Summer 2025 Capsule: Key Pieces We Can’t Live Without

Summer 2025 Capsule: Key Pieces We Can’t Live Without

Summer isn’t just a season—it’s a shift. In mindset. In pace. In the way we dress. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, we approach summer style with clarity: less clutter, more intention. That’s where the capsule wardrobe comes in. For Summer 2025, it’s all about soft tailoring, smart fabrics, and silhouettes that feel just as good as they look.

These aren’t fleeting trends. They’re pieces designed to anchor your wardrobe and move with your life—from rooftop dinners to coastal escapes, morning meetings to weekend errands. Consider this your high-summer edit of what matters—and what lasts.

Why a Capsule Wardrobe Works

The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is simple: a curated set of foundational pieces that mix and match effortlessly. But in practice, it’s transformative. No more overpacking. No more styling fatigue. Just purposeful dressing, styled in moments.

Our 2025 summer capsule blends structure with softness, edge with ease. Every item earns its place.

1. The Hero White Shirt

No capsule is complete without a crisp white shirt. Our version? Slightly oversized, clean-lined, and finished with refined hardware or asymmetrical hems. Wear it open, tucked, layered, or tied.

Pairs perfectly with tailored shorts, wide-leg trousers, or worn unbuttoned over a swimsuit.

2. The Everyday Midi Dress

Look for one in poly poplin or silk twill—lightweight, structured, and wrinkle-resistant. Our signature shirtdress features a cinched waist and quiet detail work, making it easy to dress up or down.

Throw on with flats for day, swap in heels for night.

3. Wide-Leg Pants in Organic French Terry

Tailored enough for day, relaxed enough for a beachside dinner. French terry breathes beautifully, making it the perfect summer trouser. Choose a tone like dune, ecru, or sage for maximum wearability.

Style tip: pair with a cropped tank and utility blazer for a fresh take on layering.

4. Tailored Bermuda Shorts

Structured Bermudas replace cutoffs in a refined capsule. Our SS25 versions offer sculpted waists, clean pleats, and a hint of length for that perfect balance of relaxed and pulled-together.

Wear them with a tucked button-down or a relaxed knit top.

5. The Sleeveless Knit Top

Lightweight knitwear is having a moment, and it belongs in your capsule. A ribbed, sleeveless top adds texture and polish while still feeling breathable. Ours comes with subtle structure and a high neckline—ideal for layering or wearing solo.

Pairs with everything from silk skirts to suiting shorts.

6. A Day-to-Night Sandal

Minimal sandals with architectural lines bring a modern edge to even the most classic outfit. Look for styles in soft leather, with just enough heel to elongate the silhouette without sacrificing comfort.

Choose one pair in a neutral tone and another in a summer accent—think citrus, terracotta, or icy mint.

7. The Summer Set

A matching top and bottom in linen blend, poly poplin, or organic cotton is your wardrobe shortcut. It’s a complete look in one decision. Break them apart to style separately, or wear together for editorial simplicity.

We especially love shorts + boxy top sets or skirt + crop top combos for this season.

8. The Sculptural Bag

No capsule is complete without one defining accessory. A sculptural handbag—sleek, compact, and thoughtfully designed—elevates even the most pared-down outfit. Bonus if it’s soft enough to pack and structured enough to hold its own at dinner.

Choose a style that bridges function and form. Leather with clean lines, minimal branding, and unexpected shape is the move.

Building the Summer Color Palette

Your capsule works harder when everything complements everything else. Start with a neutral base (ivory, sand, taupe, black) and layer in one or two accents. For Summer 2025, we’re drawn to:

  • Clay and terracotta

  • Butter yellow and citrus

  • Dusty sage and pale lavender

  • Deep navy and muted coral

Stick to 2-3 color families max—this keeps your looks versatile and cohesive.

Suggested Packing List (Mini Capsule Edition)

  • 1 white button-down

  • 1 matching set

  • 1 wide-leg trouser

  • 1 midi dress

  • 1 pair of Bermuda shorts

  • 2 tops (one knit, one poplin)

  • 2 pairs of sandals (flat and heeled)

  • 1 structured handbag

With just 10 pieces, you’ve got countless combinations—and a wardrobe that travels just as well as you do.

Final Word: Curated, Not Complicated

The best summer wardrobes don’t chase every trend—they refine what works. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, we believe in thoughtful design, intelligent layering, and pieces that elevate without overwhelming.

This capsule is designed to take you everywhere. All season long. No stress. No guesswork.

Because style should feel effortless—even when the sun’s at its peak.


The Fall / Winter 2022 installation by Sophie Parker for 3.1 Phillip Lim

Discover our Fall / Winter 2022 installation by artist Sophie Parker (@wifenyc) at 48 Great Jones St. A nod to the technique and style of dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch, repurposed canvases and parachutes are painted and draped to evoke an airy rhythm and motion within our flagship store.

A scene from The Rite Of Spring, choreographed by Pina Bausch. Photo: Dee Conway Lebrecht.

Artists of Tanztheater Wuppertal in Pina Bausch’s Vollmond. Photo: Laurent Philippe.

Setting the backdrop of our in-store Fall / Winter 2022 collection preview, The Dance speaks to the collection’s referencing of Bausch through sculpturally twisted fabric and graphically painted textures – a celebration of expressive movement.

View The Dance by Sophie Parker at our flagship store:

48 Great Jones St.

New York, NY 10012