Summer Styling for the Office

It's that time of year again when we exchange heavy peacoats for cotton jackets, beanies for sun hats, and boots for sandals.

And while most people welcome the warmer weather, not every workplace loosens its dress code to match. So how do you dress for the changing season while still staying professional?

Tops

When temperatures rise, fabric becomes your best friend, and it is also the easiest thing to swap out if your workplace has a strict color code to follow. Set aside heavier knits and thick button-downs for breathable options like linen, cotton, or lightweight poplin. The key to keeping it office-appropriate is structure. A linen blouse tucked into trousers reads polished, while the same fabric left untucked leans casual. If you run warm, short sleeves and cap sleeves are perfectly professional as long as the fit is intentional.

Bottoms

Heavy trousers do not have to be your only option for a professional look. Wide-leg linen pants, tailored shorts (knee length or just above), and midi skirts all translate well in a workplace setting. The lighter the fabric, the more structure you want in the silhouette. A flowy midi skirt with a tucked blouse balances the ease of summer dressing with a put-together finish.

Dresses

Summer is the perfect excuse to lean into dresses. Wrap dresses, shirt dresses, and sheaths all tend to translate well in workplace settings. If you are unsure whether something is office-appropriate, length and neckline are the two easiest things to adjust. A midi length and modest neckline can make even a fun print feel workplace-ready.

Shoes

Not all sandals are created equal, even if they are cute. A block heel, kitten heel, or a clean leather flat sandal bridges the gap between summer-ready and office-appropriate. The more structured the shoe, the more casual your outfit can afford to be elsewhere. Save the strappy or beachy styles for after hours.

At the end of the day

Styling for summer should not feel like a chore. Simple adjustments to a wardrobe can easily make you feel good. And as they say, if you look good, you feel good, and you do good.

So let's look good this summer!

Outfitting a team for the warmer months? Breathable polos, tees and lightweight layers can carry your logo just as well as your winter gear. Browse our apparel catalogs or talk with our team about embroidered or printed staff apparel.