A reader asked recently for a summer version of our Complete Capsule Wardrobe, which proved so popular back in 2020. 

As with that one, the challenge with today’s capsule wardrobe is knowing who it is aimed at, particularly how smartly or not they dress. So again we’ve aimed in the middle, with the hope that some of it will be relevant to everyone. 

The most specific summer point, for me, is in the first section: the value of an outer piece like a linen overshirt, and a linen suit that can be split up. Something like an overshirt is good with both tailored trousers and shorts; while the three-way suit is something linen is particularly good for. 

Remember that all the summer pieces on PS are gathered in their own section of the website here. That includes summer and high summer, both smart and casual. 

And all of the capsule wardrobes we’ve done over the years – over 20 of them – are in the Wardrobe Building section. 

Jackets and outerwear 

1. A linen overshirt, guayabera or jungle jacket
2. A darkish linen suit 
3. A chambray or denim shirt with chest pockets 

The value of a linen overshirt in covering both smart and casual combinations is made above. Summer jackets that are similar but perhaps a little narrower are a jungle jacket, which is more casual, and something like a guayabera, which is just more unusual. 

For the linen suit, you’d naturally think of a cream or pale stone/biscuit colour, and this could work well broken up too. But you may find a dark brown or dark green more versatile – for example with white shirts or white T-shirts below. Examples at those links. 

Number three is something I always bring on holiday, because a casual chambray shirt can be worn over a T-shirt and perform the same role as an overshirt – or be tucked in on its own. A shirt over a T-shirt is also a good option with shorts, as it achieves that thing of having a longer length on either the legs or the arms. 

Trousers 

1. The linen trousers from the suit above 
2. High-twists
3. Pale jeans or lightweight chinos 
4. Khaki shorts 

So we’ve covered the linen trousers. The high-twists are clearly the smartest option, but should go with the jacket from the suit, as well as the linen overshirt. Worn on their own with a knitted polo and some sockless loafers, there also a nice casual-chic option. 

I always have jeans with me, as I don’t get too hot and am usually fine if they’re a loosish fit and I have bare ankles. But some might prefer chinos – the looseness still applies. 

For most people, there will always be shorts, and it’s just a question of which colour fits best with everything else in the capsule. For me, that’s usually khaki.

Shirts 

1. White linen, able to be worn tucked and untucked
2. Short-sleeve polo, perhaps knitted
3. Long-sleeve polo, wear tucked or untucked
4. White and grey T-shirts

I wear white-linen shirts a lot in warmer weather, because I think they suit me and they go with everything. If I was putting together a capsule and wanted something particularly versatile, I’d take one that had a straight hem and so could be worn untucked with shorts as well. The long-sleeve polo like our Friday one, is the same. 

White and perhaps grey T-shirts are obvious, even if they’re just for layering. The short-sleeved polo, for me, can be a regular piqué but is also an opportunity for something a little dressier, so perhaps a knitted one. The kind of thing you can vary depending on how smart you need to be. 

Knitwear

1. A cotton crewneck 
2. A fine merino crewneck or a shawl-collar cardigan

This is the area where you probably need to pack the least. It may just be a question of one knit that you can put on in the evening when the weather cools. My favourite there is a cotton, in navy or cream depending on which goes best with the trousers and shorts. 

If there was another option, there’s definitely an argument for a fine merino, as it’s a little smarter and makes a good layering piece (under the jacket or overshirt for example). However, I tend to take a merino shawl cardigan on holiday, even if it will be quite warm, as it’s effectively a jacket substitute (and dressing gown substitute) as well.

Shoes 

1. A loafer than can cross smart and casual 
2. A deck shoe, tennis shoe or trainer  
3. Espadrilles or sandals

Summer shoes is a whole new category in a way that most of these areas are not. Fortunately, it has already been covered in a dedicated post here, in the summer section of PS. 

I also plan to update that post in the coming weeks, and do a dedicated article on the now increasingly popular category of deck/boat shoes. 

Accessories 

1. Sunglasses 
2. A straw hat 
3. A cap (maybe colourful) 
4. A couple of belts (good for adding interest)
5. A tote bag that can also go to the beach 
6. A vest (coolest option under those overshirts)

Sunglasses are pretty straightforward, but hats are not. A baseball cap is all very well – it certainly works, and works with a lot of styles – but finding a straw hat that doesn’t look too smart or old-fashioned is hard. The closest I’ve come is here for a really beaten-up straw, and here for something a little smarter (note: in the same straw colour). 

Everything else is self-explanatory I think, except to advise that if you are putting together a clothing capsule – as you inevitably are on holiday – accessories are the thing that can stop it all getting rather repetitive. A coloured canvas belt or bright cap can make all the difference. 

Further reading:

• What I pack when I go on holiday
• A casual summer capsule
• Smart dressing in really hot weather
• Holiday snaps articles