Building a Classic Summer Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of pieces you can easily mix and match to create new outfits. They are the foundation pieces to a great classic wardrobe. If you are always looking in your closet and thinking you have nothing to wear, a capsule wardrobe is for you! Today I’m sharing the basics for a summer capsule wardrobe, and giving you tips on how to make it not boring!

Classic Summer Capsule Wardrobe

A classic summer capsule wardrobe should consist of a few key clothing pieces and accessories that makes getting dressed easy. These pieces that I will describe below are the foundation pieces you can build upon. Setting a good foundation means you will already have the basics, and you can focus on bringing in a few new key pieces each season. Crisp whites, soft beiges, and shades of denim will be your starting color palette. From there you can build the perfect wardrobe to suit your own personal style. Let’s dive into what key pieces you need to get started!

Neutral Pants

No matter the season, a pair of neutrals pants is essential. Have you ever bought a fun top but every time you want to wear it, you have nothing to match it with? Neutral pants can help you put together outfits with ease. While having at least one pair of neutral pants is key, you may want to opt for one pair of long pants, and one pair of cropped pants for summer. You never know if you will encounter a chilly summer night, or a spontaneous rain storm while on your way out to dinner. For summer, keep the fabric light like cotton or light denim. Neutral colors consist of white, ivory and shades of tan. I tend to think of black more as a color than a neutral when it comes to creating capsules. Neutral pants are a key foundation piece to any wardrobe.

 

White Dress

Is it really summer without a classic white dress? Now is the time to wear your white dresses and enjoy how light and easy they are. If you love color, a white dress is essential to your capsule wardrobe. You can wear them with neutral shoes or add a pop of color with your accessories. They great thing about white dresses is first- they are so chic, and second- they are super versatile. Wear yours with sneakers for a day of errands, flat sandals for weekends strolling, or heels for a night out. They make really classy summer outfits.

 

Denim Shorts

I will admit that I don’t wear denim shorts often. However, there are times when denim shorts are the best outfit options. It’s great to have a pair on hand whether you wear them once in a while like me, or they are your go-to wardrobe item. I love them for more casual occasions like taking a walk through the park, going to an outdoor sporting event, and days when you don’t feel like getting dressed. Denim shorts are classic and timeless and so easy to style.

 

Basic Tee

I can’t say enough how essential a basic tee is to any capsule wardrobe. It’s a year-round staple. Wearing a great fitting tee with shorts in summer is so effortless and easy. Come fall and winter, a tee is key for wearing under your blazers. If you are looking for a great white t-shirt, I do have a few favorites that are my go-to tees.

First is the Conrad tee. What I love most about this one is the fabric. It’s a light tee but not sheer. The fabric is heavy enough to be a true white, without any showing of what’s underneath. Plus the length is great. You can easily tuck this one in without having a ton of extra bulk. Second, is the shrunken tee. This one is great for petites since it has a “shrunken” fit. It’s a more fitted (without being tight) tee. It’s the one you want to reach for when you want a polished look with no added bulk. I love this one with a pair of neutral pants or linen shorts for a chic summer look.

Flat Sandals

Flat sandals are a summer wardrobe essential. They can elevate a t-shirt and shorts outfit, or make linen pants look effortless and classy. Having a variety of shoes will help with outfit choices. It’s the easiest way to change an overall look. Here I’m sharing my favorite flat sandals that are in my closet. Each one is comfortable and beautiful!

 

Espadrilles

Once the espadrilles are out, you know it’s summer! It’s such an iconic summer shoe. Most known for high wedge styles, espadrilles now come in a variety of heel heights. No matter which height you choose, summer espadrilles are a great shoe option for most occasions. For a traditional espadrille shoes, I love the Castaner wedges. They are your classic lace up espadrilles and are very comfortable. I’ve read many different opinions on sizing for these. I find them to be slightly large and I wear them in a size 7.

Do you know how to lace your espadrilles? The loop on the back of the espadrilles are supposed to be pulled OUT so that your foot can slip into it before lacing. This gives more stability to the shoes.

If you are not a fan of lace-up shoes (I get it. They can be a pain), try wearing espadrille wedges instead. My favorites these raffia wedges. The padded footbed is so comfortable! If you are in-between sizes, size up in this style.

 

Heels

Choose a heel height that is comfortable for you. The point in having a pair of heels in your wardrobe is for dressier or more formal occasions. Even low block heels or kitten heels will work. You want something you can reach for when you need to dress up a bit. Maybe you have a summer wedding or just a really nice dinner to go to. Choose a neutral color so you can get the most wear. I love gold heels since they go with literally everything! My most worn heels are from the brand Inez. If you shop there, you can take 15% off your purchase with TaraFHM15.

 

 

White Linen Pants

I mention having a go-to pair of neutrals pants above, but also having a pair of white linen pants is so chic for summer. Take advantage of the summer heat and stay cool by wearing more white. Alternatively you can opt for beige linen pants if white is too bright for you. Whether you choose white linen or beige, this neutral style will take you from day to night.

 

 

Dressy Top

Having at least one dressy top in your capsule collection will be your solution for what to wear to dressy but still casual occasions. Dinner with friends, a housewarming party, or any other event you want to dress a bit for. Depending on the occasion, a dressy top will pair well with linen shorts, denim shorts, neutral pants, and jeans. Choose your shoes based on what bottoms you will be wearing. I love pants or jeans with strappy heels, or a flat sandal or wedge with shorts.

 

Sneakers

Summer is all about taking advantage of the season and being more active. Whether you are going for a morning walk, heading to the gym, or just want to be ultra comfortable, a pair of sneakers is a must. Since this post is about creating a classic summer capsule wardrobe, I’ll save the athletic sneakers for another time. For everyday style, a pair of neutral and low profile sneakers are versatile enough to wear with casual summer dresses or shorts. Remember that neutral colors will give you more outfit options. Here are some low profile, neutral sneakers that are not boring:

 

All Occasion Dress

Since summer tends to be a little more relaxed, you can away with more fabric choices when it comes to dresses. A linen maxi dress can be styled with casual sandals for a more effortless vibe, or with gold heels for a dressier occasion. Choosing an all occasion dress gives you so many more options than a formal dress does. This blue linen dress is a great example of a dress that can be worn to lunch with friends or a summer wedding. By switching out the shoes and bag, you can really dress this up or casual chic.

 

Straw Hat

Protecting your skin from the sun is essential all year long, but especially in summer. This is when the sun is at its strongest so you want add an extra layer of sun protection. Adding a straw hat to your classic summer capsule wardrobe is a functional and stylish way to add interest to your summer outfits. Check out my previous post on tips for how to wear a straw hat with ease.

 

Everyday Bag

Let’s not overlook a great everyday bag. This is your go-to bag that you only swap out when you need something smaller and maybe a little dressier. It’s the one you grab the most and can hold all of your essentials plus a little bit more. Since raffia is such an iconic summer material, having a large raffia tote is great for your everyday needs. Its got a casual elegance and its neutral, so will match to all of your outfits.

 

Occasion bag

 

There are some occasions where only a smaller dressier bag is needed. Choose a sleek design so that you can also wear it with more casual outfit options. A sequins clutch bag is really only appropriate for weddings and holiday parties, however a raffia bag can be styled up or down. In summer, choose lighter fabrics like leather, cane, and straw bags. I love my J. Lowery cane bag for all occasions. You can take 10% off with TARA10.

 

How To Build A Classic Capsule Wardrobe For Summer

When building a classic capsule wardrobe for summer, start with the basic staples mentioned above. Linen pants, denim shorts, a basic tee, going out top, white dress, all occasion dress, and a mix of shoes and bags. Here are a few examples of how to build a summer capsule wardrobe with some color. Adding a touch a color will keep your closet from getting boring. Plus once have your neutral basics, you can add any color in. This would be what you can look for when buying for a new season.

Summer Capsule Wardrobe: Neutrals and Blue

Neutral colors are your foundation. You need them in your capsule wardrobe in order to be able to mix and match with other pieces, you ground your color. Since blue is my favorite color, it would be a part of my capsule collection. Mixing different shades of the same color keeps your outfits from all looking the same. You can also add navy pants as a “neutral pants” option.

 

 

Building a Summer Capsule Wardrobe With Red

Want to know how to add red to your capsule wardrobe? Invest in neutrals first! Let red be your pop of color. This is a fun spin on a capsule wardrobe. Most people think that capsule wardrobes are basic and boring. But they should reflect your own personal style and what you love. Red is a fun color to add for summer, and can easily be transitioned into fall and winter. Swap your tees out for cozy red sweaters and lots of neutrals.

 

Black and White Summer Outfits

Black, white, and neutrals are in every standard capsule wardrobe. Layer in beige or tan to keep this capsule from looking too dark. Summer is about light and airy colors and textures. Plus if you are going to wear black, choose linens and cotton to keep you cooler.

 

Summer Capsule Wardrobe That’s Not Boring

Contrary to popular belief, a capsule wardrobe can be colorful. It’s still important to have neutrals to mix and match, but don’t be afraid to add color if it’s what you like. For example, different shades of green can be considered a neutral. From olive greens, sage green, and khaki, they pair especially well with pastels like pink. Incorporating different shades from the same color family can make a really great capsule collection that’s not boring. Remember to build your capsule with neutral foundation pieces for easy styling.

 

You may also enjoy reading my post on capsule vacation outfits where I share outfit collections based on popular travel destinations.

 

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!