When it’s really hot outside and you still need to look professional for work, but want to still comfortable for the heat, finding the right summer work essentials becomes key.
We don’t really pay attention to having. the right work wear pieces that will look polished and feel good in the heat. You either don’t have the right jacket or pants or nothing nice that looks polished for work.
In this post I am sharing the business casual summer essentials that you can get to nail your next office looks in confidence.
What Makes for a Good Summer Business Casual Essential?
Business Casual dress code is typically worn in workplaces where looking polished is an important way of showing that you are serious about your work in that environment. Even if it’s 100 degrees outside, you still need to bring that energy to work.
Some key factors that make for a good business casual piece for summer:
- Fabric needs to not wrinkle. You can’t wear linen that will wrinkle and show poorly. That does not mean you can’t wear them, but you can’t just wear your regular linen pants and call it a day.
- No see through clothes. We tend to try and find lighter fabric thinking that will solve the problem of heat, but it’s not. If its see through it won’t look professional despite you wearing a slip underneath.
- Figure hugging clothes in summer is never a good idea because they will show sweat very easily.
- Lighter layering pieces. You still need to stay comfortable in the Air conditioning because they will be turned on in summer. But how do you stay comfy and not over heated and this where lighter layers are important.
- No loud patterns. Unless you are a creative director in a fashion magazine, you need to make sure you are not wearing something too loud that draws attention at work. And this one is for every season.
Best Summer Business Casual Wardrobe Essentials
Silk Striped Shirts
Silk is your best friend for summer weather. They are breathable natural fabric and look really polished in the summer weather. They give you the polished look effortlessly whether you are wearing with an outer layer or not. And they keep you comfortable indoors in the AC.
But solid silk shirts look way too shiny for work, instead pick striped ones that will balance that. Your outfits will look interesting and classy. I always recommend not to buy super fitted anything. Always pick relaxed size, so if it’s too tight get an upper size.
Cotton Poplin Shirts
Instead of linen which does wrinkle easily, pick a cotton poplin shirt which does not winkle as badly and has some shine to it unlike a regular cotton shirt or linen shirt.
These are perfect for business formal wear as well. They look sophisticated and classy.
A white button down cotton shirt is a must, you can wear them in so many ways. And so is a black button down shirt. But you need to limit yourself to basic colors, go for Navy or light pink that adds an interesting touch to your everyday outfits as well. But since I am talking about essentials, I would say these 2 shades are important basics to own.
Crewneck Tshirt
You have seen me raving about these on all my posts, because they are truly the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. And when you are dressing for work and it’s too hot to wear a full sleeve shirt, swap them with a crewneck tshirt and add your light outerwear for the perfect business casual look.
They can also tone down dressy pants and skirts outfits for work, so you don’t feel like you are over dressed.
And the best part you can also wear them with your everyday outfits. And that’s what we want, we want our clothes to be versatile.
Short Sleeve Blouse
You cowl neck short sleeve blouse is perfect dressier top to own. You can throw in on days when you have an event at work like a happy hour or dinner to dress up your outfit. But it’s still polished and classy.
This cowl neck design will never go out of fashion. This style comes back every year in different colors and prints. So all you need is 1 top like this in a shade that you love wearing.
This top goes really wear with pants and skirts and even jeans.
Cotton Crewneck Cardigan
A lightweight cotton crewneck cardigan is your best friend in the summer weather. This is one layering piece you will reach out for the most in your wardrobe. This is coming from my experience ladies.
I have been wearing cardigans with jeans and they instantly make a denim outfit polished and sophisticated. But they also look great with business casual outfits. They acts as a relaxed layer are will keep you comfortable indoors at work as well.
And if you have a special work event, you can wear this as a top as well.
Stretch Linen Pants
Stretch linen fabric wrinkles less than regular linen and an excellent choice for work wear pants. They will also balance the silk top fabric and create a neutral yet polished work look for business casual.
You can pick ankle length ones that will look chic and you can wear with flats. Or if you like wearing heels, then you can pick a wide leg one.
These are also versatile pieces especially that you can wear with your everyday clothes. I usually prefer darker shades of pants in linen fabric which look professional for work.
Crepe Pants
You can’t wear wool pants or wool blend pants in the summer weather. You will be sweating. Crepe fabric pants are perfect option. They are lightweight, wrinkle resistant and look polished as well.
And you can also wear them in other colors than just black. Pick them in gray or blue which will work will all shades of tops, so you can create so many different outfits.
These pants also keep you comfortable as they have slight stretch in them, so you can sit wearing them for long hours and look cute in them as well.
And if you are headed for a conference, these will create a polished look. So, you feel confident while presenting.
A Line Skirt
Skirts are like a must have for summer season and they are business casual dress code approved as well. But pencil skirts are out IMO (In my opinion). So ditch your jersey pencil skirt with a chic aline skirt.
These look so classy and elevated. And they turn all your work outfits sophisticated. The Aline cut is modern and elevated alternative to your pleated skirt as well. They look feminine but not too cute for work. So your outfits look polished and powerful. That’s what we want right, our outfits should help us feel empowered to be confident at work.
Linen Blazer
Most women skip outerwear for work in summer because they think well they will just wear denim jackets. These are of course not business casual approved. But you also feel way too hot in your regular blazers.
Instead pick a stretch linen blazer that’s lightweight and will also look polished. The goal is to find a well tailored one because they do show poorly if you are picking a cheap one.
I love linen blazers in double breasted style because these look more sophisticated instead of oversized style. Because linen will wrinkle even more if it’s not tailored.
Crepe Blazer
If you are looking for oversized or single breasted blazers then instead of linen buy them in Crepe fabric because they will last better throughout the day. They won’t wrinkle and they will flow better as they are not going to be stiff like linen.
These are also lightweight for summer weather, so you will not be feeling comfortable in them and will also look polished. I would go for a black blazer and a navy blazer which is versatile and you can create so many outfits with them.
Tailoring is the most important thing to notice while buying these blazers. The better the tailoring the longer they will last.
Tweed Jacket
Tweed or Boucle jackets are a great alternative to blazers if you are tired of wearing them. I added them as an essential for work here because they will elevate any basic outfit you are wearing instantly.
Whether you are wearing an all black plain outfit, add a black tweed jacket and see the difference in your look. Tweed jackets are the Chanel’s signature suit jacket style and they are a classic in their collection and for a good reason.
These make your outfit look expensive and classy. And they also work well with business casual pieces.
Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are the essential business casual footwear and you probably already own a few of these. So, go ahead and take them out because they are great for summer season when you want to feel comfortable but you have to wear close toe shoes.
Pick them in muted colors like tan or this chocolate brown shade if you are tired of wearing them in black all the time. These will add a summer touch to your work outfits.
Slingback Pumps
If you want to wear heels but don’t want to wear pumps because they do feel fancier, pick Slingback pumps. These are an essential summer footwear for work. And your feet will thank you for it.
The open back keeps your feet cool in the heat, but the close toe style makes them polished and perfect for office wear. And in 2 inch or below heel height, you can rock some heels comfortably as well.
These are great for days when you are sitting in meetings all day where you look polished and chic.
Mary Janes
If you feel ballet flats are just basic, a classy pair of Mary janes would be the best footwear essential to invest for work this year.
These are an elevated version of you ballet flats with the mid band style and look sophisticated as well. Pick them in neutral shade so you can create stylish work outfits with Mary janes.
I love wearing them everyday actually because they look better than your basic ballet flats.
How To Wear These Work Wear Essentials
These are must have or basic pieces that every women going to office in a business dress code should own to effortlessly create daily outfits.
You can pair them with your existing clothes or wear them in combination together. The goal is that you have a strong foundation, so you are not having to constantly shop for basics and save that money for something better.
What Workwear Pieces Not To Wear
There are some work wear pieces that honestly are not office wear appropriate at all. There are many of these Millennial fashion mistakes that I have also done and we all should fix.
- Chiffon shirts that are see through, and you are wearing a camisole and your bra both of which are showing under the shirt.
- Really fitted pants that show your panty line.
- Loud logos in any clothing items which is pretty distracting.
- Ripped jeans
- Off shoulder or cut shoulder tops
- Extremely busy prints (This one depends on your office culture)
- Bright patterns of shoes.
