Summer dressing is easier in many ways. For starters, it requires fewer layers and, therefore, less planning overall. You can pretty much slip on a dress and a pair of sandals and call it a day. Unless, of course, you have an office job that requires a little more polish. Here are six breezy (in every sense of the word) outfits that will keep you cool and still looking professional all season long.
6 Business Casual Outfits That Are Still Appropriate for Summer
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Published Apr 18, 2017
Ruffled Top + Maxi Skirt
In case you missed the memo, ruffles are having a moment. And there is perhaps no better time to try the trend than in the summer, as a frilly top is both airy and practical. Pair it with a flowy maxi skirt now—and with skinny jeans as the weather starts to cool in the fall.
Get the look: J.Crew top ($45); Anthropologie skirt ($118)
Cold-shoulder Top + Culottes
Culottes were made for warm-weather office dressing. Think about it: The wide-legged style gives you the non-restricted airflow of a skirt but with the polished appearance of a pair of trousers. And while you can pair them with almost any top in your closet, a cold-shoulder number (you know, the sleeved shirt with cutouts around the top) is very much of-the-moment.
Get the look: Sanctuary top ($89); See by Chloe culottes ($375)
Patterned Jumpsuit + Statement Belt
Culotte-style jumpsuits are another great option for summer. Cinch in the billowy shape with a sleek belt and maybe keep a blazer at your desk for impromptu client meetings (or to keep yourself warm when the AC is blasting).
Get the look: Lira jumpsuit ($50); Club Monaco belt ($99)
Long-sleeved Maxi Dress + Top-handled Purse
The sleeves and length of the dress keep it work-friendly, while the sheer material keeps you from overheating. The top-handled purse—though in this case, quite small—still somehow anchors the look so that it comes off as more “business” and less “beachside fete.”
Get the look: Banjanan dress ($350); Elizabeth and James purse ($395)
Maxi Sheath Dress + Strappy Heels
Or ditch the sleeves altogether, but stick to something with a higher neckline and a more structured fit to keep the overall look streamlined. Again, and this applies to any summer outfit: Keep a cardigan or blazer nearby in case your office dress code requires it.
Get the look: Marchesa Notte dress ($795); Stuart Weitzman heels ($398)
Boxy Top + Silk Slip Dress
You know that slinky slip dress you wear out on the weekends? Toss a cropped top over it and you’ve got your Monday outfit ready. Bonus points if you mix and match the colors a bit to give the whole thing some summery flair.
Get the look: Need Supply Co. dress ($119); Derek Lam 10 Crosby top ($165)
