10 Pieces You Should Add To Your Summer Capsule Wardrobe

The whole point of a capsule wardrobe is to keep things simple. But wearing the same thing, day in, day out, can get boring pretty quickly. The solution: add a few seasonal pieces into the mix when the weather changes to help keep things fresh.

Adding items to a capsule wardrobe might seem counterintuitive, but these seasonal pieces can help extend the life of the garments you already have and allow you to get more out of them. It’s a great way to keep your style looking current without leaning too heavily into trends and overconsuming.

So, what sorts of pieces should you be thinking about adding to your summer rotation? Anything that’ll help keep you cool, add some visual interest or help you to feel vacation-ready is a good place to start. Think breathable fabrics, practical details and a well-placed pop of colour and/or pattern. Here are a few suggestions for 2025.

Pleated Linen Trousers

Velasca

It’s hard to fault linen when it comes to hot-weather dressing. It’s highly breathable, remarkably light, quick-drying and excellent at wicking moisture. Sure, it can get a bit crumpled and creased, but if you ask us, that’s part of the charm.

All of this is great news for your legs. Add some pleats in for a touch of rakish elegance and you’re onto a surefire winner. So when it’s shorts weather but the dress code demands something more formal, a pair of these is your secret weapon. Combine with an unstructured linen blazer, a linen shirt and some suede loafers, and you’re good to go.

Lightweight Cap

Stiksen

Keeping the sun off your dome is vital when the sun is shining at its brightest, but a classic cotton twill baseball cap, while timeless, can feel oppressive and a bit too thick in the very warmest of weather. This is where it pays to get clever with your choice of materials.

Again, linen is a great choice if you prefer a classic look. It’s much lighter and more breathable than twill, and will keep you cooler for longer, particularly if you choose a light colour.

If you prefer a sportier aesthetic, opt for a technical cap made from moisture-wicking synthetic fabric. Ciele, Satisfy and Bandit Running make some great options.

Ecru Overshirt

Percival

There’s a tendency among men to think ‘khaki’ when they think ‘overshirt’. We’re here to remind you that there are other options available. What’s more, some of those options are light, summer-appropriate and arguably every bit as versatile.

A classic three-pocket overshirt in ecru will layer nicely over almost any colour T-shirt, adds just the right amount of warmth for those cooler summer evenings and allows you to quickly make an outfit feel more considered when a T-shirt on its own feels insufficient for the setting.

For maximum summer wearability, go for one in a lightweight linen blend and keep the fit loose and boxy to boost airflow.

Slim Sneakers

JAK

Summer footwear should be light, low-key and versatile, which is where a pair of slim sneakers comes in. This breed of shoe is trending hard at the moment, but it’s subtle enough to incorporate without looking like a fashion victim.

Think suede or leather – punchy colours if you’re feeling brave, simple neutrals if not. Even better if there’s a sporty slant – football sneakers and driving sneakers are two of the biggest categories in this trend right now.

Style them with a bit of care and they will slide seamlessly from city streets to seaside promenades, from shorts to suiting.

Orange-Tinted Shades

Meller

A small but telling detail. Most men play it safe with black or tortoiseshell frames and dark lenses. Orange-tinted shades are less obvious but far more interesting. They lend a softer, warmer tone to the face and look the business in the low, golden light of summer evenings.

They also add just enough attitude and personality without straying into ‘look-at-me!’ territory. The kind of eyewear that suggests you know a thing or two about fashion, even if your accompanying fit is nothing more than a T-shirt and jeans.

Utility Shorts

Arne

Chino shorts are versatile and timeless. That’s true. They’re also a bit boring. If you’re looking for something a bit more interesting that won’t leave you looking like a relic of a bygone era in a few seasons’ time, leaning into the trend for outdoors-inspired utility wear might be the way to go.

What exactly do we mean? Think technical fabrics, pockets a plenty, and functional details like zippers and integrated webbing belts. Brands like Nike ACG, CAYL, Goldwin and Snow Peak are good places to start.

Just make sure to balance them out with less outdoorsy pieces to avoid looking too Ray Mears.

Technical Hoodie

It’s not all barbecues and Aperol Spritzes. Invariably, the temperature won’t be sky high at all times, particularly if, like us, you live in the UK. When those cooler days arrive, you’ll need something light and easy to throw on and keep the chill at bay. A technical hoodie, in our opinion, is just the thing.

Lightweight, quick-drying, and far easier to wear than a bulky sweatshirt, these synthetically insulated midlayers are designed for mountain use but work just as well in everyday settings. Arc’teryx’s Atom Hoody is a best seller for a reason, but there are plenty of other similar options out there.

Look for muted, neutral tones to keep it understated. Worn over a T-shirt, it’s exactly what you want when the temperature dips or the wind picks up unexpectedly.

Printed Camp Collar Shirt

Wax London

A (tasteful) printed camp-collar shirt is a bit of a summer cheat code. You can throw it on with the most mundane of T-shirt-and-shorts combos and it’ll add a focal point, turning your fit from bland to bold. The trick is to keep colours restrained. That’s not to say they should be dull or muted – more that you should avoid anything with too many colours or anything excessively bright.

A foolproof way to achieve this is to stick to two-tone patterns. One light colour, one dark colour for contrast. This tends to create a cleaner, less distracting look, and it ensures the shirt will be easier to pair with other garments in your wardrobe than if you went for a full multicoloured design.

Frescobol Carioca, Gitman Vintage and Wax London have some solid options.

Walking Sandals

Bedrock

Once a contentious choice, sensible sandals have been slowly reclaiming their place in men’s wardrobes. Chunkier soles provide support, and adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit. Plus they breathe, which is more than can be said for most sneakers after a few hours in the sun.

The trend plays into the wider gorpcore movement and the overarching shift towards anything utility-focused. There are plenty of brands doing it well, but Bedrock, KEEN and Suicoke are three that stand out.

Beige Suit

Luca Faloni

It’s wedding season, and at some point, you’re going to have to pour yourself into a suit. Given the weather at this time of year, it’s a good idea to ensure the suit is as light and breathable as possible. This is where a beige suit in linen or a linen blend comes in very handy indeed.

Style it with a pale blue linen shirt and a pair of brown suede loafers, and finish it off with a pair of those tinted shades we mentioned earlier.