Summer is almost here and while it may be easier to get dressed in the warmer months because you don’t have to put on as many layers of clothing, dressing for the office is not an easy feat. It’s a million degrees outside but -5 inside and you can get whiplash just going back and forth between the two every single day. That being said, I did work in an office for many years at the start of my blogging career and before so I am familiar with dressing for a business casual environment. Obviously every industry and office is different. So these are my personal suggestions of looks to wear but can be styled differently to make them work for your specific situation and dress codes.
When choosing business casual looks for the summer, it’s good to have layering options to throw on at your desk when inevitably the air conditioning threatens to freeze you mid keystroke. Business casual is a broad term but I often think of it as a more relaxed professional look. Something that is still polished and well put together but isn’t a suit. Most of these looks I am sharing are a mix of great basics which should be your first task when shopping for new clothes. Make sure you get classic pieces first because you will create a more versatile wardrobe that can be worn year after year. Here is a round-up of 10 outfit ideas for women that you can wear for a business casual dress code during the hot summer days.
10 Summer Business Casual For Women
Linen Pants and a Knit Tank
Tank | Pants | Bag | Shoes | Sunglasses
Skip the little peekaboo action for the office but this knit tank and linen pants are perfect for the workplace in the summer. I would invest in a simple black cardigan to leave at your desk to throw on if it gets cold or you can’t wear sleeveless pieces but then remove it when you step back out into the heat.
Denim Midi Skirt
Shirt | Skirt | Belt | Shoes | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses
Many offices allow for jeans on certain days. But if you are not a fan of jeans, opt for a chic denim skirt! Still has that same relaxed casual attire vibe to it but also looks super chic and professional. There are a million ways to style a denim midi skirt, but pairing it with a white button down blouse is always a good idea. Switch up your accessories and add some closed toe shoes if needed. But this look can be a fun take on wearing denim to the office.
Crewneck Tee with Wide Leg Pants
Tee | Pants | Jacket (similar) | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
As I shared earlier, I worked at an office for many years prior to blogging. And this was the type of outfit I would wear all the time in the summer. These wide leg pants are insanely comfortable and styling them with a matching tee really pulls the whole look together. Skip the denim jacket and throw on a lady jacket or blazer if you want to elevate it even more.
Matching Linen Set
Tank | Pants | Sandals | Bag | Sunglasses
Another matching set for the win!!! Matching sets are fantastic because you can break up the pieces and wear them with other things to create more looks. And as someone who used to walk to work for many years (I lived and worked in NYC for 15 years), I would always wear a tank on my walks and either carry a jacket/blazer with me to throw on when I arrived or would wear the cardigan I kept at my desk.
Button Down Blouse and White Jeans
Shirt | Jeans | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
Shirt | Jeans | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
If you are allowed to wear jeans regularly at the office, be sure to get a classic pair of white denim for the spring and summer. This wide leg pair looks almost like a pair of white trousers and can easily be dressed up in a more professional way. I have quite a few striped button down blouses. And even though I no longer work in an office, I still look to wear them in my day to day life.
Black Trousers
Shirt | Pants | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
Camisole | Pants | Sweater (similar) | Belt | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
Yes, I still wear black during the summer and always will! More than half of my closet is black so I can’t just quit all those pieces in spring and summer. And sometimes you just need something that you don’t have to think about when getting dressed and black trousers are it. Both of these looks are exact replicas of former outfits I used to wear my corporate job many years ago. A striped top and trousers or a camisole with trousers with a striped sweater draped on my shoulders while walking to work (and then promptly put on as soon as I entered the arctic tundra known as my office).
Lady Jacket and Dark Wash Denim
Cardigan | Camisole | Jeans (similar) | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
Next to a classic pair of white jeans, a pair of dark wash jeans with no distressing is probably my next suggestion for wearing jeans to the office. I know wide leg jeans are trending right now but they will always be a great choice for a business casual environment where you can wear jeans. They fit like a trouser and are easier to dress up in a more professional way. I also love that lady jackets are super popular at the moment. They are a great alternative to wearing a blazer in the workplace.
Blazer and Dress Shorts
Blazer | Tank | Shorts | Sandals (similar) | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses
Can shorts be professional? Or at least business casual if allowed? I feel like this outfit is proof of that. Maybe switch out the sandals for some simple flats or slingbacks. But I absolutely LOVE how chic and polished this entire outfit looks. I bought these shorts last summer and they were one of my best summer purchases. They look amazing dressed up for a night out. But I love how professional they can look when styled in a certain way.
Comments