The Messy Girl Summer Capsule Wardrobe

In showing up with a chipped manicure, or a bag that isn’t pristine but well-loved, beat up, and full of the things you may or may not need.

Kind of like a Mary Poppins bag.

It’s less about being completely dishevelled and more about embracing the romance of real life.

Even though my personal dressing motto is “always a little bit dishevelled”.

What Is the Messy Girl Aesthetic?

The messy girl aesthetic draws heavily from the indie sleaze movement that dominated the late 2000s and early 2010s, when style icons like Alexa Chung, Chloë Sevigny, and Sky Ferreira made looking slightly hungover seem impossibly chic.

Many of us lived this, many of us still embody this vibe…raises hand over here.

But where indie sleaze was often tinged with a certain darkness, today’s messy girl aesthetic has evolved into something more.

It is more of a soft, slightly chaotic energy that says, “I’m feeling things, and I’m not going to hide it.”

She’s a little undone but effortlessly stylish in a way that looks thrown together but actually tells a story.

She’s not trying to be trendy or the “it girl.” She’s not even trying to be put together. She’s just… being.

As we dive into summer, this effortlessly dishevelled style offers the perfect antidote to overly curated feeds and pristine outfits that feel too precious to actually live in.

There’s something deeply comforting in the idea that you can be late, overwhelmed, emotional, and still be captivating.

You don’t have to be the clean girl with matching loungewear, but you aren’t the hot mess express either.

Her Closet is A Messy Masterpiece

The fashion part of the messy girl aesthetic is all about texture, comfort, and contrast.

It’s oversized sweaters slipping off one shoulder. A lace slip dress paired with worn-in boots and a men’s blazer.

Her clothes aren’t pristine, they are lived in.

This wardrobe leans heavily on thrifted finds, pieces that look like they could tell a story, or items that feel like they were worn by a character in an indie film.

Nothing’s perfectly matched, and that’s the point.

Building Your Foundation Pieces

Creating a messy girl summer capsule starts with understanding that versatility trumps trends.

Your foundation should consist of pieces that look good, whether they’re crisp and fresh or slightly wrinkled from being tossed in your bag.

Think fabrics that embrace texture and movement, cotton that gets softer with each wash, linen that is meant to wrinkle, and jersey knits that drape beautifully regardless of how carelessly they’re styled.

The perfect messy girl summer wardrobe begins with a collection of oversized button-downs in classic colours.

These aren’t meant to fit perfectly; they should pool slightly at your wrists and hit at just the right length to knot at your waist or wear untucked over shorts.

Look for vintage-inspired cuts with slightly dropped shoulders that give you that borrowed from someone else’s closet feeling that’s central to the aesthetic.

I included the bloomer pants that I recently bought. These work for the exact vibe of this style but could easily be boho, or even minimalist depending on how you wear and pair them.

Think Converse Chuck Taylors that have walked through puddles, Vans that have seen countless concerts, or vintage Adidas with slightly yellowed soles because you have had them forever.

The goal is shoes that look like they’ve been places with you, developing their own patina through shared adventures.

For dressier occasions, opt for shoes with personality over perfection.

Mary Janes with slight scuffing, loafers that have molded to your feet, ballet flats worn thin at the heel, espadrilles with slightly fraying edges, or vintage boots with genuine wear marks.

All embody the aesthetic’s celebration of authentic use over pristine appearance.

Bags in the messy girl universe should be practical first, stylish second.

A canvas tote bag with a mysterious stain, a leather bag that’s been broken in well, or a vintage clutch that you found at the thrift store, and it still had stuff from the previous owner in it.

I once thrifted a bag that still had a really old pack of cigarettes in it. And I think I loved it more for that reason.

The ideal bag looks like it could contain anything from art supplies to your latest thrift store find, always ready for spontaneous adventures.

Avoid anything too structured or precious, your bag should be something you’d trust with your laptop, your makeup, and that interesting rock you picked up on a walk.

It needs to looked lived in like the Olsen twins’ designer bags. They use the shit out of their bags and I love them for that.

Jewellery becomes deeply personal in this aesthetic, often mixing metals, styles, and stories in ways that conventional wisdom would discourage.

Layer delicate chains of different lengths, some tarnished silver mixed with warm gold, perhaps with small pendants that mean something to you, or at least look like they do.

Rings should be worn on multiple fingers, stacked and mismatched, including the one you never take off, even though it’s slightly bent.

Hair accessories work best when they appear functional, a silk scarf tied around a messy bun, bobby pins left slightly visible, or hair ties worn around your wrist like bracelets.

Think cream, off-white, and dove grey rather than perfectly matched sets.

Cardigans deserve special attention in this aesthetic.

It should be the kind of piece that you reach for constantly, soft enough to sleep in, structured enough to wear to brunch, and versatile enough to throw over a slip dress for an impromptu evening out.

Embracing Your Personal Messy Girl Style

The beauty of the messy girl aesthetic lies in its adaptability to different personalities and lifestyles.

For the creative professional, this might mean pairing paint-splattered vintage jeans with a silk camisole and blazer that’s seen better days but still makes you feel powerful.

For the student, it could be flowing skirts with band tees and sneakers that have walked across campus a thousand times.

The key is identifying which elements of controlled chaos speak to your authentic self.

Maybe you’re drawn to the romantic side, flowing fabrics, delicate jewellery that’s slightly tarnished, and the kind of messy bun that suggests you’ve been reading curled up on a chair for hours.

Perhaps you lean more toward the grungy interpretation, with ripped denim, oversized flannels tied around your waist, and combat boots that have seen some adventures.

Your personal messy girl style should feel like an extension of your actual life, not a costume you put on.

The goal is to look like the most interesting version of yourself.

Smart Shopping Strategies

Building this wardrobe doesn’t require a massive budget or a complete closet overhaul. Start by shopping your own closet with fresh eyes.

That button-down you’ve been wearing to work meetings? Try it knotted over a slip dress.

Those jeans you thought were too loose? They might be perfect for this aesthetic when cuffed and paired with a fitted tank. Or even try rolling the waistband.

Thrift stores and vintage shops are goldmines for messy girl essentials.

Look for pieces with character, like a blazer with interesting buttons, a denim jacket with fading and an ink stain that adds rather than detracts from its charm, or band tees from concerts you never attended but somehow feel connected to.

The goal is finding pieces that feel like they have history, whether or not you were part of writing it.

When shopping for new, focus on brands that prioritize comfort and lived-in appeal over crisp perfection.

Look for pieces in natural fabrics that will age beautifully, embracing wrinkles and fading rather than fighting them.

Quality basics in neutral tones will serve you better than trendy pieces that scream for attention.

Styling Tips for Authentic Imperfection

The magic of the messy girl aesthetic happens in the details.

The way you style your hair to look like you just ran your fingers through it, the slightly smudged mascara that suggests you’ve been laughing too hard, the jewellery that’s layered in a way that seems accidental but somehow perfectly balanced.

Learn to embrace the beauty of imperfection in your styling choices.

Haphazardly tuck your shirt in. Roll your sleeves to slightly different lengths. Let your hair have texture and movement instead of fighting its natural patterns.

The goal is to look like you’re too busy living your interesting life to spend hours perfecting your appearance, even if you secretly spent those twenty minutes getting everything just right.

Remember that confidence is your best accessory.

The messy girl aesthetic only works when it feels authentic to who you are. It’s not about looking careless, it’s about looking like you’re comfortable in your own skin, unafraid of imperfection, and ready for whatever adventure the day might bring.