Life has gotten so complicated with all the myriad choices we face every day. One of the ways to ease our decision-making tasks is to simplify our lives. Try creating a capsule wardrobe to take out the stress at mornings and events. A capsule wardrobe contains about 30 pieces of clothing that all mix and match well together. When any top you own goes well with any of the bottoms that are in your closet, you save time and energy. 

Capsule wardrobes can be of a certain style or a particular color palette. It can also be a mix of styles and colors that just go well with each other. We’ve put together some pieces for a capsule wardrobe you can try this coming summer. 

Bottoms

Denim jeans are a must-have in any wardrobe. For a capsule wardrobe, it would be good to have 2-3 pairs of jeans of different styles, lengths, and washes to create various looks. For example, a pair of ankle-length skinny jeans in a dark wash, a pair of sweatpant jeans with rolled-up hem in a medium wash, and a pair of boot-cut jeans in a black or light wash. 

Shop the WESTPORT KNIT DENIM WEEKENDER SWEATPANT WITH POCKETS AND DRAWSTRING WAIST, $55.95 - Medium Wash

Shop the WESTPORT SIGNATURE HIGH RISE BOOTCUT JEANS, $50.95 - Dark Wash

Shop the ROZ & ALI SECRET AGENT TUMMY CONTROL PANTS - SHORT LENGTH, $36.95 - Black

Aside from jeans, you should always have slacks or trousers for more formal events or corporate wear if you work in a company that requires business attire. Neutral colors are always good and easy to pair with. 

Shop the ROZ & ALI SECRET AGENT L POCKETS PANTS - PLUS, $42.95 - Navy

Shop the ZAC & RACHEL PULL ON PANT WITH SLIMMING DETAILS, $46.95 - Orange Crush

A pair of colored pants are good to have in your wardrobe, too. It sparks interest in your outfits and can be worn on casual days and even dressy occasions. 

There should always be a skirt in your wardrobe. Short or maxi, slim or ruffly, skirts give a feminine flair to your outfits. Flowy skirts are perfect for the summer since they’re breezy and easy to move in.  

Tops

Shop the DR2 CAP SLEEVE FLUTTER DETAIL TOP, $39.95

For a capsule wardrobe, variety is the key to achieving different looks with only a few pieces. So for tops, there should be obvious differences (sleeve length, color, print, and style) in the choices but they should all still match well with any of the bottoms that you have so that even if you blindly pick one top and one bottom from your closet, you don’t have to worry if they go well together or not. 

It’s good to have a combination of plain and printed tops. Plain tops pair well with both plain and printed bottoms while printed tops make plain bottoms more interesting. That’s the kind of variety needed in a capsule wardrobe. Florals and bright colors are appropriate for the spring and summer months so it’s the time to invest in them.

Having long-sleeved tops even in the summer is being ready. Long sleeves can protect your arms from the sun, the heat, and its harmful UV rays. If you’re inside an air-conditioned room, then long sleeves will be more comfortable than wearing a light jacket over a shirt or a short-sleeved blouse. Besides, some places, occasions, or events will call for long sleeves rather than short sleeves or sleeveless tops.

Shop the DR2 3/4 SLEEVE V-NECK BLOUSE, $45.95 - Curry

Dresses

Shop the KAYLA SLEEVELESS DOT WRAP ELASTIC WAIST MAXI DRESS, $51.95 - Black

Dresses are a must-have in the closet as well. Several occasions call for a dress - either long or short, formal or casual. Summer months are full of weddings, parties, and all kinds of gatherings. Dresses are the perfect outfit to show how extraordinary the occasion is. For a capsule wardrobe, 3-4 dresses would be appropriate. They should be of different lengths, colors, and styles to give you choices.  

Shop the HALLIE BLOUSON HALTER MAXI WITH FRONT SLIT DRESS - PETITE, $78.95 - White

Mini dresses are specially made for the summer months. They cover just enough skin so as not to make you feel too hot under the sun. These dresses can be worn to the beach, on an errand, on a date, or even just at home. They can even be paired with pants to make them seem like tunics or long blouses. That makes mini dresses more versatile and perfect for a capsule wardrobe.

Outer Wear

Shop the CROCHET NEON CARDIGAN, $58.95 - Neon Pink

Even during the summer months, it’s good to have light outerwear in case of weather changes and indoor air-conditioned events. They’re also good for layering to protect the skin from the sun. These can be light cardigans, beach cover-ups, and thin jackets.

If denim jeans are a must-have in a capsule wardrobe, so are denim jackets. Aside from matching well with jeans, they can also be worn over any top to keep the look casual. This is a basic clothing item that is in style year in and out.

Shop the ANTIBES LINEN KIMONO - PLUS, $165.95

Plain neutral-colored outerwear is also nice to have as these can be worn over anything - a top,  a dress, or a swimsuit. It goes with any color and any print.

Shop the UKISO WOMEN'S CURVE ENHANCING GODDESS LONG ZEBRA KIMONO DRESS, $74.62

Maximize Your Wardrobe

Having a capsule collection allows you to make the most of the clothes that you buy. It guarantees that you get your money’s worth. Instead of just using a piece of clothing once or twice, you will get to use every item in a capsule wardrobe at least once a week for at least 3 months until the next season begins. Capsule wardrobes can simplify your decision-making daily regarding what to wear, plus they help save you time and money.

Check out items for your capsule wardrobe here.