In this blog post, we’ll dive into the concept of a 10 Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe and explore how it can revolutionize your approach to dressing.
But before we get into it, let’s address the elephant in the room. Ten pieces for an entire season is pretty extreme. After all, we live in a world where trends change faster than the seasons themselves!
To prove that it’s possible to wear just 10 pieces all summer long, I’ll be sharing my personal 10 piece summer capsule wardrobe. I’ll also offer up 5 important questions to ask yourself when curating your very own summer capsule wardrobe.
What Is a Summer Capsule Wardrobe?
But first, what is a summer capsule wardrobe?
A summer capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of clothing pieces specifically chosen to meet your needs during the summer season.
Having a summer capsule wardrobe offers several benefits including:
- Simplicity and reduced decision-making: A capsule wardrobe simplifies your clothing choices which eliminates decision fatigue. We make over 35,000 decisions every day, and those decisions take time, energy and create stress in our lives. By not having to ask yourself, ‘what do I wear today?’ you will feel more energized and make better choices in other areas of your life.
- Efficient use of space: By curating a smaller wardrobe, you’ll free up closet space and reduce clutter. This allows for better organization, making it easier to find and access your favorite summer pieces.
- Time and money savings: With a well-planned summer capsule wardrobe, you can avoid impulse buying and unnecessary shopping trips. You’ll spend less time and money constantly updating your wardrobe.
- Increased awareness and personal style: As you curate your capsule wardrobe, you’ll gain a better understanding of your personal style, what pieces you truly enjoy wearing, and what works best for your lifestyle.
- Travel-friendly: A summer capsule wardrobe is ideal for travel, as it allows you to pack light and efficiently. With a capsule wardrobe, you won’t think twice when packing for your summer getaways.
Now, let’s get into the 5 most important questions to ask yourself when building a summer capsule wardrobe.
5 Questions to Ask When Building a Summer Capsule Wardrobe
I’d like to point out that everyone’s style and lifestyle is unique. What is ‘essential’ to one person, may not be essential to another. If you hate wearing a white t-shirt and jeans – I won’t be suggesting that you do.
The point of a capsule wardrobe isn’t to embody a ‘minimalist aesthetic‘. It’s about finding your perfect balance between comfort, versatility, functionality and expressing your own personal style.
By answering these questions, you’ll gain clarity on what pieces will truly bring you joy and versatility throughout the summer season.
1. What are my go-to summer activities?
Understanding the types of activities and events you typically engage in during the summer will help you determine the key pieces you need in your capsule wardrobe. Whether it’s beach days, outdoor concerts, hikes or work events, consider where you spend most of your time during the summer.
2. What is the climate like during the summer in my area?
Take into account the specific climate of your location during the summer months. If it tends to be hot and humid, prioritize breathable fabrics and lightweight layers. If the weather is unpredictable, include a few transitional pieces like a lightweight cardigan or a denim jacket for cooler evenings or sudden temperature changes.
3. Would I be willing to borrow or rent certain items?
My capsule wardrobe reflects items I wear day to day. You’ll notice that I don’t own anything dressy. That’s because I rarely attend fancy events. But rarely doesn’t mean never. On the rare occasion that I find myself needing to dress up, I either rent or borrow something appropriate for the occasion.
If you want to live with less, you can’t be afraid to ask to borrow things when you need them. If you don’t have friends who wear the same size as you, you can rent items from websites like Nuuly and Rent the Runway, or be a part of a Buy Nothing group.
The Buy Nothing Project encourages people to create hyper-local groups where members can give away items they no longer need or borrow items from their neighbors. The concept is based on building strong community connections, reducing waste, and challenging the consumerist mindset by embracing a culture of sharing and resourcefulness.
4. Am I willing to do laundry more frequently?
When it comes to owning a 10-piece capsule wardrobe, it’s essential to ask yourself if you’re up for doing laundry more frequently. With fewer clothes in rotation, you won’t have the option to let your dirty clothes pile up. You’ll need to wash your clothes regularly to ensure you always have something clean to wear.
5. Why do I want to build a summer capsule wardrobe?
Setting intentions and understanding your “why” is key when curating a summer capsule wardrobe. So, ask yourself – are you seeking simplicity, freedom from decision fatigue, or a more sustainable lifestyle?
Understanding your “why” will help you stay focused and committed to your capsule wardrobe, even when faced with temptations.
My 10 Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe
Now, for what you’ve all been waiting for!
Below is my 10 piece summer capsule wardrobe. Keep in mind that my 10 Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe is simply a reference point to give you ideas and inspire you to live with less. Therefore, I will not be leaving links to these items. If you are interested in where I bought any of these items, leave a comment and I’ll message you!
1. Oversized t-shirt
You know how most of us have a comfort food? Well, my oversized t-shirt is definitely my ‘comfort item’. I just love wearing it. It’s perfectly worn in – making it incredibly comfortable. It’s also versatile – I’ll wear it around the house as an oversized shirt dress or tuck it into denim shorts when I go out.
2. Tank top
You can’t go wrong with a tank top during the summertime. Whether you opt for one that’s loose and flowy or cropped and fitted – it’s sure to be one of your most worn pieces all summer long. I wear mine to yoga class with leggings, out and about with a pair of denim shorts and casually with a pair of cloth shorts.
3. Sun shirt
Since moving to Washington state, one of my go to summer activities has been trail running. During those long days in the sun, my sun shirt has been a life saver. It features a deep, snug hood that doesn’t bounce while I’m running and is made of 100% recycled polyester jersey which feels light and soft – perfect for hot days. Plus, it’s moisture wicking and quick drying!
If you spend a lot of time outside, I highly recommend including a sun shirt in your summer capsule wardrobe.
4. Sweater
Where I live, the summers don’t get cold enough to need a jacket, but a sweater does come in handy. Mine is 100% cotton making it super comfortable. I love that it’s vintage and thrifted – it gives it a lot of personality!
5. Denim shorts
I love denim shorts in the summer. They’re so versatile and easy to wear. My go-to’s were actually jeans that I never wore and repurposed into shorts.
6. Comfy, cloth shorts
You can’t go wrong with a pair of cloth shorts in the summer – especially if you live somewhere really hot. If you’re not a shorts person – flowy pants are just as versatile.
7. Running shorts
Like I said – I love running. My running shorts get a ton of use during the summer and I wear them anytime I’m active. Because they’re black, they don’t stain easily, making them the perfect piece for all of my outdoor adventures.
8. Leggings
Whether I’m practicing yoga, lifting weights at the gym or planning to go out on a chillier summer night, owning a pair of leggings has come in handy! Mine are black – making them super versatile and easy to style.
9. Trail shoes
Are y’all sick of me talking about trail running yet? Well, here’s yet another trail running staple.
I couldn’t go a week in the summer without my trusty trail shoes.
10. Sneakers
Day to day, I live in my Converse. I’ve owned them for years and they’re now perfectly worn in and super comfortable. They’re lightweight – making them perfect for hot, summer days.
5 ‘Summer Staples’ I Don’t Own
While I have my trusty 10-piece capsule wardrobe, there are a few ‘summer staples’ that haven’t made it into my collection.
1. Swimsuit
The first ‘summer staple’ I don’t own is a swimsuit. Don’t get me wrong – I spend a lot of time swimming in the summer. However, I’ve found that wearing underwear and a sports bra has worked just as well as a traditional swimsuit.
2. Sandals
I don’t own a car which means that I rely on biking and walking to get around. Since sandals aren’t the most functional footwear choice when it comes to biking – they didn’t make the cut.
3. Sundress
I own one nice, summer dress but I don’t wear it often enough to include it in my summer capsule wardrobe. You won’t find any casual sundresses hanging in my closet for the same reason why you won’t find a pair of sandals. Since I live such an active lifestyle, they’re not super practical for me.
4. Wicker basket/bag
Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of a wicker basket and straw bag just as much as the next girl, but the thing is, I don’t love wearing a purse. I also don’t want to own a different bag for every season and a wicker bag just wouldn’t look right worn with a puffer jacket in the winter time. Instead, I own one backpack that I wear year round.
5. Linen pants
As an incredibly messy person, I try and avoid owning light colored clothing. Since linen pants are usually white or beige, I’m confident that if I owned a pair, they’d be covered in grass stains and bike grease within a week.
Disclaimer: Items Not Mentioned in This List
Now, for the disclaimer. There are some clothing pieces I wear during the summer that I didn’t include in my 10 piece capsule wardrobe. I didn’t include underwear, accessories or what I wear to work.
The office I work at is cold, regardless of the season. I have several outfits that I wear to work year round. I don’t wear those pieces day to day during the summer time so I chose not to include them.
When curating your summer capsule wardrobe, remember that there isn’t a strict rule book you need to follow. Find what works for you!
In Conclusion
It may seem extreme to limit your clothing choices to just ten pieces for an entire season, but the benefits are so worth it! The beauty of a 10 Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe lies in its ability to streamline your mornings, reduce decision fatigue, and promote a more intentional and sustainable lifestyle.
With this being said, if the thought of pairing down your wardrobe to just 10 pieces feels overwhelming, you can dip your toes into the minimalist fashion world instead! I’ve compiled a list of 10 ways to sample a minimalist capsule wardrobe before making a full commitment. Click here for 10 Ways to Sample a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe (Before You Commit).
What are your summer wardrobe essentials? Let me know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply