Summer is the season of sunshine, increased serotonin, and a less-is-more approach to dressing.Typically, this means a lot of crop tops, shortshorts, and well-ventilated cutouts. But with your summer work outfits, wearing less isn't an option. Today's expectations for 9-to-5 attire are, admittedly, much more relaxed than they once were—casual outfits and sneakers have become standard in the workplace post-pandemic—but office dress codes still matter. Showing midriff in an office siren-esque summer work outfit raises concerns, regardless of what fashion discourse on TikTok might suggest.
Other factors to consider when selecting warm-weather workwear include your commute, daily agenda, and the season's top trends. Not to mention the ridiculously frigid temperatures created by your office's central air (a cardigan kept in your cubicle should help with this). In other words, dressing for work in the summer comes with many complications that detract from the season's carefree ethos.
So, to help you master in-office style during a season of unyielding heatwaves, Marie Claire consulted four industry professionals—a fashion director, stylist, brand founder, and public relations expert—for their insights. Keep scrolling for a well-rounded selection of business casual outfits suitable for 85-degree days, featuring breezy summer dresses that embrace the boho fashion revival and practical work bags that won't weigh you down.
A One-and-Done Dress
"I love the season of wearing easy, light dresses—when you can toss on a single piece of clothing and be done," says Erin Allweiss, co-founder of the New York City-based public relations firm No. 29 Communications. She encourages you to invest in a sophisticated, reliable dress that you can slip into early in the morning without a second thought.
A collared shirtdress in breathable fabrics like cotton poplin or linen is a smart, professional but not overly stuffy inclusion in your summer work rotation.
Not only are these a strappy heeled sandal that you can wear comfortably around the office (credit goes to its not-too-tall kitten heel for its comfort), but they will also work well for any formal summer occasions, including a wedding or garden party.
A Linen Suit
A neutral linen suit is a foolproof addition to your summer workwear rotation. Together, the suit is polished. But as separates, the lightweight jacket and trousers work in endless other outfit combinations.
Consider Everlane's ivory blazer as an example. With its neutral color and relaxed silhouette, the jacket offers endless outfit combinations—though I prefer the simple pairing of its matching stretch linen trousers.
The aforementioned coordinating pant in all its easy-to-style glory. Try it with an effortless ballet flat or summer loafer as footwear options.
Bermuda Shorts and a Button-Down
"I also love appropriate-length shorts for summer (it is work, after all!) paired with a fitted tank and a light button-down for extra coverage," Allweiss tells Marie Claire. Longline Bermuda shorts are a leading summer trend, making this season the perfect time to give them a try. As for the rest of the outfit, Allweiss endorses Rothy's incredibly comfortable Mary Jane (a forever favorite among Team MC, too).
Navy and white stripes, a print as classic as can be, will never steer you wrong. Michael Kors' cotton-poplin women's button-down shirt also offers breathability to keep you cool, thanks to its oversized silhouette.
Let's hear it for J.Crew's cult-classic chinos, only it's the cropped Bermuda short version this time. Choose which shade works best for your wardrobe from white, navy, honey brown, or ballet slipper pink (a foremost 2025 color trend).
A White Button-Down and Jeans
Christy Cham, the founder of the elevated basics brand CHAM, recommends styling a classic button-down shirt with denim trousers as an effortless summer work outfit. She suggests finishing off the preppy-adjacent look with a pair of your best loafers. "They offer comfort while elevating a casual look, making you appear more put together than sneakers," she notes.
The term'wardrobe staple' has been used so frequently that it has somewhat lost its gravitas. However, when it comes to a white button-down shirt, the term remains strong. This designer piece by Carolina Herrera adds a touch of whimsy to the versatile style with its puffed balloon sleeves.
Favorite Daughter's wide-leg jeans offer a refreshing alternative when you're seeking a break from your usual trousers and prefer a more relaxed fit.
A Breezy Pleated Midi Dress
If you're not yet acquainted, it's time to familiarize yourself with Issey Miyake's Pleats Please collection. Allweiss routinely wears the Japanese designer's pleated dresses on in-office days. She calls them a wrinkle-free wonder (the pleats maintain the garment's structure, no matter how much you scrunch or move) that works overtime in her office rotation.
Take it from Marie Claire’s editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, who says Issey Miyake's Pleats Please dress is a key summer essential and an "ideal building block" in a versatile warm-weather wardrobe.
Allweiss also offers styling tips to style the multi-pleat dress with your existing basics, like an easy neutral tank top. "I love more elevated tanks that are perfectly structured, and I wear them under a pleated Issey Miyake dress so [the tank] peeks out a bit," she says.
Build Around Your Work Bag
On days when inspiration is lacking, build a look around your accessories. Marissa Galante Frank, Bloomingdale's accessories and beauty fashion director, encourages you to rely on a refined work bag to get the creative juices flowing. She advises taking a cue from your bag's color palette and fabric: "Lightweight materials—like raffia or woven canvas—are perfect for the season," she says.
To ensure your seasonal laptop bag isn't too beachy, Galante Frank recommends canvas bags with sophisticated leather trim and handles‚ like Veronica Beard's sizable tote.
A Tailored Vest and Trousers
When you want the put-together effect of suiting but can't bear a long-sleeved blazer, a tailored vest offers warm-weather respite. Pair your vest with coordinating trousers in a similar fabric and color—and complete the sophisticated prepster look with a pair of slip-on loafers.
This two-for-one set from Reformation is woven out of a lightweight suiting fabric made of regenerative cellulose that yields a breathable, unrestrictive feel.
Linen Pants and a Tee
No piece is as easygoing and straightforward as a pair of linen pants. These lightweight bottoms are perfect for pairing with separates—like an oversized blazer or a short-sleeved sweater. You can also keep the outfit as comfortable as possible with a slightly draped cotton T-shirt. Opt for a T-shirt that's structured and not too boxy to ensure your summer work outfit doesn't drift into pajama territory.
Alex Mill's pull-on Riley trousers are tried, tested, and cherished by Team MC. Fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla, in her thorough deep-dive on linen pants, calls them "hands-down, the most comfortable" among all those reviewed. "Despite being made from 100 percent linen, they weren’t scratchy from the get-go, almost as if they’d been washed dozens of times before I put them on. While wrinkling is a necessary evil when testing anything made from linen, I found that these weren’t as wrinkly as other options I tested," she shares.
When you use a basic white T-shirt as a core element of your outfit, you want it to provide structure and appealing design details that make it feel more special than just something you put on. Free People's oversized cotton tee ticks both boxes.
A Matching Set
Similar to tailored suiting, a matching set is a true fashion win-win due to its convenience and pulled-together look. "I always look for matching sets in cotton or linen," stylist and TikTok fashion creator Timothy Chernyaev shares with Marie Claire. "Having a coordinating top and bottom is a great way to look put-together when the temps are hot. Plus, getting dressed quickly is easy when you're running late."
Another button-down shirt can't hurt, right? Think about adding this lightweight one from Zimmerman in soft blush pink to your collection.
When styling the above shirt, matching pants are a clear choice. They have a slight flare at the hem, an eye-catching braided belt, and front sailor-style pockets.
Summer Sheers
Layering plays an essential role 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."
Farm Rio is renowned for its intricate and captivating textiles. This button-front blouse, crafted from thick black guipure lace, is no exception.
The Boy Tank in black by ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo is a solid place to start, with its soft, ribbed modal fabric and chunky straps.
Don't Forget About Jewelry
Accessories add a sense of fun and personality to any summer outfit, even the ones you plan for a long day at the office. Whether you clip on an attention-grabbing statement necklace or stack a set of rings, the right jewelry can transform a fine outfit to an excellent one. A gold chain pendant necklace, for instance, adds more personality to a simple linen shirt dress and helps tie the entire look together.
Whether peeking out from under a starched button-down shirt or layered over a wrap dress, a simple gold pendant necklace is an incredibly versatile piece of jewelry that complements just about everything.
This sculptural and swirling gold ring from Jared is more of a statement piece, making it a great compliment magnet around the office water cooler.
A Polo Shirt and Cargo Pants
Chernyaev says pastel or classic neutral polos are essential for a complete summer workwear collection. As shown above on MC editor-in-chief while at New York Fashion Week, this prepster staple also carries Ogunnaike's approval.
Chernyaev shouts out Ralph Lauren and Benetton, yet Banana Republic's collared, elbow-length shirt stands out as another clever option for getting the job done.
Styling-wise, consider teaming the classic collared shirt with bottoms that are a bit more trend-forward—like utilitarian cargo pants in a very trendy barrel-leg shape.
White Maxi Skirt and Black Blouse
Some maxi skirts exude a carefree bohemian spirit, while others channel a more buttoned-up and formal feel. A longline skirt made of cotton twill, for example, is akin to a pair of trousers but with a more feminine twist. Continue where summer 2024's white skirt outfit idea left off by styling a light-colored maxi with a dark-toned top.
Why should you add J.Crew's classic cotton maxi to your virtual cart? It not only features striking contrast stitching, but it also includes a stretchy, gathered waistband and side pockets.
A structured top in a dark color palette—similar to Reformation's Lottie Top—serves as the ideal complement to the light and breezy bottoms.
