If, like us, you tend to sway more towards the bold and beautiful when shopping online, then this blog’s for you.
Yes, vibrant, unique pieces are ideal for times you want to make a statement, but always indulging in this trend will result in a lot of print and colour clashing, and the reoccurring worry of “I don’t think this outfit goes!”
Don’t worry, there’s a solution to this: a “capsule wardrobe”, where you choose simple, timeless pieces, ideal for mix-and-matching, that will see you through the seasons. To help us with this, we spoke to influencer, writer and low-key-style guru, @jessicasharris_, and with summer (and holidays in particular!) around the corner, there’s no better time than now to start building.
One-Shoulder Swimsuit – No. Eleven – £38
Round Sunglasses – Isabel Marant – £89
Five Key Pieces for a Capsule Wardrobe
Capsule wardrobes shouldn’t spill out at the seams. As explained earlier, the pieces you choose should be minimal in design and effortless to wear – so able to mix and match! When we asked Jessica on what’s in hers, she made clear that it’s no more than five items: “a linen shirt, a basket bag, a classic pair of black sunglasses, flat leather sandals and a pair of silk trousers – that’s all you’ll need!”
Women’s Black Sunglasses 56mm – Gucci – £159
Pocket Linen Shirt – Mango – £18
Matilde Chain Luxe Leather Flats – Oliver Sweeney – £69
Natural Rivoli Mini Bag – Pranella – £29
Tapered Silk Trousers – Vince – £89
Colours and Fabrics for a Capsule Wardrobe
Put down the pink! When creating a capsule edit, we would suggest swaying to muted tones that will complement each other, and Jessica agrees; “stick to neutrals, especially whites and browns, in order to keep things effortless”. Where fabrics are concerned, “materials like silk, cotton and linen over everything else – especially in summer!”
What to Wear on Holiday
As much as we love a colourful combo on holiday, if you’re wanting to travel lightly, a capsule wardrobe (or suitcase, if you will!) is definitely the way to go. Stick to Jessica’s advice – shirt, bag, sunglasses, sandals & trousers – to keep your luggage light and your style on-point. If you’re worried about outfits feeling monotonous, Jessica recommends “elevating simple looks with statement designer accessories.”
Calfskin Cumara Bucket Bag – Marni – £459
Creating a Holiday Makeup Bag
Ok, so we’ve sorted your clothes, but we think makeup is worth a mention, too! For a holiday in particular, we’d recommend keeping your makeup bag small, only taking the essentials. It’s unlikely you’ll be wearing a heavy makeup look on a tropical escape (face sweat- no thank you!), so keep your products light, just like your makeup bag. Jessica says that on holiday, she “basically ditch(es) all makeup apart from tinted moisturiser, bronzer and mascara” and “keep(s) skincare to a minimum.”
And don’t forget the SPF, of course: Jessica recommends using “a high SPF, an exfoliating cleanser and a light night oil – hello, summer skin!
Cell Repair Night Oil – Aurelia London – £22
Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – Kate Somerville – £27
Hydrating Rose Exfoliating Cleanser – Aromatherapy Associates – £14.50
Ready to start building your own summer capsule wardrobe? Head straight to our Looking Hot Hot Hot sale – it’s filled with jumpsuits, wide-leg trousers, blouses, sunglasses and more stylish summer treats!
Words by Hannah Wright
