How To Dress For Summer: Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

Building a summer capsule wardrobe

Throughout summer, multifunctional clothing will be your best asset to keep your collection refined yet versatile. Building a capsule is based in selecting pieces that can be mixed and matched and dressed up or down. A selection of shorts, pants and skirts form the foundation of summer ready selection and can create entirely new looks when paired with a different top or blazer. Adding in an elevated accessory range is also key – a silk printed scarf that can double as a top, wrap skirt or simply draped across the shoulders will keep your outfits fresh and interesting. 

Festive outfits

Throughout summer in Australia, you are bound to have multiple festive events to attend. From work Christmas functions, weekend lunches, Christmas lunch and New Year's Eve, pre-planning your outfits will help you get through the busy season with ease. The perfect festive outfit should combine timeless style with a relaxed sense of comfort. Many memories are immortalised in family photographs so ensuring you feel amazing in your fit is key. A midi skirt or dress is a beautiful option to stay elevated, and opting for relaxed crushed satin, linens and cotton will ensure comfort and breathability. For evening celebrations, adding a dramatic puff sleeve or a statement jumpsuit will have you feeling party ready. For an ultimate festive look, add a cloud atop your suit, dress or jumpsuit. 

Packing for a holiday

Your holiday capsule wardrobe should be in one word: effortless. One of the best ways to ensure a relaxing and stress-free trip, is to be mindful of what you bring with you. Instead of choosing pieces that you simply ‘like’, choose entire outfits that you know you feel amazing in. This will help prevent packing your ‘favourite’ tops and realising too late that you have no bottoms to pair them with. Orphan garments should have no place in your precious cargo allowance. Allowing space for items that can be paired with multiple pieces is a key packing tip – this best works with pants, shorts, and skirts, simply switching out the top is the best way to achieve multiple looks.

Day to night

Pieces that can be transitioned from day to night with ease are also key for travel. A black dress should always be in your holiday outfit packing plan as a simple change of shoes is all that is needed to transition a day look into an evening ensemble. The same rule applies to a simple classic button down and a pair of well-tailored trousers.

Summer evening dresses

From an evening celebration at home to an exotic holiday resort party, a light-weight evening dress is always a requirement for summer events. The Carla Zampatti Resort collection offers a range of maxi dresses and gowns in breathable cotton, linen and georgette that skim the body in figure forming silhouettes. Usually, a more relaxed silhouette is preferable for a summer event, both for practical and effortless purposes. Discover the dress collection here. 

Summer Jumpsuits

Always a Carla favourite, a jumpsuit is simply an outfit one-and-done. With the added benefit of leg-lengthening magic, adding a jumpsuit into your collection is the epitome of chic. It also offers a fresh take on evening wear that will make you stand out, rather than opting for a more traditional dress. The signature jumpsuit has been revisited for Resort ’23 in a strapless silhouette. The curved neckline structures the bodice while the waist is nipped in with refined tailoring that has been perfected over decades of craftsmanship.

Summer accessories

One of the simplest methods of updating your wardrobe with the seasons is to switch up your accessories. As your summer wardrobe will likely feature lighter shades of white, cream and pastels, your accompanying accessories will need to match. New CZ belts in lighter shades of leather will be the finishing touch to your summer dresses, or worn over power suits to define the waist. Elevate your look with a silk scarf that can be draped over the shoulders or tied as a statement top.