Capsule Wardrobe, But Make It Affordable—5 Summer Pieces I'm Buying on a Budget

The temperatures are starting to get higher, so I'm already thinking about preparing my wardrobe for the upcoming heat. There are plenty of new and exciting trends to look forward to in the upcoming season, but there are a select few that I'm prioritizing to get the most out of my wardrobe. And while there are items I'm considering investing in, I'm buying the majority on a budget. I tend to get more wear out of my fall and winter clothes, so I normally gravitate towards affordable items in the warmer seasons.

Below, I've created a list of the must-have items of the season for an on-trend but comfortable wardrobe, and under-$100 options for each. Battling the heat and looking put-together is always a mission, but the picks below will bring nothing but ease to your dressing woes. 

Linen Pants

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

I don't think I could get through the heat of the summer in NYC without the miracle material that is linen. Linen pants feel light on the skin and most of all are extremely comfortable and versatile. 

Button-Downs

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Whether you're throwing it over a T-shirt or a swimsuit, I think it's important to have a few lightweight button-downs in your arsenal this season. Luckily for you, the breezy button-down trend has only gotten bigger, so you'll find plenty of affordable options on the market. (Just take a look below.)

T-Shirts

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(Image credit: @anna_laplaca)

There's nothing like throwing on a crisp T-shirt as your base layer—the comfort is unreal and the styling options are endless. I like to keep a variety, whether that means in colors, fit, or silhouettes. They'll all always come in handy.

Summer Hats

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Since you can't layer too much in the summer, you can rely on accessories to elevate your outfit. My favorite accessory for the season? Hats. They look good and offer sun protection, so it's the best of both worlds.

Tanks

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(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

Like T-shirts, tanks are also something you're going to want a variety of. Whether it's an elevated basic with an asymmetric neckline or just a classic white tank, the piece is a summer essential. (Most times, you can find a great one under $20.)

Next, I Made a List of 15 Anti-Trend Pieces I Would Recommend Investing In

Assistant Market Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.