“Give me a navy capsule wardrobe for an 8-day cruise, that will fit into one carry-on suitcase.” That was the question I asked Chat GPT before a recent trip. You will be so surprised by her answer.

Here is what she wrote: (Of course AI has to be a woman–what man could do this?)
Color Scheme: (Choose your best neutral, e.g., black, navy, brown, etc. My best neutral happens to be navy blue.)
Base: Navy
Accent: White, grey, tan/beige, and a pop of color (like coral, mustard, or emerald)
Capsule wardrobe checklist: (Tops 7 total):
- 2x Navy tops (tank/blouse/shirt, mix of sleeve lengths)
- 1x White button-down or blouse (classic + versatile)
- 1x Striped Breton top (navy/white)
- 1x Dressy top for dinners (silky or structured)
- 1x Accent color top for interest
Bottoms (4 total):
- 1x Navy trousers
- 1x White or tan chinos/jeans
- 1x Navy or patterned skirt (midi or knee length)
- 1x Casual shorts or cropped pants
Dresses (2 total):
- 1x Navy dress
- 1x Patterned or accent color dress
Outerwear (2 total):
- 1x Light trench coat or rain jacket (water-resistant is key)
- 1x Light cardigan or wrap (can double as evening cover-up)
Shoes (3 pairs max):
- 1x Comfortable walking shoes (white sneakers or loafers)
- 1x Dressier flats or sandals
- 1x Low wedges or evening sandals
Accessories:
- 1x Crossbody day bag
- 1x Small clutch or evening bag
- 1x Light scarf (navy/white print)
- Jewelry: A few interchangeable pieces (studs, small hoops, 1-2 statement necklaces)
- 1x Sunhat or packable fedora
Other Essentials:
- Undergarments & sleepwear
- Packing cubes
- Foldable tote or daypack (for excursions)
Outfit Formula Tips:
- Stick to navy as your anchor and build from there.
- Almost every top should match every bottom.
- Dresses simplify life and save space.
- Layers are key for unpredictable weather.
Then AI asked: “Would you like a printable checklist or a visual layout of how it looks together?”
Of course I answered, “Yes.” And this is the image that came up:

Amazing…simply amazing!
I realized I should have specified the weather would be between 40-60 degrees. This list is more for a warmer temps. But, if you do specify, AI will accommodate!
Pretty unbelievable!
I know there is a lot of controversy about Artificial Intelligence these days. Yes, there are pros and cons to AI, but if it can be used for good practical purposes, it might just make your life a little simpler.
You get to decide.

6 Comments
OMG, how simple AI can make packing……I love that it gives you some basic ideas, but I have to say, I still love the fun of mulling through my closet, finding pieces I have forgotten about and bringing them back to life.
Thanks Sharon for making us aware of new technology that can help us be less stressed about packing. 😁
Beverly
Beverly,
In all the news I’ve read about AI, I’ve never seen anything about it helping with packing. So, I thought this might be a novel idea.
Very impressive! I absolutely love the ideas and the pictures. I’m going to try it for my next trip. Thank you!
Nikki,
Hope it makes it a little easier. Thanks for writing.
This makes it seem so simple! I’m sure I would amend it but thanks for the idea! I use AI frequently but know it has another purpose!
Yes, Heidi, I agree.
It’s really just a guide to help you pare down, and make the packing process a little more thoughtful.