Holidays are the perfect time to create a true capsule wardrobe. With limited luggage, and a set number of days away, creating a summer holiday capsule wardrobe can help you save on space and laundry. For my latest shoot, I decided to focus on creating different outfits with the same limited number of items to showcase just how easy this is, and that you probably don’t need to buy anything new either!
Barnardo’s estimates that 50 million items will be bought, worn once, and thrown away over the summer months. It speaks to the rising perception that fashion is disposable – especially fast fashion – and the push to buy clothes in the run up to a holiday. And while I think holidaying should be fun, I also think it’s important to try to be a sustainable traveller. Curating a capsule wardrobe will help you to reduce on impulse purchases and save money to spend on more experiences while away!
What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?
I’ve been writing about sustainable fashion since 2014, and while I’ve never created a true capsule wardrobe, my minimalist style and restricted buying patterns (prioritising second-hand, vintage, and sustainable brands) lend themselves well to creating a capsule wardrobe.
In essence, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of garments that can be worn in multiple combinations to create a uniform style, and reduce on unnecessary purchases. There is no set number of items for a capsule wardrobe, nor a set style, although you may be familiar with the 10 x 10 Challenge, or Project 333, where you wear 33 items for 3 months. Often, capsule wardrobes focus on a season – spring, summer, autumn, winter – and invite wearers to rearrange their wardrobes at the start of each season.
Unfortunately, I’ve often seen capsule wardrobe participants actively buying more clothing for each new season, rather than utilising what they already have. It’s why I don’t prescribe creating a true capsule wardrobe collection, and instead, find ways to wear all your clothes, all year round (except maybe your swimsuit!).
For this piece, however, I am sharing how to mix and match a set number of items, exactly as you would do when travelling with just a suitcase of clothes and accessories!
My 20 Item Summer Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
From top left: Aurate Gold Chain Necklace*, Second-Hand Serapian Black Slouch Handbag (20% off at Thrift+: BESMA20), Jimmy Fairly Felice Sunglasses, Alienina Ella Woven Bag, Black Linen Shirt, White Linen Shirt, Organic Basics Brown Singlet* (20% off: BESMAOB), Black Knit Top, MOYE Black Silk Dress, Ninety Percent Brown Woven Set* (gifted, 20% off: BESMA20), Baukjen White Linen Trousers* (gifted, 15% off: BESMA15), Black Bikini Top & Bottoms, Strappy Sandals*, Monica Vinader x MOP Pearl Necklace* (20% off: MVINSIDER20-5071), Black Mules Sandals*, Monica Vinader Gold Anklet* (20% off: MVINSIDER20-5071), Statement Gold Earrings, Birkenstock Sandals*, Cedar & Vine Linen Shorts.
I really enjoyed putting this collection of clothing together, and while I don’t have any summer holiday plans this year, it is a true representation of the items I’ve been wearing the most here on the South coast. I’ve gone for 20 pieces, purely on accident, after sorting through my wardrobe and jewellery box to create all the outfits shown below.
Linen features heavily in this collection, as it’s a great sustainable fabric to go for in the summer months, being breathable and keeping skin cool. I also like to wear silk (often bought second-hand) as another cool fabric. And finally, a mix of sizes works well – my oversized black linen shirt makes for a cute top when tied, or in-between layer when worn loose.
My Summer Capsule Wardrobe In Action
And here are the looks! I’d love to know which is your favourite, and whether you’d consider mixing and matching any of these items differently?
Let me know if you’re inspired to create your own summer holiday capsule wardrobe!
