

*Sneakers are unisex/men’s and should fit wide width feet.

**Take an extra 10% off entire purchase with code: ALEXAWEBB10

If you prefer, you can shop some of these items via LTK here.

You can also shop these looks via the LTK app in this collection.

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