A His-and-Hers Capsule Wardrobe for Short Summer Breaks

We’ve just gotten back from a wonderful break down in Cornwall, where the weather was mixed, to say the least. Ahh, British summertime. 

Despite the fact that it did rain a couple of times, the sun still shone for us and it was never cold enough to don heavy hoodies or thick thermals. Because of this, it can sometimes be hard to put together a capsule wardrobe for a summer break that will cover all of your bases and still leave you looking effortless and stylish.

Below I’ve put together a few ideas for a his-and-hers capsule wardrobe that is perfect for layering and never having to worry about whether items match – ideal if you want to pack light.

Not included in these lists is swimwear, underwear or sunglasses (you’re big boys and girls – you can figure that part out on your own 😉) and I also haven’t included outerwear; a thin waterproof jacket with a hood and a denim jacket are usually my two coats of choice in the summer.

Some of you may also notice that I haven’t included jeans in this list, which do often come in handy on a UK summer break. I would personally also pack a pair, but I know they can be a contentious issue among some light packers, so I’ve excluded them. Basically, if you feel you need another pair of bottoms, or something a little warmer, pack them. If you think it’s going to be mainly sunny where you’re going, then the lists below should be enough for you!

Hers

This wardrobe is full of classic pieces which all pull together perfectly for an easy mix-and-match situation. The three pairs of footwear should cover you for every eventuality, aside from strenuous hiking, and you’ll stay cool (or warm) when you need to. Most of these items are also perfect for flying in, as they’re comfortable, able to be layered and not at all clingy. I’ve linked (where applicable) to the actual items shown. Brands that sell a great line in attractive basics for women include H&M, Topshop and Next.

1 x white short-sleeved t-shirt 

1 x over-sized black t-shirt 

1 x coral linen jersey top 

1 x long-sleeved pink sweatshirt 

1 x long-sleeved blue linen shirt

1 x long-sleeved green jersey cardigan

1 x pair khaki trousers and 1 x pair green shorts

1 x pair beaded flip-flops, 1 x pair Converse trainers, 1 x pair gold sandals

His

Much like with the women’s wardrobe, the men’s includes both long and short sleeved tops. However men can often get away with a few more daring patterns on their top half, to avoid their outfits looking a little bland (they can’t really be dressed up with jewellery the way basics can for women). Great shops for a men’s capsule wardrobe include H&M, J Crew and Jacamo.

2 x basic white t-shirts (for layering under shirts or wearing on their own)

1 x navy polo shirt

1 x short-sleeved check shirt 

1 x long sleeved print shirt

1 x pair belted smart shorts

1 x pair white linen trousers

1 x pair khaki chinos

1 x pair leather flip flops, 1 x pair smart boots/shoes, 1 pair Toms