my summer capsule wardrobe

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I’ve been mentioning that I’m in the process of determining my personal style and putting together capsule wardrobes for each season. Recently I was able to purchase some sorely needed summer items, and as of now I feel pretty good about what I have. The following clothes are what I’m wearing almost exclusively, apart from a few items that I have in duplicate colors.

summer capsule wardrobe shirts

black pullover / black striped shirt (maternity from Ross)

baseball tee (Gap, in stores) / gray striped shirt (Gap, in stores) / gray sleeveless henley

white shirt (Gap, in stores) / cream tank / black & cream striped shirt (maternity from Ross)

army green open tee (old from Target) / green v-neck / flowered shirt (maternity from Ross)

chambray button-down / blue tank (Gap, in stores) / blue & gray striped pullover

You’ll notice I have a lot of stuff from Gap. They have great neutral basics that fit me well so I just go with it. I also tried to buy some maternity shirts that would transition past pregnancy and I got a few that work.

summer capsule wardrobe bottoms

black dress (THML Clothing, from Stitch Fix)/ gray striped maxi skirt (Ross)

white pants (Banana Republic, old)/ skinny jeans / cutoff jean shorts (old Gap jeans that I literally cut off)

black shorts (Banana Republic, old) / skinny bermuda jean shorts (light wash in stores) / gray linen roll-up shorts (Gap, in stores)

To church I wear the dress, skirt, or white pants (and btw those don’t look like much in this photo, but they are super flattering). Most of the time I have on shorts because it is insanely hot. I don’t wear jeans much in the summer but they come in handy sometimes. Wearing scrubs to work everyday does have its advantages.

summer capsule wardrobe shoes

Rainbow sandals / black Tevas

white sandals(mine are similar) / brown gladiator sandals

black Toms / gray sneakers

I could definitely get by without much trouble with these pieces, but there are a few more that I’d like to add eventually. A couple more casual dresses, a graphic tee, some kind of vest, a light wash chambray shirt (short sleeved), some kind of clog sandal, and maybe some versatile flats. But really, this is it!

I think this capsule wardrobe should last me well past the technical beginning of autumn because of our climate. In fact, I may only need three capsules: summer, transition, and winter. “Winter” is relative, of course, and will encompass the colder days of autumn as well. “Transition” would most likely just add some boots and layers, and replace some of the shorts with jeans & pants. I’ll have to think about it.

What are your go-to items of clothing for summer?

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Comments

9 responses to “my summer capsule wardrobe”

July 22, 2014

lauren w

I love this. I’m so inspired, but so scared to get rid of things.

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July 22, 2014

Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout

How awesome that you posted this today. I think I found the Unfancy link from your site, and I’ve been playing around with a capsule wardrobe too. Mine is tricky though, because it has to encompass both business casual attire for work and more laid back stuff for weekends/evenings. I found a pretty good set of clothes, but several of them are pretty shabby because I haven’t been replacing my clothes as regularly since I’ve been in and out of maternity wear for the past 4 years. I tried to make my summer capsule almost exclusively out of clothes I already own, but I’m excited to be a little more intentional about the fall one and do some shopping to fill in gaps. I *really* need a new pair of jeans!

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July 22, 2014

Kara

In the summer I wear I ridiculous amount of ribbed tanks. I’m sure I have almost a dozen of them! For bottoms I just rotate through jean shorts, and on my feet I wear a pair of black sandals I bought from Target, or a cheap pair of flip flops around the yard.

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July 22, 2014

Nikki

I tend to go with colorful or patterned shorts with a solid t-shirt (Everlane has great basics) or sleeveless top (not cotton tanks). I like to have big color somewhere, and a contrasting color in my jewelry. Lightweight fun scarves are an easy way to put a pop of color into any neutral outfit! Or a fun colored long necklace (Kendra Scott yay! only on sale ha). I don’t do a capsule wardrobe though… I don’t think I could handle it! I like to have options – though if I’m honest, I probably have like 10 tops and 5 bottoms that I really just repeat over and over.

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July 22, 2014

Becca Hoelscher

I want to try this. I have a LONG way to go!

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July 22, 2014

Melanie

Fun! Love my black tevas! I bought a couple drapey tanks and have a couple Vneck tees I’ve been wearing a lot. One pair of dark denim Bermuda length shorts I wear all the time, a pair of cutoffs, a pair of khaki shorts, and athletic clothes, of course! Too hot for layers
here, but I also have my eye on a vest-crocheted or open weave type. Maybe for fall. :)

I also followed your link to unfancy, I’ve enjoyed browsing over there!

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July 23, 2014

Nora

I’ve never been to Ross but I must go if they such adorable maxi skirts. Those are one of my favorite things to wear these days.

I wear a lot of stripes, black tops and pants (to work) and then maxi dresses or skirts on the weekend, with a casual short sleeved t-shirt. I’m moving more towards the simple with the outfits and trying to pick a necklace and bracelets that works with each as the week moves forward. So far it’s working for me.

BTW- you have the cutest hangers ever!

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July 27, 2014

Melissa

I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe and really like so many of the pieces you have here! I actually have the exact same pair of NB sneaks and love them! I’ve been wearing them to OU football game days the past couple seasons. They’re so cute without being too “athletic shoe” looking – if that make sense :)

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August 3, 2014

Akaleistar

I love the idea of putting together a capsule wardrobe! It’s amazing the looks you can but together with only a few pieces :)

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