Style Guide: Creating a Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Curated by those in the know, watch our expert guide to this summer’s most wearable fashion trends.

Mastering your style starts with knowing who you are – and how you want to feel. So, to help you discover your personal style, uncover modern wardrobe essentials and decipher this season’s trends, David Jones has enlisted the expert eyes of nine stylish industry insiders.

For this instalment of Style Guide, Rachel Wayman, Fashion Director of JONES magazine, shares her tips for building the ultimate summer capsule wardrobe. Watch now to discover your warm-weather style and shop the natural textures, vibrant colours and playful accessories of the summer. 

The Perfect Housewarming Gift

When it comes to a housewarming gift, you can’t go past a highly-coveted home fragrance. Elevate their new space and add a little cosiness to their home with a scented candle, available in a variety of fragrances and personalities. Try to match the scent to the energy of the new home or the giftees—wanderlust personalities will love exotic fragrances and travel-inspired scents, while those with a green thumb might find inspiration in a fresh, floral-scent candle. Why not also include a matching room spray, diffuser or essential oil to help take the aromatic experience to another level?

Complementary caramel tones

For endless summer styling options, fill your capsule wardrobe with neutrals. From caramel to deep chocolate and sandy shades, these warm tones work well together and look just as effortless when paired with white linen or denim. 

To keep head-to-toe caramel looking pulled-together, try a shirt dress by David Jones Collection or reach for on-trend halter necks from Saba and Calvin Klein, and finish with a Cellini Sport carryall tote and quality leather sandals from Naturalizer. By filling your capsule wardrobe with easy-to-style neutrals and versatile accessories, you’ll find summer dressing is a breeze.

SABA

Eden Belted Maxi Dress

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Calvin Klein cocktail dress

CALVIN KLEIN

Recycled CDC Asymmetric Dress

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leather tote

CELLINI SPORT

Meils Tote Bag

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Naturalizer leather heels

NATURALIZER

Venus Sandals

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Nature-inspired hues

If you’re colour shy, a vibrant green is the ultimate summer shade. Whether it’s a suit, dress or jumpsuit, natural fibres like linen and cotton will make bold colours feel relaxed and wearable – and create a smart-casual look when paired with a classic white tank. Just follow Rachel’s expert advice: keep to one statement colour so your look feels modern and fresh. 

Or, if you’re looking for a fun way to try the trend, pick up a pair of chunky retro sandals from Kurt Geiger to add a playful touch to your summer capsule wardrobe. 

witchery blazer

WITCHERY

Cotton Linen Blazer

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witchery linen pants

WITCHERY

Cotton Linen Pants

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VERONIKA MAINE

Forest Willow Tiered Dress

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kurt geiger shoes

KURT GEIGER LONDON

Orion Sandals

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Playful printwork

To dial up the colour and personality in your summer capsule, prints deliver maximum impact. A printed shirt and shorts set from Trenery or a jumpsuit from Marcs will keep you cool during relaxed days with friends and family. 

Or, for a statement piece, a dress with a sculptural element – like a voluminous sleeve by David Lawrence – will have you event-ready in no time. Style with a mini shoulder bag and strappy sandals and you’ve nailed the summer drinks brief. 

trenery linen shirt

TRENERY

Linen Mosaic Title Shirt

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trenery linen short

TRENERY

Linen Mosaic Title Shorts

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marcs pink jumpsuit

MARCS

Squeeze The Day Jumpsuit

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david lawrence linen dress

DAVID LAWRENCE

Bobbi Linen Dress

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Vintage tee update

A classic white tee never goes out of style, and a logo or motif is the latest summer fashion trend to add to your rotation. Try the Polo Bear by Polo Ralph Lauren for a preppy take on the trend, throw it back with tie-dye from Tommy Jeans or embrace ’90s minimalism with a Calvin Klein CK tee. Pair your chosen T-shirt with flowing pants or denim shorts, sneakers and a basket bag to take on summer in style.

polo ralph lauren t-shirt

POLO RALPH LAUREN

Beret Polo Bear Spiral Tie-Dye Tee

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tommy jeans t-shirt

TOMMY JEANS

Oversized Tie-Dye T-Shirt

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Calvin Klein t-shirt

Calvin Klein

Modern Hybrid Mock-Neck T-Shirt

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levi's denim shorts

LEVI’S

Ribcage High-Rise Shorts

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Anything but basics

With embroidered floral motifs, an eye-catching set of lingerie will bring a sense of summer to your capsule wardrobe. For everyday versatility and support, try Wacoal’s lace and taupe plunge bra and boy shorts underneath low-neckline and curve-hugging dresses. Or, slip into Pleasure State’s flirtatious baby doll and thong brief for balmy summer nights.

WACOAL

Embrace Lace Plunge Underwired Bra

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WACOAL

Embrace Lace Boy Shorts

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PLEASURE STATE

Botanica Baby Doll

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PLEASURE STATE

Botanica Thong Brief

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Shop Rachel’s summer capsule wardrobe instore and online now.