Real talk: warm-weather dressing isn’t always as effortless as throwing on a summer dress and sandals, but a summer capsule wardrobe can help you stylishly navigate the very hot and humid spaces — and the most refrigerated ones — with ease.
The trick to building out the ideal summer capsule wardrobe is focusing on fabrics and silhouettes. Just as in spring you gravitate towards wardrobe essentials that lend themselves well to layering, for peak temperatures you want breathable, lightweight materials, like linen, cotton, and silk, that move easily and feel good on skin — and don’t trap heat. When it comes to fit, anything loose and flowy usually works. (It’s little surprise that one of the most popular summer fashion trends is relaxed suiting). And don’t sweat the length: Midi and maxi styles tend to be just as — if not more — comfortable than minis, while tailored shorts (and jorts) read more appropriate than cutoffs in semi-formal settings.
The best part about dressing for the season, though, is all the colourful accessories that come out to play. A great beach bag, funky belts, and stackable jewellery — these are small staples that pack a punch with a simple look—and tend to get a ton of wear.
To make the next few months as fuss-free as possible (at least when it to comes dressing for the heat), we rounded up all the warm-weather essentials you need for a stylish summer — check them out below.
The Tank Top
White tank tops are a dime a dozen but a great one always stands out — and GLAMOUR editors agree that Free People and SKIMS have some of the best around.
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The White T-Shirt
Ditto for white T-shirts. Our editors can get very particular about the small details that set a good white tee apart from an excellent one. Here are a few at various price points we like to stock up on.
The Summer Sneakers
Whether you're at home or vacation, summer fashion trainers are a must for 10,000-plus-step days — and these kicks are current hits at the moment for a reason.
The Strapless Bra
Along with sticky bras, the best strapless bras can help you pull off a tricky summer ’fit. We’ve tried dozens to find ones that stay up and hidden for small breasts and large busts alike — Wacoal and SKIMS never disappoint.
The Tube Top
Somewhere between a longline bandeau and strapless top — this late-’90s, early-’00s staple has made a quiet comeback, managing to look both timeless and modern when paired with relaxed trousers or high-waist jeans.
The Swimsuit
Long sleeves, with tummy control, crinkle — we love a one-piece swimsuit around these parts. And not just because it takes the guesswork out of shopping for swimwear; it can also double as a bodysuit with denim shorts or a cute sarong.
The High-Waist Two-Piece Swimsuit
Those in the market for a two-piece will appreciate the variety the best swimwear brands have to offer. Gone are the days of finding only triangle bikinis and low-cut briefs; this new generation of bikinis has everything from interesting cutouts and strap placements to high-waist bottoms with cheeky coverage — all in a bevy of fun prints and colours.
The Statement Shades
Sunglasses are always a good idea — especially ones that can get coated with sand and seawater without you being too precious about them.
The Linen Button-Down
Naturally lightweight and breathable, linen is a quintessential summer fabric—and the best linen shirts look a little (or lot) lived-in.
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The Floral Dress
Sleeveless, puff-sleeved, smocked or strapless — the perfect summer day dress instantly ups your level of excitement for getting dressed in the morning. It’s also a holiday must-have.
The Denim Shorts
Like an on-off relationship, feelings towards jorts have been hot and cold for the past few summers, but it seems the internet’s finally reached a consensus: they can stay. Blame it on Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid, who make them look so good with Sambas — but you’ll want to embrace these longer hems, ASAP.
The Everyday Sandals
If you don’t already own a comfortable pair of walking sandals, now’s the time to get one. Birkenstock's Arizona silhouette are the classic go-to pair, but consider something a bit quirkier – like Teva's – if you fancy a change.
The Beach Tote
A sturdy basket bag is a nonnegotiable for carrying towels, sunscreen, books, and snacks with style.
The Extra Sun Protection
The window for wearing a straw boater is a short one, so make the most of summer hat season while you can.
The Beach Coverup
The best beach coverup is an outfit unto itself. We love the way an oversized shirt looks over a cozzie, or a printed sarong with a matching bikini.
The Summer Skirt
Slip skirts will always have a place in our wardrobe, but there’s something about structured midis— in linen and denim — that we’re really into right now.
The Linen Trousers
Linen trousers may be a bit of a cliche for summer, but if it isn't broke don't fix it. Right? Our favourites at the moment are from M&S and Massimo Dutti.
The Waistcoat
Equal parts cool and sophisticated, a waistcoat is what you wear when the vibe is put-together but not super fussy. Skip layering and wear it sleeveless.
The Linen Blazer
Blazers get the linen treatment for summer too. Black always works, but it’s hard to go wrong with an off-white version slung carefree over a T-shirt.
The Summer Knit
Perfect for windy beaches and A/C-filled offices, a lightweight knit you can toss in a big tote bag goes a long way.
The Event Dress
A special-occasion dress should make an impact — and have life beyond a single wear. You can find the best summer wedding guest dresses across all budgets and styles, though RIXO and Kitri have some our favourite printed ones.
The Heeled Sandals
Perfect for after-work events, weddings, or date nights, a mule or kitten-heel sandal is a versatile addition that’ll get plenty of wear.
The Hair Accessory
Cute claw clips and scrunchies to the rescue in the unrelenting heat and humidity.
The Summer Jewellery Stack
Pile on the campy pieces — we love Pandora and Edge of Ember's playful pearly creations — or mix metals for a colourful, layered look; celeb-loved brands like Missoma and Mejuri have great pieces for every day.
The Belt
All eyes are on belts right now. Invest in a luxe leather one you’ll own for years to come, or have fun with a chain style that’ll pair nicely with slip dresses and denim skirts.
This article originally appeared on Glamour US.
For more from Glamour US Senior Commerce Writer Talia Abbas, follow her @_taliaabbas on Instagram. For more from GLAMOUR UK Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
