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With temperatures only continuing to rise, there’s no one answer to the daily question of what to wear to work during the summer season. In our opinion, the end result should always strike the ideal balance between total style and serious sophistication. Luckily, our capsule wardrobes have been crafted with essentials in mind, all of which are nonnegotiables in any summer work outfit. To get you started, think cool, crisp shirting from Camilla and Marc and Wardrobe.NYC to delightful nine-to-five dresses from Lafayette 148 and Polo Ralph Lauren. And because it’s fashion we’re really here for, after all, there are those trendy It items, like Remain Birger Christensen’s suit vest or minimalist slide sandals from Ferragamo, also rightfully included. Below, 9 summer work outfits that are smart as they are stylish.
Vogue’s Summer Workwear Wish List:
- The Nine-To-Five Dress: Polo Ralph Lauren belted striped midi dress, $500
- The Smart Suit Vest: Remain Birger Christensen Majsa woven vest, $170
- The Pinstripe Pant: Max Mara pinstripe trousers, $895
- The Office-Appropriate Sneaker: Adidas Samba OG sneakers, $120
- The Summertime Blazer: Anine Bing double-breasted herringbone blazer, $450
- The Bright Blue Button-Up: Camilla and Marc Avani shirt, $350
- The Leather Midiskirt: The Frankie Shop Heather pencil skirt, $500
- The Sleek Jean: Mother The Hustler ankle fray jeans, $248
- The Simple Slide Sandal: St. Agni fine strap leather slides, $235
- The Summer Work Bag: Khaite Amelia medium raffia tote, $1,950
It’s no secret that timeless tailoring essentials are crucial to summer workwear, whether they’re worn with pieces equally as polished or stand-alone alongside something slightly more casual. This summer’s sartorial staple, you ask? The aforementioned suit vest from Copenhagen-based brand Remain Birger Christensen. Styling-wise, wear with a matching pair of trousers, and to add just the right amount of height, slip on minimalist mules from Manolo Blahnik. Meanwhile, Khaite’s oversized raffia tote makes the perfect work bag. Blazers are not only a fall/winter staple. Take Anine Bing’s herringbone style, for example. With a light wash hue and bright white buttons, this prized piece of outerwear is sweet like summer, especially when styled with J.Crew’s eyelet-hem midiskirt and layered over a simple tank top from Toteme.
All-in-one-outfit dresses make getting ready in the morning effortlessly easy. Accessory-wise, style with sleek smoking loafers from Porte & Paire, everyday jewelry treasures from Lie Studio to Laura Lombardi, or even a pair of covetable Alaïa Mary Janes. Other workwear staples that may be on the more unexpected side include Bermuda shorts from The Row to office-appropriate jeans from Mother.
This warm weather season, your working wardrobe has never looked so good. Shop 9 summer work outfits to wear on repeat all summer long.
The Sleek Suit Vest Set With a Minimalist Mule
Summer shopping tip? Invest in the suit vest—Remain Birger Christen’s, to be exact. Styling-wise, pair with a matching trouser also from the brand and minimalist mules from Manolo Blahnik. Khaite’s Amelia raffia tote serves as the ultimate work bag, while dainty jewels from Agmes and Lie Studio shine just as bright.
The Nine-To-Five Dress With an Embellished Mary Jane
Nothing is quite as easy, or as effortless, as a delightful nine-to-five dress. Polo Ralph Lauren’s striped midi dress strikes the perfect balance between polished shirtdress and casual comfort. Err on the side of trendy and wear with embellished Mary Janes from Alaïa. Also high on our summer shopping list is this minimalist handbag from Toteme.
The Bright Blue Button-Up With a Leather Midiskirt
Like a classic white button-up, but better, Camilla and Marc’s bright blue version packs a colorful punch. Serving as the ideal summer layering piece, wear atop Agolde’s simple tank top and The Frankie Shop’s luxury leather midiskirt. Barely-there sandals from St. Agni keep the summer work outfit fresh.
The Pinstripe Pant With an Office-Appropriate Sneaker
Quietly chic trousers, like this pinstripe pair from Max Mara, are essential in any workwear wardrobe. Atop, simply tuck in Éterne’s go-to white T-shirt. The centerpiece of this summer work outfit, however, is undoubtedly this pair of Adidas Samba sneakers. Yes, sleek sneakers are always office appropriate.
The Summertime Blazer With an Eyelet-Embellished Midiskirt
Blazer weather is year-round—and Anine Bing’s houndstooth version is especially fit for summer. Style the staple with a Re/Done tee and J.Crew’s eyelet-embellished midiskirt. To match, accessorize with Loeffler Randall’s crochet tote bag and toe-ring sandals from ATP Atelier.
The All-In-One-Outfit Dress With a Best Black Sandal
We’re back to the all-in-one-outfit dress and this time, it’s all about Lafayette 148’s smocked style. Style the updated LBD with Loro Piana’s best black sandals and Proenza Schouler White Label’s raffia-adorned work tote. For added coverage, layer over Vince’s lightweight cashmere cardigan.
The Tailored Bermuda Short With a Thong Sandal
When the weather permits anything but a trouser, look to these tailored Bermuda shorts from The Row. Keep the rest of the summer work outfit masterfully monochromatic with a Tory Burch cardigan and a Toteme tank top to match. Thong sandals from Mango are chic additions; as is Dragon Diffusion’s oversized basket bag.
The Work-Ready Jeans With a Simple Slide Sandal
Like the sneaker, jeans can also be work appropriate–and Mother’s straight-leg style works not only on Summer Fridays but all week long. To go alongside, a black blazer from Everlane and a crisp white shirt from Wardrobe.NYC. Simple slide sandals from Ferragamo and The Row’s Park tote tie the entire corporate ensemble together.
The Polished Shirtdress With a Quiet Luxury Loafer
Upgrade your classic button-up with Khaite’s crisp shirtdress instead. To layer overtop, find Frame’s notably nautical crewneck sweater. Finally, finish the summer work outfit with quietly luxurious loafers from Porte & Paire and an Everlane shoulder bag. Arm candy from Cartier is also encouraged.