Putting Together a Summer Wardrobe Capsule: 50+ Tops to Buy Now

Recently, I shared with readers what my ideal summer capsule looks like and now it’s time to go shopping (even if it’s just in your own closet)! To start, check out all the resources for my selected tops, plus a few extra.

As a reminder, 17 was the number to hit for tees, blouses and light outwear. To some, that may seem like a lot (or more than you even currently have), but tops and layering pieces are the key to creating a curated wardrobe that is extremely flexible.

I went ahead and broke down the types of pieces that are the most versatile, and they look like this:

Now, I can’t express how important it is to tailor this to your needs. If you’re more of a tank girl, than you might want to go lighter on the sleeved blouses and pump up your number of sleeveless options (they work great under blazers and cardigans for the office, as well.) I happen to have a hate-hate relationship with my arms, so the two tanks I picked out are a risky move for me. I live on the edge.

• Top row: Maesta Blazer in Black at Yoox, $136 / Regent Blazer in White Linen at J.Crew, $168 / Lyocell-blend Jacket at H&M, $49.99
• Middle row: Always Chambray Shirt at J.Crew, $78 / Vintage Wash Crewneck Tee in Marbled Heather Gray at Gap, $24.95 / V-neck Dolman Tee in Mosaic Blue at Gap, $24.95
• Bottom row: Collection WEEKEND by John Lewis Pleat Detail Tunis Blouse in Lemon at John Lewis,£55.00 / Dillon-Fit Windowpane Shirt in Chilie Pepper at Banana Republic, $68 / Embroidered Linen Top in Flax at J.Crew, $79.99

• Top row: Long Sleeve Meadow Floral Top in Pink Combo at Rebecca Taylor, $275 / Mixed Paisley Top in Cobalt at J.Crew, $78
• Middle row: (Similar) Anthem Crewneck Tee in Alford Stripe at Madewell, $32.50 / (Similar) Warehouse Stripe Shirt at Asos, $52 / Fringed Detail Blouse in Navy at Violeta by Mango, $59.99
• Bottom row: Short Top in White at H&M, $17.99 /Off-the-Shoulder Top in Ratti Happy Cat Print at J.Crew, $98 / Patterned Jersey Tank Top in Dark Green at H&M, $5.99

Now, here are some more top picks by category:

• Top row: Cupcakes and Cashmere Lillian Open Front Linen Blend Blazer at Nordstrom, $130 / Linen-Blend Field Jacket for Women in Crocodile Tears at Old Navy, $42.94 / Petite Navy Sleeveless Cardi at Dorothy Perkins, $39
• Middle row: ONLY Noah ¾ Long Cardigan at Zappos, $55.99 / Bomber Jacket in Pink at Zara, $39.90 / New Look Tailored Blazer at Asos, $46
• Bottom row: Treasure&Bond Chambray Boyfriend Shirt at Nordstrom, $46.80 / Sheer Kimono Cardigan in Beachside Khaki at Loft, $49.50 / Classic Trucker Jacket in Story Teller at Levi’s, $59.50

• Top row: Sun & Shadow Rib Knit Tank in Burgundy Shade at Nordstrom, $8.98 / Come and Go as Your Pleats Top at ModCloth, $44.99 / Sleeveless Top with Tropical Bird Print at Asos, $23
• Middle row: Canopy Tank at Anthropologie, $98 / Sleeveless Double Vee Top in Yellow at Banana Republic, $74 / Lush Stripe Surplice Top at Nordstrom, $38
• Bottom row: BP Sleeveless Safari Shirt in Navy Evening at Nordstrom, $22.80 / Original Fit Floral Sleeveless Portofino Shirt in Print 17 at Express, $44.90 / Flowy Pocket Blouse in Pastel Pink at Mango, $29.99

• Top row: Rebecca Minkoff Gina Tee in Grey Plum at Bloomingdale’s, $40.60 / Striped Cotton T-shirt in Off White at Mango, $15.99 / Women’s Favorite Vee Tee – Merona in Sun Dance Yellow at Target, $9
• Middle row: Boyfriend Linen Crew Tee for Women in Emerelda at Old Navy, $14.94 / Roll-Up Stripe Tee in Pink Multi at Banana Republic, $68 / Splendid Heathered Tee at Bloomingdale’s, $48
• Bottom row: Linen T-Shirt in White at Zara, $22.90 / Drapey Knot Front Tee in Grey at Abercrombie & Fitch, $28 / Lou & Grey V-Neck Linen Teen in White at Loft, $34.50

• Top row: Berry Long Sleeve Ruffle Front Blouse in Ophelia Pink 158 at Express, $39.90 / Embroidered Vines Buttondown at Anthropologie, $98 / Embroidered Peasant Blouse in Chambray at Asos, $68
• Middle row: Classic Semi-Sheer Plaid Shirt for Women in Blue Buffalo Plaid at Old Navy, $15 / Balcony Off-the-Shoulder Top in Ikat Print at Madewell, $85 / Obi Band Wrap in Lilac at Asos, $52
• Bottom row: Off-Shoulder Stripe Top at Banana Republic, $78 / Mono Color Block Cropped V Neck Kimono Blouse at Asos, $41 / Striped Dolman Sleeve Top at The Limited, $29.90

→Have your shirts under control? See all our bottom, dress and shoe picks for putting together a summer wardrobe here.