Long, hot days that turn into balmy nights; the festive season and family gatherings. Then there are the days spent at the beach or having picnics with family and friends; afternoons devoted to watching cricket or tennis while waiting for the barbeque to finish its duty. There’s plenty to look forward to when the Aussie summer rolls around.

But there’s no denying that the warmer weather is always more enjoyable when you can laze about in clothing that’s functional, comfortable and able to support the temperatures. When the weather is superb outside, and the beach is calling, none of us wants to spend hours sifting through our wardrobes for something suitable to wear. The ideal summer wardrobe should be simple, low-maintenance, and affordable – without sacrificing on style.

This post will explore how anyone can build a minimalistic, versatile wardrobe that gets you through those sweltering summer days.

Less is more

Thanks to the growing minimalism movement, plenty of Aussies are making a move towards the idea of a ‘capsule wardrobe’. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, it’s simple; rather than owning dozens of items of clothing that are rarely worn, or are likely to gather dust at the back of the wardrobe, you instead invest in a few key pieces (staples) that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

The trick here is to choose a colour palette based on your own personal preferences and what suits your shape best. Once you’ve figured out your specific look, you can jump into shopping for pieces that complement each other to build up a practical wardrobe.

Exploring options for men

The of the biggest advantages to this approach is that both genders can take advantage of it. For example, a male’s summer capsule wardrobe could include some basic shorts in one or two styles (like these men's shorts), some trousers, and up to four or five different tops in a variety of colours.

If you’re looking to add shirts into the collection, this gets a bit tricky with the warmer weather. You can always opt for a more formal button-up shirt and pair it with a casual, men's singlet . Finish it off with a light jacket to tie the whole look together.

Pro tip: Establishing a seasonal wardrobe means that the pieces purchased should be versatile, able to go from one trend to another, and can withstand all seasons. Above all, they should fit well and give you a boost in self-confidence. 

Getting started on your capsule wardrobe

A female’s minimalist wardrobe also only requires a few key pieces to throw together in a creative mix. Often, you can be left surprised at how many variations you can achieve out of a few good options. That’s where selecting them carefully comes in.

This might mean choosing a skirt that can be worn as a maxi version, or a dress that allows you to wear a shirt over the top (who doesn’t like layering?). As summer is often when people are on holidays or away from work, it’s likely you’ll also find your wardrobe takes on a more casual vibe than other seasons, anyway, which gives you the opportunity to dabble with basics like women’s hoodies or tees.

In essence, make your wardrobe work for you and the activities you’re likely to be participating in during the warmer months. With a bit of initial planning, you can create a low-key, minimalist capsule wardrobe that lets you save space and money, all the while remaining on-trend throughout summer.