Another morning means another round of choosing what to wear for the day. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and building an outfit doesn’t need to stay a stressor. Good news: there’s an easier way to decide which styles to pull out of your closet and combine into a great outfit.
If showing off your unique style comes naturally, it’s fun. If not, it feels more like a challenge. But it never has to be a struggle. Modern menswear is made with all the performance features you need to create a capsule wardrobe this summer: the best shirts, pants, layers, accessories, and everything else you need.
Creating your summer style is easy when you fill your closet with staples you can mix and match. A variety of mens collared shirt options that are as comfortable as your favorite activewear make an excellent foundation. Plus, this approach streamlines the process of putting together seasonal outfits you actually enjoy wearing. That way, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying everything the season ahead has to offer.
Why You Should Build a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of timeless, well-designed, and long-lasting clothes. They’re easy to take care of, easy to wear, and easy to style. Many people fill their capsule closets with neutral colors, allowing them to pair different pieces together without a second thought, but that’s not required. Wear whatever colors you like.
A lot of men end up with a capsule wardrobe almost by accident. You fall in love with a brand. You find the perfect shirt. You never want to spend an afternoon searching for another pair of pants again.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re already on your way to building your capsule wardrobe. So, don’t overthink it. Just consider this strategy a fast track to finding the essentials. It lets you prioritize the closet staples you’ll wear any day of the week and for various occasions.
Staple Shirts for Your Closet
Every man has a favorite shirt. Make sure it’s a shirt that you’ll be able to wear every summer for years to come. Here are some tried-and-true capsule staples to consider:
Modern Collared Shirts
It’s time to say goodbye to cotton collared shirts and choose a modern mens collared shirt for your capsule closet instead. Performance dress shirts for men take everything you love about an athletic shirt and turn it into an option for the office, happy hour, or wedding season. They have the cut of a high-quality collared shirt but feature moisture-wicking material, four-way stretch, and simple care instructions.
Premium T-Shirts
You can’t consider your summer wardrobe complete without a trusty T-shirt you can wear on the weekends and for casual evenings at home. It’s the perfect upgrade for the decade-old T-shirt from your favorite surf company. You don’t even have to sacrifice any of the comfort and softness you know and love. All it takes is an option with an ultra-breathable and moisture-wicking fabric, and you’ll be ready for every casual get-together this summer.
Short Sleeve Button Downs
A casual collared shirt option will make weekend BBQs and afternoons after a river or lake float even more comfortable. Wear short sleeve no tuck shirts unbuttoned over a T-shirt, or button them up and wear them out to a casual dinner with a pair of shorts. This gives you a slightly more elevated option than a T-shirt that’s better suited to summer outings than a long-sleeve style.
New-Age Golf Polos
Golf polos are a summer must-have for the man who finishes his workday with a trip to the driving range or a quick round of nine holes. You don’t want to head out into the summer sun in your long sleeve button down shirt, even if it’s breathable, comfortable, and made with stretch. Golf polos are also a good option for weekend brunches and get-togethers with extended family on classic summer holidays.
Essential Summer Layers
Even during the summer, there are times when you need another layer for a more professional setting or a chilly morning. Here are a few options you can add to your capsule closet:
Lightweight Blazers
When you have your own office, you have a place to keep a blazer for last-minute meetings or if the air conditioner is turned on high in the mornings. Still, it’s summer, so make sure it’s lightweight. Blazers are the one area where you should expand your color palette if you’ve been sticking to true neutrals like black, white, brown, and tan. Opt for a navy blue blazer, which is just as versatile and easy to wear with other colors.
Athletic Pullovers
Pullovers come in handy when you have an early morning tee time at the golf course with your buddies or you want to get a head start on a project in the garage. Choose an athletic mens quarter zip that stretches and moves with you. Bonus points if it looks good. Since it’s a summer pullover, you can wear lighter colors if they match your style, so consider light blue or even purple (why not?).
Reliable Windbreakers
Sometimes, the weather will change in the blink of an eye, in which case a windbreaker always comes in handy. There’s a chance the weather will still feel warm, so just keep this versatile layer in your daily bag and you’ll be ready for anything.
Everyday Pants and Shorts
You’ve got the shirts and extra layers covered. Now, it’s time to address your selection of pants and shorts. Both are summer staples, so you want to feel comfortable in the right option for the occasion. These are the best options to keep in your closet:
Chino Pants
The chino pant will never go out of style, but this timeless menswear look gets an upgrade with the right material. Summer is the season to explore an innovative design with two-way stretch and machine-washable materials. Look for a lightweight option that goes well with your every option in your mens collared shirt collection and feels comfortable whether you’re doing a lot of walking or sitting.
Classy Shorts
A pair of shorts should look cool and classy. These aren’t your cargo pants that zip off to become shorts. Instead, these are a well-designed pair of shorts that look good with a short sleeve button down shirt, a comfy T-shirt, or a brightly patterned golf polo. They’re equal parts versatile and stylish.
Alternative Styles
Of course, there’s still room in your capsule closet for other summer staples, like denim and board shorts, but you likely won’t wear these daily unless you’re enjoying a weeklong getaway at the lake house. Keep them on hand for vacations and other occasions where they feel like the right fit.
All That and a Little Extra
A capsule wardrobe has all the staples to get you through the summer season, but it should also include the accessories you’ll wear throughout the year. These include high-quality leather and braided belts, classic “dad hats,” and office-specific styles like silk ties, tie bars, and maybe even collar stays. Filling your closet with timeless options that make every day easy and comfortable is the key to maintaining a curated collection of clothes you’ll love wearing all season long.
About Mizzen+Main
Experience classic styles designed for modern performance with Mizzen+Main menswear. Their timeless clothing and modern fabrics create a professional look, all while feeling as comfortable as your favorite athletic wear. With their selection of high-quality dress shirts, no tuck shirts, golf polos, and more, it’s never felt better to look your best. Whether you need new clothes for your workdays or weekends, enjoy premium fabrics and the perfect fit with Mizzen+Main.
Find every style you need for a comfortable and classy summer at https://www.mizzenandmain.com/
