This blog post is about creating a summer capsule wardrobe. Whether you have exciting trips planned for your summer vacation or you’re simply looking for an easy, breezy way to choose outfits all summer long, this article is for you.
If you’re new to the concept of capsule wardrobe, that’s perfectly fine! I’ll explain everything clearly so you can understand why a capsule wardrobe is such a fantastic idea. By the end of this post, you’ll not only believe in the concept but also be ready to create your own capsule for any season or trip.
In this article you will learn these things:
- What is a Capsule wardrobe
- Why have a capsule wardrobe
- How to look for gems in your own closet
- How to piece together a summer capsule wardrobe
- Example outfit ideas
- Bonus shopping links to take the guess work out for you!
Bonus: (check the end of this post for buyable links from Amazon that will have all the basics you need!)
*Disclosure A Feminine Life’s product selections are curated by me. If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love. View the disclosure at the end of this post for more information.
Capsule Wardrobe Explained
So, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe?
I’m so glad you asked.
A capsule wardrobe is a thoughtfully curated collection of clothing items based on a foundation of staple pieces that can be mixed and matched effortlessly. Typically, a capsule wardrobe takes a minimalistic approach, aiming to have as few but versatile clothing items as possible to maximize outfit options. The beauty of this type of wardrobe is that you can still showcase your style by selectively choosing each piece.
Why a capsule wardrobe?
Another great question. This one is easy to answer…
For starters, you can stick to a capsule wardrobe just for vacations, vacation homes, or to keep at your boyfriend’s house as your first capsule wardrobe. But if your goal is to become a minimalist, get rid of the extra stuff and things, and downsize your closet, you can apply all the same guidelines in this post to accomplish this life-altering change. Furthermore, you can use this guideline to downsize your closet, even if you don’t quite reach capsule-sized status.
Essential Pieces
One of the best aspects of creating a capsule wardrobe is that you don’t necessarily need to buy anything new. This is especially true unless you really want to or are missing essential basic pieces, which I will explain shortly.
First, you’ll need to understand the building blocks of this type of wardrobe.
Here are the essentials you’ll need for a summer wardrobe!
*Note: You can swap for different colors to match your unique style, but most capsule wardrobes are done in neutral colors, so everything works together and takes the guesswork out of matching pieces to form an outfit.
The colors I used here and use in my own personal wardrobe are white, off-white, beige, black, light blue, Olive or Sage Green, (check the end of this post for buyable links from Amazon that will have all the basics you need!)
- 1 white pants jeans
- 1 basic blue jeans (boyfriend fit with or without holes)
- 1 relaxed trousers (I like the look of tan or beige)
- 1 white shorts
- 1 black shorts
- 1 tan shorts
- 1 relaxed-fit linen shorts (olive, beige, khaki, white or black)
- skirt
- dress
- 1 button-down striped shirt
- 1 black linen shirt
- 1 white short-sleeved shirt (preferably button down)
- 1 beige camisole
- 1 white tank top
- 1 black tank top
- plain T-shirt
- Jean jacket (or other lightweight jacket)
- 1 tan sandals
- 1 black sandal
- 1 heeled dressy sandals
- 1 activewear sandals for walking or hiking
- sneakers
- bathing suit
- 1 active wear outfit (for the gym or a quick run)
- 1 wide-brimmed hat
- 1 baseball cap
- 1 skinny belt
- 1 cross-body bag
- 1 basket bag
Gems in Your Own Closet
Again, one of the best aspects of creating a capsule wardrobe is that you don’t necessarily need to buy anything new because you likely have a good number of essential pieces already in stock. To shop your closet and find these essential gem pieces, I recommend investing in a clothing rack similar to one you might use for hang-drying delicate clothing and displaying your capsule items.
Plus, showing your clothing this way can make your bedroom or closet feel like a bougie, sophisticated boutique. Oohlala!
Or, you can open up a suitcase and pretend you are packing for a 7-day vacation. Next, lay the pieces over your bed to get a good picture of what you already have.
Here’s another quick look at the items you are looking for:
- 1 white pants jeans
- 1 basic blue jeans (boyfriend fit with or without holes)
- 1 relaxed trousers (I like the look of tan or beige)
- 1 white shorts
- 1 black shorts
- 1 tan shorts
- 1 relaxed-fit linen shorts
- skirt
- dress
- 1 button-down striped shirt
- 1 black linen shirt
- 1 white short-sleeved shirt (preferably button down)
- 1 beige camisole
- 1 white tank top
- 1 black tank top
- plain T-shirt
- Jean jacket (or other lightweight jacket)
- 1 tan sandals
- 1 black sandal
- 1 heeled dressy sandals
- 1 activewear sandals for walking or hiking
- sneakers
- bathing suit
- 1 wide-brimmed hat
- 1 baseball cap
- 1 skinny belt
- 1 cross-body bag
- 1 basket bag
How to Piece Together Your Summer Capsule Wardrobe
Once you’ve gathered your essential pieces, you can easily mix and match any separates. For example, I might take my beige shorts and pair them with a button-down shirt or any of my T-shirts. I would choose one of my shoe options, wrap a skinny belt around my waist, and then off I go—just me living my best carefree summer.
Another example would be to wear a sundress with a white button-down shirt over it. Instead of buttoning it all the way down, I would tie it at the narrowest part of my waist, pair it with white sneakers and a straw purse, and I’d be ready for a stroll down the boardwalk or a coffee at the bistro.
I have chosen a neutral color palette for my wardrobe, which means that everything will easily coordinate without clashing. This also simplifies the process of selecting accessories. You can introduce a pop of color and personality with items like scarves (very European, I must say!), jewelry, or by choosing one pair of shoes in your favorite color, such as red or yellow. Additionally, since my wardrobe is mainly composed of neutrals, I enjoy incorporating one standout piece in a color that complements my skin tone, like a flowy red summer dress or an off-white dress adorned with delicate blue flowers.
Example Capsule Wardrobe Outfit Ideas: Trousers
- Trousers with white top and lightweight jacket, pair with white sneakers, or sandals with the heels, simple jewelry, and even the wide brimmed hat.
2. White Button Down
White button-down shirt with boyfriend jeans. Pair with any of the shoe choices, and tie the skinny belt around your waist if you’re wishing for a more polished look.
3. Capsule Wardrobe: Short sleeved button down
This time we’re going with the short-sleeved white button-down, and pairing it with a pair of shorts, skinny belt laced through the belt loops, and choosing a sandal. Complete this look with the wide-brimmed hat or a summer hairstyle, and either of the woven purses.
4. Capsule Wardrobe: White Button Down
White button down, jeans or shorts, hat and choice of shoes….pretty simple, right? By this point, you’re getting the hand of it and understand the importance and versatility of a white button down.
5. Blue and White Striped shirt
Here is one of y absolutely favorite summer essentials…the blue and white stripe shirt. It can be in the form of a button down or a t-shirt as shown in the next two examples. Pair it with any bottom you like, I’d opt for the white sneakers myself, and pair with a fun pair of sunglasses, and gold hoop earrings.
6. Capsule Wardrobe: Summer Dress
The summer dress. For some reason, I am SO obsessed to a blue summer dress. It’s so French, country, casual yet put together looking that it lures me right in! If you are not feeling the blue, choose a summer dress in another neutral tone, but opt for breathable fabrics and choose loose or flowy over cinched and clinging.
7. Khaki Shorts
Khaki shorts are such a summer staple. Pair them with any of the shirts, or even your one special pop of color. From hiking to a breezy day at the beach or lounging with the fam, khaki shorts are a must!
8. Linen Shorts
For those dressier summer days and nights, try pairing your linen shorts with a dressier top or even a plain T-shirt, dress it up with a belt, heeled sandals and summer jewelry.
9. Plain T-shirts
You can never go wrong with a plain T-shirt. opt for a neutral in white, black, gray or light blue (yes, light, airy blue counts as a neutral!) Plain T’s are great because they match everything. Dress it up or down as little as you wish. Pair them with any of the summer bottoms and shoes!
10. Basket totes or purses
The basket purse or tote is a great tool to have around while on vacation. When traveling it can carry your cardigans or sweater, beach blanket, and while you are enjoying your vacation activities, it can be used for picnics, collecting flowers or seashells.
11. Linen Shirts
The linen shirt. Like the button-down, a crisp linen shirt is ideal for summer because of its versatility to pair with different bottoms, or over a swimsuit, but also because it is a breathable fabric for those scorching summer days/nights.
12. Heeled Sandal
A heeled sandal is always good to keep around for those dressier occasions. The fun part about wearing your heeled sandals is that this could be your surprise pop of color! Whenever I wear heeled sandals, I make sure I keep a pair of ballet flats in my handbag for “just in case”.
13. Linen or beachy drawstring pants/trousers
Beach trousers…also known as linen drawstring pants. If you’ve never worn pants like this, you’ve been missing out, my beautiful friend. Not only is the fabric breathable, but they are so comfortable, it feels like you’re wearing pajamas! Wear them with a linen shirt, a button down or any of your other capsule shirts. I like to wear mine over a swim suit with a white button down that I leave open.
14. Summer Active Wear
Don’t forget to pack your summer active wear. Even while on vacation, you might end up signing up for a yoga or Tai Chi class, or decide you want to go for a run on the beach.
15. Bathing Suits
You can’t go on summer holiday or vacation without packing your swimsuit. I recommend packing 1 solid, whole swimsuit, and 1 bikini or two piece. If you’re not traveling for summer, still consider adding these two summer essentials to your wardrobe. If you choose a neutral tone, you can pair them with or under your other clothing items.
Be sure to check out one of my latest articles: 29 Awesome Feminine Swimsuits for all Body Types
16. The Jean Short
Classic jean shorts are a must for any hot weather plan. Jean shorts are not just for kids or teenagers, there is a style and cut that can flatter every body type. You can pair a jean short with any of the tops, dress it up or down, wear over your bathing suit and accessorize any way you’d like.
17. Wide Brimmed Hat
It wouldn’t be summer without a wide brimmed hat. It’s perfect to wear while lounging around a pool, working in the garden, or having a picnic with the gals or your lover.
Amazon Shopping Links for Summer Capsule Wardrobe
- Draw String Khaki Shorts
- Relaxed Fit Khaki Shorts
- Linen Shorts for Women in Olive
- Black Linen Shorts
- High Waisted Linen Shorts in Beige
- Bermuda Jean Shorts
- Black Jean Shorts
- White Jean Shorts
- Vintage Distressed Jean Shorts
- Wide Thigh Jean Shorts
- Distressed Jean Shorts
- Spaghetti strap, flowy blue sundress
- Butterfly sleeve blue dress with little flowers
- Cut-out blue beach dress
- Greek-like white sundress
- Mini White Sundress
- Strapless White LONG Sundress
- Loose White T-shirt
- Basic White T-shirt
- Fitted V-neck White T-shirt
- Short Sleeved Black T-shirt
- Loose V-neck black T-shirt
- Skinny Belt pack of 4 in neutral tones
- Heeled Summer Sandal
- Espadrille Sandal wedge
- Hiking Summer Sandal
- Orthopedic Sandal
- Linen draw string pants
- Beach Pants
- black one-piece swimsuit
- two piece black bathing suit
- wide brimmed hat
- Beach hat
- Brim hat for pony tail or buns
- white sneaker
- comfort lush sneaker
- Chunky white tennis shoe
- blue and white striped button down
- blue and white striped puff sleeve
- blue and white striped crew neck T-shirt
- white silky button down
- white button down
- short sleeve white linen button down
- short sleeve white button down textured
- Round straw purse
- hand woven cross body bag
- large straw French basket bag
- summer trouser in beige
- frayed summer jean jacket
- olive safari jacket
- multi color pack of camisoles
- Built in Bra tank top
There you have it, your summer capsule wardrobe explained. Thanks to the examples provided, you now have a good idea for what to wear in order to live a more simplistic, low maintenance, and breezy life this summer. Not only that, but packing for a summer vacation will be easier than ever! I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. Until next time…
XoXo Britt Gal
Leave a Reply