I Still Hate Capsule Wardrobes—But Everyone Needs These 7 Pieces
From button-down shirts to beaded necklaces, here are the summer essentials that belong in your closet.
Friends! Per special request, I’m back with some revised thoughts on capsule wardrobes, because everyone is allowed to change their mind. Not to say that mine changed that much. It’s more so that I’m thinking about how to keep the same energy heading into summer and want to share how I’m doing it!
A few housekeeping notes:
- I still think we haven’t quite cracked the code on how we talk about capsule wardrobes. The way they are often written about is still prescriptive, boring, and, for some reason, always minimalist in color. This upcoming list will not be. I wear LOADS of color in the summer.
- 100 percent still do a wardrobe purge. Yes, be ruthless and realistic about what you want to keep in your closet.
- Document some outfits! As I wrote over a year ago, “I think aiming to document 30 days of looks will give you a good understanding of the silhouettes, colors, and pieces you often return to.”
Okay, on to the list!
AN INTERESTING-ENOUGH DRESS TO SERVE AS THE WHOLE OUTFIT
One of my key strategies for summer dressing (and packing) is a dress that steals the show with ease: simple silhouette, extremely bold color. Welcome to the low lift, high impact way of style.
A BEADED NECKLACE IN AN EYE-CATCHING COLOR
When it’s too hot for my signature scarf, a necklace like this accomplishes the same goal of adding a little something extra to the look.
SANDALS YOU CAN GET AROUND IN (BY WHICH I MEAN: WON’T KILL YOUR ARCHES OR GIVE YOU BLISTERS)
For me, that can mean a platform of some sort, straps that won’t rub between my toes, and a silhouette that works with all warm-weather styles.
A GO-TO BATHING SUIT BRAND
Emotionally unraveling because you don’t feel great about yourself in a swimsuit is not the vibe. We’ve got other things to focus on here, i.e. having the time of your life with friends and family! So do the research early! Find the brand that works for you (mine is Left on Friday; I’ve also heard great things about Andie and Summersalt) and invest in a couple that will work year after year.
A LONG-SLEEVE BUTTON-UP
I always keep a button-down on me, whether I’m going on vacation or to an office with high-blasting air conditioning.
A SHIRT DRESS
When you’re at an absolute loss for what to wear to work, reach for one of these shirt dresses and spice it up with some jewelry like the beaded necklaces above.
A RINGER T-SHIRT
This is the only outwardly trendy thing I’ll put on this list—and an update to my favorite white T-shirts.
Reading List
First time reading Self Checkout? Catch up on the past few weeks.
