Everyone has that men's t-shirt or pair of shorts that they reach for as soon as they do their laundry. You know the one?—your favorite item of clothing that goes with everything, makes you feel like a million bucks, and is good enough quality so it's lasted for years already.
If you only have one or two of these kinds of pieces in your closet, you know how hard it can be to figure out what to wear when they’re dirty (and admit it, you’ve probably pulled them out of the hamper and aired it out once or twice when you needed to look your best).
Now, imagine what it would be like if every item of clothing you owned was like that. If every time you went to get dressed, anything you reached for would be something that made you feel great, confident, and stylish. It would cut your getting ready time in half, allowing you to get out there and enjoy all that summer has to offer. This possibility isn’t out of reach with a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated collection of clothing, often dedicated to a certain season, made up solely of items that you love and that are kept in good condition, and that you can mix and match to create a wide variety of outfits you enjoy wearing. This may involve buying slightly higher quality clothing items since they will get a lot of wear, but it’s a great investment over time. A summer capsule collection for men is a wonderful way to help you feel your best when you walk out the door no matter what and ensure that you spend way less time getting dressed every day. Here’s our guide to creating a summer capsule wardrobe for men.
Arguably the category to benefit most from a capsule wardrobe, tops can often be a challenge to pick out when trying to get dressed. The sheer abundance of shirts most people have can be overwhelming, so narrowing it down to a few that you love can make a world of difference. We recommend having a good number of solid, good-quality t-shirts in a variety of shades that you can choose from depending on your mood and what you’re up to that day. T-shirts are great for summer with their breathable, lightweight cut, and are perfect for a casual day outdoors. Next, a few short-sleeved men's polo shirts, or button-down short-sleeved shirts are ideal for any in-between occasion when you want to look a little more put together but still stay casual. One or two long-sleeve button-downs for the office or a nice event are necessary, as well. Choose a variety of colors ranging from light to dark, and throw a few prints and patterns in for days when you want to stand out.
As far as men’s summer bottoms for a capsule wardrobe, keeping it basic is key. While it’s good to have a few different colors and styles in your rotation, you can invest in a few durable, high-quality pants and shorts to get you through the warmest season and combine them with your more varied collection of tops to keep things diverse. Several pairs of men's shorts are essential for the summer months, including a few pairs of cotton chinos, perhaps of varying lengths and colors, and some more athletic, but still wearable shorts for active days.
While summer is generally a time when we can head out the door without a jacket, weather is always unpredictable, so it’s good to have a few light outerwear pieces in your rotation. A jean jacket, windbreaker, or men's fleece is a good weight for a chillier summer night, and a sweatshirt or two can go a long way when the sun goes down. We recommend keeping at least one or two light jackets around, as well as a hoodie, a sweater (like a cardigan or pullover), or a vest in the summer.
Summer footwear should prioritize comfort—the kinds of shoes that you can wear all day long so you can enjoy being out and about in the sun with family and friends. A solid pair of casual lace-up or slip-on sneakers will be your go-tos for days in the park or any big walking day. A pair of sandals that are comfortable to walk in, with Velcro straps, perhaps, will also be good to have in hand for those extra hot days. A pair of flip flops are great for casual days or beach trips, and it’s also great to have a pair of easy slip-on loafers, which can easily be dressed up for the office or an event.
A men's summer capsule wardrobe will make getting dressed a breeze, so you can get out and enjoy the season. Check out more that Lands’ End has to offer below!