NITK’s Summer Capsule Wardrobe

This simple summer capsule wardrobe is minimal, neutral, sophisticated, and practical. It will take you seamlessly from day to night, beach to banquet all summer long!

My Simple Summer Capsule Wardrobe

I’m shifting gears today to share my simple summer capsule wardrobe with you! A few years ago I began a journey into minimalism, looking to streamline many areas in my life and home, one notable area being my wardrobe.

I was craving simplicity and found that even with a closet full of clothes I didn’t like much of what I had and always felt like I “had nothing to wear”. I knew it was time for a change. I began to research capsule wardrobes and embarked on a one year clothing fast to discover what I really needed… it turned out to be much less than I had!

Fast forward a few years and I’ve fully transitioned into utilizing capsule wardrobes from season to season and it’s been hugely beneficial for time-saving, stress reduction, monetary savings, and less waste! If you are looking to transition to capsule wardrobes I hope my Summer Capsule Wardrobe can inspire you!

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is described according to InStyle as:

…a concise, curated selection of timeless clothing. It can vary from person to person based on our differing lifestyles, but the best pieces are the kind that can be worn at work, during cocktail hour, and dressed down on the weekend. With a capsule wardrobe, you never feel as though you have ‘nothing to wear.’ It’s assuring to know you only own pieces that can be paired easily and always look chic. It’s also great for the environment, as well as your wallet, to buy better and wear longer.

From season to season if you live somewhere like I do where the weather changes quite vastly, you can have a capsule that is different each season. When one season changes, you put away the clothes from one capsule into storage and bring out the other items from storage. Buying only a few key pieces you may need, and keeping pieces that work in every season.

I work within a Spring/Summer capsule and a Fall/Winter capsule, changing out a few items in the middle as needed.

How many pieces are in a summer capsule wardrobe?

When it comes to building your own summer capsule wardrobe there aren’t any specific rules as to how many pieces you should have, but the overall idea is that less is more.

My summer capsule contains 23 pieces (including two swimsuits) and a small selection of shoes and accessories. Some individuals work with just 10 or 15 pieces, and others might find 30 is more suitable.

Each and every piece should be able to be mixed and matched, dressed up or dressed down, is something you genuinely love, fits properly and comfortably, is well made, and is an item you can sell in the future when you are ready to retire it if you wish (given it is still in good condition).

The NITK Summer Capsule:

2. Oak & Fort black maxi sundress (similar/similar)

3. Zara mini gingham dress (similar)

4. Jenni Kayne leopard t-shirt dress (similar)

5. Shorts:

-Levi’s 501 denim shorts

-Madewell white denim shorts

-Madewell black pull-on shorts

6. Zara overshirt/jacket (similar)

7. Layering cardigans

-Aritzia white knit cardigan (similar/similar)

-Aritzia knit cardigan

8. Basic grey t-shirt

9. Everlane crewneck t-shirt (similar)

10. Aritzia black camisole top

11. Aritzia light cashmere sweater (similar)

12. Madewell perfect vintage jeans (similar – another pair I love!)

13. Maxi cardigan (similar)

14. Aritzia 1/4 zip sweatshirt

15. Aritzia linen button up/cover-up

16. Basic black tank top

17. The Plenty linen blend white top

18. Oak & Fort cotton midi skirt

19. Bags/Purses:

-woven tote (similar/similar)

-Oak & Fort black purse (similar)

20. Woven sun hat (similar/similar)

21. Swimwear:

-Aerie black two piece

-Frank & Oak reversible one piece

22. Accessories:

-Sunglasses

-Dainty necklace (similar)

-Aerie gingham scrunchie (I also love these)

23. Footwear:

-Poppy Barley commuter sandals

-Everlane running shoes (similar)

-Birkenstock sandals (similar)

–Block heel sandals (similar)

I carefully considered the items I would include in my capsule and these all fit the bill – practical, neutral, minimal, sophisticated, comfortable, and well made. For those I own that I could not find online, or might have other alternatives, I listed under “similar”.

Note: I did not include undergarments, lounge wear/pyjamas, and workout/exercise pieces as these are specific items worn for a specific purpose.

Outfit Inspiration:

Here are some ways I combine the items in my summer capsule wardrobe to take me from day to night, the beach, brunch, road tripping, and other fun summer activities!

As you can see there are tons of outfit combinations to create from a moderate selection of lovely neutral threads! This is the beauty of a capsule wardrobe. Each piece has a purpose and there are so many ways to enjoy every item again and again.

Helpful Tips & Guidelines

Buy gently used/secondhand items when possible (Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look, I often purchase “investment” pieces secondhand if it’s not in the budget to buy new).
Stick to neutrals and subtle netural patterns that can easily be mixed and matched.
Borrow items you might need for a one-time occasion (wedding, funeral, etc.) rather than buying something new.
Pay attention to fabrics and durability (make sure it feels good against your skin).
Comfort and fit comes first (you won’t wear items you find uncomfortable or don’t fit properly, make sure an item is a perfect comfortable fit or don’t buy it).
Invest (if possible) in high quality items (or look for items gently used as they will likely last much longer and can be sold on poshmark or facebook marketplace when you are ready to retire them).
Support ethical and/or sustainable brands when you can (these brands prioritize the ethical production of clothing, pay fair wages, and are environmentally focused). Every brand should have information about their sustainability/ethical efforts on their website under the About section and if you still aren’t sure where they stand — reach out and ask!

Do you create capsule wardrobes? Is this something new to you that you’d like to try? Tell me about it in the comments and be sure to pin the photo below to save this post for later!

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