Embracing the van life necessitates changing to a more space-efficient manner of living, which requires reevaluating your wardrobe and the ways in which you store your belongings. Because there is only a limited amount of space available, it is essential to make the most of every inch of your van and to select the clothes that you bring with you with great care. In this article, we will go over several techniques for folding clothes, how to choose which types of clothes to wear, and how to build a wardrobe with pieces that are versatile enough to go with a wide variety of looks.
Learn the Tricks of the Folding Trade
Folding clothes is an essential step in the organisation process when it comes to storing them in a van. You may maximise the amount of storage space you have for your clothing by folding it in one of several different ways. Here are a few popular techniques:
The KonMari Method
This well-known folding technique was popularised by Marie Kondo, and it entails folding garments into small, crisp rectangles that are able to stand on their own. This strategy not only helps you conserve space, but it also makes it simple to view all of your garments at once, which eliminates the risk of items being overlooked.
Rolling
Rolling your clothes as tightly as possible can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and save space. This procedure is very useful for working with elastic materials like t-shirts, leggings, and other clothing items.
The Ranger Roll
This method is quite similar to rolling, but instead of rolling the garments, you fold them into a tight bundle. Because it makes such effective use of available space, this method is favoured not only by military personnel but also by travellers.
Be Selective with Your Clothing Choices
Creating a capsule wardrobe that can be worn in a variety of ways while keeping items to a minimum is one of the most essential components of living in a van. Put more emphasis on quality than quantity, and bring only the things that are absolutely necessary. Here are some tips:
Stick to easy-care fabrics
Select clothing manufactured from materials such as merino wool, polyester, and nylon that are wrinkle-resistant, dry quickly, and reduce the amount of washing needed.
Embrace the concept of layering
When selecting your wardrobe, prioritise pieces that can be easily layered in order to accommodate a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.
Bring articles of clothing that can be worn in a variety of configurations, such as a hoodie that can be used as a cushion or convertible trousers that can be worn as shorts.
Go Neutral for Ultimate Outfit Flexibility
If you have a variety of neutral outfits, you will be able to simply mix and match pieces without having to worry about the colours competing with one another. You may create a wide variety of different looks using only a few core pieces if you keep to a colour palette that is predominantly neutral. Here are some neutral colour suggestions:
Shades of Grey
Grey, in all of its gradations, from light to dark, is an adaptable neutral that works well with practically any colour.
Tans and Beiges
Earthy tones such as tan and beige are ideal for a wardrobe designed for van life because they can be dressed up or down and pair nicely with a variety of different colours.
Black and white
These two colours are the epitome of elegance and may be paired with virtually any other hue, or they can be worn together for a look that is both modern and traditional.
Conclusion
When it comes to your clothes, just because you’re living the van life doesn’t mean you have to give up on comfort or style. Even if you only have a small amount of storage space, you can still maintain a practical, well-organized, and stylish wardrobe by becoming proficient in space-saving folding techniques, being picky about the types of clothing you bring, and concentrating on neutral items that can be mixed in a variety of ways. Happy van living!