The summer months are *finally* upon us, and it’s time to break out the flirty dresses, short shorts, and stylish shades. If you’ve unpacked your summer wardrobe and it seems a bit lacking, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a summer capsule wardrobe totally inspired by our California Duchess, Meghan Markle.

Capsule wardrobes are all the rage right now, narrowing a wardrobe down to a number of absolutely essential pieces around which your day-to-day style will revolve. These pieces will be worn on repeat, in a variety of different ways, making your outfits always classic but never boring. With a high-quality capsule wardrobe, you’ll save both time (no longer wasting hours trying to decide what to wear) and money (high quality means you won’t have to buy replacement items again and again).

Born and raised in California, Meghan knows how to dress for the summer. We’ve picked out her essential warm weather pieces, so you can skip shopping online for hours and get back to the beach.

Sundress

If I could wear only one thing the whole summer long, it would be a sun dress. Light and breezy, it will keep you cool during those long, hot days, but can also be worn straight through the night to any party you’re headed to.
The gorgeous striped Reformation “Pineapple” dress that Meghan wore on her royal tour last year is still available, but there are many more stylish options for you to choose from as well.

Graphic tee

I thought we’d seen the last of fun graphic tees on Meghan once she joined the Royal Family, but she proved me wrong, wearing a cute Jake Ryan/Sixteen Candles tee while out shopping with Harry in London shortly before the arrival of baby Archie.
Graphic tees are a great way to add tons of personality into your wardrobe instantly. There’s a tee out there for every interest, from camping (or glamping) to saving the planet.

Denim jacket

Summer days are all about showing off sun-kissed skin, but once the sun goes down, you’ll want something to ward off the chill, and a denim jacket is the perfect option. It pairs perfectly with most items in your closet, so you don’t have to think too hard about coordination across multiple outfits.

Shorts

When questioned in an interview about her favorite outfit, she answered: “I am a California girl, born and raised, so flip-flops and cut-off shorts are my go-to look.” Scrolling through her Instagram archives, she wasn’t lying. Meghan wore shorts often during the warmer months, and in a variety of styles. A classic denim pair is necessary in any wardrobe, but be sure to pick out some fun colors and styles as well to mix things up.

Jumpsuit

Years ago I saw a picture of Meghan wearing the most gorgeous white jumpsuit to an event back in 2014, and ever since then I’ve been searching obsessively for the same gorgeous style. Thankfully, jumpsuits have been all the rage lately, so there are no shortage of options.
You can go classic with white or black, perfect for any occasion, or jump outside your comfort zone with a bold color.

Swimsuit

As often as she could between filming seasons of Suits, Meghan took amazing vacations around the world. When her travels took her to spectacular beach locales, she gifted us (via Instagram) with pictures of her cute beachwear while relaxing in the sand.
While most of her wardrobe is made up of solid colors, swimwear is where she really had some fun. From shiny gold bikinis to yummy sushi prints, Meghan never held herself back on the beach, and you don’t have to either.

Sandals

While on her Royal Tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga last year, Meghan slipped out of her heels into some more comfortable sandals when the opportunity arose, while still looking effortlessly chic.
Sandals are the quintessential summer staple, worn every single day, so invest in a quality pair. Pick them up in a neutral brown or black, so they’ll match with any outfit you put together.

Panama hat

The Panama hat has long been a staple in Meghan’s wardrobe, and it needs to make itself into yours as well, ASAP. You can pick the classic white with black ribbon like Meghan’s Madewell piece, or go for a natural straw color. Either way, you’ll look amazingly chic, while protecting yourself from the sun.

Sunglasses

Duchess of Sussex, and Queen of Sunglasses. Meghan has amazing taste in sunglasses, and the rest of the world agrees with me. When she wears a pair to any event, the pair sells out almost instantly at retailers worldwide. Never fear – the famous “Percy” style from Finlay & Co. that she wore to an Invictus Event back in 2017 is still available!

Straw bag

Straw bags and totes have long been the popular pick for summer, with their laid-back feel, yet sturdy enough structure to carry your beach towels, sunscreen, and (spiked?) bottles of lemonade. If you’re going to a more formal occasion, try a woven clutch instead, like the one we found at J. Crew.