Curating The Perfect Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe

By Eliana

Over the past decade, fashion has been characterized by its micro-seasons, with trends driving consumers to purchase more and more clothes. However, for most people, reality dictates that their wardrobe is defined by staples rather than trendy clothes. If you are new to the idea of curating the perfect capsule wardrobe for the warmer seasons the idea can appear daunting. Still, it is not as hard or as limiting as it might sound, so long as you know what to reach for.

1. Tops

The base of every spring and summer outfit is a good basic top. Specifically, there are three types of tops that you need in your wardrobe this season.

The Basic White Tee

The basic white tee should ideally be 100% cotton as cotton is a more breathable material for the summer. You can choose the length of the sleeve based on your preference, but longer sleeves can often be a great option as they protect fully your shoulders. The white tee can be paired with everything, from trench coats and jeans to tailored pants or a skirt. This is what makes it the ultimate basic for hot weather season.

The Button Up

A button-up is a must-have in every wardrobe. From white cotton to linen button ups this is the type of shirt that can take you from business casual to the perfect brunch outfit within minutes. Linen shirts in particular can be the perfect option for warm weather when you need to cover up. This is because of the breathability of the fabric which makes it the ideal clothing for sunny days.

The Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt or Sweater

One of the key characteristics of spring weather is that sometimes it will be warm but other times it can be windy, rainy, or even cold. This is why you always need to have some basic lightweight sweaters in your wardrobe for those days when you need warmer clothing. In terms of colors, try to opt for basics such as beige, light blue, shades of white and brown, and even some soft pinks and greens. These can usually be paired with a variety of colors without much trouble.

2. Outerwear

Much like with the tops, there are three types of outerwear that you need to include in your spring and summer wardrobe.

The Trench Coat

The trench coat is a must-have spring item, lightweight but structured enough to provide a stylistic addition to every outfit. More importantly, depending on the weather conditions you can choose either a lighter or heavier trench coat that will compliment your outfit.

The Blazer

For a long time, the blazer was considered workwear rather than something women could casually wear out. However, times have long changed and a blazer is no longer associated with boring days at the office. Instead, a nice blazer can be paired with a simple white shirt or even a slip dress for lunch, it can be a great cover-up for a dinner or a night event and can be the addition to your wardrobe that takes your outfits from day to night.

3. Trousers

When it comes to bottoms you can choose a million pants and skirts for your closet, but like most people, chances are that you will often feel drawn to these two basics.

The Jeans

When it comes to jeans the biggest mistake people make is following trends. Those denim skirts or jackets might go out of fashion, but a pair of high-quality classic denim will always be in style. When it comes to denim always go for more conventional styles that will stand the test of time, rather than feeling like you have to follow each trend that exists.

The Tailored Pants

A well-tailored pair of pants in a neutral color, whether that be black or beige can help you create thousands of outfits from your capsule wardrobe. Tailored pants can often fit more comfortably than denim, which makes them great for traveling season. Much like many of the items from this list, they can also be worn in more casual as well as more formal situations, making them the ideal clothing item for your closet.

Final Thoughts

Building your spring and summer capsule wardrobe has never been easier. The key is to focus on neutral colors and light breathable fabrics that can be worn both during the day and the evening. More than anything remembers these are just the base of your wardrobe and are there to help make your everyday life easier, so try to keep it simple and personalized to your style and needs.

Eliana is a writer and filmmaker with a deep passion for history and culture. She loves spending her time either in an archive or exploring different countries. For the past five years, she has worked as a copywriter and editor for a variety of publications.