Your Summer Wardrobe Needs These 16 Basic Items
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Want to make your summer travels chic and easy? Create a summer capsule wardrobe! All of these items can easily fit into a single carry-on (or depending on your packing skills, maybe even a cool weekender bag). You’ll be set for any adventure that you may have during these longer days and hotter months that are right around the corner. But the most important part? Looking good and feeling good…because no one likes to walk around uncomfortable, sticky, and sweaty. I certainly don’t.
This is where your personalized summer capsule wardrobe will bring value to your wardrobe and make your life a whole lot easier. With this capsule collection, you can create more than 20 outfits with just 15 essentials. (There are some extra accessories on this list to help your looks shine even more, but not required.) While not every item on our list may fit your personal style, we hope that you take inspiration from our favorites to make dressing up this summer stress-free and make dressing casually even easier.
Summer Capsule Wardrobe Essentials
Tops
Relaxed Shirts
A relaxed, buttoned shirt is an absolute essential when it comes to your summer capsule wardrobe—it’s flattering, comfortable, and versatile. Maybe it’s the buttons or maybe it’s the collar, but this shirt will keep your casual outfits feeling elevated, or can be styled appropriately when you need to dress more formally. I suggest a solid white button-up shirt, but if you’re in the mood to play with color—go for it! Try other versatile colors, such as light blue, beige, or a colorful pinstripe.
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Shirt |
Denim Shorts |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Shirt |
Pants |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Plain Tees
A cotton tee is essential for every season. I’m guilty of using my basics until they wear out, so if you’re like me, it's probably about that time to buy a new favorite basic tee. For summertime brightness, choose a white, black, gray, pink, or yellow hue.
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Tee |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Tee |
Denim Skirt |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Dressy Tops
Include a dressy top in your summer capsule wardrobe for the days that you want to feel a little fancy. We love satin or silk—the soft, shiny material of the blouse elevates an entire outfit. In addition to a traditional blouse, you could also consider adding something as simple as a flowy top or as dramatic as puff sleeves, if you are wanting to infuse more variety into your capsule styling. These extra details step up outfits in seconds. Plus, they’re comfy, flattering, and sexy.
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Silk Top |
Pants |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Silk Top |
Denim Skirt |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Tube Tops
Does the trick, just like your favorite plain tee. If you want to show off your sun-kissed skin or get a more even tan on your next vacay, a tube top is a comfy summer capsule essential.
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Tube Top |
Denim Skirt |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Shirt |
Tube Top |
Denim Skirt |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Light Jacket/Blazer
Depending on your locale, don’t forget a light jacket. Something lightweight—like a blazer—or a bit heavier—such as a quilted windbreaker—can be a versatile layer that will match with each of the outfits that you make from your summer capsule wardrobe. If your body runs warm or you don’t think it’s necessary to pack one, the relaxed shirt from this capsule will definitely work as an extra layer of warmth in a pinch.
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Blazer |
Tube Top |
Denim Skirt |
Sneakers |
Hat
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Blazer |
Shirt |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Earrings
Bottoms
Sundresses
I love wearing sundresses! They’re not only comfortable, but they’re also the perfect thing to put on when you’re feeling lazy, especially on vacation. While there are nearly endless options, I suggest a solid-colored dress that will match your favorite shoes and accessories. With summer not so far away, there are so many options to choose from you might even want two in your closet.
Shorts
A good pair of denim shorts is another wardrobe essential for summer, no matter where you may be adventuring—lounging at home or strolling by the beach on a tropical island. These will be your go-to bottoms all season long and the base of so many outfits that you can choose from. Much like jeans, denim shorts come in all different sizes, lengths, rises, and washes, so choose whatever styles that you like best. But, for a more trendy option: longer, baggy shorts are a popular style that are worth trying!
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Tube Top |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Shirt |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Wide Leg Pants
The stretchier, the better! Loose, flowy clothing is always a good option during the summer, so black wide leg pants (bonus: with an adjustable waistband!) is a pair of bottoms that you’ll love long after summer is over. These pants will look great with anything in the capsule…and probably your whole closet, too.
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Tube Top |
Pants |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Denim Maxi Skirt
A slight change from your favorite denim jeans or shorts, a denim maxi skirt will give your outfit a bit of extra coverage, or maybe even warmth on a cool summer night. This is another summer capsule bottom that will create so many summer-ready outfits!
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Shirt |
Denim Skirt |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Tee |
Denim Skirt |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Shoes
Leather Sandals
Sure, any sandals could work, but I say leather sandals as they’re a more durable option in addition to making each of your capsule wardrobe outfits look more elevated. I’m a fan of platform sandals, but flat leather slides are also a fashionable and versatile option to include in your capsule wardrobe.
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Silk Top |
Denim Shorts |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Comfortable Sneakers
A big summer trend is colorful sneakers, including neon color combinations or solid, bright colors. Summer has a way of inspiring more activity, but don’t forsake comfort for style. We promise, there’s a way to do both by choosing the right pair of sneakers! While you might already have a style in mind, we are fans of Vans, Sambas, AllBirds, Gazelles, Vejas, and Chuck Taylors if you’re in need of some extra inspo.
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Tee |
Pants |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Hat
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Silk Top |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Summer Capsule Accessories
Sunglasses
I’ll admit, I feel as though you can never have too many pairs of sunglasses. With that said, this is the season to try a new style or color, especially with all of the sun that you’ll be soaking in. Oval-shaped frames are in and are flattering on all face shapes, so give them a try.
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Shirt |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Handbag
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Tube Top |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Sunglasses |
Handbag
Gold Hoops
Gold hoops should be part of any capsule wardrobe—spring, summer, fall, or winter. Make sure to include your favorite pair or try out a new style such as thin hoops, huggies, or more avant-garde shaped hoops.
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Shirt |
Bikini Top |
Bikini Bottom |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
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Blazer |
Dress |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Swimsuit
You can’t forget a bathing suit! (Or maybe two—hey, they’re light and easy to pack!) A solid-colored bikini or one-piece bathing suit is a good way to go. Not only will they not go out of style, but they can also double as comfortable, casual tops or bodysuits for those extra hot days. We suggest buying a bathing suit in black, red, white, or dark brown for maximum versatility.
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Shirt |
Bikini Top |
Bikini Bottom |
Sandals |
Hat
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Bikini Top |
Denim Skirt |
Sandals |
Sunglasses |
Earrings
Baseball Hat / ‘Dad’ Cap
I blame Taylor Swift for this…just kidding. However, her bright green cap at Coachella reminds me that a baseball cap is just as practical as it is cute. You’ll also see tons of celebrities wearing trendy baseball hats or “Dad caps” to add an edgy touch to any outfit, especially if they have a bold statement written across. Plus, the caps offer that extra shade you need for lazy makeup days, blinding sunlight, and skin protection.
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Shirt |
Denim Shorts |
Sneakers |
Earrings |
Hat
SPF
Sure, it’s not exactly a fashion item, but more than any other season, a sunblock with SPF (one for your face and another for your body) is a crucial layer. Actually, I will say it’s a summer essential. If you’re frequently on the go or don’t have time for a skincare routine before you leave the house in the morning, consider carrying a sunblock stick or travel size lotion in our purse. Let’s just say this is a friendly reminder to put your SPF on every day!
