Work Fashion

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.

Tank | Linen pants | Sandals (similar) | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses

The heat and humidity has officially arrived and summer is now here. Summer is an easy season to dress for when it comes to casual looks, but office dressing can always be tricky. Back in my corporate days, I would walk to work in NYC and completely melt from the warm weather before I reached the office and then immediately freeze when I walked inside. It’s like dressing for two totally different seasons when it comes to office looks in the summer. Creating chic office style looks when dealing with the heat and humidity and then a commute is not an easy task. The key is choosing looks that are breathable, comfortable and can possibly be layered. I rounded up some of my recent looks that will give you ideas of what to wear to stay comfortable and stylish while working throughout the summer season. I also like looks that can transition past the office so many of these pieces could be styled in other ways or transitioned to evening events or outings just by simply changing shoes or your handbag.

What to wear to work in summer

Boucle/tweed jackets

Jacket (similar) | Bodysuit (similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses

Boucle/tweed jackets are timeless and are a great closet staple to have. They can be easily dressed up for a work environment but also work casually with jeans for the weekend. Right now boucle jackets are so popular right now and there are a ton at various price points. I love the black one I am wearing above because it has different buttons down the front which gives it a unique flair. This style jacket has a very Chanel-esque vibe and styling them with wide leg trousers or even these satin cargo pants gives it a fresh modern take. Think fashion director meets ladies who lunch. LOL It’s also a warmer option to wear over a camisole or tank when your office is negative 5 degrees all day long. I’m also wearing one of Express’ Body Contour bodysuits under the jacket and the entire line is a must have for your closet and especially for your work outfits. They have a ton of basic styles that are great for layering or wearing alone.

Wide Leg Trousers

Tank | Pants | Belt (similar) | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses

Trousers have always been a workplace staple, but I am loving how they are being styled now. Wear them with pumps for a more corporate environment, sandals for a business casual workplace or even style them with sneakers for a relaxed work atmosphere. A great pair of linen trousers like the ones I am wearing in the first photo are perfect for the summer heat, but I also love these cropped wide leg pants I found on Amazon because they are so breathable and comfy.

Fitted Dress

Dress (similar) | Sandals | Bag

I’m always a fan of a simple fitted dress because it’s so easy to throw on with some shoes and a bag and go. Choose something simple in color like black, white, gray or tan and make it more exciting with great accessories, a chic bag and statement shoes. You can never go wrong with a classic black dress for work. My hesitation always when wearing a dress with buttons down the front is my concern for gaping, but with this dress the buttons are only for show so there is no concern about having a wardrobe malfunction during the day! Ha! I always recommend sizing up in a fitted dress if you plan on wearing it to work and then go with a smoothing or minimizing bra and seamless underwear or lightweight shapewear.

White Blazer

Blazer | Camisole (similar) | Shorts | Sandals (similar) | Tote bag (similar) | Sunglasses

A white blazer is not just a staple for summer workwear but a basic wardrobe staple. It will work for a more professional environment or business casual or you could style it with a cute tee, denim shorts and flip flops for the weekend. I’ve shared this hack a few times over on my Instagram but use a hair elastic to scrunch up your sleeves to a 3/4 length for a more stylish and effortless look. Put your hair elastic over the blazer a little above your elbow and then push up the fabric so that the elastic holds it in place. I’ve been doing this trick for years with all of my blazers and have always loved the look.

Wrap Blouse

Bodysuit (similar) | Pants | Sandals | Bag

As someone who is on the busty side (I wear a 32DD/E), I am always on the hunt for blouses that are flattering and can be versatile in my wardrobe. Wrap style blouses and tops have consistently been a go-to for me for years because they manage to minimize the appearance of a large chest but can also flatter those with a smaller bust. However, it has to have a clasp or hook on the front because I cannot be worried about anything coming undone when I’m out or in the past at my previous corporate job. I absolutely love this wrap bodysuit because it fits so well but there is a hook at the front so it is guaranteed to stay closed. It’s a great option to wear alone or layer under a blazer or suit jacket.

Bright Colors

Blazer | Top (similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes | Sunglasses | Bag (similar)

Obviously this will depend on exactly where you work, but I highly recommend adding some bright colors to your summer office style. It’s an instant mood lifter and summer is a great time to wear things that are more vibrant. Personally, I gravitate towards a neutral color in a brighter shade such as this green set which still feels within my comfort zone. Again I’m wearing my white blazer with this look – it’s an absolute necessity for your summer closet (and it will keep you warm in the summer office air-conditioning tundra)!

Striped Button Down Blouse

Shirt | Jeans | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses

A classic striped button down blouse is perfect to wear to the office year round but especially in the summer with a pair of crisp white jeans or trousers. Button down blouses are great to dress up or down for the workplace depending on the dress code. Opt for neutral shoes and accessories if deciding what to wear with stripes.

Black Trousers

Top | Pants | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses

You don’t have to retire all your black pants in the summer. They are still a great option to wear to work and always go with anything in your closet. I love the gold button details on this pair – they add a unique flair to a classic style. A striped boatneck top is a wardrobe staple and something that I always reach for year round.

Tote Bags

Braided Tote Bags

This Naghedi braided tote bag is one of the best tote bags I have ever used and perfect for carrying to the office as well as using for everyday errands. I have it in black but it comes in a ton of different colors. It’s super sturdy and flexible and looks so chic too!

What’s your summer office style?