A new season hits and suddenly you want to wear something fresh to work. You spend most of your waking hours there so it makes sense that you want to feel good in what you are wearing. But every time you try something new you either feel overdressed or like you are trying too hard in a room where nobody else seems to be making an effort.
Here is the thing nobody talks about honestly. As women we face this impossible standard at work every single day. Dress up too much and you get judged for it. Show up looking too casual and you get judged for that too. There is this narrow middle ground where you look put together without looking like you are making a statement and finding it every morning is exhausting.
I have been in both positions and I completely understand the frustration. The good news is that you do not need to try hard to land in that middle ground. You just need the right formulas.
These 9 casual summer outfit formulas are designed for exactly that situation. Casual enough for a relaxed dress code, comfortable enough to wear all day without thinking about it, and chic enough that you will feel like yourself rather than someone who just gave up.
Casual Summer Office Outfits
Chocolate Brown Pants + Blue Shirt + Loafers
Tired of wearing black pants? Me too! For ages we have been rocking the same black pants to work with white shirt or something. But instead of black pants try Chocolate brown tailored pants. These are the new black and honestly look amazing on any skin tone.
I have dark skin and I am obsessed with the color as well. But instead of pairing them with white tee or shirt, pick a chambray blue linen or linen blend shirt. This way your outfit still looks basic, but the color combination looks polished and elevated.
And this is such an awesome way to change up your basic trouser and button down shirt outfit instantly. Everything still feels tonal and basic, but different.
Add loafers to the outfit that makes the outfit more professional and elevated.
[Brown Pants] [Blue Shirt] [Brown Loafers] [Brown Belt] [Sunglasses] [Weave Bag]
You will absolutely fall in love with these pants that look so much better than beige pants or black pants. Sharing some of my top picks for ya.
Patterned Shirt + Crewneck Tank + Jeans + Sneakers
Office gets cold and we all still layer at work. This casual yet chic outfit is so easy to recreate and looks awesome too. Add a striped crewneck tank with striped shirt with blue jeans to create the perfect office layering outfit.
You can also take out the shirt and wear it like a jacket if you like, but I prefer tucking it in which looks more polished. And add your favorite sneakers to create a casual yet fun work look that does not feel over the top.
Always accessorize to elevate the look. And a quality black belt is your perfect essential. The crewneck style of the button down shirt looks chic and elevated even if you are wearing a tank top.
[White Tank] [Barrel Jeans] [Striped Shirt] [White Sneakers] [Black Belt] [Work Bag]
Navy Top + Navy Pants + White Sneakers + Jacket
Monochromatic outfits are an effortless way to look put together but black monochrome outfit definitely has been worn on repeat. I do that all winter and I won’t wear it again in the warm weather. Instead try this navy monochrome outfit.
You still look polished and elevated, but you are not wearing black. Add a contrast colored jacket which changes the look and you don’t look too matchy matchy. Pair this look with sneakers and thats it.
This summer work outfit is casual yet looks sophisticated because of the monochrome. If you have a work meeting or presentation where you need to feel confident, definitely try this outfit.
The contrast of the sneakers and the jacket makes this outfit so interesting.
Black Skirt + Collared Tee + Loafers
Summer is all about skirts but they all feel too dressed up or fancy for work. And we all shy away from it. But this casual summer outfit with a black skirt is the exact opposite. Wearing a collared striped tee adds an athleisure touch to the outfit but still in a sophisticated way.
And you can add loafers that are work appropriate and look elevated to wear to office. This way even though you are doing a bit of skin showing. You still look chic and stylish.
And this outfit does not look over the top at all. With a fuller skirt you will also be comfortable all day running around at work. This is actually my favorite outfit. And I will be rocking this look in the office for sure.
[Black Skirt] [Striped Tee] [Black Loafers] [Black Tote] [Sunglasses]
Striped Pants + Gray Tee + Sneakers + Cardigan
Striped Pants do not get as much as they deserve honestly. And this outfit justifies that. The navy striped pants paired with gray tee looks tone down yet interesting. You look elevated and polished. But the gray feels basic and not over the top.
Add a gray cardigan and sneakers to create a smart casual work outfit for summer that you will be comfortable, but looks interesting enough to feel confident in.
Nothing in this outfit screams over the top. But they look so chic and stylish. And you can swap with black or a white tee as well and wear the striped pants in different ways.
[Gray Tee] [Gray Cardigan] [Striped Pants] [Black Tote] [Black Belt]
Light Wash Jeans + White Tee + Black Flats + Suede Jacket
We all have worn this outfit and own the blue jeans, white tee and black ballet flats in some style or the other. And this always feels the most basic work outfit thats casual and we all wear on repeat.
And I get it sometimes it gets boring. But add a suede style funnel neck jacket to instantly switch up the outfit. Even though the jacket color is basic, the funnel neck design looks elevated and a great outfit to wear on days when you are tying your hair.
This effortless outfit will be on repeat in your work calendar. Everything in this outfit looks comfortable and yet has an edgy touch to it with the jacket.
[White Tee] [Blue Jeans] [Beige Jacket] [Black Ballet Flats] [Black Belt] [Sunglasses] [Work Bag]
White Tee + Barrel Pants + Loafer Mules + Oversized Cardigan
You cannot complain that this outfit is too over the top. The look is polished but super comfortable with the stretchy barrel pants. This summer work outfit looks cool and casual for the office, but it’s actually really comfortable because of the barrel pants.
You can also wear this outfit when you are working from home and wear it to office as well. The loafer mules look structured but perfect for summer weather when you don’t want your feet to get squished in the shoes.
And the long cardigan act as a blazer but casual style that also looks polished because of the structured design. This is an outfit you cannot ignore this summer.
Denim Skirt + White Shirt + Ballet Flats
We all own a denim skirt that just sits in our closet collecting dust. And we wonder where we can wear it. And you can absolutely wear it to office by elevating this wardrobe basic by adding a crisp white button down shirt or even a linen one.
Add a slim belt do it does not feel too much. And pair it with neutral ballet flats or Mary Janes whatever you have in your closet.
You probably need to do zero shopping for this outfit and still create a chic look.
With a long denim skirt you will still feel comfortable at work and not showing too much skin. And the white button down shirt will make you look polished and elevated. I will be wearing this outfit to work on repeat.
[White Shirt] [Denim Skirt] [Mary Janes] [Black Belt] [Work Bag]
Striped Tank + Brown Shirt + White Jeans + Loafers
White jeans outfits are great for work as well. If you shy away from them, try this casual work outfit and you will never go back to other colors. White jeans instantly makes any outfit summery. You also look polished even if you are wearing casual clothes.
This is another tshirt layered over a shirt look, but the base layer is a striped tee and shirt is a solid color in chocolate brown. This outfit looks really interesting but not at all over the top.
Add brown loafers and you have another easy layering office look that you can wear over and over again. Your outfit looks fun and interesting but it’s not at all fancy. It’s the opposite.
[Striped Tee] [White Jeans] [Brown Shirt] [Brown Loafers] [Sunglasses] [Work Bag]
What is your biggest fear behind try to dress better at work? I know a lot of us are trying to constantly fit in. I definitely was doing that at work for years. But would love to know your story.
