Summer Capsule Wardrobes That Do It All (Even on a Budget!)
They say May is like December—but in a tank top! With so many events and travel plans packed into summer, having flexible and stylish capsule wardrobes is the key to feeling great and keeping your outfits effortless. In this post, I’m sharing some of my most popular TM summer capsule wardrobe formulas this year, including a brand-new edit I created from a surprise Nordstrom Rack haul. I found everything from premium denim to a designer bag and name-brand shoes—all for under $400. Don’t miss our June Nordstrom 6 Drop. This curated collection of six must-have pieces was so good, I used it to create two complete capsule wardrobes featuring a high-low mix of affordable and designer-inspired items I personally styled and recommend. Whether you’re planning a business trip, packing for summer vacation, or want stylish everyday outfits, these capsule wardrobes will help you get dressed with confidence all season long.
Summer Capsule Wardrobes from Nordstrom Rack
At the start of summer, I thought I had lost my shopping mojo when I left Nordstrom empty-handed. I wanted to gift you some new capsule wardrobe formulas over Mother’s Day weekend, so at five O’clock on Friday night, I put on my shopping black belt and headed to my small neighborhood Nordstrom Rack. I left with four brand-name capsule wardrobes from Nordstrom, including shoes, a designer bag, and premium denim all under $400.
CLICK TO SHOP & SEE THESE CAPSULES ON
I’m 5’4″ a size 32a, and wear a 25 in premium denim. Everything I’m wearing runs TTS except the tropical print pants in the last capsule and the brown pants in the first capsule. They both run big.
The Nordstrom 6 June Drop
Don’t miss our June Nordstrom 6 Drop—this curated collection of six must-have pieces was so good, I used it to create two complete capsule wardrobes featuring a high-low mix of affordable and designer-inspired items I personally styled and recommend.
The first summer capsule is fashionable and feminine. It includes this season’s most popular soft hues, such as butter yellow, baby blue, and mocha mouse. You’ll need to do a double-take at these designer-inspired Bottega accessories because they are made of genuine leather.
The black print Dolce & Gabbana-inspired skirt serves as the color story for the second summer capsule. This collection also includes a high-low mix of bags, including two designer bags on sale and a designer-inspired Amazon fashion find. Complete all the outfits with fashionable new summer shoes. I included the three most popular styles.
Bougie on a Budget
These summer capsule wardrobes include fashionable pieces from name-brand outlets and designer-inspired fashion hubs like Gap Factory Outlet, Amazon, and the Nordstrom Rack.
Get a closer look at the three-piece crochet set I included in both capsules. It’s perfect for hot days and so comfortable. The
There are so many fun colors to pick from in these pants, and for this price, you may want more than one. They run long and loose. I’m 5’4″ and I have them on here in a small.
QUINCE
I’d buy all these pieces for summer from Quince again.
I love stripes! Striped pieces are some of the signature staples in many of my summer capsule wardrobes. Stripes, can be preppy, sweet, subtle, sporty, bold, and even slimming!
A Business Trip, a Beach Vacation & One Capsule Wardrobe
I made a fashionable work capsule wardrobe inspired by my travel to Texas and San Diego this summer. You can make at least 26 different outfits with the ten pieces on my checklist. You won’t need this many options or outfits on your average business trip, but you’ll be glad you have them.
This fashionable work trip capsule, featuring a high-low mix of brands, designer-inspired pieces, and summer sale finds from our favorite name brands, has been a huge hit.
What I Wore
Outfits in My Suitcase
The clothes in this capsule wardrobe, designed for a week of work and play in sunny San Diego, California, with Nordstrom and The Nordstrom 6, don’t include any designer brands; they look like it! I packed this oversized white blazer and vest on both trips this summer.
Outfits in My Suitcase
On this trip, I wore a mix of new designer-inspired pieces—like these Missoni-inspired pants and a Chanel-inspired crossbody bag—that looked luxe without the price tag. My day one travel outfit included a striped button-up shirt that reminded me of a $200 version from FRAME.
In the summer, I actually prefer skirts to pants for travel. This time, I packed my dark denim skirt and convertible belt from my collection with Fidelity Denim, which I wore to our PA visit at Nordstrom. I also styled a fun bubble-hem skirt with pockets for a full day of shopping.
The best part about packing a capsule wardrobe? You never run out of outfits. On the way home, I remixed some double-duty pieces: a pajama-style tank top and gauze lounge pants, layered with my white blazer to pull it all together.