I always have clothes that I wear over and over again, and I’m a fan of dressing consistently. So, whenever a new season starts, I like to create a capsule wardrobe of things I can mix and match. For summer, there are some non-negotiables. For example, I won’t leave the house without sunglasses.
Especially living in NYC, I generally refuse to wear uncomfortable shoes year-round, and this only increases in the summer. I never want to get caught in a heat wave wearing shoes that stick to my feet and inevitably give me blisters. Instead, I choose non-leather options like mesh and neoprene materials, or sandals with heels of two inches or less.
When it’s too hot to think, certain things become favorites, like my 100% cotton dresses and this knee-length skirt-and-tank top set from Koo Koo. I wear Very Dresses and skirts – that feel airy and easy to wear. I also have a lot of basic tops to wear with different skirts, like tank tops and halters, and some of my favorite brands of these include Flor Floor and CDLP. Additionally, I would recommend staples like straight-leg jeans, minimalist bags, and timeless swimsuits.
Below, shop the 11-piece summer capsule wardrobe I created.
summer capsule wardrobe
sunglasses
Sunglasses are probably my favorite accessory. My favorite pair right now are Chimi’s sold-out oversized frames, but other favorite eyewear brands include Bonnie Clyde, Celine, Chanel, Khaite x Oliver Peoples, Lexola, Linda Farrow, Miu Miu, Prada, Side-Eye, and Vincent Boulevard.
Styling Notes: With every outfit.
Celine Eyewear
Triumph Oversized Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
Vincent Boulevard
camille
Miu Miu
Miu Regard Sunglasses
Khaite x Oliver Peoples
1969 AD
chic dress
For summer dresses, natural materials like cotton and silk are ideal as they are lightweight and breathable in the heat.
Styling Notes: With ballet flats or kitten heel sandals.
Loyal
Olas Gathered Cotton Midi Dress
coo coo intimacy
iris slip
coo coo intimacy
midi slip
Scheduled Tribe. fire
Tencel Lyocel Halterneck Midi Dress
mateu
Gathered Organic Cotton-Poplin Halterneck Maxi Dress
rat sow
90s Bias Slip Dress
Improvement
jillian silk dress
emily dawn long
Dammit Janet Bias Cut Jersey Dress
birth of bondi
kobe maxi column dress
original top
Neutral basics are essential for a summer capsule wardrobe, and I personally love tank tops and halters.
Styling Notes: With a knee-length skirt or cotton midi skirt.
floor floor
black jill tank top
almina concept
High V-Neck Tank
just a little
Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt
cdlp
Ribbed Tencel Lyocell and Cotton-Blend Jersey Tank
cashmere cardigan
No matter how hot it is, I always make sure I have a cashmere cardigan with me for when the AC is on in a restaurant or train.
Styling Notes: Keep one in your bag or tie it around your waist.
extreme cashmere
Blouson Cashmere Cardigan in Burgundy – Extreme Cashmere
blue lotus
march cashmere cardigan
knee length skirt
Knee length skirts have been my go-to skirt of choice lately – I love how they are comfortable, but look put together.
Styling Notes: Another perfect option for kitten heel sandals.
leset
Barb Satin Midi Skirt
Improvement
Laila Knee Length Skirt
coo coo intimacy
slip skirt
cotton midi skirt
I also wear cotton midi skirts throughout the summer, which I love to wear on long walks or lying in the park.
Styling Notes: I mix and match with tank tops or halters.
free people
Lowen Midi Skirt
Difference
Cotton Gauze Tiered Easy Maxi Skirt
Rue Sophie
Pannier Drawstring Waist Pleated Skirt
straight legged jean
I’ve talked a lot about how I mainly wear skirts and dresses, but I finally ordered a pair Levi’s 501 ’90s. The weather in NYC can fluctuate so much that, even in the summer, it’s still advisable to wear jeans for those random days that aren’t as hot.
Styling Notes: Again, kitten heel sandals to dress it up.
frame
Neat High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
eggolde
lana straight jeans
low-heeled sandals
Maybe it’s living in NYC, but I never wear high heels. At some point, I started specifically checking heel height to make sure everything I bought was two inches or less.
Styling Notes: Goes with everything.
open edit
Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Tony Bianco
christa sandals
non-leather flats
I have Camper Cassie Myra Leather Ballet Flats that I love and highly recommend, but in the depth of summer, there comes a time when leather shoes become a recipe for blisters. Instead, I choose materials like mesh or neoprene.
Styling Notes: With casual dresses or skirts.
Urban Outfitters
Camper Women’s Wright Nina Ballerina Flats
just a little
Neoprene Effect Ballet Flats with Pull Tab
gimaguas
ballerina neopreno
Etico Floor 01 Mesh Strap Ballet Flats | 39
minimalist bag
You can’t go wrong with a black bag. Nylon ones are especially good for summer.
Styling Notes: For any scenario.
Marge Sherwood Bassett Shoulder Bag | os
valesque
Cami Mini Leather-Trimmed Nylon-Satin Tote
timeless swimsuit
And, of course, I had to incorporate timeless swimwear into my summer capsule wardrobe.
Styling Notes: With a transparent dress or skirt, or by layering a sarong over it.
Hunja ji
Zandra Original Crinkle Bikini
negative underwear
swim plunge top in garnet
