So, let's face it. Traveling is summer fun and looking adorably vintage is summer work. That's why I've done the work for you! With these 11 pieces, you can make 22+ outfits and still fit everything in a backpack. By the way-I did the whole shoot with one pair of strappy white wedge sandals and one camel colored belt to minimize needed accessories.
What I've done here is put together an example of how to make a capsule wardrobe full of summer style and what it would look like in practice. So let me talk you through how to make your own.
The steps:
- Before you even try to pick out clothes, you need to decide two thingss:
- Your neutral color. (I chose white and added a little tan, you could also choose tan, or a light grey, or even blue! Just stay away from black and brown, remember it's summer!)
- Your bright color. (I chose red, because there is nothing more femme fatale than red, but pick any color that looks good on you, just keep it cheery).
- You need high-waisted denim shorts. The one's I am wearing are from Forever 21, they are cheap, go get some.
- You also need at least one pair of nicely breathing or linen pants. You will need them for going anywhere that is overly air-conditioned, or for going to dinner to dress up your look a bit. They are a must have especially if you are traveling.
- If you REALLY want to embrace the vintage look you should have a summer suit. Go thrifting for this. Once again, linen is the best fabric! And don't be afraid to try skirts and jackets that didn't come packaged together, you can piece together your own suit.
- Also in the category of REALLY vintage is the playsuit. I went with one in a neutral because it was easy to match with my whole wardrobe, but if you went with a color that just looks fantastic on you, you could easily match it throughout your wardrobe as well. Playsuits are difficult to find unless you know how to alter 1980s versions of these. Luckily for you, soon, very soon, I will have some for sale in my Etsy shop for much more affordable prices than you can usually find online. Keep a look out!
- Throw in a dress. Or two! Get crazy. I only included one, but dresses are always a good idea and can be paired with the jacket from your summer suit. Or with a light cardigan.
- Lastly, think about a strongly patterned shirt, preferably one that features your bright color. Mine is a Ralph Lauren shirt I thrifted. It features red flowers and green leaves in a bold pattern with a kind of Hawaiian vibe, very late 40s inspired.
Here is the piece by piece list of my capsule wardrobe:
1. White and tan summer linen suit
2. White and tan gingham playsuit
3. Baby blue linen dress
4. Red sleeveless front tie shirt
5. Red off the shoulder fringed crop top with subtle palm tree print
6. Red and Green flower shirt
7. White off the shoulder peasant top
8. Denim high-waisted shorts
9. Tan linen pants
10. Red wide-legged trousers
Accessories: camel colored woven leather belt, white strappy wedge sandals.
Below, I'd like to show you how I combined these things to make outfits!
-Baby blue dress by itself
-Could be paired with my summer suit's jacket!
-Playsuit by itself
-Playsuit shorts
-White Peasant top
-Playsuit shorts
-Fringed crop top
-Playsuit shorts
-Red tie front shirt
-Playsuit shorts
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Playsuit top
-Denim high-waisted shorts
-Playsuit top
-Tan linen pants
-Playsuit top
-Red trousers
-Playsuit top
-White summer suit
-Playsuit top
-Summer suit skirt
-White summer suit
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Summer suit skirt
-White summer suit
-Red tie front shirt
-Red tie front shirt
-Summer suit skirt
-Denim high-waisted shorts
-White peasant top
-Denim high-waisted shorts
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Denim high-waisted shorts
-Fringed crop top
-Fringed crop top
-Tan linen pants
-Tan linen pants
-Red tie front shirt
-Tan linen pants
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Red and Green floral shirt
-Red trousers
That's 22 outfits and so many more possibilities! Send me pictures from your own capsule wardrobes on Instagram @razzledazzledarling