8 Pieces, 15 Outfits: Inside My Anti-Trend Summer Capsule Wardrobe
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Maybe it’s the wisdom that comes with age, or maybe it’s just that my outfits tend to get simpler and simpler in the summer months, but ever since I entered my 30s, I’ve derived so much more pleasure in outfit repeating. I’m not talking about wearing my favorite shirt a few different ways, but truly wearing and rewearing the same few pieces over and over and over again to the point where I’ve outsmarted my shopping urge (well, mostly).
Capsule wardrobes are one of those fashion stereotypes that always seem to be better in theory than in practice, but as someone who usually jumps at the latest trends, I’ve been challenging myself instead to get creative with styling what I already have instead of buying anything new for summer. Trust me—it’s been hard, but my wallet is getting a much-needed breather. Over the past several months, I’ve quieted my usually strong shopping itch, and I have this warm-weather capsule wardrobe I’ve created to thank for it.
Just eight articles of clothing (two outer layers, two tops, three bottoms, and two pairs of shoes) make up the entire capsule. As far as accessories go, I’m keeping it simple and reaching for the same pieces in each category to finish off every single outfit. One versatile handbag that goes from day to night, a classic pair of wayfarer sunglasses, and a beaded necklace to wear with everything. The star of the show? A printed silk scarf with the power to transform an outfit from boring to beautiful. Ahead, see how I’m creating all the summer outfits I could ever need from just these 10 foundational pieces.
The Outfits
Linen Shirt + Tank + Bermuda Shorts + Thong Heels
There’s something so effortless and classic about wearing a button-down open over a tank top. It will always remind me of this viral image of Kendall Jenner wearing The Row back in 2021, but somehow never feels dated. With my tailored shorts and kitten heels, this is the outfit I’ve been wearing to the office and all my meetings throughout the week.
Banana Republic The Everyday Linen Shirt
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Good American Luxe Suiting Long Shorts
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer
Tank + Trousers + Silk Scarf + Thong Heels
I’m addicted to tying my scarves across my waist as a belt right now. It’s such a pretty detail that breathes new life into the plainest tees and tanks. Here, I styled it on top of simple black trousers and a white tank to take the look from boring to cool.
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Hermès Please Hold The Line Scarf
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Tank + Full Skirt + Flats + Silk Scarf
A tank and flowy skirt is the uniform I tend to live in in the summer. To give the default formula a little something extra, I tied the silk scarf as a bandana over my hair. It immediately gives the outfit a beachy quality—whether or not I’m actually on a vacation.
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Scanlan Theodore Parachute Gather Skirt
Hermès Please Hold The Line Scarf
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Linen Shirt + Full Skirt + Flats
My favorite secret styling hack to double the amount of wear on my shirts is to put them on backwards, creating a billowy high-neck blouse. People are always asking me where it’s from, and floored to find out that I didn’t buy it that way. Here, I wore the linen shirt backwards and paired it with the poplin skirt and flats for an elegant twist.
Banana Republic The Everyday Linen Shirt
Scanlan Theodore Parachute Gather Skirt
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Trench Coat + Linen Shirt + Bermuda Shorts + Thong Heels
For in-between weather, a trench coat is the perfect light layer to wear over my linen shirt and long shorts that don’t make the outfit too hot to wear.
Sézane Clyde Trench Coat
Banana Republic The Everyday Linen Shirt
Good American Luxe Suiting Long Shorts
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Linen Shirt + Bikini Top + Trousers + Thong Heels
Love this classic look for a night out. It’s all about the unbuttoned shirt styled with a black bikini peeking out instead of a regular bra and the heeled sandals—two things that make an otherwise corporate outfit feel more appropriate for cocktail hour.
Banana Republic The Everyday Linen Shirt
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Tootsie Jewelry Black Bead Choker
Trench Coat + Silk Scarf + Trousers + Heeled Thongs
If you’re not wearing your jackets as tops, what are you even doing? I love this move because if you think about it, it automatically doubles the size of your wardrobe. I deployed the scarf belt styling trick again here to create a waistline over my trench coat top.
Sézane Clyde Trench Coat
Hermès Please Hold The Line Scarf
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Shrunken Blazer + Trousers + Heeled Thongs
I’m of the mindset that thong sandals can and should be worn with everything—yes, that includes pantsuits. I’m opting for a shrunken blazer style instead of an oversize fit this season, so my outfits feel more current.
J.Crew Shrunken-Fit Blazer in Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Shrunken Blazer + Full Skirt + Flats
Another outfit combination I’ll wear to the office from spring into fall is a cropped jacket and a full skirt. Here, I buttoned the blazer up so it’s more of a top.
J.Crew Shrunken-Fit Blazer in Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
Scanlan Theodore Parachute Gather Skirt
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Tootsie Jewelry Black Bead Choker
Shrunken Blazer + Bermuda Shorts + Heeled Thongs
The flip-flops give this otherwise tailored outfit a more casual spin, making it more fashion girl than corporate woman.
J.Crew Shrunken-Fit Blazer in Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
Good American Luxe Suiting Long Shorts
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer
Tank + Scarf + Pants + Flats
Doubling up on necklaces with my beaded necklace and the scarf “necklace” makes the plain white tank feel much more intentional.
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Hermès Please Hold The Line Scarf
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Freja New York Mercer Bag
Shrunken Blazer + Tank + Silk Scarf + Trousers + Flats
With so many of the same pieces repeating, I’m reaching for my silk scarf to avoid anything feeling too stale. Here, I styled it around my neck to add more interest.
J.Crew Shrunken-Fit Blazer in Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Hermès Please Hold The Line Scarf
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Linen Shirt + Tank + Trousers + Flats
With flats for work or sandals for the weekend, this formula is one of the most versatile out there. It all comes down to a choice in shoes and accessories.
Banana Republic The Everyday Linen Shirt
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Tootsie Jewelry Black Bead Choker
Tank + Full Skirt + Crewneck Sweater + Flats
I barely wear my sweaters in the summer, but I’m into the idea of using a colored knit as an accent against an all-white outfit, so I’m tying mine around my waist or draping it over my shoulders, even if it’s too warm to actually wear.
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater
Scanlan Theodore Parachute Gather Skirt
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Crew-Neck Sweater + Tank + Trousers + Flats
Everyone knows that working in an office in the summer means battling AC blasting ice-cold air, which is why a crew-neck sweater is the piece I’m throwing on over my tank and trousers while at my desk. Afterward, I’ll tie it around my waist when I step outside.
Hanes Lightweight Cotton Tanks
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater
Reformation Vida Low Rise Pant
Marc Fisher LTD Gunner Ballet Flats
Tootsie Jewelry Black Bead Choker
