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It’s that time again! We’re right smack dab in the middle of Summer which means it’s time to bust out a new seasonal capsule wardrobe! And this time around, we’re making it as budget-friendly as possible, while still including pieces from our favorite retailers. If you’ve been following along for the last few years, you’ve probably seen another capsule or twelve on the blog [peep ’em all here] and if you’re new here, you may be thinking “what the WHAT? A capsule wardrobe? Girlfriend, speak English please.” I get it, I’ve been there – a clueless girl about what in the world a capsule wardrobe is. Have no fear friend, a capsule wardrobe explanation is here!
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
If you aren’t familiar with what a capsule wardrobe is, I’ll quickly explain – a capsule wardrobe is where you take several pieces (15-20) that all work together within your wardrobe to interchange and get creative with. The point behind a capsule wardrobe is to minimize the number of items you have on hand while maximizing the number of ways you can wear each piece. From a creativity standpoint, it’s awesome – a capsule wardrobe will force you to be more intentional about making sure all items work together in multiple ways, which really will make you feel like you have a closet full of options with just a few pieces! This not only creates a lot less headache and time in the morning when deciding what to wear but also saves you money as well. I think we can agree that we like saving on all of the above.
HOW TO BUILD A SUMMER CAPSULE WARDROBE
For our Summer capsule wardrobe, we went with a light and airy color scheme while keeping the basics neutral to ensure their longevity in your closet! For this capsule, we included a few lightweight dresses [and a skirt!] to keep you cool during those warmer days, a classic denim jacket for breezy summer nights, two pairs of shorts, my go-to swimsuit, and few tops to mix and match! Of course, we couldn’t forget the accessories and included two summer-ready bags and decided to keep things simple with two basic pairs of shoes that are sure to be staples in your wardrobe! With just a handful of items we were able to come up with over 40 different looks that are perfect for all types of weather, occasions and [hopefully] events that Summer can bring. Curious what pieces we chose for our capsule? Here you have em’!
MEET THE PIECES IN THE SUMMER CAPSULE WARDROBE
Tops & Jackets:
- Floral Button-Down Cami [TTS, wearing small]
- V-Neck Sweater Tank Top [TTS, wearing small]
- Striped Slub-Knit V-Neck Tee [TTS, wearing small]
- Beachy Crewneck Sweater [TTS, wearing small]
- Tie Dyed Crew-Neck Sweatshirt [TTS, wearing small]
- Medium-Wash Jean Jacket [size up if in between, wearing small]
Bottoms:
- Paper-Bag Shorts [Size down if in between, wearing small but could do XS]
- Denim Shorts [size up if in between, wearing size 4]
- White Cut-Off Jean Skirt [true to size]
Dresses & Skirts:
- White Cut-Off Jean Skirt [true to size]
- Short Sleeve T-Shirt Dress [TTS, wearing small]
- Sleeveless Midi Dress [TTS, wearing small]
- Maxi Dress [TTS, wearing small]
Shoes, Swim, & Accessories:
- Round Rattan Bag
- Canvas Tote Bag
- Lace-up sneakers
- Faux Leather Flip Flop Sandals
- Slide Sandals
- Wedge Heels
- One-piece swimsuit [size up if in between, wearing small]
THE SUMMER CAPSULE WARDROBE *DRUMROLL PLEASE*
FIRST UP, CLASSIC DENIM SHORTS…
NEXT UP, LIGHTWEIGHT PAPERBAG SHORTS…
A SUMMER STAPLE, WHITE DENIM SKIRT…
NEXT IS A LIGHT & AIRY T-SHIRT DRESS…
AND A LIY FAVORITE – THE MIDI DRESS…
A MUST-HAVE MAXI DRESS…
Founder and creator of LIY, Erin turned her dream of a hobby blog into a full-time career which she now runs alongside the LIY team! When not in front of her computer screen [with a La Croix or wine in hand] or in front of a mirror taking mirror selfies, you can find Erin spending time on the water, cuddled up with her two pups and husband most likely watching the latest Shark Tank episode, or getting lost in an easy beach read.
Great picks. I would take out the jacket for summer and the maxi dress and exchange it with a bikini and one pair of summer heels. I have something similar, I have a core summer clothes and several additional pieces that I add in just for summer as needed. Some for work, some for date night etc. So far just enjoying summer and not even thinking about fall/winter.
I love this so much!! I am getting ready to pack for a three week trip to Maine and Chicago, so this covers all the bases. I also love that you used so much color, and I love your color choices. So many people publish capsule wardrobes with a black t and a white t, and it’s boring. Much of this is the kind of thing we might already have in our wardrobes, it is just a matter of putting it together.
Thanks so much for checking out the post, Robin! We’re so glad you found it helpful! Enjoy your trip, friend! xo -Claire
This is awesome. Do you have one for work outfits?? I am going back to work and my stuff is so out of style!!
Hi Reena, Claire here! You can check out all of our previous Capsule Wardrobes here: https://livinginyellow.com/?s=capsule Be sure to keep an eye out for a new Fall Work-Friendly capsule coming VERY soon! xo