Are you looking for the best summer wardrobe essentials to build your dream capsule with? This list has everything you need to create the most stylish looks to wear on repeat this summer.
Ah, summer. The perfect time for sunshine, barbeques, beach trips, and refreshing your summer wardrobe capsule.
I love styling all four seasons, but there’s just something about summer where things should be easy. Don’t you agree? It all boils down (no pun intended) to owning the perfect summer items that pair nicely with the rest of your closet.
The answer to the most versatile summer wardrobe essentials you need to style the perfect warm-weather outfits year after year is linen, linen, and more linen; plus some other amazing items you can’t forget!
You will learn the best pieces to shop for right now and be ready once temperatures rise.
This post is all about summer wardrobe essentials.
Best Summer Wardrobe Essentials
1. The Perfect Tank Top For Your Summer Wardrobe Capsule
The perfect tank top for any summer wardrobe is the one you want to wear everyday. It’s versatile enough for dog walks, trips to the beach, traveling, running errands, or meeting up with friends. You can dress it up with date night outfits or dress it down as loungewear. You can even throw a jacket or sweater over it and wear it to the office.
A ribbed tank is the most versatile piece for your closet this summer. I love a crewneck racerback style for it’s versatility, which looks great with a statement necklace or a chic silk scarf. It’s so easy to style this piece with a pair of relaxed trousers or linen pants, a pair of flat sandals, and call it a day–an easy summer day that is.
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2. Stylish Summer Hat To Protect Your Face
A stylish summer hat should be the next item on your summer wardrobe essentials list. Hats are fabulous accessories, but not always the easiest to shop for. Get the most bang for your buck by choosing a hat style that offers both form and function.
Key Features To Look For In A Summer Hat
These are the key features you should look for in a summer hat for styling everyday outfits and as a travel wardrobe capsule must-have:
- The hat is made of woven fibers such as straw, raffia, or imitation straw as these are the most breathable and fashionable in warm weather
- The brim is at least 3 inches wide for adequate sun protection
- The hat has an elastic band, or tie, or is fitted to stay on your head in case of wind
Look for these additional features for added versatility and sun protection:
- UPF50+ rating for the ultimate sun protection for your head and face
- The hat brim is 4.5 inches and greater for long beach and pool days
- The hat material is water resistant in case of a light rain shower, extreme humidity, or a super sweaty day
- The hat is packable (meaning you can put it in a suitcase and it retains its shape)
Pro-Tip: Get your elastic-banded hat to stay firmly on your head by placing a thick hair clip or barrette on the back of your head and pulling the hat band over it.
A Quick Note On Packable Hats
Most “packable” straw hats should be placed in a suitcase as-is while you stuff clothing around the outside and inside of the hat. Avoid rolling or bending them, especially if they were a budget buy. Don’t pack a genuine straw hat in a suitcase because it should not be bent. Any unnecessary force or pressure can permanently bend or damage the straw.
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3. Add A Pair Of Casual Pants To Your Wardrobe Basics Checklist
There’s nothing cooler than a stylish pair of casual pants worn around the house, strolling along the beach, sitting around a campfire, or running errands. Paired with a tank or swimwear or a ribbed long-sleeve top on a cool night, this is the most effortlessly chic piece of all summer clothing.
Linen pants are the most breathable fabric for dressing up or down on a hot summer day and even work for spring outfits and early fall outfits. Not only are they great for styling day to night, but I opt to wear them on dog walks, so may legs are covered from the sun but never overheat.
If not linen, try a linen or cotton blend or a washable silk-like fabric for the most comfort and versatility in styling summer outfits.
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4. Long Days Require CHic Walking Sandals
‘Fashionable walking sandals’ might seem like an oxymoron in the world of style. However, if you enjoy action-packed days of sunshine and exploration, this is a must-have item in your summer wardrobe staples.
For some activities, you just can’t get away with a flat pair of minimalist sandals. You need something that won’t rub or dig and has some cushion when you’re doing a four-hour walking tour through the lovely Spanish city of Cordoba or attending a summer music festival.
Call them Dad sandals, sport sandals or Birkenstocks, as long as you choose a color that harmonizes with the rest of your summer essentials, they’ll be perfect all season.
5. A Chic Linen Button-Down Is The King Of Summer Wardrobe Staples
The breezy linen button-down has become a must-have item for beach vacations, casual dinners, and relaxed days at the office. This shirt style is very comfortable but also elevates a casual summer outfit.
If you’re all about versatility in your summer wardrobe capsule, look no further than a linen-button down shirt and the many options to put an outfit together (neutral colors will match most items you own):
- Classically buttoned up 3/4 of the way, tucked into a pair of shorts or pants
- Worn open with a stylish tank underneath
- Oversized as a swimsuit coverup
- Partially buttoned and tied in a knot at the waist, with wide-legged cropped pants
- Oversized as a tunic with a silk neck scarf with skinny jeans or leggings
- Thrown over the shoulders on a cool night
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6. Bring A Large Tote To The Pool Or Beach
As if we all don’t have enough tote bags already…or is that just me?
Either way, a large tote tops my summer wardrobe essentials checklist, especially ticking off this year’s hottest style trends. Just throw a bunch of stuff in, grab the top handles, and go. Perfect for beach vacations, running errands, shopping trips, pool days, and airport outfits.
Opt for a woven style in leather, which can be dressed up or down and worn for multi-seasons, or a classic straw tote that’s perfect for days down the shore or summer barbecues and daytime summer looks.
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7. Don’t Forget Your Summer Wardrobe Sunglasses
Sunglasses are the most obvious of all summer wardrobe basics that is, behind swimwear (which isn’t on this list because it’s too obvious).
You may be someone who has built up quite a collection of sunglasses or maybe you’re just trying not to lose your latest $12 pair. Either way, it pays to understand the best style of sunglasses to complement your face shape and coloring. Visit a sunglasses store and spend time trying on all styles, even ones you don’t like at first glance, to give yourself an idea of what looks best on you.
Ensure your sunglasses have UV protection. Polarized lenses are great for active lifestyles.
My secret tip for purchasing sunglasses is to understand what level of pressure your face can handle. If your ears or the bridge of your nose has become sore from heavier frames such as plastic and oversized sunglasses, opt for lightweight metal frames such as aviators. Featherweight styles comes at a higher price point, but they’re so worth it, IMO.
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8. A Day Dress Is One Of The Best Summer Fashion Staples
A day dress is next on the list of must-have summer wardrobe essentials. The ideal day dress is versatile enough to wear for a multitude of activities such as baby showers, bridal showers, parties, walking the boardwalk, covering up at the pool, barbecues, or if you’re like me and just prefer to wear dresses instead of pants or shorts.
Wrap dresses and relaxed shirt dresses flatter every body type and you can find them in different fabrics based on your style and comfort preference. Shirt dresses can be belted for chic outfits that are more structured or left loose for a relaxed summer style.
Natural fabrics look the most expensive and often come at budget prices. Linen is best for hot days, but don’t shy away from linen blends, cotton poplin, Tencel, or slinky jersey fabrics. A flowy dress in 100% rayon or spandex fabric is a great option for a casual day or beach cover-up when shopping for clothes on a budget.
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9. The Incredibly Versatile Lightweight Scarf
A lightweight scarf is a great way to style a summer outfit or cover up from the hot sun.
I realized the power of a sheer oversized scarf after attending music festivals in locations where there were no trees in sight (WHY lol?!). I wanted more than sunscreen to protect my shoulders, arms, and back. Not only that but as the temperature dropped at night, my scarf became a lightweight blanket.
Bottom line, a scarf is more than just a fashion accessory and if you opt for a longer one, you get the functional benefits of sun protection, warmth, and a great cover-up if you need to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites on vacation.
Linen, silk, lightweight cotton or gauze, and rayon are perfect fabrics for summer.
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10. Every Woman Needs A Summer Evening Dress
The counterpart to the summer day dress is the summer evening dress. This dress is more formal than the day dress but not necessarily “formal”. Opt for a style that flows and moves versus something stiff and tight, such as a shift dress, slip dress, or fit and flare style.
An LBD goes with just about everything if you’re shopping on a budget, but don’t feel limited to just black. A dress in your most flattering color will make a statement, perfect for those summer night outfits where you want to look extra special.
Related Post: The Perfect Shoes For A Black Dress
Wear this dress for all dressy occasions such as date nights, winery outfits, as a bachelorette party outfit, concerts, jazz clubs, and elegant dinners on vacation. The dress should be flattering and something you’d want to wear on multiple occasions with different accessories, rather than a one-hit wonder.
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11. Go Out In The Perfect Summer Evening Sandals
Lastly, you need some cute summer evening sandals to go with that summer evening dress, right?
Evening sandals have an innately casual feel, but also can be dressed up with a silk slip dress for a summer wedding. You can be playful with your colors and styles so long as it goes with your wardrobe. A two-strap style sandal in a neutral color like black, tan, or beige goes with everything and you can wear them for several seasons.
If you love to wear high heels, go for it. Kitten heels are easier to walk in and great for day to night affairs too. My ‘dream’ summer evening sandal has a heel that is 1.5-2 inches tall.
Related Post: 15 Perfect Bar Outfits For Your Next Night Out
Take your wardrobe planning to the next level with the Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials List, completely free to download and use on your mobile device or print out.
What summer wardrobe essential can you not live without?
This post was all about summer wardrobe essentials
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