"Turning the calendar to the summer months always feels like crossing a metaphorical finish line that warrants a celebration. After months of braving the cold (and, let’s be honest, a spring that felt like winter for many of us), the first taste of summer brings the same nostalgia and ease as a dinner with an old friend. Perhaps the most yearned-after gift of summer, though, is the transition from bundled layers to airy linen dresses, rattan details, and the vibrant colors of the season (that happen to perfectly compliment sun-kissed skin). Summer is about waking up, throwing on an easy outfit, and heading out the door feeling like a 10.
No matter what your schedule holds—though I hope it’s jam-packed with a lot of patio drinks and beach days—our summer 2025 capsule wardrobe can be mixed, matched, and worn on repeat until the first leaf of autumn falls.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
The simple definition is that it’s a curated wardrobe made up of versatile pieces that you love to wear. Your capsule wardrobe should be a testament to your personal style. One of the biggest misconceptions about capsule wardrobes is that they don’t apply to people with trendy or maximalist-leaning style. A good capsule doesn’t need to be a pattern-free collection of neutral basics; instead, think of it as a collection of pieces that can be styled many ways.
A capsule wardrobe consists of a set of tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories that can be easily mixed and matched together to be dressed up, down, and anywhere in between.
How to build a capsule wardrobe
The first step to building a capsule wardrobe is taking a good, hard look at what you already own, then figuring out what needs to go—and what holes your closet has that need filling.
Sort each item into one of four piles:
Seasonal: If you’re able, move all of your seasonal pieces into a storage location so you have a better idea of the pieces you own that are actively in play.
I love it and would wear it tomorrow: These pieces fit your body and your lifestyle, and you’re confident wearing them. Put these back into your closet first.
Maybe: These pieces might not fit perfectly, or maybe just haven’t been worn in a while. (If you haven’t reached for a piece more than once, it belongs in this pile too). Put all of these items in a box and store them in a place that’s easily accessible. If you find yourself reaching for an item, put it back in your closet after; if you haven’t reached for it by the end of the season, keep it in the box to take to donate. This is noncommittal (for now) and allows you to change your mind later.
Hard no: Whether it’s because it doesn’t fit or you just decided you don’t like it, pack these pieces up to donate them.
For me, summer is synonymous with color. Once the first days of June hit, I don’t want to leave the threshold of my apartment without something bright worked into my outfit (or preferably a handful of them dispersed throughout whatever I’m wearing). For this summer’s capsule, I wanted to incorporate infusions of color made ultra-versatile with the help of breezy linens and a handful of neutrals. I chose accessories that are exclusive to summer—fish motifs, textured raffia, chunky pearls—to help bring the outfit options further into the season. This summer’s capsule can be styled for everything from office days to a Fourth of July barbecue to warm date nights spent sipping Sancerre on a patio.
Understanding your personal style
Understanding your personal style is the key to building a capsule wardrobe that really resonates with you. Start by taking a closer look at your current wardrobe. Which pieces do you reach for time and time again? Identify the pieces that you feel the most you in.
Consider your lifestyle and style preferences, too. Ask yourself questions like: What are my favorite colors to wear? Do I lean toward classic styles, or do I prefer trendier pieces? Do I tend to reach for bottoms that prioritize comfort? Start to find the patterns in your preferences before you add anything new to your closet.
Creating a color palette
You want your capsule wardrobe to be filled with pieces you actually want to wear, which means they should fall into a color palette you want to reach for on repeat. Start by thinking about your most-worn pieces: Are they bright and statement-making, or neutral and classic? Having a few neutrals in your capsule wardrobe for versatility’s sake isn’t a bad idea, but your capsule definitely doesn’t need to be—and honestly, shouldn’t be—only neutrals. Prioritize selecting pieces in colors you know you’ll reach for—even better, in colors that spark joy for you—and in shades that will pair well with other pieces in your closet.
The essentials of a summer capsule wardrobe
Summer dressing is all about ease. As opposed to the seasons that require layering, summer dressing centers around pieces you can throw on and leave the house in. Dresses that can be worn from the office to happy hour, linen button-ups that double as beach cover-ups—summer pieces bring an element of versatility to dressing that’s exclusive to the season. The essentials of a summer capsule wardrobe include:
Essential tops
- A white tank top: A white tank can be worn alone or layered under your cardigans and button-ups on chilly nights.
- A statement top: A top in a trending color or out-of-the-box pattern can be paired with your summer bottoms for day-to-night wear.
- A linen button-up: You can opt for a classic white button-up, or one in a bright color or loud pattern that will make a statement throughout the warm months.
Essential bottoms
- Denim shorts: Long-length denim shorts can be dressed up or down for whatever your summer calendar might bring.
- Linen shorts: Linen shorts might make you feel like you got away with leaving the house in pajamas, but they’re a workhorse that can be worn on casual days and dressed-up nights alike.
- A maxi skirt: Swapping out pants for a breezy maxi skirt can bring much-needed adaptability to your summer tops.
Essential accessories
- Seasonal jewelry: Shells, fish, baroque pearls—summer brings endless seasonal jewelry options that infuse a taste of the season to whatever they’re paired with.
- A raffia bag: Swapping your go-to leather bag for a raffia version will help ensure you’re schlepping your belongings in style all season long.
- Versatile sandals: Your summer wardrobe isn’t complete without sandals that are versatile enough to leave at your door and slip into whenever you leave the house. Summer 2025 calls for minimal flip-flops, strappy styles, and easy slides.
The Everygirl’s
Summer 2025 Capsule Wardrobe
How to style your summer capsule wardrobe
For a holiday weekend barbecue
Fish Necklace (Budget Option) | Ruched Tank (Plus) | Raffia Tote (Budget Option) | White Jeans (Plus) | Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Flip Flops (Budget Option)
A red tank can be a wear-on-repeat piece throughout the entirety of the summer months, but will come especially handy for holiday weekends. For a Fourth of July or Labor Day celebration, white jeans and flip flops will help the red tank feel festive without being too on the nose. The look will be simultaneously sweat-proof and ready for the inevitable temperature dip that’ll happen once the sun goes down.
For a night out with friends
Pearl Choker (Budget Option) | Linen Pants (Plus) | Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Striped Tank (Plus) | Rope Bag (Budget Option) | Heeled Sandals (Budget Option)
One of the greatest joys in life is sitting outside on a warm summer night drinking a cocktail—or better yet, an ice-cold glass of wine—with your friends. Look effortlessly chic while doing it by pairing a striped tank with linen shorts and a pair of heeled flip flops. The combo gives “I’m not trying too hard” in a summery way, but remains completely chic in the instance you take the night to a second location.
For a casual dinner
Pearl Choker (Budget Option) | Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Raffia Tote (Budget Option) | Tie-Front Blouse (Plus) | Denim Shorts (Plus) | Flip Flops (Budget Option)
Be it a cookout on a friend’s deck or a last-minute reservation at a local spot, it feels like the summer months inevitably come with more dinner reservations than the rest of the year combined. This butter-yellow linen top can come to the rescue every time you need an outfit at the eleventh hour. For a casual lunch or dinner, pair it with relaxed denim shorts, flip flops, and layered-on seasonal accessories.
For a casual Friday
Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Linen Button-Up (Plus) | Pearl Choker (Budget Option) | Shell Earrings (Budget Option) | Drawstring Jeans (Plus) | Ballet Flats (Budget Option)
Whether you’re headed to the office or to work from a coffee shop, a linen button-up and raffia sandals are your perfect summer workday companions. Seasonal accessories—hello, pearl necklace and shell earrings—help to take the look into summer territory without losing its professionalism. If your office doesn’t allow jeans, you can swap them for a breezy pair of linen trousers or your favorite maxi skirt.
To the Farmer’s Market
Fish Necklace (Budget Option) | Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Striped Tee (Plus) | Rope Bag (Budget Option) | Drawstring Jeans (Plus) | Flip Flops (Budget Option)
I don’t make the rules: Summer Saturdays are for Farmer’s Markets. Head to romanticize your life in a striped tee and jeans that are inherently casual, but still cute enough to wear around town when you inevitably stay out for the rest of the afternoon. Accessorize with a cheeky rope necklace and a bouquet of Farmer’s Market flowers.
On a date
Oval Sunglasses (Budget Option) | Mini Dress (Plus) | Shell Earrings (Budget Option) | Rope Bag (Budget Option) | Heeled Sandals (Budget Option)
The best part of summer dressing will always be dresses; they’re the easy, one-and-done outfit option that many of us have to suffer without for the rest of the year. Head to your dinner reservation in a white mini dress with heeled flip flops, a woven bag, and shell earrings (which will make the perfect statement should you have to throw your hair up in the heat).
Madeline Galassi, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Madeline has been covering fashion at The Everygirl since 2018. She edits all fashion content, writes in-depth trend reports, and curates the direction of the fashion and beauty sections. She’s worked with top brands like Nordstrom, & Other Stories, Sézane, and Everlane.