Summer Capsule Wardrobe 2022 At 73
As I step into the warm summer days of 2022 in western France, my wardrobe takes on a new silhouette. By sharing an authentic photo of myself, rather than a retouched image, I aim to provide a realistic portrayal of how clothing and silhouettes look when worn by older women like myself.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
Rather than maintaining a year-round inventory of clothes, I adopt a seasonal approach by curating a limited selection of pieces that harmoniously work together. This strategy eliminates the daily morning routine of frantically searching for matching outfits. In fact, it’s become second nature to me. Two years ago, I wrote an in-depth article detailing my step-by-step process for crafting a successful capsule wardrobe. If you’re interested, you can find my ‘Capsule Wardrobe Recipe’ here. Each season, I take the time to thoughtfully assemble my wardrobe, rather than simply relying on hunches or gut feelings. It may have taken some trial and error initially, but now the process is surprisingly efficient. As soon as new styles, shapes, and colors emerge in stores or online, I actively seek out the specific items that will enhance my upcoming capsule wardrobe. Unlike mindless browsing, I’m deliberate in my purchases, ensuring each addition aligns with my overall aesthetic.
What I consider when putting together this summer wardrobe
When it comes to planning what to wear for the season, I consider a range of factors that are unique to my lifestyle. As a retiree living in the countryside during the summer months, I have a relaxed social life and only occasionally frequent fancy restaurants. My days are often spent enjoying the great outdoors, whether it’s exploring stone villages, attending village fairs or simply taking leisurely strolls with my dog through shaded woods. These experiences inform my approach to dressing for the season, which is decidedly more casual than it would be if I were leading a busier, more urban lifestyle.
Know your personal style
I’m a self-proclaimed casual dresser, opting for understated outfits that exude comfort and practicality. My wardrobe is built around ease and versatility, with no fuss or flashiness needed. To curate a cohesive wardrobe, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your personal style. If you’re more inclined towards elegance or flair, build outfits that reflect this aspect of yourself. Don’t feel pressured into conforming to societal norms; if fuchsia is more in line with your personality than navy, then go for it! My own wardrobe serves as a reflection of my casual demeanor, and yours will likely be distinctively different. If you’re unsure about your personal style, take advantage of the free Style Quiz, accessible through the link provided below each post (on mobile) or in the right-hand sidebar (on laptop).
Dress for your body shape
As someone who is short, square-shaped, and slightly overweight, I’ve learned to make strategic choices when it comes to dressing myself. Unlike those who are naturally slender, my style is influenced by my physical attributes. For instance, I’m acutely aware of the areas that draw attention away from my body’s most flattering features. Certain styles can accentuate my cellulite on the inner thighs or highlight my midsection and back fat. To combat this, I opt for outfits that create a balanced look. I’ll often choose wide-legged shorts to slim down my lower legs or loose-fitting trousers that obscure any imperfections around the hip area. When it comes to tops, I prefer ones that cover my upper arms or can be layered with another piece for added modesty.
Dress well on a small budget
As the cost of living becomes an increasingly pressing concern, many of us are looking for ways to cut back on expenses without sacrificing style. One effective approach is to adopt a capsule wardrobe, which can help you refresh your look while minimizing new purchases. For me, this means rearranging my closet every season to create a new plan that incorporates items I haven’t worn in a while or haven’t even seen recently. This process encourages me to get creative with the pieces I already own and identify areas where I can update my look without breaking the bank. In fact, I’ve found that some of my favorite outfits are those that combine older pieces with new arrivals.When it comes to building a capsule wardrobe, it’s easy to feel pressure to only wear clothes that are fresh off the rack. However, in today’s environmentally conscious and budget-friendly climate, it’s more important than ever to find ways to make the most of what we already have. That’s why I’m excited to share my own capsule wardrobe choices with you, including details on what’s new and what’s been lingering in my closet for a while.If you’re looking for guidance on how to create your own capsule wardrobe, I encourage you to explore my Mature Style Course, which offers step-by-step instruction on building personal style and body shape outfits. The course also provides practical tips on sorting your closet and incorporating existing pieces into your new look. With over 20 videos and text chapters at your disposal, you can work through the material at your own pace, taking as much or as little time as you need to get your wardrobe just right. And don’t worry – there’s no such thing as ‘doing it wrong’! It’s all about finding a approach that works for you.
My color selection
I’ve opted for navy as the foundation of my personal style, leveraging its versatility and ease of pairing with other pieces. In contrast to neutral shades like beige or black, which can be more challenging to wear as we age, navy provides a reliable canvas for creating stylish outfits. To inject some brightness into my wardrobe, I’ve selected white as my secondary color. Its crisp, summery feel is perfect for hot weather, and I find that new white tops always add a touch of freshness to my everyday look. As for my accent color, this season I’m embracing subtle pops of pink and pale blue/blue-green, which bring a playful, whimsical quality to my outfits.
Three bottoms that work with all the tops
I’ve found that having a few go-to pieces in my wardrobe makes all the difference in enjoying the sunshine. For me, that means having some trusty linen shorts on hand. Specifically, I’ve got navy linen pleated shorts from Boden USA (similar to the ones Marks & Spencer used to stock). These have a lovely vintage vibe and come with a tie belt, which is super trendy right now. Unfortunately, my tummy’s shape doesn’t quite lend itself to wearing the belt as intended, so I’ve opted for a woven belt instead to add some visual interest at the waist.When I don’t feel like showing off my legs or want to keep things casual in the evenings when the midges are out, I turn to my ankle-grazer linen pants in navy. These have become a staple in my spring capsule collection and have withstood multiple wearings and washes without losing their charm. The 50s-inspired design with tiny side vents and just-above-the-ankle length gives them a unique look that can be dressed up or down.For those special occasions when I want to feel extra polished, I’ve got white linen trousers that are always a hit. These have been a part of my wardrobe for years and never fail to keep me looking cool and stylish. Whether paired with some statement jewelry or a pretty top for an evening out or worn as is for everyday wear, they’re a versatile piece that’s easy to love.
Eight tops that work with all three bottoms plus two dresses
When it comes to building a wardrobe for the warmer months, I find myself drawn to a variety of sleeve lengths. From the classic simplicity of short sleeves to the elegance of flutter sleeves, having options is key. In recent seasons, I’ve been pleased with my purchases from John Lewis, who deliver exclusively to the UK and offer a range of pink tee shirts. Meanwhile, Zara’s pale blue tops have also won me over. When it comes to more formal occasions, I turn to Cache Cache for their linen-look blouses that are only available in France. For those seeking a similar style at a different price point, Boden USA offers a comparable white cotton top. Olive and mixed colors tops from Bibico, on the other hand, provide a great alternative with their linen sleeveless designs. When the temperature cools down, I like to layer up with a short cardigan from Boden – although this particular style is no longer available in the UK, Boden USA has a newer model that’s worth considering. Similar options can be found at Talbots. For those seeking something more substantial, Navy cotton sleeveless jackets from Vibs are a great choice, as long as you’re based in France and willing to wait for delivery. Finally, Zara’s cream-colored sweatshirts provide a cozy alternative. When it comes to dresses, I’m particularly fond of striped tent styles, which can be found at J Crew or similar alternatives. Navy cotton shirtdresses from J Crew also offer a classic look that’s hard to beat.
Basic layers
This Spring, I had a blast incorporating pink into my wardrobe, and that enthusiasm has carried over into my summer style. My simple round-neck pink tee is a great addition, as its soft hue helps balance out the navy and white theme. Another round-neck tee in blue-green tones has been a favorite of mine since last Fall – it’s gentle color and ability to wash well make it a staple piece. The short sleeves not only showcase my shoulder line but also create a nice contrast with the width of my pants and shorts.I’m particularly fond of pale blue, and when I spotted this blue linen-look shirt with a tuck at the waist, I knew it would be a great addition to my summer wardrobe. The style continues the trend of adding a small central tuck to create fullness and subtly disguise any midsection imperfections. On shorter women like myself, I find that three-quarter sleeves can create a slimming effect by exposing a bit more skin on the lower arm.A new pull-on top with white flutter-sleeves is another exciting addition – although it may not cover the entire upper arm, it does draw attention to my wider shoulder line. As mentioned earlier, this broader silhouette is in fashion this year and pairs well with wide pants.Lastly, I have a linen square-cut top in olive that I simply adore. The wide cut creates a flattering silhouette that draws attention away from my midsection, and I’m excited to pair it with the cream sweatshirt I’ve included as a layering option. While it may not fit perfectly into my overall scheme, I believe a capsule wardrobe should allow for at least one item that brings me joy – even if it’s an outlier.
Top layers
The blue-green cardigan brings a touch of flair with its pattern, crafted from cotton and offering versatility in styling. It can be worn as a top or draped over the shoulders for a slimming effect. Additionally, it provides a layering option to pair with other tops when the weather cools down or the sun sets. I purchased this affordable find during a Boden sale several years ago, and although it didn’t quite fit into previous capsule collections, its color and charm made it a staple in this summer’s lineup. With short cardigans slowly falling out of fashion, it was a ‘now-or-never’ decision to add it to my wardrobe. In fact, I was initially searching for a kimono-style top but couldn’t find the perfect one. Fortunately, Vibs store had this sleeveless jacket that checked all my boxes – a straight-cut back and a silhouette that will complement jeans in future seasons. One of the advantages of curating a capsule collection is being mindful of your color palette to avoid impulse purchases that may not harmonize with existing pieces. In this case, I’m pleased to include the beige sweatshirt, which was a new addition last fall. Its relaxed color scheme complements both navy and white pants, providing structure to my outfit through its shoulder line while wearing wider pants.
The dresses
I stumbled upon a quirky boutique in a nearby tourist town during the spring season, where I picked up a few statement pieces, including the navy striped tent dress that caught my eye. As someone who prefers classic styles over bohemian ones, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this particular dress’s loose fit and cotton fabric made it perfect for hot weather wear. The minimal styling and comfortable design allowed me to forget about my extra weight, at least while I was wearing the dress. With a lack of options for mid-calf length shirt dresses in stores, I decided to repurpose an old navy cotton top from 4-5 years ago that I had been holding onto. Its versatility – allowing me to wear it on its own, over a tee or paired with pants – made it a great addition to my wardrobe. In cooler weather, a long cardigan would have been the perfect accompaniment. Despite not looking like new anymore, this little navy number has become a trusty staple in my wardrobe after many washes and wears, satisfying my desire for practicality over extravagance.
Footwear, accessories and a bag
I opted for a pair of navy knitted ballerinas, which I had purchased at the end of last summer. The best part? They’re incredibly comfortable and can be easily washed. Meanwhile, I picked up a new pair of espadrilles from my local supermarket – this time, they featured elastic straps to prevent the canvas backs from slipping down. Although the photos didn’t entirely win me over, I was initially drawn to their design. However, upon closer inspection, I found them to be a tad clunky.In addition to these, I also added my trusty white canvas sneakers from Spring to the mix. As flats have become increasingly popular in recent years, it seems there’s little need for heels unless one is heading out for a special evening event – something I rarely find myself doing.For this particular outfit, I wore my Allbirds flats, which I can confidently say are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. Not only are they machine washable, but they’re also made from natural materials and don’t require toe socks. The variety of colors available is impressive, and I’m already planning to expand my collection.On a more affordable note, I acquired the simple silver and blue necklace from a local craft jewelry shop, while the bag and pink headband came from that bohemian boutique I visited in Spring. Each item was priced reasonably, making it easy for me to make do with what I had on hand this summer – and I’m looking forward to purchasing a new leather bag come autumn.