A summer capsule wardrobe is essential in a minimalist lifestyle, especially if you live in a hotter climate like me. After so many seasons ended with me not wearing new clothes, I realized I should really think about the purchases I make and how I view clothes.
Even though summer makes me want to shop for a bunch of beautiful and trendy summer dresses, bikinis and tank tops, I can’t. So now I only shop for things who match my summer capsule wardrobe. Why?
- Trendy clothes won’t be trendy next year.
- Buying too much doesn’t come cheap.
- You find yourself compromising for cheap quality clothing that won’t last.
- There’s no need for Creating waste just to keep on trend.
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Shop The Summer Capsule Wardrobe:
From left to right:
Tank tops – 1| lace tank top 2| white tank top 3| blue tank top T-shirts – 4| stripped t-shirt 5| blush t-shirt 6| white t-shirt Jackets – 7| cardigan 8| Floral top 9| Denim Jacket 10| Kimono Swimsuit – 11| black swimsuit Bottoms – 12| denim shorts 13| denim skirt 14| fabric skirt 15| ripped jeans 16| perfect jeans 17| linen pants 18| white pants Dresses – 19| little black dress 20| T-shirt dress 21| white summer dress\ floral summer dress 22| Maxi dress Shoes – 23| flats 24| white sneakers 25| heels 26| sandals
How To Build A Summer Capsule Wardrobe?
Colors
During winter my capsule wardrobe is consistent of black, grey, dark denim and that’s pretty much it. Even though I love color, I hate getting dressed in winter. You have to “layer up” and not all colors of the rainbow go with each other and you end up looking for that one black sweater you have. That’s why the minute spring emerge I run to all my white lace tank tops.
Summer doesn’t require too many clothing so it’s much simpler to create a cohesive look with bright beautiful pieces.
I created my own summer capsule wardrobe with my favorites – white, denim, bright blue, blush tones and browns. Everything goes together beautifully and still gives you the sense of fresh.
I believe any colorful piece you have will go well with these basic summer colors – so no need to get rid of pieces you have and love.
For example, I have a lot of green, I don’t consider it as part of my summer capsule wardrobe, but it goes with everything I have.
Comfort
Summer is hot, it’s sticky, it needs airy fabrics and breathable material. I highly suggest to use fewer items but to choose quality! Buying a t-shirt from bad material will result in buying another T-shirt very soon. You need to choose fabrics that can withhold the summer with all the sweat and laundries.
Since there’s not a lot of layering up like in winter, every piece you choose should be perfect for you, it should be your style and compliment you so you would feel as comfortable as possible.
Versatility
Choosing beautiful clothes is super easy, right? 😉 But choosing multipole items that all go together and can be easily transform into a great outfit is not that easy.
No matter your own personal style, the idea of a capsule wardrobe is that it has a theme and that the pieces go well together. You can be boho, formal, feminine, mescaline or any style you choose, as long as your items match.
During winter you can do much more to create an interesting outfit because of the layers, there’s a lot more to play with. During the summer, each item speaks to it’s own. That’s why I chose some pieces that are not as simple, but still correlate well with everything else. For example, lace tops and floral dresses can make an outfit with no effort and go well with the basics.
My Own Summer Capsule Wardrobe:
These are not the exact same items, but they are the same idea: Simple T-shirt, little black dress, floral dress, denim shorts, white sneakers, ripped white jeans, sandals, heeled sandals, etc.
I have my items for a few years now, I just decided what to keep as a part of my capsule wardrobe and what not.
Look at how many different looks you can create with just a few items:
Since everybody has a different style, I picked more items under each category so you can find something that matches you and the items you already have:
Tank Tops
-Lace Tank top-
A top that can be worn up with a skirt and heels or down with ripped jeans, this is an item that goes well with everything.
-White Tank Top-
Just throw up this summer top with any other color and you’ll be good to go. Quickly get dressed with no effort.
-Blue Tank Top-
Add a bit of color to create an outfit that just says summer is here. Blue goes well with other light tones such as white, blush and denim.
T-shirts
-Stripped T-shirt-
Create a little interest in your outfit with a pattern, even when you don’t want to think to much about it. A stripped T is always a good go-to.
-Blush T-shirt-
The blush is so fitting to summer and creates a more fun outfit, especially matched with white pants or denim skirt.
-White T-shirt-
There’s nothing more classic than a crisp, white T. It’s an amazing basic to have, that goes well with all colors, summer tan, and trendy accessories.
-Floral Top-
Even with a capsule wardrobe you should be able to create a statement, and a floral top is the perfect thing to do so. Flowers are a great pattern to continue with from spring.
Jackets
-Cardigan-
A cardigan is the perfect item to complete your outfit. With all the AC during summer, a cardigan keeps us warm and creates a new dimension to your look.
-Denim Jacket-
The perfect summer jacket is absolutely a denim jacket. Denim goes well with all colors, regardless your personal style. Plus, denim is always on trend.
-Kimono-
Wether you’re on a fabulous vacation or a day-off staycation, a kimono is the perfect item to complete that look.
-SwimSuits-
A good, quality swimsuit is always necessary. Especially in a summer capsule wardrobe when you might be using it a lot. Go for quality.
Bottoms
-Denim Shorts-
Summer is Hot, and shorts are a MUST. Denim shorts, weather blue, white or black are a basic to each warm-day outfit.
-Denim Skirt-
Same as denim shorts, the denim skirt goes with everything and creates a bit more of femininity to the look.
-Fabric Skirt-
The right fabric skirt can be dressed up with heels or be styled with a cool T-shirt. It can be the center of your outfit and create a perfect statement.
-Ripped Jeans-
Ripped jeans create a cool look no matter what you pair them with, a lace top or just a T-shirt. They are usually comfy, cute and most important – airy.
-Perfect Jeans-
The perfect pair of jeans are the absolute most basic item you should have in every capsule wardrobe. It’s the base for each outfit, no need to think. Whether you go for bootcut, flair, skinny or mom jeans, pick a good quality pair that will last.
-Linen Pants-
The perfect pants for flaming-hot days, for pool days, for “I-need-to-be-comfortable-days”. It goes well with every casual summer top and sandals.
-White Pants-
White pants are an amazing basic to build an outfit around. It can be worn with a floral top or a stripped T-shirt and create a summery look in a minute.
Dresses
-Little Black Dress-
A staple and a classic, you can’t go wrong with a little black dress. It goes with anything, not that it needs much. Plus, it’s perfect for the days when you want to look put together with no effort at all.
-T-shirt Dress-
What’s simpler than a T-shirt? A T-shirt dress. Perfect for lazy days, for running errands, or just sitting with a friend. T-shirt dresses are comfy and go well with sneakers, espadrilles, and sandals.
-Summer Dress-
A good summer dress is a perfect look that steals the show. Pair with sandals and a denim jacket for brunch or heels and cardigan for dinner.
-Floral Dress-
Floral dresses are the best thing in summer. They are more of a statement and less about matching with everything, but they are perfect in making you feel fresh and summery.
-Maxi Dress-
Wether you choose a casual maxi dress or more of a formal one, you can dress it up and down with the right shoes and accessories. It fits many occasions and it’s a staple.
Shoes
-Flats-
Flat espadrilles can be worn with pants, skirts and dresses to create a comfortable and casual look. Choose a neutral color that will match your summer capsule wardrobe.
-White Sneakers-
White sneakers are another basic that should be in every capsule wardrobe, but especially in a summer capsule wardrobe. It goes well with everything and it’s comfy!
-Heels-
Heeled sandals are a great way to dress up every outfit you have created. Wear them with ripped jeans for a cool look or with a beautiful floral dress for a feminine look.
-Sandals-
The perfect go-to shoe for each outfit and occasion – simple sandals. Choosing a neutral color will go a long way in creating outfits easily.
I hope this post helped you, it took me a while to get the hang of a capsule wardrobe, but now that I got it, I’m not going back! It’s so so great to finally have everything realized and simple.
I would love to hear, do you have a capsule wardrobe or are you thinking about it? 🙂
Read more about minimalism and closet organization:
How to maintain a minimalist wardrobe.
How to organize a small space wardrobe
I don’t tend to do trends, either. They don’t have lasting value.
I live in a hot climate as well, comfortable clothes are a must! I only buy new things as my old wear out. I don’t worry about trends because they change way too often.
Hey Stephanie,
I agree. I’m tired of getting uncomfortable clothes that I never end up wearing.
I have stopped buying things that will require me to get something else to make an outfit work. Good advice.
Hey Rachel,
When I started buying things that only go with what I already have things really changed! Now I always have something to wear and I don’t waste time on looking for things to match a new item I just purchased.
Linen pants are currently what I am looking for. I’ve found a few pairs and am currently debating. I know what colors I want my wardrobe to be but I don’t like get rid of stuff I have that fit that mold perfect. Love your list of options, lots for me to consider especially on the linen.
Hey Angela,
That’s a good point, you shouldn’t get rid of things just because they don’t match your ideal wardrobe.
It’s a process that takes time – every time you purchase something, try to find a good fit for both your future and current wardrobe. Good luck finding the perfect linen pants! Linen is so comfy in summer.
This is such a great list of ways to keep your wardrobe simple yet useful. I’m currently about to rebuild my spring/summer clothing as currently I have very little. This is perfect and I will definitely keep these things in mind as I rebuild. I would certainly rather have quality items that can be worn in multiple ways than an abundance of clothing I don’t know what to do with.
Hey Laura,
I had to learn for a long time how to not be tempted into buying 10 cheap T-shirts instead of a good quality one. It’s hard, but worth it! Good luck building your wardrobe 🙂
I love your blog theme and I am the same because of my small budget being a student. I make sure the summer clothes go with other seasons to! x
Thank you, Morgan.
A capsule wardrobe is a great thing to stick to when you’re on a budget.
It’s a good idea to have a capsule wardrobe that matches everything year round.
The clothes are very suitable for this summer. It is not only beautiful but also reasonable price.
That seems interesting wordrobe and my sister always love to keep updating it with seasons and occasions. Thank you for sharing!
Everything here is so versatile. I will have to show this to my daughter as she would appreciate it being into fashion.
Hey David,
I’m glad you liked it and hope your daughter would like the post as well 🙂