How to Create a Summer Beach Capsule Wardrobe

These days, more and more people are looking for ways to simplify their lives and reduce decision fatigue. And yes – in their wardrobes as well! One of the best ways to do this is by creating capsule wardrobes. We have been whipping up a few capsule wardrobes for you to try over the seasons, and today we’re going to help you create the perfect capsule wardrobe for a beachy summer. 

Just to recap, a capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of clothes that you mix and  match to create a variety of outfits! This helps you get dressed quickly without sacrificing your style. Basically, it’s a cheatsheet way to look great every day, with a smaller number of items. 

This beachy capsule wardrobe is perfect for packing light on your summer vacation and it’s going to make packing a carryon, a breeze. We love putting together capsules that can be dressed up or down, and we always include accessories to help you make each look unique. It’s also the perfect season for dresses and we’re going to be including our favorites for you today.

The 5–4–3–2–1 Method

Around here I use a simple guideline to create a work capsule wardrobe. It’s the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. In other words. Your summer capsule should include:

• 5 tops
• 4 bottoms
• 3 dresses
• 2 pairs of shoes
• 1 beach cover up

5+4+3+2+1=15 pieces. Ta-da! 

We’ve definitely shared with you this method before, but I think it’s just a useful guide to help you create your capsule without going overboard. Remember, with a capsule wardrobe, less is more! You want high quality pieces that mix and match as opposed to a higher number of pieces. We don’t always follow this method perfectly, but we do try to stick within 15 items so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Creating a Summer Beach Capsule Wardrobe

We wanted to create this beachy capsule wardrobe to help you pack for your summer vacation without getting overwhelmed or over packing (we are definitely guilty of over packing and capsule wardrobes save us) 

What I love about this beach capsule wardrobe is how casually chic each of the pieces are. They’re easy to elevate or dress down, meaning you’ll look great whether you’re headed to the beach for the day or dinner and drinks at night. As always, we’ve gone with a neutral color palette so the items mix and match easily. 

If you want to learn more about how to create a capsule wardrobe, read this post next! 

What to include in your Beach Vacation Capsule Wardrobe

The goal with our beachy summer capsule wardrobe was to reflect an effortless and beautiful day at the beach. We wanted to bring you a refreshed look that is simply yet elevated. These creamy and tan tones already make us feel like we’re at the beach, the only thing missing is a summer tan! 

Tops

For tops we wanted to pick styles that would keep you cool all day long. Both styles are flowy and the fabrics are very lightweight. Sticking with our typical capsule wardrobe style we also decided to get one white top and one black so they can be mixed and matched with ease.

Bottoms

For bottoms we wanted to provide options that can be dressed up or down. Shorts that are a neutral color and dressed up with a belt or down for a beach hang. Plus a classic black skirt. We love a midi style because it has a much classier appeal that goes from day to date night really easily. Plus it’s the perfect thing to wear on a plane in the summer.

Dresses

For dresses we wanted to find two choices that both lightweight and stylish. Linen is a must in the summer. It’s the perfect fabric that’s going to keep you cool and it has such a natural look about it. Plus, we’ve predicted that black dresses are going to be trending this summer, so stay ahead with this pick.

Coverups

Coverups are a beach essential and they’re a way to have a lot of fun with your capsule wardrobe. Because we’re packing light, we’ve gone with a style that’s going to help you stand out. We always think coverups are a way to have a lot of fun in the summer so don’t be afraid to go bold! 

Shoes

For your beachy summer capsule you definitely want a pair of sandals that you can wear all day at the beach, but as always we can’t let you go on vacation without the perfect pair of heels! We’ve left the sneakers at home and gone for two pairs of comfortable sandals that scream beach vacation. 

Accessories

We’ve talked about this before, accessories are arguably the most important part of your capsule wardrobe. They are going to help you make each outfit look unique and fresh. They’re also the perfect way to go from day to night. For this beach capsule we’ve included two bags – one that’s the perfect beach accessory and the other that still matches your beach holiday vibes but is perfect for dinner and nights out. 

We’ve also included a body chain which we just love. Body chains are the perfect summer accessory and you definitely need one for your beach vacation. We’ve also included bold suncatcher earrings that we think you’re going to love. 

Lastly you need your sun protection. We’ve included our favorite pair of sunglasses and straw hat that’s so cute (and so on brand for the coastal cowgirl trend this summer!)

What to wear on the plane

Usually we recommend you wear your bulkiest items on the plane because that saves a lot of room for packing everything else in your carryon. This tip especially goes for summer because it’s going to be hot where you’re going, but airplanes are always freezing! For that reason, make sure to wear your black midi skirt with sandals and a lightweight top to keep you warm on the plane. 

Travel packing list

Once you’re ready to start packing – I’ve created the list for you! Download my free beach summer capsule wardrobe packing list to make sure you don’t miss anything for your beach vacation this summer! 

What’s your favorite beach vacation to take in the summer? We need help planning where we’ll go this year! Jump over to Instagram to chat with us more about what you’d include in your beach summer capsule wardrobe and get daily outfit inspiration @basiarestrepo.