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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Original text and content: Kayla Kuefler