The Only 8 Basics You Need for Your Summer Capsule Wardrobe

I often have great plans to wear all sorts of fabulously colorful combinations of blouses and wide-leg pants or graphic tees tucked into skirts come summer. But once the heat really kicks into high gear, I find myself reaching for the same trusty basics over and over again rather than wasting precious energy trying to determine which florals mix well with which stripes. As such, I’ve found there are just eight must-have pieces that are the building blocks of a successful summer capsule wardrobe. They even go well with bolder, more special pieces for days when you really want your outfit to pop. Without further ado, the only eight items of clothing you need for a comfortable and chic summer.

A capsule wardrobe is essentially a collection of basics that can be mixed and matched in countless ways without necessitating additional purchases to complete your outfit. Think plain white tees, classic denim, neutral-hued knits and dresses that can be styled up or down to fit your agenda. Of course, that core base can look different depending on your lifestyle—corporate lawyers would do well to stock up on blazers and conservative blouses, whereas an elementary school teacher would likely want more comfortable shoes and midi dresses. Our best tip for figuring out exactly where to start building your own capsule wardrobe is to pull out your most-worn clothing items and consider what it is that has you reaching for them time and time again. Then you can start to build out from there, considering what additional pieces work best with your favorite trousers or all the fun ways to layer your button-up cardigans.

To be honest, the list of summer must-haves could have been anywhere between eight and 28 items long. But we found these pieces were by far the most versatile, both in the sense that they can be easily worn with so many other styles and because they work for any and all body types. So it doesn’t much matter whether you’d define your personal style as boho-chic, preppy, Coastal Grandmother or even ‘90s Whimsigoth. Each of the items on this list will fit beautifully with all your existing summer favorites.

Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on the best running apps? She's your gal. From trend explanations to designer gossip, Abby has your back.

PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.