My Summer Capsule Will Be Made Up of These 6 Pieces

We all know that one person who is a bit of a control freak. They're constantly making lists, planning for every eventuality and generally making the lives of those around them a little less relaxing. Yep, I'm that person. So it won't come as any surprise that I've been thinking about my summer capsule wardrobe shopping list for, well, months.

However, I will say this: I'm not usually a lover of summer fashion (coats and cosy knits are more my bag). Usually, I end up in panic buying mode mid-July, when I realise that 90% of my wardrobe is made up of jackets. AIso, I own approximately one T-shirt and one summer skirt. Whoops. So this year, I was determined to be better prepared, and in other words, nail my summer style.

So what's on the menu for 2019? Firstly, I'm not completely letting go of my winter pieces. Instead, I'm adapting them for the warmer weather: Think high-waisted, linen trousers and slip skirts in vibrant prints. I'm also packing away my trusty lace-up boots in place of my Velcro sandals, which literally go with everything I own and offer all my summer dresses an androgynous edge.

Puff-sleeved dresses, meanwhile, are my one summer indulgence. I recently bought the above checked green number from & Other Stories and received so many compliments on it. I'll dress it up with strappy sandals for summer weddings and pair it with flat sandals for the weekend. Scroll down to see and shop my full summer capsule.

Puff-Sleeved Dresses

I'm harking back to my childhood with these milkmaid-style, puff-sleeved dresses. & Other Stories has a fab selection at the moment—as does ASOS—however, if you have a bigger budget, you can't go wrong with Dôen's dreamy midis.

Velcro Sandals

Comfortable yet cool, I've worn my Tevas will so many different outfits and can just tell I'm not going to be taking them off for the rest of the summer. Also, four members of the Who What Wear team already own a pair, which is high praise indeed.

Statement Long-Sleeved Tops

Okay, let's be realistic: We live in England, so we can't rely on 30-degree heat every day, but when it floats around the mid-teens mark, a long-sleeved top is ideal. I've already bought the below COS and Ninety Percent tops. They look great paired with high-waisted trousers or layered under a jumpsuit.

Related: I Tried Everything From Zara's Summer Drop—These Are the 9 Items You Need to See

High-Waisted Trousers

High-waisted trousers are a staple for me all year round. I'll be updating this winter winner for the summer months with lighter fabrics, such as cotton and linen. Style with a white tee and gold jewellery and you're ready to go.

Printed Slip Skirts

The world went a little slip skirt crazy last year, but I'm happily carrying on the trend into this year. There are so many good printed iterations around at the moment. I find the simplicity more flattering and easier to style.

Belted Swimsuits

Up until this year, I was not a one-piece fan. They just never fit me properly. They were either too big on the bust, too small on the bottom or too short in the body. But this season's retro-style belted swimsuit might've just converted me, as the belt helps to create shape—even when the sizing isn't perfect. Just give me a pair of '70s sunnies and I'll be a happy camper.

Next Up: The Basic Item That Became One of This Season's Biggest Trends