9 staple pieces for your summer capsule wardrobe
We do love keeping up with the trends, but there’s something to be said about sticking to the classics. We refer to that as a “staple”, a versatile item that doesn’t go out of style. Adopting a capsule wardrobe of tried and true staple pieces is especially helpful in the summer when the heat makes getting dressed in the morning that much more difficult.
The concept of a capsule wardrobe—a minimal assortment of clothes that has a timeless appeal and is easy to style together for a wide range of occasions—has been gaining popularity in recent years. If you’ve been thinking about building your very own summer capsule wardrobe but don’t know where to start, here are nine summer staples that you’ll look forward to wearing year after year. And, even better, several of these classic staple items can be worn year-round (win!).
High-quality leather sandals might take some effort to break in, but they’ll last you a lifetime and will only look better with age. When it comes to styles, we love fisherman sandals: their more enclosed silhouette makes them as good in the fall with a cute pair of socks as in the summer heat.
Versatility is a hallmark of leather sandals, so they can be styled with basically anything: tailored linen pants, baggy shorts, maxi skirts and dresses, jeans… the list goes on!
Dr. Martens
Archive Fisherman Sandals Brown
$150.00
Anthropologie
-61%
Cole Haan
Flynn Fisherman Leather Sandal Black
$53.99
$140.00
Rue La La
-63%
Donald J Pliner
Laynar Fisherman Sandal in Black at Nordstrom, Size 6.5
$84.97
$228.00
Nordstrom
-45%
Crocs
Women s Stomp Fisherman Sandals Chalk White
$54.00
$99.00
Slam Jam
2. A white dress
2. White Dress
A good white dress will never fail you—unless you spill red wine on it!—and has an undeniable summery feel to it. We recommend sticking with natural fabrics, like linen or a cotton poplin: these materials will naturally keep you cool, while synthetic fabrics do exactly the opposite.
We love styling our white dresses with cowboy boots or sporty dad sneakers for a masculine/feminine contrasting look. You can also layer with a knitted vest or cardigan during chilly summer nights.
-52%
Free People
Adriel Midi Dress White
$79.99
$168.00
Rue La La
-61%
Psycho Bunny
Mens Meylon Stretch Poplin Shirt 100 WHITE / XS
$115.00
Psycho Bunny
-60%
Free People
Eventide Sleeveless Eyelet Midi Dress in Bone Combo at Nordstrom, Size X-Large White
$66.97
$168.00
Nordstrom
No respectable summer capsule wardrobe would be complete without a pair of linen pants! Linen has almost cooling properties, which are invaluable during the summer. Linen pants come in a variety of silhouettes, and with so many choices, finding your perfect summer staple is easy as pie. Staple pieces don’t have to conform to a specific look, they just have to work for you and your wardrobe.
We love styling our linen pants with everything from our fave t-shirts—baggy, fitted, long, cropped… you do you!—, to tank tops, and matching linen shirts.
-53%
Tahari by ASL
Tahari Asl Plus Linen-Blend Pant Green
$50.99
$109.00
Rue La La
-40%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Canvas cargo pants Green
$195.00
$325.00
Mytheresa
-70%
Calvin Klein
Ash grey trousers in linen blend Gray
$44.50
$148.33
TheDoubleF
-72%
Max Studio
Drawstring Linen-Blend Pant White
$35.99
$128.00
Rue La La
You can never go wrong with a pair of blue denim shorts! Shopping for jeans is never easy, but once you find your perfect fit, those are guaranteed to stay in your summer capsule wardrobe for years to come. We’re loving this year’s trending denim short style, which is baggy and knee-grazing.
Since denim shorts are so casual, we like styling them with more formal pieces, like oversized shirts, frilly “going out” tops, ballet flats, and loafers.
-40%
Diesel
De-Sire Bermuda shorts in dark denim Gray
$108.47
$180.78
TheDoubleF
-55%
Free People
Montana Denim Bermuda Shorts in Everything Floral at Nordstrom, Size 25
$57.59
$128.00
Nordstrom
-65%
Frame Denim
Frame Denim Jetset Weekend Capri Pant Black
$69.99
$198.00
Rue La La
-40%
Haikure
Wide Belle black denim bermuda
$133.50
$222.49
TheDoubleF
If you’re anything like us, you start itching to get your raffia bags out of the closet as soon as June rolls around. These summer staples aren’t just for the beach either: if you think the only option is the classic raffia basket, think again.
Raffia totes, buckets, bum bags, clutches, and handbags are super easy to style for city living and won’t look out of place with jeans or a maxi dress.
-51%
Tory Burch
Ella Small Raffia & Leather Basket Tote Brown
$179.99
$370.00
Rue La La
-40%
Tory Burch
Ella Small Straw Basket Tote in Blanc at Nordstrom
$234.00
$390.00
Nordstrom
-49%
Tiffany & Fred
Raffia & Leather Tote Brown
$189.99
$369.00
Rue La La
Aviator sunglasses never really go out of style, making them the perfect accessory for any summer capsule wardrobe. Whether you go for thin-framed Masters of the Air-esque metal specs or a 70s-inspired oversized frame, aviator sunglasses will never fail you.
Looking cool in aviators couldn’t be easier, no matter what you’re wearing. We love leaning into the androgynous vibe and pairing them with more masculine pieces: keep it crisp and simple with a white tee or an oversized shirt.
-43%
Cole Haan
Womens Two Toned Navigator Sunglasses - Pink Purple
$44.95
$79.00
Cole Haan
-82%
Ferragamo
Womens Sf1068s 52Mm Sunglasses Brown
$59.99
$325.00
Rue La La
-75%
Ferragamo
Womens Sf1031s 53Mm Sunglasses Blue
$59.99
$239.00
Rue La La
Speaking of oversized shirts… While fitted designs might be better for layering during the colder months, summer is the oversized shirt’s time to shine. A good linen shirt will be your hot-weather ally, but a classic cotton poplin will be more wearable year-round. A well-made shirt will always be classic, no matter what colour you choose.
To keep it cool, wear your oversized shirt open over tank, crop, and bikini tops, or a baby tee and style it with shorts and linen pants.
-54%
Free People
Sabine Tailored Shirt White
$49.99
$108.00
Rue La La
Mango
Lana Denim Shirt in Open Blue at Nordstrom, Size 10
$79.99
Nordstrom
-68%
Nic+Zoe
Nic+Zoe Plus Portofino Boyfriend Shirt Blue
$49.99
$158.00
Rue La La
-50%
Frame Denim
The Swing Crop Denim Shirt in Flightless at Nordstrom, Size X-Large
$174.00
$348.00
Nordstrom
The perfect look for a cooler summer night or June wedding, a patterned midi can easily see you through the early fall. Florals are a classic, and animal prints—which are surprisingly easy to style as neutrals—have just come back into fashion. If you’re worried about growing tired over the years try going for a pattern so large or so minute that it barely registers as a print at all.
Midi dresses are perfect for formal occasions when paired with heeled sandals or pointed-toe kitten heels, while more casual days call for below-the-knee boots, slim sneakers, or sandals.
-63%
Farm Rio
Farm Rio Linen Midi Dress Brown
$119.99
$320.00
Rue La La
-61%
Elie Tahari
Milena Midi Dress Blue
$126.99
$325.00
Rue La La
-53%
Anne Klein
Printed Midi Dress Blue
$69.99
$149.00
Rue La La
The trusted denim jacket is another must-have, year-round staple that will last a lifetime, from sleek blazers to classic trucker jackets. Just like leather, denim is a sturdy material that will only get better as it ages, as it develops a patina and moulds to the wearer’s body.
Dark wash denim is our fave: it’s versatile, ultra-chic, and immediately elevates any outfit. During the summer, style your denim jacket with a light dress when it gets chillier at night, or, if the weather allows it, rock a Canadian tuxedo with classic shoes and accessories.
-35%
Anine Bing
Luna jacket in indigo blue denim
$210.91
$324.47
TheDoubleF
Lyssé
Classic Denim Jacket in Indigo at Nordstrom, Size X-Small Blue
$158.00
Nordstrom
-70%
AllSaints
Allsaints Terri Workwear Jacket Blue
$89.99
$299.00
Rue La La
-43%
AllSaints
Faye Raw Hem Denim Shirt in Mid Indigo at Nordstrom, Size X-Small Blue
$124.83
$219.00
Nordstrom
Original text and content: Kayla Kuefler