I have very few summer items - how can I achieve that elusive 'capsule wardrobe' for the hotter months?

[Poseidensgrumpyneighbour]

So far, I've got:

• a really good Comfy-but-can-be-smart summer dress that I"m overly reliant on
• a lovely skirt that scrunches up small and can be dressed up and dressed down
• pair of flowy trousers
• lots of white tshirts (crappy quality, mostly H&M so seem to look tired very quickly)
• a couple of white linen shirts that I can't be arsed to iron
• one pair of very old shorts that I love but that aren't suitable for work or even day-to-day city life

Otherwise I just wear jeans and t-shirts/shirts every day and am rapidly running out of options in this wonderful weather. I keep vacantly scrolling online looking at midi dresses and vests but never actually order anything because I can't decide and also feel I'll just end up with a bunch of random 'bits'.

Style gurus of MN, what do I need to see me through summer?

[I'm mid-forties, pale, a scrawny size 8 (such that if I go too baggy with my style, I look awful). I can't pull off big colourful patterns and would love to wear more black but think it probably washes me out. White possibly does too but I seem to have a lot of it anyway because I can't seem to think of anything else! I'm big on comfort and almost never wear heels.]

Upgrade to better quality tees as they are a year round item.
Wedge espadrilles are a comfortable compromise on heels and can be worn with multiple items.
Upgrade your jeans to maybe a more summery wash and pair with broderie anglaise tops. These are always in the shops in Summer.

Do a bulk order of neutrals from a shop like Uniqlo, muji, cos etc where everything is neutral and goes with everything. At least that's what I've done and hoping my perfect capsule wardrobe arrives tomorrow.

My favourite recent summer purchase is a sleeveless jersey jumpsuit from Hush - it's olive green but they do some in blue and black too. It's ridiculously comfortable but looks great with a very lightweight nice jacket/open shirt over it, or just a big cotton scarf worn like a pashmina. With sandals and good earrings I feel stylish but cool and relaxed. I want more now! But I'm waiting to see how it washes first.

My style is very dark/goth but the same principles apply to the type of clothes.
Uniqlo for a load of basic tops and t-shirts. Uniqlo or supermarket for linen trousers.
I have a bunch of midi dresses which I wear with Converse or chunky sandals. Can see the tattoos on my legs then but they're not too short so I can wear them for work. Cardi over, or a denim jacket. Likewise a skirt with a plain top or vest. As you can imagine, all of this is in my palette of black, dark purple, khaki, burgundy and...black. So everything goes/is interchangeable.

I'm a right scruff but also a skinny mid-ish-40s person so I can tell you what I wear. I have shorts, mainly denim in different colours and lengths, and I wear with plain loose-ish cotton t shirts or vests with a bit of a tuck in and sandals or converse. That's generally what I wear day to day. Swap the shorts for jeans if the weather isn't as nice. I don't like tight clothes so tend to go for a bit of an oversized look in tops.

At work I wear thin cotton trousers (all the pairs I have are H&M) with a camisole or nice t-shirt and smarter trainers or ballet flats. I can wear jeans at work but don't tend to in the summer.

I have the odd maxi dress and one long denim skirt which is surprisingly versatile - you can dress it up and dress it down easily.

Pretty much everything I buy I get off vinted because I'm skint, so I tend to stick to brands that I know fit me - hence the lots of trousers from H&M thing. I have shorts from Oasis and FatFace that I like and my sandals are Birkenstocks or blowfish Malibu.

I’m early 40s and recently overhauled my wardrobe as nothing fitted after two babies. I’m mostly office based but casual and this is what I have:

• two pairs of navy linen blend trousers
• one pair of jeans
• one pair of navy chinos
• Three navy dresses (one maxi/two knee length)
• seven t-shirts (white/blush pink/grey/Breton)
• couple of cashmere cardis (cream/pale grey)
• two sweatshirts (grey/blush pink)
• one chambray jacket

Shoes are either sandals or Converse, and apart from gym clothes that’s pretty much it until it starts getting cooler. Written down it doesn’t sound like much, but I really don’t have the mental energy to figure out new outfits every day! All the navy is because i normally gravitate toward black but it just looks wrong in the heat. Having an outfit formula just means I can get dressed quickly in the morning and know it looks presentable.

Some excellent tips here. Thank you, all!

I've recently overhauled my summer wardrobe due to a bit of weight gain and similarly to a poster above have found that having a sort of uniform really helps. Like you op I am big on comfort!

My capsule wardrobe is basically:

• wide leg trousers in navy, beige and striped.
• cream chinos
• relaxed drawstring trousers in navy and black
• white broderie blouses
• t shirts/ short sleeved shirts/tanks in white, blue, black and striped (decent quality from Cos and arket)
• smart linen shorts in black and white
• long sleeved linen shirt in green (for when I'm feeling daring..)
• a couple of plain cotton dresses in a shape thay suits me (long sleeve mini dresses)

I realise this sounds extremely dull, but everything suits me, it is all good quality and fabrics I like and most importantly I feel comfortable in it all! Similar to some of the posters above, focusing on neutrals and not trying to be too exciting has really helped me! In terms of shops I LOVE zara for basics and amazing trouser shapes, and also cos and arket for quality stuff that lasts years.

Utility playsuit and a utility jumpsuit
I have these in various prints and classic colours and fabrics
Navy linen playsuit - wear with gold sandals and gold necklace
khaki print playsuit - wear with gold big earrings and sandals
denim utility jumpsuit / roll sleeves up and ankles up to ankle length wear with same gold jewelry
Honestly just repeat … I think a jumpsuit or playsuit Is a complete outfit

I do a capsule wardrobe and haven't bought much more than that to be honest - unless you plan to go abroad somewhere hot then British summertime isn't particularly long and isn't likely to be hot for the duration.

Perhaps invest in some shirts with more interest than plain white - I get a lot of wear out of a navy linen shirt I have, and also really enjoy striped shirts - both go well with jeans when it's not boiling hot, or shorts and skirts when it isn't and I wear them a few different ways - tucked in, tied up, as a sort of shacket over a vest etc.

My general summer capsule wardrobe is:
Off white ankle length jeans & a light/mid blue denim pair
White linen shirt
Green striped and a blue striped linen mix shirt
Navy shirt
A black spotted midi/maxi skirt in a bias cut
1 midi button down dress in cream and black spots
A plain black midi with a shirred top that can be dressed up or down.
A couple of vests and t-shirts in black and white
Navy Linen wide leg culottes with pockets
Beige peg leg linen look trousers with a tie waist.
1 black silk style wrap top for going out - goes with anything
A couple of pairs of shorts - one denim cut off, one olive green city style shorts.
Birkenstocks
Tan leather sliders
Cropped oversized cream linen jacket and an old oversized black denim jacket that I don't wear much but always comes in useful in inbetween weather.
Couple of pairs of sunglasses - 1 brown, 1 black
The usual gold layering jewellery

Of that list all I've added this year is an olive green striped shirt, a new pair of denim shorts as last years are too tight, and a dress. I'd rather just wear it all on repeat so it meets it's lifespan than worry about wearing something different all the time.

Been a bit unwell so haven't responded properly to all your ideas but, belatedly, a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post. Some excellent suggestions. I'm terminally indecisive so spending a lot of time online looking at things and haven't actually ordered anything yet but have a better idea what I'm after at least! M&S seem to have a good range of basics in different colours and patterns so might start with a few bits from them although don't know what their sizing / fit is like so might need to order a few bits and return what doesn't work. Thanks again, folks