A wardrobe for summer

Short answer: The summer wardrobe is the smallest of them all, but it is worn the hardest. Everything is washed more often, and the fabric has to cope without losing its shape. A good summer wardrobe is about choosing well rather than owning a lot.

Fewer pieces, more washes

In summer, clothes are washed almost daily, because you sweat more and change more often. Each piece goes through the machine many times in a few months. Choose tops that keep their shape and do not twist at the seams after a few washes. Those are the ones you reach for again and again, see bamboo T-shirts for women.

Thin layers instead of few layers

One more thin layer is better than going without. A light top under an open shirt, or a thin T-shirt, lets you take something off when it gets hot without ending up wearing too little. Thin fabrics also dry faster after washing, which suits the pace of summer, see bamboo tops for women.

A layer for evenings and air conditioning

Even in July it is cool indoors in many places. Shops, offices, trains and cinemas often keep the temperature well below what it is outside. And once the sun goes down, a summer evening can turn cool faster than expected. One warm layer in your bag saves many days, see bamboo sweatshirt for women.

Enough underwear

Underwear is what you change most often in summer. With too few sets, you end up washing in a hurry or wearing something that is not quite dry. Seven sets is a good starting point, so you can get through a week without depending on the washing machine every single day.

Wash at a low temperature

When clothes are washed often, every wash counts. A low temperature and a short programme are gentle on the fabric and keep colours longer. Turn clothes inside out and let them dry in the shade rather than in strong sun. That way your most worn summer pieces last several seasons instead of just one.

Light colours and simple cuts

In summer, light colours and simple cuts make the most sense. They are easy to combine, and you can pair something from yesterday with something new without thinking about it. A small wardrobe works best when almost everything goes with almost everything else.

Pack light for the holidays

A holiday is the summer wardrobe in miniature. Bring fewer pieces than you think you need, and choose ones that can be washed in a sink and dry overnight. Five thin tops and one warm layer for the evening cover most trips, whether you are heading for the beach or a city.

Review the wardrobe in autumn

When summer ends, it is a good time to see what has held up. Pieces that have become thin, twisted or faded can be replaced. The rest can be put away for next year. That way you start next summer with a wardrobe you know works, instead of finding out on the first warm day.

Frequently asked questions

What should a summer wardrobe include

Five to seven thin tops, seven sets of underwear and one warm layer for evenings and air conditioned shops. You rarely need more than that to get through the summer.

Why does summer clothing wear out faster

Because it is washed far more often. Every wash costs a little, and in summer the washes come close together, so the wear builds up over a few months.

Why do you need a warm layer in summer

Because air conditioning and cool evenings can mean a ten degree difference from the midday temperature. A thin warm layer in your bag makes that easy to handle.