Summer Capsule Wardrobe - Bring On The Heat

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Summer capsule wardrobe time already? Yes, on June 20th, summer officially begins. After living at my sister’s for about 7 months on a minimalist wardrobe I realized I liked it. It then got me thinking of a capsule wardrobe. For those of you who aren’t aware, a capsule wardrobe is “a term used in American publications as early as the 1940s to denote a small collection of garments designed to be worn together which harmonized in color and line. The aim was to update this collection with seasonal pieces to provide something to wear for any occasion without buying many new items of clothing.” I’m going to use the term loosely because I see it more as buying a few new items each season to enhance my current wardrobe. I’ve chosen 14 items that can be interchanged with each other as well as paired with items you already own. When appropriate, I’ve noted the items that you will already have in your closet. Ready to jump in? Let’s go!

1. Old Navy -High-Waisted Textured-Twill Utility Ankle Pants | 2. Everlane – The Easy Pant | 3. Quince – Organic Pima V Neck Tee | 4. Silk & Salt – PLEATS & THANK YOU TOP – DARK STONE | 5. Marine Layer – Allison Pant in SF Toile Print | 6. JCrew Factory – Linen-cotton drawstring pant | 7. Sèzane – ANDRÉ T-SHIRT | 8. Albion – HEATHER CHARCOAL DESTINATION JOGGERS | 9. Summersalt – The Ruffle Oasis | 10. Maison Me – Très Bien Adult Sweatshirt, Sky Blue | 11. mûre + grand – C’Est La Vie Graphic Tshirt | 12. Loft – Everyday V-Neck Tee | 13. Express – Dolman Puff Sleeve Crew Neck Tee | 14. Old Navy – Extra High-Waisted Vintage Tie-Dyed Sweat Shorts for Women — 5-inch inseam

The goal is that you can mix and match these items with each other, or the clothes you currently own. For example, I’m betting most people own jeans, jean shorts, black skirts, etc. We will go in numeric order and you’ll be able to see the combinations for the summer capsule in each picture.

Old Navy -High-Waisted Textured-Twill Utility Ankle Pant

Blue Shirt | Striped Shirt | Nordstrom – Madewell – Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee | Red Blouse

First up in the summer capsule collection are these twill ankle pants from Old Navy. They look comfy – and as you’ll see going forward, none of these pants I chose are ‘hard pants’ – meaning no zips or buttons to hold you in. After a year of wearing only elastic, I’m wondering if I will ever wear those again – and more importantly, do I want to? The only one that might be a head scratcher is the blue Quince Pima t-shirt, but I like to think of it as the ocean meets the grass. What a relaxing state to be in, am I right?

Everlane – The Easy Pant

White pants are a staple of summer, aren’t they? These again have an elastic waistband but look very professional and put together. You can be comfortable and chic – best of both worlds. I threw the sweatshirt in there because some people (looking at my sister and mother) are cold no matter what time of year. I’m sure you all know my love of all things French, so that and the Paris shirt play into that, especially since I can’t go this year.

Quince – Organic Pima V Neck Tee

This is such a pretty blue shirt. It would look great with just about anything. You can dress it up by wearing the black pencil skirt. I’ve talked about my love of pencils skirts before, but it’s such an easy way to make an outfit look chic and professional. I also think the tie dye shorts with the blue top is a great working at home outfit because it’s so comfortable.

Silk & Salt – PLEATS & THANK YOU TOP – DARK STONE

This swingy tank top is a must for the summer capsule. To me, summer is all about tank tops and this one has a sophisticated look about it. It’s another top you can dress up and dress down easily. In fact, if you have a zoom call, you can throw a blazer over it and instantly look professional. I’m not 100% that the black and white toile print pants will work. The whites may be off by a wee bit, but you could get away with it.

Marine Layer – Allison Pant in SF Toile Print

Blue Shirt | Striped Shirt | Orange V-Neck | Black Shirt

Why did I add these to my list for a summer capsule wardrobe? I think everyone should have some fun items in their closet that might not seem practical. These are those pants. Since the black and white is pretty neutral, I would wear pretty much any top with it. I also like the idea of mixing patterns with the striped red top. It’s a lot of outfit, a definite look at me one, but also just darn fun.

JCrew Factory – Linen-cotton drawstring pant

I know the surprise to this group is the bathing suit. When it’s summer, you need a bathing suit, right? These pants could serve as a cover up as well. Or, you could wear the bathing suit as a bodysuit because it’s that cute.

Sèzane – ANDRÉ T-SHIRT

As a wanna-be French gal, Sèzane is the store where I think all chic Parisian women shop. Most of the clothes there are expensive and I’m not entirely sure they will fit me. However, the t-shirts seem like they will and they’re also priced well. I also love this print. It’s sophisticated, pretty, and a little funky all at once.

Albion – HEATHER CHARCOAL DESTINATION JOGGERS

I love joggers. Bottom line – there is nothing as comfy as joggers. All of these tops will go with these pants and I’m here for all of them.

Summersalt – The Ruffle Oasis

Bet you weren’t expecting any outfit ideas for a bathing suit! I’m rather into the idea of using it like a bodysuit and wearing all of these items. Who is going to know? I sure won’t tell.

Maison Me – Très Bien Adult Sweatshirt, Sky Blue

A sweatshirt in summer? Are you kidding me? Nope, hear me out. In a lot of states, especially the ones that are near the water, it can get cold at night. That’s when you bust out this blue baby. I also like the idea of wearing it with a skirt and some sneakers. It’s a vibe. (Also I have the sneakers and they are super comfortable! Shout out to my sis on that one!)

mûre + grand – C’Est La Vie Graphic Tshirt

Gray Pants | Tie Dye Shorts | White Pants | Jeans | Black Pants

Two Parisian items of clothing in a row, now I’m pushing it. Tee hee. Isn’t this shirt so fun? I couldn’t leave it out of the summer capsule wardrobe items. This is a shirt I could see myself wearing every week – I’d probably wear it so much I’d get holes in it from washing it so much. I also think the pinks in the shirt go wonderfully well with the tie dye shorts! Now that’s a fun outfit.

Loft – Everyday V-Neck Tee

Green Pants | White Pants | Black Pants | Gray Pants

I own this shirt but in a mustard yellow-ish color. It’s super comfortable and looks chic which is everything you want in a shirt. It also has a nice shape; a little boxy, but not too much. I give it 5 stars.

Express – Dolman Puff Sleeve Crew Neck Tee

This is a beautiful blouse; the color, the cut, the slightly billowing sleeves, all of it. I love that it can go with just about anything. I even like the way Express paired it in their picture – with the jean shorts. What a fun look that is – a bit of a party feel but also comfy with the shorts.

Old Navy – Extra High-Waisted Vintage Tie-Dyed Sweat Shorts for Women — 5-inch inseam

Blue Shirt | Paris T-shirt | Très Bien Sweatshirt | White Tank Top

If you hadn’t noticed, there’s a tie dye trend that ain’t dying yet. I haven’t jumped on the trend because I haven’t loved it that much. These shorts have changed my mind. They’re a nice length, I like the amount of tie dye, and they’re a great price since they’re from Old Navy. I could see myself running around this summer chasing my 2 year-old nephew in these shorts.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Have you ever thought about doing a capsule wardrobe? Has this influenced you to try? Look at all the outfits you can get out of only 14 items of clothing! Let me know what you think in the comments.

Summer Capsule Wardrobe – Bring On The Heat