Summer is the season of sunshine, increased serotonin, and a less-is-more approach to dressing. Typically, this means crop tops, short-shorts, 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. Wearing a midriff-baring, siren-like summer work outfit in an office raises concerns, regardless of what fashion discourse on TikTok may 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.
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. Ahead, 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
If you typically stick to minimalist, natural colors, summer is the season to try a vibrant hue—like a poppy orchid-colored 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 investing in a sophisticated summer dress with professional touches—a pointed collar, button front, etc.—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
Crisp and polished, yet relaxed at the same time—what more can you want in a summer work outfit?
A neutral linen suit is a foolproof addition to your summer workwear rotation. Together, the suit appears polished. But as separates, the lightweight jacket and trousers offer countless 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
The key to work-appropriate but heat-proof hems is a longline short that hits just above the knee.
"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 2025 trend, making this season the perfect time to try them out. As for the rest of the outfit, Allweiss endorses Rothy's incredibly comfortable Mary Jane (a forever favorite among Team MC, too).
Blue and white stripes, a print as classic as can be, will never steer you wrong. J.Crew's cotton-poplin women's button-down shirt also offers breathability to keep you cool, thanks to its oversized silhouette.
Come aboard the Bermuda train. Start with this neutral, just-above-the-knee pair, which also comes in a heathered gray if you prefer a darker look.
A White Button-Down and Jeans
A slightly baggy button-down shirt with a tailored jean is a well-balanced combination that looks like you tried—just not too hard.
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 tie-waist COS piece by Carolina Herrera adds a touch of whimsy to the versatile style with its built-in cinch.
Paige's cropped denim is a refreshing alternative when that mix in today's capri pant trend with a tried-and-true blue jean.
A Breezy Pleated Midi Dress
A surefire way to garner compliments during water cooler chit-chat? A colorful dress in an intriguing textile—like this ruby red pleated midi.
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. The PR expert 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
Here, a caramel-colored leather tote bag adds a streamlined finishing touch to an already sleek look.
On days when inspiration is lacking, create a look centered around your accessories. Marissa Galante Frank, Bloomingdale's accessories and beauty fashion director, encourages you to depend on a refined work bag to spark your creativity. 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.
Lisa Ing Marinelli, a corporate lawyer and expert MC selected to recommend successful women-approved work bags, wholeheartedly endorses The Row's large N/S tote. "The leather is thick and durable, the corners are scratch-resistant, and it's bottomless—I’ve stuffed coats, laptops, chargers, wallets, more bags, etc., in there without any worry of the bag breaking," she previously told MC.
A Tailored Vest and Trousers
If you've been looking for a sign to test drive the tailored vest trend, this is it.
When you want the put-together effect of suiting but can't bear a long-sleeved blazer, a tailored vest provides warm-weather relief. Pair your vest with matching trousers in a similar fabric and color—and finish 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.
White strappy sandals offer a simple feminine and grounding touch. These block-heeled beauties from Loeffler Randall are a favorite among fashion editors, including Marie Claire's very own.
Loose Linen Pants and a Blazer
The summer season means you can get away with leaning into casual codes. Take advantadge of that in linen bottoms and a tee.
Nothing 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 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. In fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla's thorough deep dive on linen pants, these were "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 writes.
Do not discount Uniqlo. Its relaxed, roomy AirSense jacket made of a dry-wick poly blend is exactly why.
A Matching Set
What better way to brighten up the office then with a multi-colored, serotonin-surging co-ord?
Similar to tailored suiting, a matching set is a true fashion win-win thanks to its convenience and cohesive appearance. "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, eyelet style Favorite Daughter in crisp white to your collection.
When styling the above shirt, matching pants are a clear choice. They have a slight flare at the hem, a super high-rise fit, and a perfect tie in with fashion's reclaimation of embroidery with its lace-like cutwork.
Summer Sheers
A sheer button-down shirt is a brilliant office workaround that offers coverage without heavy layers.
Layering plays an essential role in summer fashion. As Chernyaev explains, it all starts with a solid 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. Bonus points since its lace fabrication leans into summer 2025's boho fashion trend.
The Boy Tank in black by ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo—a persistent favorite among fashion editors for its thick yet soft ribbed modal fabric and chunky straps—is a solid base layer.
Don't Forget About Jewelry
Accessories bring a sense of fun and personality to any summer outfit, including those intended for a long day at the office, says Galante Frank of Bloomingdale's. Whether you clip on a striking statement necklace or stack a collection of rings, the right jewelry can elevate a fine outfit to an excellent one. A gold chain pendant necklace or a classic women's watch adds more character to a simple linen shirt dress and helps tie the whole look together.
Whether peeking out from under a starched button-down shirt or layered over a wrap dress, a gold drop pendant is a low-lift piece of jewelry that complements just about everything.
Tory Burch's chain-link watch is a contemporary yet classic timepiece with a very reasonable price tag.
A Polo Shirt and Cargo Pants
Cargo pants go business-appropriate with a tucked-in polo top and shoulder bag.
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
A tailored maxi skirt is a worthwhile option to consider when you've worn the same pair of front-pleat trousers twice already in one week.
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 Banana Republic's classic cotton maxi to your virtual cart? Not only does it have an easy drawstring, but it features an extra-wide hem that offers more breathability and makes walking around the office less constricting. Plus, it's only $100.
A structured top in a dark color palette—like All the Ways' silver button-front top—serves as a smart and polished complement to a light and breezy skirt.
Meet the Fashion Experts
Christy Cham is a Hollywood costume designer (Dune, Killers of the Flower Moon) who launched a line of second-skin basics, CHAM, in a proprietary fabric produced in the south of France.
Erin has overseen media relations for some of the most recognized organizations, artists, brands and individuals. With a diverse background in art, sustainable design and public policy, her professional work is an extension of her personal interests.
Marissa Galante Frank is the Accessories & Beauty Fashion Director at Bloomingdale’s.
Timothy Chernyaev began his career in styling as an intern at Women's Wear Daily before training under the fashion editors of W Magazine and Vogue Russia. He trained under Los Angeles' most prestigious music stylists, contributing his fashion expertise to projects with Beyonce, Madonna, Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande.
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