*If you are looking for a newer edition, don’t miss my 2025 Summer Capsule Wardrobe here!*
shop the capsule:
My Neutral Capsule Summer Wardrobe
Summer is just around the bend as spring comes to a close and this is a perfect time to curate a capsule wardrobe for the 2024 summer season.
If you are a fan of chic, neutral style, and want to streamline your wardrobe or begin to adopt a more minimalist style this, summer capsule wardrobe guide will help you along your way.
Below, I will give you a breakdown of each item included in my summer capsule along with 25+ outfit ideas using pieces from the capsule!
How Do You Start A Summer Capsule Wardrobe?
- Assess your lifestyle and what you do on a daily basis in the summer as this will help you determine the type of clothing that will make the bulk of your capsule. You may need to add in more dresses or professional clothes, or bring in more casual items.
- Empty your closet and place all of your fall, winter, and other cold weather items in storage bins. You can keep these at the top of your closet or in a storage room and pull them out at the end of the summer to create a fall capsule wardrobe.
- Declutter what’s remaining to minimize the overall amount of summer clothing (here’s how) then use my summer capsule wardrobe checklist above to guide you in what you are putting back into your closet, and deciding what items you might need to go buy.
What’s In My Capsule?
Listed below is each item included in my 2024 summer capsule wardrobe and the reason why I think it is an essential for the season. This list is based on a minimalist wardrobe, so you can add to it as needed to fit your lifestyle and personal taste!
Basic Tank Top(s)
I wear neutral, basic tank tops multiple times a week in the summer when the weather is hot. I also love to wear a basic tank with a light layer when it’s cooler.
The classic, polished look of a simple black or white tank can be elevated easily with layered dainty pendant necklaces.
Crochet Top
Crochet has majorly made a comeback and it is very on-trend for 2024. My favorite crochet top from Everlane isn’t available this year, but I found this perfect alternative from Madewell! Wear it on summer evenings with friends, on a date night with jeans, or with a midi skirt for a casual summer event.
I recommend a neutral color such as ivory, black, or taupe for versatility. Or, you can go with pastels if you prefer more color in your capsule.
Button-Up Shirts
A crisp white linen or cotton button-up shirt belongs in every capsule in my opinion. This lightweight, airy staple is so versatile. I also think a secondary striped blue button-up shirt is also good for variety as it easily pairs with denim, white, or black bottoms.
A button-up can be dressed up or down, and in an oversized fit can be worn over jeans or tucked into a pair of shorts or trousers. These shirts also works great as beach cover-ups over a swimsuit!
Linen Vest Top
A linen waistcoat (aka vest), is so on-trend for summer 2024, but still has a timeless feel. I snagged these linen-cotton blend vests from The Gap (such a great price!), and also like these ones from Mango (and these scoop neck ones from J.Crew!).
Pair them with denim shorts for a casual look, or dress up with linen trousers and heeled sandals!
Basic T-Shirt(s)
A neutral t-shirt (or a few!) is a staple in a summer capsule. I love wearing lightweight tees in the summer that I can easily dress up or down. My favorites are the Air Tee (so light and comfy!) and Box-Cut Tee from Everlane.
For versatility and comfort cotton or linen t-shirts are great choices, and go for a neutral color or striped!
Knit Cardigan
Layered over a t-shirt, tank top, dress, or midi skirt, a knit cardigan is a wonderful layering piece for summer!
I absolutely love the Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan (investment), the La Ligne Mini Toujours Cashmere Cardigan (moderate price), and the Quince Cropped Cashmere Cardigan (budget-friendly). All three are perfect choices for summer!
You can also opt for this budget-friendly cotton cardigan and/or linen cardigan if you prefer one that doesn’t give as much warmth.
Striped Sweater(s)
For cooler days or summer evenings, one or two crewneck sweaters make great layering pieces. If you live somewhere that has cooler summer days, opt for a warmer fabric like cashmere, and if you live where the summer weather is always warm, go with cotton or a linen blend.
I absolutely love a white striped knit for summer – my favorites include the affordable Quince Striped Cotton Crewneck, the (also affordable) Quince Cashmere Crewneck, J.Crew Roll-neck Cotton Sweater (on sale and a bestseller!), and the Jenni Kayne Chloe Sweater (beautiful investment piece!).
Denim Jacket
A denim jacket is an essential addition to a summer capsule. It can easily take any outfit from day to night and you can choose from a classic blue wash, or go with white or cream for a summery look.
I love this slightly oversized denim jacket from Quince and the Madewell Jacket to elevate any look.
Lightweight Blazer
Just like the denim jacket, a lightweight blazer is a great layering option for summer. It has a classy look that can be perfectly paired with jeans or shorts, sandals, and a tank top.
You can also wear a blazer over a midi skirt or dress and put on a pair of sneakers for a casual vibe. Or make it more formal for a wedding over a summer dress.
*Get inspo for how to style a white blazer here.
Linen Shorts
Linen shorts are great because they have a casual yet elevated vibe. You can dress them up with a basic tank and dainty jewelry and heeled sandals, or dress them down with a casual t-shirt, flats, and a woven tote for beach or lake days.
I recommend these high-waisted linen shorts from Quince, or these popular linen shorts from J.Crew.
Get more chic linen shorts outfit ideas here!
Denim Shorts
Jean shorts are classic for summer and can be worn all season long. I love vintage washed blue, but you can also go with white or black denim shorts.
If you always have trouble finding a good pair of denim shorts, I recommend the longer-length Agolde Stella Shorts or the Madewell perfect jean short for fit, comfort, and style.
Tailored Shorts
It’s a great idea to have one pair of shorts in a summer capsule that can be dressed up for a night out or brunch with friends. I love tailored shorts with a pleated detail as they are versatile and elevated – these Remi Shorts from J.Crew are a perfect choice!
Remember, if any of these items don’t feel practical to your lifestyle, swap them out for an item that does.
Swimsuit(s)
Summer isn’t summer without beach and pool days, am I right? Add one or two neutral, chic swimsuits to your capsule and you’ll be set!
If you feel like you need several swimsuits to make it through the summer, re-evaluate that and consider getting a few mix-and-match bikini tops and bottoms. I love Hunza G swimsuits as they are so flattering and one-size fits all, as well as my investment Marysia swimsuit. But, these H&M suits are a great budget-friendly option too!
Vintage Wash Jeans
In my opinion, a staple in any capsule is a pair of lightly distressed vintage wash jeans. When you find the perfect pair, you’ll wear them multiple times a week.
I am a huge fan of the Agolde 90’s Jeans, Levi’s, Everlane Cheeky Jeans, and Madewell Perfect Vintage Jeans. I also love these Citizens of Humanity Ayla Jeans for a trendier look.
If you like light and airy outfits in the summer, add in a pair of off-white, white, or ecru jeans to your capsule as well!
Off-White/Ecru Jeans
Similar to above, light jeans are a great staple for the summer months. I love the Everlane Cheeky Jeans, the Agolde 90’s off-white jeans, and the Madewell Perfect Vintage jeans in white.
Lightweight Trousers
A light ivory or beige pair of linen trousers goes a long way in the summer. Dress them down with sneakers and a cardigan or up with heeled sandals and a blouse (I love these affordable trousers from H&M and these Linen Pants from Quince).
The light color has a fresh summery feel that is very versatile. On the other hand, black is a great option too!
Summer Dress(es)
When it comes to summer dresses you can go in any direction you like!
If you love neutrals, stick with a light and flowy white summer dress or a classic black summer dress in cotton or linen . You can also try a polka-dot dress or go with one or two pretty floral dresses.
I chose this classic black dress that I can easily wear with sneakers and a denim jacket on a casual day, or with heeled sandals and jewelry for a laid-back summer wedding or winery trip!
Midi Skirt
I added a subtly patterned midi skirt to my summer capsule for its versatility and ability to be dressed up or down.
The Jenni Kayne leopard slip skirt is my all time fave for it’s neutral tones and light, airy fabric. If you have the budget, it’s well worth the investment! If not, try this affordable floral slip skirt.
Sneakers
A great pair of white or ivory sneakers are a must for summer. I pair them with just about everything – jeans, shorts, dresses, etc.
I recommend the Superga Cotu Classic Sneakers for a really simple option that goes with everything, or the Adidas Samba sneakers for something a little trendier!
Leather Slides
One or two pairs of comfortable yet fashionable flat slides are essential to any capsule summer wardrobe, in my opinion. They can be paired with pretty much any outfit and will be your go-to for most summer days.
I recommend sticking with neutrals for versatility and making sure you choose a sturdy pair of sandals as you will definitely be wearing them a lot. These Steve Madden leather sandals are stylish, comfortable, and timeless (and make a great Hermes sandal look-alike for much less!).
Black Sandals
Black sandals are a timeless classic that add an extra polished appeal to any summer look. I love chunkier fisherman sandals, thong sandals, knot sandals, and dad sandals, all of which are very on-trend for 2024. But you can of course go with a slimmer, dainty style if you prefer!
Heeled Sandals
For dressier occasions, weddings, and date nights, I included the stylish Poppy Barley Lindsay heeled sandals in my summer capsule. They are incredibly comfortable and do not need need “breaking in”!
Strappy sandals with a chunky heel combine style and comfort and are also great for walking on grassy areas – think outdoor weddings! Again, I recommend sticking with neutrals for versatility – black or nude are excellent!
Straw or Leather Tote Bag
When it comes to carrying all my essentials, I find that a tote bag is the perfect minimal and practical choice. In the summer months, I always go with a woven/straw/basket bag (I own the Anine Bing Rio tote, but added the bestselling J.Crew Straw Tote as a more affordable option to the capsule).
I think the basket style is versatile and practical for a day at the beach or lake or just for running errands. Think of this as your catch-all, carry-everywhere bag for summer!
Crossbody Bag
This is the perfect bag that can hold just the essentials and not feel too clunky. If you are able to, I recommend investing more in accessories to elevate moderately priced clothing items in your capsule (I absolutely love my YSL Solferino Bag and have never regretted this purchase!).
That being said, if spending hundreds or thousands isn’t in your budget, then you’ve got to check out the Quince Woven Leather Crossbody Bag which converts easily to a clutch for evening!
Sunglasses, Hats, & Accessories
Lastly, adding in a selection of classy accessories to your capsule wardrobe will tie everything together.
A great pair of sunglasses, neutral hair accessories like clips and scrunchies, dainty gold plated jewelry, and a baseball cap or straw sun hat are all subtle, classy pieces that are the cherry-on-top of all my great summer outfits.
If you need some inspiration, check out my Minimal Jewelry Capsule here.
25+ Summer Capsule Wardrobe Outfits
Below, I’ve created a ton of outfits with my capsule wardrobe pieces. You’ll see how easily it is to mix and match each piece for a wide selection of practical summer outfits.
Easy Breezy
Above, I’m wearing this striped cotton sweater with pleated linen shorts and chunky black sandals. The perfect combo for a lunch date or lake day.
Cute & Casual
This cute and casual look combines denim shorts with a black tank and chunky sandals. Throw on an oversized linen button-up shirt as an extra layer and add a basket tote for whatever the day brings.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Midi Skirt Daytime Look
For this capsule outfit, I combined my fave Jenni Kayne leopard slip skirt with a basic black tee and chunky black sandals. My Anine Straw bag is an investment piece, but the J.Crew bag I put in the capsule is a great affordable alternative!
Dressy Summer Look
For a laid-back summer wedding or special event, I’d choose this effortless combo. The black sun dress is dressed up with a white linen blazer and these heeled black sandals (with a chunky heel so they are great for dancing!).
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Old Money Vibes.
I always feel a little “old money” when I pair a striped linen button-up shirt with off-white jeans. The brown Khaite belt and Haydn sandals perfectly complement the look.
If you want to invest in a nice pair of sunglasses for your summer capsule, I adore the Celine oval sunglasses I’m wearing above.
Elevated Stripes
This outfit combo brings black, white, and tan together so perfectly for summer. I love that it’s casual yet elevated with the accessories.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Casual Stripes
Take the same Everlane striped t-shirt from the capsule as the outfit above and swap in black linen shorts, Superga sneakers, and a cute crossbody bag for a classy and casual summer look.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Basic in black.
When I’m not sure what to wear in the summer, this simple outfit is my go to. The black tank and black linen shorts look cute under my oversized denim jacket.
Summer Textures
I love mixing textures in outfits and this look has it all; crochet, linen, denim, and straw. The pants are breezy and the crochet tank is the perfect mix with a denim jacket for layering.
I loved this Everlane tank from last season and am hoping it comes back, but in the meantime I’ve linked a great alternative from Madewell here.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Coastal Granddaughter.
I love this “coastal grandmother” inspired look with a linen button-up shirt, pleated linen shorts, and black sandals.
Warm Summer Neutrals
This is one of my favorite elevated summer looks with warm neutrals from the cashmere cardigan and leopard midi skirt, then pops of black for contrast.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Crisp & Classic
Date night, brunch, dinner with friends…this classy summer outfit can do it all. I love the elevated look of a black linen vest with light linen shorts and heels!
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Summer Errands Look.
When I’m running around all day from errand to errand, this is a summer look I’ll go with. I’ll wear a tank underneath and I’m good to go!
Dressed Down Sun Dress
When I want to wear a dress without looking to “dressy” in the summer, I’ll pair it with a denim jacket and chunky casual sandals. The look is cute and casual without feeling too fussy.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Summer Whites
I love embracing summer whites with a look like this. There’s a touch of contrast with the black but overall the outfit feels elevated and effortless.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Classic and cool.
On a summer day that is a little too cool for shorts, I’ll wear blue jeans with a button-up shirt (or sweater if it’s really chilly), then throw on a pair of sandals.
Beach Day
Above, I’ve combined the super flattering striped navy Hunza G swimsuit with denim shorts and a linen button-up shirt. The look is versatile enough to go from the beach or pool to lunch with friends!
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
Cool Summer Day Vibes
On a cool summer evening, I’d pair my cashmere cardigan with blue jeans and throw on comfortable heeled sandals and a black bag to elevate the look. This look is perfect for a casual summer date night.
(All exact product links listed in “What’s In My Capsule” section above!)
More Summer Looks You’ll Love:
In case you need extra inspiration, I’ve created even more looks using the pieces from my summer capsule wardrobe!
As you can see, there are so many chic outfit combinations that can be made from a relatively minimal capsule!
Creating a summer capsule wardrobe and curating the summer capsule of your dreams can take time! If this is your first time trying a capsule wardrobe for a season, have fun with it and learn as you go through the process of narrowing down your summer clothing to only to contain only the staples you love.
Then, play around with mixing and matching to create endless outfit combinations. A thoughtful, minimalist inspired wardrobe takes time and it’s a journey as you hone in on your personal style and discover which clothing makes you feel amazing!
If you are gearing up for fall, don’t miss my Effortless Fall Capsule Wardrobe!
More Style Inspiration You’ll Love:
- Year-Round Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe
- Capsule Wardrobe For Fall: minimal, modern + chic!
- 15+ Effortless Linen Pants Outfit Ideas
- Effortless Maternity Capsule Wardrobe
- Colorful Capsule Wardrobe
- Mini Fall Capsule Wardrobe
- Neutral Winter Capsule Wardrobe
- Effortless Spring Capsule Wardrobe
- 10+ White Jean Skirt Outfit Ideas
