The 12 Best Summer Work Outfits, According to Fashion Insiders
Summer is the season of sunshine, increased serotonin, and a carefree attitude. (Responsibilities? They're not real when it's 80 degrees outside.) Climbing temperatures naturally make getting dressed an exercise in the less-is-more approach. But with your summer work outfits, wearing less isn't necessarily an option, and you do have to care about your warm-weather workwear—at least so Brenda in Human Resources doesn't get involved.
The office dress code isn't the only aspect to consider when putting together summer work outfits. You also need to factor in your commute, your day-to-day agenda, and the ridiculously frigid temperatures of your office's central air. Additionally, today's expectations for in-office dressing are much more relaxed than they used to be. (In case you missed it: wearing casual outfits with sneakers to work isn't only accepted, but encouraged.) In 2024, risk-taking with your workwear, especially during summer, has never been more welcome.
To help you master in-office style in the season of impending heatwaves ahead, Marie Claire tapped four industry professionals—one fashion director and three expert stylists—for insight on styling a warm-weather workwear wardrobe. Keep scrolling for a well-rounded selection of business casual outfits to wear to work this summer, from the best linen pants worn with blazers to breezy summer dresses to diligent work bags that can fit your laptop and much more.
What to Look For in a Summer Work Outfit
Heat-Proof Materials
"When it's hot, I like wearing clothes that feel breathable, because there is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable with what you're wearing," fashion stylist Jay Hines tells Marie Claire. He recommends sampling all sorts of silhouettes—including dresses, trousers, and blouses—in summer-appropriate materials such as linen, cotton, chambray, and lightweight jersey.
Cohesive Color Palettes
Hines says that the summer season is an ideal opportunity to stretch outside your color comfort zone. "I love the idea of wearing complementary colors in a summer work outfit, whether bright shades or more minimalistic tones," he explains. Follow his lead in bold combinations like emerald green and yellow, or white and powder blue.
Bold Yet Appropriate Footwear
Fashion stylist Mickey Freeman believes no professional look is complete without a true statement shoe. "Though it is important to remain within the boundaries of your physical comfort zone, even a brightly-hued, reptile-skin embossed mule with a pointed toe can wow your co-workers."
Strategic Layers
You may not want a lightweight summer sweater while schlepping your way into the office, but you certainly will once you make it to your near-Arctric, AC-blasting office. Make sure your innermost layer is as work-appropriate as your outermost: "A good base is important, because you never know when you need to shed a layer for comfort," stylist Timothy Chernyaev says.
Don't Forget About Jewelry
Accessories bring a sense of fun and personality to any summer outfit, even the one you're planning for a long day at the office. "Whether you layer bracelets or stack rings, jewelry always adds a little je ne sais quoi to really complete and sign off the outfit," Hines agrees. A colorful beaded necklace, for instance, adds more pizzazz and personality to a simple linen shirtdress.
The Best Summer Work Outfits
A Linen Suit
A quietly luxurious linen suit is a key addition to any summer workwear rotation, and the top half can go with so much more than its coordinating pants. "Linen blazers work so well in your summer rotation," Hines enthuses. "They're breathable and give a smart look with little effort." Take Everlane's khaki jacket as an example. With its neutral color and sharp lapels, this light blazer is easygoing yet undeniably sophistiated.
Everlane The Linen Double Breasted Blazer
Everlane The Linen Way-High Drape Pant
J. Crew Winona Penny Loafers
Summer Sheers
Layering is a crucial component in summer fashion. As Chernyaev explains, it all starts with a stable base: "I look for opaque fabrics in tank tops and tees so I can wear them on their own. Then, I layer with a lightweight sheer shirt or sweater for a little style on top." The Boy Tank in black by ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo is a solid place to start, with its soft, ribbed modal fabric.
ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Boy Tank
STYLAND Sheer Long-Sleeve Shirt
Gap Mid Rise Crinkle Gauze Wide-Leg Pants
A Tailored Vest and Trousers
When you want the put-together effect of suiting but can't bear a long-sleeved heavy-duty blazer, a women's waistcoat offers warm-weather relief. Team the tailored vest with coordinating trousers—you'll want to make sure that the fabrications and color match—and your best loafers to complete the polished look. The Frankie Shop's waistcoat and coordinating pleated trousers make it easy to test-drive the sleeveless suit.
The Frankie Shop Gelso Woven Waistcoat
The Frankie Shop Gelso Pleated Suiting Wide-Leg Trousers
Sam Edelman Linnie Mule
A Matching Set
Similar to tailored suiting, a coordinating set is a true fashion win-win: convenience with a put-together end result. "I always look for matching sets in cotton or linen," Chernyaev shares. "Having a coordinating top and bottom is a great way to look put-together when the weather is brutal. Plus, it's easy to get dressed in a hurry when you're running late."
Zimmermann Natura Mouline Knit Tank Top
Natura Mouline Knit Maxi Skirt
Reformation Mikki Twist Flat Sandal
Build Around Your Work Bag
On days when inspiration is lacking, build a look around your accessories. Marissa Galante Frank, the accessories and beauty fashion director at Bloomingdale’s, encourages you to rely on a refined work bag to get the creative juices flowing. Particularly, she advises you to take a cue from your bag's color palette and its fabrications: "Lightweight materials—like raffia or woven canvas—are perfect for the season," she says. And, they coordinate beautifully with relaxed separates or a printed summer dress.
To ensure your seasonal laptop bag doesn't skew too beachy, Galante Frank recommends bags with sophisticated leather trim and handles.
Stella McCartney Striped Canvas Logo Tote Bag
& Other Stories Fluid Silk Shirt
Open Edit High Waist Wide Leg Trousers
Linen Pants and a Tee
No piece is quite as easy or as straightforward as a pair of linen trousers. Hines describes them as having a "nostalgic feel and a smart but casual look" perfect for up-styling with choice separates, such as a blazer or short-sleeved sweater.
Freeman, however, is a proponent of going fully casual with the breezy bottoms. "I’ve always been a fan of wide-legged linen trousers paired with a crisp but slightly draped cotton T-shirt," the stylist shares. Keep an eye on your T-shirt's silhouette and fabrication—ensuring that it's structured and not too soft keeps your summer work outfit from falling into pajama territory.
S Max Mara Salix Linen Canvas Palazzo Pants
Theory Johanna Crewneck Classic Tee
Sophie Buhai Droplet Sterling Silver Necklace
A White Button-Down Shirt and Jeans
The descriptor 'wardrobe staple' has been tossed around so much that it's somewhat lost its gravitas. But with a white button-down shirt, the term holds firm.
Freeman considers these one of the most versatile work wardrobe items, able to be styled with anything from boxy trousers to blue jeans. "Also," the stylist adds, you can "utilize the naturally blank canvas of the top to accentuate interesting accessories that can become a conversation piece." A quirky pearl necklace like Martha Calvo's is a smart statement piece to start with.
Nordstrom Classic Poplin Shirt
Alex Mill The Carla High-Rise Straight
Martha Calvo Naxos Gold-Plated Pearl Necklace
A Sundress and Sandals
For a look that's relaxed but not overtly casual, try a white sundress with touches of gold jewelry. As for the rest of the look, Hines once again urges you not to forget about your feet. The stylist's top recommendation? "Espadrilles are one of my favorite shoes, and summer is always the period where they take center stage."
Waimari Eternus Solaire Fit & Flare Midi Dress
Castañer Chiara Ankle Tie Wedge Espadrille Sandals
Laura Lombardi Maremma Recycled Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings
A Polo Shirt and Cargo Pants
Chernyaev says that pastel or classic neutral polos are another must-have in order to complete a summer workwear collection. The stylist shouts out Ralph Lauren and Benetton, but Vince's short-sleeved shirt is another clever option.
Styling-wise, consider teaming the classic collared shirt with bottoms that are a bit more trend-forward—like utilitarian cargo pants, for example.
Vince Elbow-Sleeve Silk Rib Polo Shirt
Toteme Cotton Cargo Pants
Gucci Women's 1953 Moc Toe Loafers
A Look Revolving Around a Hero Shoe
As you're likely well aware, ballerina flats have proliferated the market in recent seasons. However, they're more than just a flash-in-the-pan footwear fad: the best ballet flats are "a must-have summer work shoe," Galante Frank says. They're so powerful, in fact, she encourages you to let them do the heavy lifting and use them as the focal point of your work outfit. Try "unexpected materials like denim and raffia," set against a blank canvas like a white shirt dress. Maeve's ballet flats in dark-wash denim are an accessible place to start.
Maeve The Sabina Ballet Flats
COSDeconstructed Midi Shirt Dress
Anderson's Textured-Leather Belt
A Maxi Skirt and Blouse
Some maxi skirts exude a carefree bohemian spirit, but plenty of others channel a more buttoned-up, formal feel. A longline skirt made of cotton twill, for example, is akin to a pair of trousers, while a denim maxi skirt is a more dressed-up version of your favorite jeans. As for styling a maxi, try it with a sleeveless blouse in a slightly funky print—like Proenza Schouler's, below.
Aritzia Chisel Maxi Skirt
Proenza Schouler Flou Pleated Striped Crepe Blouse
Hermine Pointed Toe Slingback Flat
An Oversized Blazer With a Mini Skirt
Who says only maxi skirts are fit for the office? Freeman encourages you to add one mini skirt to your workwear collection, paying careful attention to pair it with more polished and buttoned-up separates. "A slightly oversized blazer with broad shoulders over a mini-skirt in a lightweight cotton blend tends to always convey a relaxed but youthful vibe," he explains. Your best kitten heels—maybe a pair of Manolo Blahniks?—will complete the look with a ladylike kick.
COS The Belted Raffia Mini Skirt
Lioness La Quinta Blazer
Manolo Blahnik Turgimod 50 Cutout Leather and Suede Slingback Pumps
