3 of My Favorite Work Outfits for When It’s Too Hot to Function

Friends! Welcome back to another edition of Self Checkout, where the vibes are high (Go Knicks!) and the temps are even higher. As in, it’s hot as hell in New York. This week, I’m tackling a topic I’ve seen bubbling up over the last couple of weeks: What am I supposed to wear to work under these conditions?

I don’t know about you, but every summer it takes me a couple weeks to figure out my outfit formulas. Inevitably, they come racing back (what’s the fashion equivalent of muscle memory?), and the ones below are the three that I always rely on.

A Muscle Tank and Personality Pants

Ask any New Yorker (or maybe it’s just me) and they’ll tell you one of the worst summertime feelings is sitting your bare hamstrings on a subway seat. Eeeeyuck! Lightweight pants with a little bit of something, plus a muscle tank (less revealing and therefore warmer in an over-air conditioned room), solve that problem.

A Knee-Length Denim Skirt and a Linen Button-Down

Try as I may, I haven't been able to crack the slip skirt trend. I prefer more structure in my bottoms, like a denim skirt. I’ve collected a few over the years and always reach from them on those 75 degree days. I recently added this J.Crew x Lee one to the mix. A slightly oversized linen button-down (sleeves rolled to the elbow) is a cool yet polished complement.

Shirt Dresses

If you haven’t noticed, I’m a fairly modest dresser when it comes to the office. My go-to summer work dress is always a T-shirt or button-down dress. They’re a little more elevated than a jumpsuit or romper, but just as easy to wear.

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