If you’re building a New England summer capsule wardrobe, let’s start with linen. A relaxed linen shirt or wide-leg linen pants are essential pieces for that effortless coastal grandmother style. It’s perfect for everything from seaside picnics to dinner on the harbor. Next, layer in classic summer wardrobe staples: striped Breton tees, white denim jeans, a lightweight cashmere sweater for cool coastal nights, and timeless leather sandals. And don’t forget the iconic L.L.Bean Boat & Tote. This classic bag is a must for any New England summer wardrobe.
This look captures the heart of the coastal grandmother aesthetics. Think timeless, polished, and easy to wear. Many of my go-to pieces come from J.Crew, LLBean, Everlane, Madewell, and a few other favorite small brands. Stick with a coastal-inspired color palette (white, navy, chambray, khaki) and you’ll have a capsule wardrobe that carries you through the season in style.
THE NEW ENGLAND SUMMER WARDROBE CAPSULE BASICS
Linen Staples
- Relaxed Linen Shirt — J.Crew or Everlane
- Linen Wide-Leg Pants — J.Crew or Quince
- Linen Shorts — J.Crew, Gap, or Mango
- Linen Midi Dress — J.Crew or Sezane
Classic Layers
- Breton Striped Tee — Saint James, J.Crew, or Kule
- Lightweight Cashmere or Cotton Sweater — J.Crew, LLBean, or Quince
- Denim Jacket — Madewell or J.Crew
Summer Bottoms
- White Jeans — Madewell or J.Crew
- Wide leg linen blend pants − J.Crew or Quince
- Chino Shorts — J.Crew or LLBean
Essential Accessories
- L.L.Bean Boat & Tote — this is the must New England summer bag!
- Leather Sandals — Sarah Flint, Margaux, or J.Crew
- Canvas Espadrilles — Soludos or J.Crew
- Straw Hat — Hat Attack, J.Crew, or Janessa Leone
- Classic Sunglasses — Ray-Ban or Le Specs
Color Palette:
Keep it timeless and coastal:
- White
- Soft navy
- Chambray blue
- Natural linen / khaki
- Pale stripe (blue & white or navy & white)
- A touch of tan leather (sandals, bag trim)
For this capsule, I stick to an easy coastal palette of white, navy, soft blues, and natural linen tones. Everything pairs together so you can mix and match all summer long, whether you’re heading to the Cape, strolling Nantucket, or just enjoying a local farmers market in Newport.
