Summer Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

I can’t believe that I lived without central air conditioning as a child and that I actually went outside in the heat and enjoyed myself…because I sure as shit won’t do that now.

I am wearing the new sundress that I love. I can go braless in it so it’s keeping everything nice and breezy underneath. There is still sweat dripping down my body but at least my clothes aren’t sticking to it.

I decided that this week I am going to put together a list of pieces that I considered an essential part of a well-rounded capsule wardrobe.

Does one need them all? No.

Can this list make its own small summer capsule wardrobe instead of adding what you already own? Yes, it mixes and matches together really well.

Here are the pieces that I deem essential in having a well rounded summer capsule wardrobe 2021.

A White T-shirt

A white t-shirt is a wardrobe staple during any season, but for summer I decided to embrace a trend. The trend is for the shoulder pad top, but if you are like me the shoulder pads look really weird on you. So I opted for the shoulder pad look minus the actual bulk. Win-Win.

But if you are not into this style and are looking for something more classic then maybe try a white tee in cotton or linen for some breathability.

Stripes, Stripes, Stripes

The classic striped would be a Breton but in the summer you probably want something a little cooler. This short-sleeved striped bodysuit is a good option.

What I love about bodysuits are that you never have to worry about bulk or tucking. Everything remains smooth, making dressing very easy. I just bought this one from Zara. I am not usually into tank top style straps but it will look great with something over it.

Cropped Top

Like I mentioned before, I wasn’t not going to touch this trend with a 10ft pole. Then I changed my mind. They are really hard to avoid since they are so on-trend. It seems that every second shirt has a cropped waistline now when I am shopping.

The trick is to find one in a moderate length. One that pairs up nicely with some high-waisted pants.

I bought one in white and recently ordered the same one in black for variety. H&M has a white cropped top that is actually quite long for a crop and only costs $12.99 if you wanted to dip your toe in the trend. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it is a fun one.

A Button-Up

I wear a button-up in all four seasons. As long as it is in either 100% cotton or linen it is comfortable even in summer. It’s always a good idea to have one if you need a polished look in a pinch.

Even with a messy tuck and half rolled-up sleeves, it looks fantastic when paired with sleek, pulled back hair, and a necklace or gold hoop earrings.

Blue is the trendy colour right now, but you can never go wrong with white.

As for the fit? Oversized all the way.

Oversized Blazer and Oversized Denim Jacket

Notice the trend here? Oversized is the look of the season, so not only does it look great, but it also feels great because it is loose instead of fitted.

The goal is to appear as if you have stolen your boyfriend’s/husband’s jacket, so retire those fitted jackets for now (especially the denim) and find yourself something oversized.

A Black Dress

There are so many dress styles this season but honestly, I am not feeling most of them. I am not interested in wearing bodycon. I don’t really enjoy the milkmaid look. and the pleated front with wide sleeves is okay, but just doesn’t look that comfortable to me.

I like things that are versatile and a looser fit. The black dress that I chose for this 2021 summer capsule wardrobe is the one that I got from Everlane last year and it sold out fast. They released it again this year and it will probably go quick as well.

I love the loose breezy fit, midi length, and the fact that it has pockets. You can see how I styled it in my How to Wear a Black Dress in Every Season post.

I also wore it yesterday.

Linen Pants

I included both a cropped pair as well as a longer trouser style in light and dark colours. If you are 5.5″ and above I would go for the full length. I am 5’3″ and when I tried them I felt that they were just a tad too long for me to wear with flat sandals without getting them hemmed.

And since everything is still closed here, a professional hem job is not an option right now. I suck at hemming so I opted for the cropped cut instead. They fit my frame better. I would also suggest sizing down, as they were pretty loose-fitting, it just depends on how you like the fit.

Basket Bag

I have not bought one for this season yet, but it can be found everywhere at every price point and size. If you are looking to splurge then the Loewe Basket Bag Medium is the one on everybody’s wishlist.

The one I included is a smaller style, but there is also a larger bag if you need something with a little more room to carry your life in. They really tie a summer look together and are easy to carry.

Footwear: Sneakers, Dad Sandals, and Slides

If you only get three pairs of shoes this season then let these be them. Sneakers are my ride or die shoe. I wear them with anything and everything.

Dad sandals aka sports sandals have been around forever. Remember when we made fun of dads wearing them with white socks? No longer. I have a solid black pair, but I also love the red for a bit of colour variety.

Slides, puffy or regular you can really go wrong. I personally love the look and feel of the puffy sandal, in which I own a black and bright light blue pair. Black is always a reliable choice, but oh what fun it would be to get them in something really bold like orange, pink or yellow.

I wear a lot of darker colours and neutrals, but I will often get my shoes in a bolder colour for some visual interest.

That is my round-up of summer wardrobe essential 2021 for you. Any of these pieces would integrate well into any wardrobe to add some fun and variety, especially if you’re like me and tend to carry over the same pieces through every season.

Don’t jump on every trend because that is wasteful, expensive and ridiculous in my opinion, but sometimes it is nice to include 1 or 2 per season for a summer wardrobe refresher.

Stay safe.

You might also like:
13 Summer Trends That You Should Add To Your Wardrobe Right Now
How to Build a Summer Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget 2021
How to Build a Summer Capsule Wardrobe
5 Spring Outfits That Transition to Summer
8 Spring Outfits That Transition to Summer Part 2

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