It’s the week of summer solstice, and the sun is blazing even through the morning marine layer where I live in Laguna Beach. The solstices (summer, winter) and the equinoxes (fall, spring) were once used as celebrations to usher in a new season and connect with the cycles of nature. In astrology, the sign at the start of a new season (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) is considered a “cardinal” sign and within its archetype has the personality trait of being a self-starter.

I recently read about an ancient, yet technologically-advanced civilization that used the solstices and equinoxes to teleport through actual portals at various locations on Earth (their method also involved red crystals). Perhaps we haven’t figured that one out yet, but as with anything mystical, the power of the summer solstice is what you make of it.

For me, that means starting fresh with a newly-curated selection of seasonally-appropriate clothes.

My Beachy Nautical Summer Capsule

Since 2019, I’ve been using capsule wardrobes as a way to simplify my life. For those unfamiliar, a capsule wardrobe means paring down your clothing choices to a somewhat arbitrary number (I started with 37) of items that all match each other, fit you well, and are appropriate for the season. As both my size and climate have fluctuated over the past few years, it’s a relief to tuck away the clothes that don’t look quite right on me and only wear the things I feel really great in. Truly, it’s a huge mood booster!

I decided to share my capsule because I’m delighted by the mix of old and new items, and how well it fits my lifestyle. I’ve always been one to lean towards neutrals, and living in New York that meant mostly black, but now that I’m in Laguna Beach, I’ve begun to wear more white, and lighter colors more generally.

You might pick up on a slight nautical theme with the stripes, the blue-green shorts, and what I affectionately call a pirate shirt. There’s some pink in the dress and cardigan, and green in the shorts and tennis shoes. It’s actually taken some effort for me to buy colors, and it makes me happy to have this much variety in so few items.

The new items I bought this season are the lightweight sweater from 7115 and the top and shorts from Doen (first purchase and huge brand crush ever since an author I follow on Instagram posted their pants).

In addition to what’s listed and pictured, I culled my yoga clothes down to two tops and three bottoms that currently fit well, and I have two swimsuits. I don’t really list out accessories but I have a single pair of sunglasses, a waist bag (pink like the sweater), and a favorite canvas tote bag. Around the house, I wear a tank top and running shorts.

Everything else, I sort of hide from myself in the back of my closet.

In total, this is 20 items! It’s truly plenty, and I can’t wait to wear my new Doen shirt out and about, and on my Instagram Reels.

What’s In My Capsule Wardrobe

Tops

• Jones New York denim button-up (this belonged to my grandma

• Reformation white linen button-up

• WVN black and beige striped T-shirt

• Reformation white scoop neck

• 337 Brand beige slouchy T-shirt

• Doen white pirate top (fist bump if you get the Seinfeld reference and still like the top!)

• Carbon38 black crop top

Bottoms

• Agolde black ripped denim shorts (I’ve owned jeans from this brand before and scored on a secondhand pair at a shop in Laguna Beach)

• Doen blue/green pleated shorts

• Etica wide leg beige pants

• Etica white denim wide leg jeans

Sweaters

• 7115 poet sleeve beige sweater

• WVN pink cardigan

• Frankie black sheer long sleeve sweater

Shoes

• Black flip-flops

• Everlane beige slide sandals

• Veja green and white sneakers

• Anthropologie fisherman sandals

• Cairo CAI black mules

Dresses

• Anthropologie raspberry corduroy midi dress