Summer at the office can be tricky. It’s hot outside, freezing inside, and you still need to look professional. The struggle is real!
You want to stay cool, look polished, and feel like yourself—all while following the unspoken rules of your workplace.
Whether your office leans business formal, business casual, or somewhere blissfully in-between, there’s a way to make summer style work without sweating buckets or sacrificing style.
Let’s talk about outfits that strike the perfect balance. Effortless, polished, and cool (literally and figuratively).
You won’t need a massive wardrobe either… just a few good staples and a little inspiration.
A White Mini Skirt and Sleeveless Tailored Waistcoat? It’s Giving Chic CEO
The key to wearing a mini skirt to work? Keep it structured. A white mini in crisp cotton or linen instantly looks polished—especially when paired with a sleeveless tailored waistcoat.
It’s a modern alternative to the classic suit and feels refreshingly breezy. You’re still giving boss energy… just without the blazer-induced heatwave.
Go for a neutral palette, white, cream, tan, and you’ll always look pulled together.
Add loafers or low-heeled mules, and you’re set for anything from meetings to lunch al fresco.
GET THE LOOK
Plain White Tee + Tailored Trousers = The Ultimate Summer Uniform
When it’s hot out, the simpler, the better. But simple doesn’t mean boring.
A soft, well-fitted white tee tucked into tailored beige trousers is the kind of outfit you’ll come back to again and again. Swap the beige for wide-leg black pants when you want a slightly more formal edge.
This combo works in creative offices, casual environments, and even hybrid workplaces. The white tee keeps things casual, but the trousers say you mean business. Throw on gold hoops, your favorite watch, and sleek sandals… you’re golden.
Navy Shorts and a Crisp White Shirt
Think shorts aren’t office-appropriate? Think again. As long as they’re tailored and hit mid-thigh or longer, you’re in the clear, especially in creative or casual workspaces.
Pair navy blue shorts with a crisp white button-up. Tuck it in or tie it at the waist for a relaxed twist. Add flat sandals or closed-toe loafers, and you’ll look like you stepped straight out of a French office on the Riviera.
Bonus: this one’s a dream for commutes, coffee runs, and post-work patio drinks.
Khaki Button-Up + Cropped Pebble Trousers = Cool-Girl Workwear
There’s something timeless about khaki. It’s structured, neutral, and secretly very chic.
Pair a khaki button-up shirt with cropped pebble-toned trousers for a soft, earthy look. The cropped length keeps it summery while still feeling office-appropriate. You can wear it tucked, half-tucked, or loose depending on the vibe.
Add a leather belt and some pointed flats if your office leans business casual, or white sneakers if it doesn’t.
A Blue Wrap Midi Dress That Says “I’ve Got This”
Nothing beats a good wrap dress. Especially when it’s cut in a light, breathable fabric and lands somewhere around the mid-calf.
Go for soft blue—it’s calming, classic, and ideal for summer. A wrap style gives you shape without clinging and works for nearly every body type. It also transitions easily from your desk to dinner.
Keep accessories minimal. Think delicate jewelry, comfortable sandals, and a tote that fits your laptop and lip balm.
Black Cropped Pants, Black Tee, and Ballet Flats (Hello, Paris Office Vibes)
If in doubt, go monochrome. Black cropped pants and a black tee are effortless. Add a pair of two-tone ballet flats, and suddenly you’re giving serious Parisian professional.
This is one of those outfits you can wear on repeat—just swap the tee for a sleeveless top, blouse, or even a lightweight knit depending on the weather and your mood.
It’s understated. It’s stylish. And it works for literally every kind of office.
Striped Shirt, White Pants (or Skirt!), and Flats
There’s something magical about a striped shirt in summer. Maybe it’s the nautical vibes… maybe it’s just the fact that stripes never go out of style.
Pair your favorite blue-and-white striped shirt with white satin or linen trousers. Want to switch it up? Swap the pants for a white maxi skirt or smart white shorts if your office is on the relaxed side.
Top it off with two-tone ballet flats or flat tan sandals. The whole outfit feels intentional but unfussy. Like you just naturally have great taste (and you do).
Black Vest Top or Brown Tee + Chocolate Brown Pants
Earth tones belong in every summer wardrobe. They’re rich, unexpected, and pair beautifully with sun-kissed skin.
A fitted black vest top or a slouchy brown tee tucked into high-waist chocolate brown pants? It’s an effortlessly cool combo. Think minimalist with a little attitude.
Wear it with sandals, mules, or even sneakers if your office dress code allows it. Add a sleek leather bag and you’re ready to tackle your to-do list in style.
White Vest and Shorts for Casual Fridays or Creative Vibes
For the most laid-back days, or if you work somewhere super relaxed, a white vest top with tailored shorts just works.
It feels fresh and cool and doesn’t try too hard. The key is to keep the fabrics polished. Think crisp cotton or linen instead of anything sporty or beachy.
You can throw a light jacket or blazer over the top if you’re worried about showing too much shoulder, but often, this outfit speaks for itself. Especially when paired with sleek slides or simple white sneakers.
White Linen + Ribbed Tee = Summer Magic
Linen always wins in the summer. It’s breezy, beautiful, and somehow makes you look like you vacation in Italy every year.
Throw on a pair of white linen trousers and pair them with a ribbed tee, any neutral tone will do. Beige, cream, dusty pink, olive… it’s a neutral lover’s dream.
This outfit is so simple but feels so put together. Add leather sandals and a structured tote, and you’re good to go. Morning meetings, team catch-ups, and iced lattes in the sun? Handled.
Jeans and a White Button-Up—Classic for a Reason
Yes, you can wear jeans to work in the summer. Just make sure they’re clean, well-fitted, and not ripped to pieces.
Pair them with a crisp white button-up shirt, and suddenly you’ve got a look that’s casual but still office-worthy. Cuff the sleeves, pop on a thin belt, and you’ve got easy style in the bag.
If your office has the AC cranked up to arctic levels, drape a blazer over your shoulders or tuck one in your tote. It adds just enough structure when you need it.
Want to wear denim? Stick to darker washes or structured styles like straight-leg or high-waisted versions. Pair with a lightweight blazer or a chic top to keep it from looking too off-duty.
Linen Blue Shirt + White Cropped Pants = Vacation Meets Office
There’s something effortlessly cool about a blue linen shirt. Especially when it’s slightly oversized and paired with white cropped pants.
It feels like something you’d wear to a meeting… in Santorini.
This look works well for both remote work days when you want to feel like a functioning adult and office days when it’s too hot to think. Wear it with strappy sandals or loafers, add a gold cuff or watch, and you’re done.
White Button-Up + Chocolate Bermuda Shorts? A Power Combo
Yes, shorts again! Bermuda shorts, to be specific.
They’re longer, looser, and way more polished than you remember. Pair chocolate brown Bermudas with a tucked-in white button-up, and it’s instant polish. The contrast is gorgeous, and the silhouette feels smart without feeling fussy.
This outfit works with ballet flats, mules, or even chunky sandals. And the best part? You’ll feel put together without melting by noon.
