I Think These 17 Items Make the Perfect Capsule for Summer 2021

Lately, my mind's been wandering straight to thoughts of picnics in the sun, afternoons in beer gardens and the summer dresses I'll be wearing over the next few months. I'm not alone, as I'm still seeing memes about the intense level of outfit planning needed for the occasions ahead. One excellent tweet I saw compared the level of decision-making now that restrictions are lifting to working out what to wear for a year-six disco.
And now that summer is here, I've been plotting what I'll be adding to my wardrobe. Below, I've listed the 17 items that I think are welcome additions to any wardrobe in summer 2021 and make for a perfect capsule with a mix of basics and statement pieces.
I have included a blend of summer staples such as tank tops, basket bags and high-waisted jeans, which form the building blocks of any successful summer wardrobe. Of course, you can't talk about summer without mentioning dresses, and for 2021, I'm loving joyful bright-pink dresses; simple white, flowing dresses; and even a black dress with cut-outs for after-dark events. When it comes to sandal trends, there is one style that has remained a front runner so far this year and will be perfect for walking thousands of steps: leather fisherman sandals. We can thank The Row for this one.
Keep scrolling for the 17 items that I think make the perfect capsule for summer 2021.
1. Denim Skirt
2. Bright-Pink Dress
3. Tracksuit Shorts
4. High-Waisted jeans
5. Basket Bag
6. Fisherman Sandals
7. White Dress
8. Loafers
9. Printed Silk Scarf
10. Bucket Hat
11. Short-Sleeve Shirt
12. Linen Separates
13. Tank Top
14. Colourful Knitwear
15. Tie-Dye Top
16. Baseball Cap
17. Black Dress With Cut-Outs
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring/summer 2021.
Emma is a freelance fashion editor with over 15 years experience in industry, having worked at The Telegraph, Grazia and, most recently, British Vogue. Emma was part of the founding team of Who What Wear UK, where she worked for six years as Deputy Editor and then Editor—helping shape the team into what it is today is one of the biggest privileges of her career and she will always see herself as a Who What Wear girl, contributing to both the US and UK sites. Whether she's writing about runway trends or spotlighting emerging brands, she aims to write about fashion in a way that is democratic and doesn't promote over consumption.
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