Summer has finally arrived and certainly, a lot of you might be pondering over the perfect mix of outfits for your summer to autumn wardrobe collection.
Since a capsule wardrobe saves you tons of time and stress and allows you to wear only what you love, I’ve been the biggest fan of my capsule wardrobes for a few years now and have already made one for this summer season as well.
If you’re also planning to make a capsule wardrobe for this summer, this blog article will help you, we give you everything you need to know and what pieces you need this year that you can wear for ages.
Let’s go!
How to Build a Summer Capsule Wardrobe?
Step 1: Anchor Pieces
The first step is about the so-called anchor pieces: They’re the pieces you want the rest of your wardrobe to revolve around.
So if the capsule wardrobe that you’re working on is going to include bold colors or prints, then these are the anchor pieces that you need. Because you want to make sure that all of the other pieces in your wardrobe go with those bold colors and prints.
The important thing here is to choose colors and prints that can mix and match, and that is easy to color-match with the other pieces in your closet – so it’s best to pick two colors that you’ll mainly focus on in your capsule wardrobe, and from a pattern and color standpoint, make sure that all the anchor pieces match with each other so that it’s easier to incorporate the rest of the pieces into your outfits later on.
The other option is that obviously, not everyone wants a bold color or print – some people are more minimalist, like me. I don’t always want those colors with a print in a capsule wardrobe.
No matter what you end up choosing, minimalist colors and prints or more bold colors and bold prints, these anchor pieces are the items that your entire wardrobe will revolve around.
Also, here it’s very crucial that you love these pieces and you feel comfortable in them because they’ll be the base of your later outfits. So if you don’t like the pieces, you’ll have a hard time creating new looks with the same pieces over and over again.
Step 2: Tie-In Pieces
The tie-in pieces are the rope for the anchor pieces.
These are the pieces that you’ll tie to the anchor pieces, so that’s sort of the opposite garment of what the anchor piece is.
Let’s say three top pieces are your anchor pieces. Here you’re going to pick two or three bottom pieces to go with those top pieces. The main idea with these connecting pieces is that they’re a little more neutral or complement the color palette a little bit.
The main idea with tie-in pieces is also that any of these pieces can be combined with the anchor pieces.
Step 3: Top Off Pieces
Top-off pieces are the boat through our anchor and the rope. Now it all makes sense, doesn’t it?
These are the pieces that will frame the whole look. They’re the final layer – the final pieces of your look.
And the most important thing about the top-off pieces is that all of these pieces need to go with every single item you’ve chosen for this wardrobe. So they need to go with all the anchor pieces and all the tie-in pieces.
And often these pieces will be in neutral colors.
Maybe it’s black because black is always a good frame color. It can be a black sweater, a black oversize blazer, or a black coat.
How to Create Your Perfect Capsule Wardrobe Summer:
You need the following clothes:
- Basic Tees & Tops
- Cream/White & Black Jeans
- Classic Blue Jeans
- Sweaters
- Pleated Trousers
- Basic Shorts
- Dresses
- Blazers/Light Jackets
- Basic Sneakers & Sandals
- Handbags
- Accessories (Sunglasses, Hats & Belts)
- Everyday Jewelry
Of course, other colors like taupe, brown, or navy blue are also easy to add to any color palette.
It’s just important that you choose a color that matches all the other pieces.
How to Create Your Perfect Capsule Wardrobe Summer:
You need the following clothes:
- Basic Tees & Tops
- Cream/White & Black Jeans
- Classic Blue Jeans
- Sweaters
- Pleated Trousers
- Basic Shorts
- Dresses
- Blazers/Light Jackets
- Basic Sneakers & Sandals
- Handbags
- Accessories (Sunglasses, Hats & Belts)
- Everyday Jewelry
Summer Capsule Wardrobe 2023: What Essentials You Need in Your Closet this Summer
2 Basic T-Shirts
Basic t-shirts are must-haves in your capsule wardrobe.
At the very least owning one white and one black t-shirt is integral to any wardrobe.
And when it comes to high-quality basic t-shirts, it’s not that easy to find good ones.
Among thousands that I have tried so far, I have always come back to the heavyweight t-shirts from COS*, because for me they simply have by far the best quality.
100% cotton and a pleasantly thick fabric have never disappointed me personally – no matter how you combine or style the shirts, they always keep their shape, and don’t wrinkle or shrink. These T-shirts last for years and then still look like the first day!
Ladies, a recommendation from my heart from someone who has already tried everything in that direction.
Don’t walk, run, girls!!!
3 Button-Down Shirts
Next, we’ll talk about shirts – button-down shirts to be exact.
There I would recommend having three: One white, one black, and one blue, as these three colors are simply the easiest to combine and at the same time are timeless classics that go with pretty much everything.
Either go for silk or cotton/poplin as an everyday shirt.
Linen shirts can be combined in a variety of styles during the summer vacation and have the advantage of not letting you sweat so quickly. But they wrinkle very quickly and so you can’t easily get that ironed smooth. Thus, outfits with linen shirts often look unkempt and not well done. So in everyday life, I’d rather keep my hands off linen.
2-3 Tops
When it comes to basic tank tops, a well-organized closet should have 2-3 of them: White, black, and potentially also one very similar to what you also go for like a beige color or grey.
1 Trench Coat
A trench coat is another must-have piece in any closet because it goes with any outfit and enhances every look simultaneously.
Due to its classic chic style, a timeless trench coat always looks elegant and is super easy to combine.
In addition, it’s suitable for the transition to autumn or even on colder summer days or evenings when you want to have something over a top or a shirt because this chic coat is not only elegant but also light and is therefore perfect for the summer or transition to autumn because it’s guaranteed not to make you sweat.
Of course, the absolute classics here are those of Burberry, who first designed the light coats, but nowadays, there are also many high-quality trench coats from other brands, which are often cheaper. So if you are on a budget, try one from COS, Arket, Mango, or Massimo Dutti. They are usually just as good from the quality – but only half the price of the Burberry ones.
2 Blazers
In an elegant, timeless capsule wardrobe, of course, no blazer should be missing.
The chic jackets look very good over any outfit and immediately make you more confident, self-assured, and elegant.
We have often written about the topic of blazers, and those who have been following our blog for a while know that it is one of the most challenging things to find a high-quality blazer that doesn’t cost a lot of money.
Because even if it’s summer, a certain amount (the higher, the better) of wool in the fabric mix is essential for the fit of the blazer. When there is too much polyester or other synthetic fabrics, the blazer loses its shape and wrinkles just by looking at it – anything but elegant!
A wool blazer doesn’t always have to be warm and unsuitable for summer. Because nowadays, it is very difficult to find a blazer with a high wool content anyway, so you don’t have to worry about sweating in it. Besides, as I said, wool is only crucial for the fit.
3 Sweaters
Sweaters also count as outerwear in summer, as they look best tied around the shoulders. Just wear a basic shirt (top or t-shirt) and tie a sweater around your shoulders so you can wear it when it gets colder.
This is an effortless look that always adds something and looks casually elegant. At the same time, it provides a good portion of coolness, which is very pleasant to wear, especially in everyday life, and which incidentally reminds you of the charm of golfers.
Feel free to try it out.
When it comes to the color choice of your sweaters, you should also go for neutral earth tones to achieve a coherent look – so black, beige, and a color of your choice like white, gray, or brown.
In the summer, you can choose a more contrasting color, which acts as an eye-catcher for your outfit since you only wear the sweater as a kind of accessory tied around the shoulders.
For the beginning of your capsule wardrobe journey and the transition to fall/winter, I’d recommend you start with the classic, neutral colors like black, beige, and white because you have so many more outfit possibilities with these colors and tones.
1 Black Dress
Another item that every closet needs is at least one black dress. It would be best if you have a longer and a shorter one here that you can swap depending on the occasion.
Moreover, if you choose to have two dresses, it’d be good to choose a fancier and casual one to match them to the occasion.
According to Karl Lagerfeld, a black dress not only suits every woman, but the strong color also radiates sovereignty, elegance, and mystery.
Accordingly, a black dress that you love is a perfect balance and a really lovely piece for fancy dinners or an event.
2 Blue Jeans
With a classic pair of jeans, you need one lighter and one darker.
Here I would go with the ones from Levis* and choose the standard 501 models because they are the most timeless and easy to combine.
In addition, I prefer thicker denim because with more elastane (i.e., stretch content), the jeans wear out faster, which means that in the end, you have less of your jeans and may have to buy them again.
So make sure from the beginning to buy high-quality jeans you can wear for years.
1 Cream Jeans & 1 Black Jeans
Also, white or cream jeans and black are absolute must-haves that you can pair with anything.
I wear the most timeless, brighter preppy outfits in the summer, which is why I wear most white jeans with a white or blue button-down shirt.
Towards fall or winter, I usually replace my beloved white jeans from Mango with my black ones from Mango to create more contrasting, darker outfits for this season.
2 Straight Leg Pants
You can never go wrong with black and beige (pleated) pants.
These pants are already more elegant and chic than the jeans but are at least as easy to combine. They can turn any outfit into a chic business outfit in no time.
But they are also great for everyday wear because the pants are usually light and comfortable.
I’d additionally recommend the “straight leg” cut here – just like with the jeans – because they fall most casually and, at the same time, most elegantly.
Too tight pants and skinny jeans are, in my opinion, difficult to combine and are also not the most comfortable pants.
Straight-leg fit pants will slim your leg and showcase it simultaneously, giving your body a beautifully feminine silhouette.
2 Shorts & 1 Skirt
With the shorts, I would keep it minimalistic, just like with the long jeans and pants – that is, with colors that you like to wear the most and can combine the easiest.
Since we wear shorts only on warmer days and usually wear lighter outfits there, I would recommend you to choose lighter colors for the shorts here as well, such as white or beige jeans or pants.
Whether you prefer jeans or regular pants is also up to you here. I would advise you here for the beginning but to fabric shorts because they are lighter and are better suited for the summer.
For a skirt, I would recommend a longer midi skirt, because they are very elegant and you can easily combine them with a basic t-shirt or top to achieve the perfect look.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A Capsule Wardrobe consists of a few indispensable and classic pieces of clothing that are constantly recombined so that you can assemble various outfits with just a few pieces.
Moreover, the timeless garments complement each other, which is why they are primarily in neutral colors.
This makes putting together outfits much easier and, most importantly, faster.
But of course, it’s not about wearing only boring, monotonous pieces you don’t like: Rather; it’s about limiting yours exclusively to clothes you love and feel comfortable wearing.
And trust me, once you set up a capsule wardrobe, you’ll never want to go back – because the benefits outweigh the negatives so much.
For example, I love my closet now, even though I’ve never really been able to keep it tidy. That’s over now because the number of pieces is just so manageable. I’m also much less inclined to buy new pieces because I have the certainty of already owning such similar pieces – a boon for my wallet. 😉
Is a Capsule Wardrobe Worth it?
Yes, it’s worth it!
There are many valuable benefits of a capsule wardrobe. Still, one of the main benefits is that you’ll wear only your favorite clothes because you’ll get rid of everything you don’t like or feel comfortable in.
Besides, deciding what to wear will be faster and easier, so you will have less stress regarding your outfits. Trust me; this makes a massive difference in your everyday life!
For example, it has helped me always to be classically dressed. This might sound a little silly, but I used to have a hard time sticking to a fancy dress code when I was still sitting at home in sweatpants and comfy sweaters, knowing I was about to have to slip into my uncomfortable blouse. However, since having a capsule wardrobe for all seasons, I’m always styled in the best way – with less effort.
It also helps you save money by buying fewer clothes and being more conscious of the clothes you already own or buying new ones. It also helps to organize and tidy up your closet – and keep it tidy, too ?
Besides these practical benefits, it can boost your confidence as you find your style and figure out what suits you best and what you feel most comfortable in.
7 Benefits Why You Should Have a Summer Capsule Wardrobe:
1. You’ll Always be Well Dressed
By not having to think about what to wear in the morning when you’re half asleep or stressed, you’re less likely to wear an outfit that’s too casual or one that might be inappropriate.
In a nutshell, it means you’re less mistake-prone. As a result, you’ll always be dressed appropriately and always be well styled.
2. You Save Money
Self-explanatory, right?
By relying on a select range of clothes you love, you don’t have to chase short-term trends or constantly buy new clothes. After all, the pieces you’d love to have, have you already – at least similar ones.
I know there are always new pieces coming on the market and even some that intrigue us, but trust me, once you own a great variety of pieces, you’ll keep thinking to yourself, “Those pants are so nice, but luckily I have similar ones like that already!”
It’ll lighten the load on your wallet, and maybe in a few months, you can use that money to make a little – or even a big – dream come true. A romantic trip, for example?
3. You Increase Your Confidence
Focusing on the clothes you love and weeding out the ones you never wore anyway or don’t like will give you more confidence.
After all, the famous quote, “I’m nicer when I like my outfit,” applies here.
4. You Save Time
That should have become clear now; I think: You’ll save a lot of time if you don’t have to ask yourself the same question repeatedly in the morning about what you want to wear today.
Now you can choose from your variation of clothes, which all look good in different combinations. So you can blindly grab a pair of pants and a top – they almost always go together.
5. You Have Less Stress
So a capsule wardrobe means less stress in your life overall.
You don’t have to fret that the clothes don’t fit you or don’t look good in combination.
There is also less maintenance and repair required because you have fewer garments. You’re also more likely to choose garments that are easy to care for and are easier to pack when traveling or moving.
6. It’s Environmentally Friendly
Another very good reason for a capsule wardrobe is the sustainable aspect.
By owning mainly timeless pieces and buying less new fashion, you usually wear your clothes for years. This leads to a much improved ecological footprint in the long run; for example, you don’t support fast fashion stores like Aritzia that release much water, waste, and chemicals – under miserable working conditions.
So not only are you acting environmentally friendly and sustainably if you have a capsule wardrobe, but you are saving real lives that would otherwise have suffocated from the chemicals released in the factories. This is no longer an exception, but unfortunately, the pure reality and this is increasing more and more.
Since you don’t own a lot of clothes, you wear every piece you own, so no clothes go to waste.
People who choose to have a “capsule wardrobe” also often invest in high-quality pieces that last a long time, thus avoiding the fast fashion industry known for its wasteful nature.
7. You Are in a Better Mood
Marketing is nowadays indispensable and almost exclusively responsible for the fact that we constantly think and feel that we aren’t good enough – don’t have enough.
What most consumers often forget in the process is that those new pants, that new designer bag, or those heavily discounted slingbacks won’t fill that need “for more.” On the contrary, they get you used to wanting more and more – until you eventually reach the point where you’re either broke or mentally down – or both at the same time.
And the paradox is that these aggressive marketing strategies come from people who want to satisfy the same need: To want more and more – not more clothes, but more money. And with that money, most employees buy a lot of clothes too. You understand the cycle.
Getting out of that toxic cycle and focusing on your own range of clothes makes you free and independent from this cycle of manipulation. Yes, it is only exploitation – at the expense of your wallet and mental health.
As a result, you’ll gradually be in a better and better mood and you’ll no longer be so easily influenced. Trust me; it’s worth it.
FAQ:
How many pieces are in a summer capsule wardrobe?
The number of pieces in a summer capsule wardrobe varies. Still, a good starting point is to have 15-25 pieces, according to various fashion blogs, including The Belle Voyage, Vain Affair, Emma Irene Cavanagh, and Ways of Style.
What do I need in a summer capsule wardrobe?
A summer capsule wardrobe should include tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, and lightweight jackets. Layering pieces like cardigans and blazers can also be useful. Choose a color palette that works for you, and don’t forget to incorporate accessories like hats, sunglasses, and jewelry.
How many outfits should you have in a capsule wardrobe?
According to various fashion blogs, aim for 20-30 outfits in a capsule wardrobe, including The Belle Voyage, Vain Affair, Emma Irene Cavanagh, and Ways of Style. The key is to choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched in different ways.
u003cstrongu003eHow do I make a vacation capsule wardrobeu003c/strongu003e?
To make a vacation capsule wardrobe, choose a color palette and select versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. Aim for 15-25 pieces, including basics like t-shirts, shorts, dresses, and lightweight jackets. Don’t forget to include accessories like hats and sunglasses.
What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method?
The 5-4-3-2-1 packing method is a minimalist way of packing for a trip, where you bring no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, and one hat. This formula can be adjusted to meet your unique needs.
How to build a European capsule wardrobe?
To build a European capsule wardrobe, focus on classic, cool, and minimalistic pieces. Choose a color palette that works for you, and include versatile pieces like blazers, trench coats, jeans, and dresses. Avoid activewear as leisure outfits.
u003cstrongu003eWhat are the rules of a capsule wardrobu003c/strongu003ee?
The rules of a capsule wardrobe include choosing a color palette, selecting versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, investing in high-quality pieces, and avoiding fast fashion. Aim for 30-40 pieces, including tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the formula for capsule wardrobe?u003c/strongu003e
There are different formulas for a capsule wardrobe, but a common one is 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses, 2 jackets, and 2 pairs of shoes, totaling 16 pieces. The key is to choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched in different ways.
What doesn’t count in a capsule wardrobe?
Accessories like jewelry, hats, scarves, activewear, loungewear, and special occasion outfits usually do not count in a capsule wardrobe. The focus is on creating a streamlined and versatile collection of everyday outfits.
Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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