Summer’s just around the corner, so my summer capsule wardrobe should be filled with tank tops and short shorts, right? Wrong.
Creating a summer capsule wardrobe can be pretty challenging, depending on what’s on your calendar. If you’ll be spending any time at work– which I believe most of us will– then selecting perfect summery pieces that are still work-appropriate can be a challenge.
Building a summer capsule wardrobe should be based on the same principles we use throughout the year– namely, that clothes should be made for the body; not the body for clothes. Sure, summer is an excellent time to get outdoors, lose the weight we need to lose, and focus on fitness. But it’s not a reason to force ourselves into trends that just don’t work for us.
Summer is just as important a season as any to love everything in your wardrobe.
If you’re just now checking out the whole capsule wardrobe thing, be sure to read these posts:
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
A Guide to Building a Summer Capsule Wardrobe
Step 1: Look at your summer calendar.
We may *think* that summer is made up of margaritas and poolside barbecues (maybe for some of us it is), but it’s unlikely to be all that we’re doing. Your wardrobe needs to fit most, if not all, of your summer obligations (see exceptions here). If you’ll be going to work, then you need to select work clothes. You get the point.
Step 2: Categorize your needs.
If you’re spending the summer doing a variety of things, write down different categories for your clothing. For example: work, travel, volunteer, parties.
Allocate pieces according to what you’ll be doing most. Think about those contexts– how do you want to dress for them?
Step 3: Ask the following questions: when? and where?
It’s easy to get carried away with summer clothes because they’re just so fun! But, as you select each piece, ask yourself when can I wear this and where will I wear this. You may realize that your favorite crop top has no place in a 40-piece summer capsule wardrobe, but your jeans do!
Step 4: Start with your basics.
As usual, begin with the pieces that you already wear a lot. They might not be the most exciting, but they’re your go-to for a reason. Choose solid colors that can take on different accessories, as well as pieces that can be dressed up and down. These will form the core of your wardrobe.
Step 5: Lay out potential combinations and round out the collection.
The secret to a great capsule wardrobe is a combination of statement pieces and basics that go well together. The more possible combinations, the better. Stay away from a blouse that can only be worn with one other bottom– unless you’d like to repeat that outfit a lot!
Step 6: Avoid these pitfalls.
- White: select your whites carefully. Sweat stains can be awful in the summer, depending on where you live.
- Dry-clean only: unless you’re super clean or are ok with high dry-cleaning bills.
- Too many prints and florals: it’s hard to wear prints and florals together without looking crazy!
- Stuff that doesn’t fit: try on each piece if it’s been a while!
Step 7: Put away your current wardrobe for next season!
Retire your current wardrobe if you foresee wearing it again, or get rid of it now! Here are some ways to sell your gently-worn clothing.
My Summer Capsule Wardrobe: 40 Pieces
Absolutely!! I so often think that summer means sundresses and short shorts, but really I can only wear them on weekends. It’s rare to have an opportunity to wear these super summery things!
Ah thanks girl! I’ll definitely be sharing more about this wardrobe and how I’m mixing and matching! So glad to hear you’re already doing a lot of these things– it sounds like you’ve got the small wardrobe thing down! Hope you’ve had a great weekend, Kiki!
You definitely have some great points. I’m often amazed how much I get sucked into buying too many overly summery clothes just because. When the reality is I live in Scotland and we rarely see a summer. I’m definitely going to take some of these of board this summer and think a lot more before I buy!
Awesome Kristen! Yes, it’s crazy what difference the temperatures can have just going indoors and outdoors. Cardigans and scarves are your friend! 😉 I’m sure you already knew that.
Ah really?! That’s so funny, it’s from Nordstrom, right?! And yes, living in a new climate can take some time adjusting. The weather here in LA has been really strange– 90s one week, and now rainy and cold. I’m trying to make it work! 😉
I’ve been waiting to see this post from you for quite some time. To my surprise, I am already doing many of these things. Especially the when and where’s of making purchases. It’s been such a great journey watching you reinvent the way you feel toward clothing. I think it’s so easy to get caught up in the seasons trends, that before we know it, we’ve blown a huge chunk of money on “another floral top.” Do you plan on a post show casing how you mix and matched all of these pieces? I love being able to wear things in my closet infinite ways! Have a great weekend Daisy and I hope to see more of your capsule wardrobe journey. (:
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I’ve been wanting to Capsule for a while! Thanks for the tips! Right now I’m trying to figure out how to minimize AND combine a summer wardrobe with office dressy outfits. Hot Georgia then cold office. 🙂
I have that top orange dress! I had it in navy also before it got a huge whole. 🙁 I’m still not exactly sure what I’ll need for summer in the south. I recently bought another pair of shorts as summer here is a lot longer!
awesome, thank you! 🙂
Ah thank you Brittany!! It’s amazing how much I’ve accumulated over various seasons of life– I’m trying to change that! 😉 Good luck with the move!
Awesome, sounds like a great wardrobe already Rachel! And yes, it’s usually warm here in SoCal but today was actually pretty chilly and it rained nonstop. We still have to be prepared. I think capsules are perfect for having just enough variety and the occasional “lifesaver” piece, but not so big that we end up feeling lost and overwhelmed by our stuff. Maybe you’ll do a post about your wardrobe? 😉
Thanks lady! 🙂
Ah thank you so much Emily! Yes, it’s just awesome to have a wardrobe that’s full of stuff you love and can wear all the time.
Ah Brittany, thanks! And lol… that skirt was actually given to me by a friend. Win for me! 😉
Thank you!! And yes, it’s so important for our closets to serve us… instead of us trying to fit into old things or creating outfits out of pieces that no longer work for our lifestyle!
Thank you Ally! And yes, you gotta wear what works for you and what you do! 🙂
Haha it’s a bit of work at first, but then so little work for the rest of the 3 months 😉
Thank you so much Katie!! I’m so glad to hear that 🙂 And yes, I think we so often try to force our bodies into clothes, when our clothes should be the things that fit and flatter our bodies!
Ah thanks girl! And hahaha, my husband does the laundry and most of the time my clothes are safe, but there’s definitely the occasional ruin 😉
Ah thanks Anna! Yes, I bet your travel wardrobe is awesome!
Thanks girl! You’ll love it!
Thanks Anna!! You’ll probably really enjoy this– it’s super helpful in getting out the door in the morning!
That’s awesome Chelsea!! And thank you 🙂
Thanks girl!! I hope you do, you’ll love it, especially for travel!
Thank you so much! And I hope to share some outfits– yes!
Yes exactly! It can be a challenge when temperatures aren’t consistent for a while!
Thank you for these tips! I’m getting rid of so many pieces since I’m moving. I can’t believe how much I’ve accumulated in two years of living here. I’d like to be more consistent with only using what I need, so after I move I’m going to try to stick to a capsule wardrobe for the seasons. Also, I love the few pieces with print that you’ve included. So pretty!
With our move, I’m going to have to have a summer wardrobe all year long–and I’m pretty happy about that! 🙂 But it will definitely still include jeans, a light jacket for airports or other notoriously cold places, and a long-sleeved button down for when I really need to look professional. I love dresses–but I’m leaning toward adding a comfortable skirt or two to my wardrobe so that I can have the variety of pairing different t-shirts…but it might take me a while to find the perfect skirt I’m envisioning, since minis are all the rage here and I’m thinking about something knee-length.
Great tips! Love the pieces in your wardrobe!
I’ve never done this myself but it seems I may already be doing this without knowing it! I love your navy tank; I’d wear that all the time!
These tips are so clear and helpful! But, can you actually just clone your wardrobe and send it to me? I want to wear all those things — especially the green lace skirt!
I love seeing pictures of your wardrobe – I def need a visual to and the pieces you have are versatile. I would love to just have a closet overhaul so I can get what fits my body now (after having kids) 🙂
Super cute! I work at a Bible Camp, so my capsule wardrobe is basically camp t-shirts and jeans… yours is so much cuter!
You’re absolutely right, though- you have to be practical about what you need to wear and when!
I have thought about doing this and it looks fun & organized! It just seems like a lot of work!
Yay for capsule wardrobes!!! I get so excited for the opportunity to see what people include in their capsules, and your summer capsule looks lovely. Plus the “clothes should be made for the body, not the body for the clothes” mantra is such a wonderful one. It such a good reminder for me as I start my yearly freak out about having to expose more skin in the hot summer months. Thank you for this post!
We’ll aren’t you the fashionista. I get too bored with my clothes, that or Edward tries to be sweet and washes them and in turn ruins them( THOUANDS of dollars down the drain.. I could strangle him.. sometimes I do.. but that’s just between me ,you, and this feed)!
I love this peek into your summer wardrobe! I love summer clothes… all the dresses and ruffles and sheer pieces. I didn’t intentionally set out to have a capsule wardrobe but I guess it is what I have since I only have the clothes in my carry-on. I can’t wait to see some outfit ideas!
Love this! I recently downsized my wardrobe, now I just need to sort and categorize 🙂
Beautiful pieces! I’m really excited because I just tried this for the first time! I actually need to lay out all the clothes and narrow it down a bit probably. But I’ve cleaned out my closet & went shopping yesterday with money from graduation! I’m so excited to have a simplified closet — it’s a breath of fresh air.
I recently went through my closet to build a capsule wardrobe also!! I like the idea of simplifying and being creative. Your choices seem perfect! And you’re right about summer + work life clothing needing to be appropriate. Cool, friend!
I love this post Daisy! It’s so detailed and has really inspired me to think about creating my own little capsule collection! Xx
Oh I really like some of the skirts you picked for your capsule! Hope we get to see some outfits you’ve made from this capsule 🙂
Away From The Blue
You definitely have to choose pieces you can layer – some nights are cool and this way you’ll have more outfits with the same number of pieces! I’ve been so busy I haven’t had the time to sort through my summer clothes and the temperatures suddenly dipped this week so I may not have to for a couple weeks!
Nabihah | thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com