How to build a summer capsule wardrobe, according to a menswear expert

Unfamiliar with the concept of a capsule wardrobe? Let me enlighten you. The term refers to having a small but sharp collection of interchangeable pieces of clothing, meaning you have more storage, fewer clothes and more cohesive outfits. Sounds good, right? Well, it’s easier said than done, but, fortunately, both MyTheresa and I are here to help.For the uninitiated, MyTheresa is the online, multi-brand retailer that hosts thousands upon thousands of designer items, typically at a discounted price. This easy-to-use format has made it my go-to for an everyday, straightforward shopping experience – particularly when building a capsule wardrobe.Now, a good summer capsule wardrobe needs to hit a few key criteria. It needs to be versatile, elegant, and simple – and you’re going to need to tick off tops, bottoms, accessories and layering. That’s where I come in.As a menswear expert, I’ve spent the best part of a decade learning, studying and sourcing exactly what men want from a modern wardrobe. In that time, I’ve tried, tested, and written about just about every label on the market – so you can trust my input on what you need this summer. And so, without further ado, I’ve picked out the best T-shirt, shirt, layer, shorts, trousers, trainers and sunglasses available on MyTheresa right now, primed and ready for your perusal below. That said, if you’re not quite vibing with what it is that I’ve picked out, fear not, for MyTheresa has plenty of options for each of my listed categories, with something for every aesthetic and style.MyTheresaStarting nice and simple – every man needs an arsenal of white T-shirts at his disposal. In fact, judging by my partner’s wardrobe, no amount of white T-shirts will ever be sufficient. A staple piece of excellent quality, this Polo Ralph Lauren option is as reliable as they come, thanks to its durable but lightweight pure premium cotton jersey construction, punctuated by a small embroidered logo to one side.MyTheresaSomething that every wardrobe needs – but not enough have – is a charismatic but well-cut bowling shirt. Enter, this suave option from Commas.Commas began as a swimwear label, but now brings the sunny spirit of Sydney into the realm of ready-to-wear, as exemplified by this relaxed-cut shirt and its dynamic, palm-tree embroidered design.MyTheresaNot quite a sweatshirt but not quite a jacket, this zipped Acne Studios sweatshirt is a stylish halfway house that makes for a perfect summertime layer. Simply put, this is the best-looking solution to dropping temperatures in the beer garden on a summer evening, and the difference between looking good and staying warm and shivering through your final pint.MyTheresaOne of the key things I’ve learned during my tenure as a menswear writer is that many men have complicated relationships with shorts. A huge number of men feel that their legs are too pale, too skinny or too broad for a pair of shorts – particularly in the Paul Mescal/Harry Styles micro shorts era. To this nonsense, I can bring sense; no one is looking at your legs, and you deserve to be cool and comfortable. Which, speaking of, is precisely what these striped shorts from Calvin Klein offer, thanks to their breezy, knee-length cut and tastefully branded waistband.MyTheresaIn this heat, your trousers need to be lightweight, breathable and ideally wide-legged. Ticking those boxes and more, these Our Legacy trousers benefit from an infinitely-wearable greige hue, whilst channelling the Scandi cool-guy vibe that the brand itself is well-known for.MyTheresaA perennial staple, every wardrobe needs a pair of white trainers. A fantastically sporty option, Salomon’s XT-6 mesh sneakers benefit from an off-white hue, meaning you can avoid the awkwardly-white period and go straight to a nice, worn-in feel. MyTheresaJacques Marie Mage is a Los Angeles-based label known for drawing inspiration from the disparate worlds of the American West and the Art Deco movement, fusing the two to create statement-making pieces. These ‘Devaux’ sunnies have been crafted from high-quality cellulose acetate, a plant-based material that’s durable and hypoallergenic, into a universally flattering square frame with soft, rounded corners.