Summer can be a glorious time of year—the days are longer, our favourite dresses come out of hibernation and post-work beach trips become possible again.
But on the other side, the humidity can be… frustrating, to say the least, and the office air-con can become overkill, making us reach for our knitwear once again.
And while years of lockdown seemingly made us forget how to dress altogether, we’re firmly back into the swing of office life again. But with that, comes the daily struggle of choosing an outfit—which is hard enough before you throw in the tricky weather.
There are, however, simple tips and tricks that will guide your workdrobe this summer, no matter what work looks like for you, as well as some key staples and trend pieces that can make the world of a difference to your morning routine (less time choosing clothes = more time to sleep in).
Here, we breakdown the eight wardrobe essentials that are going to make dressing for work in summer a breezy affair, and, dare we say, fun.
Summer Work Outfits: The Staples
The Relaxed Shirt
A crisp, oversized button-up is a cornerstone of any modern wardrobe. Both timeless and versatile, it moves effortlessly from office to off-duty, with a relaxed silhouette that keeps you cool and comfortable through the warmest days.
Classic Shirt – Pale Blue Stripe
ST. AGNI
Oversized Tailored Shirt
COS
Cotton Cocoon Shirt
UNIQLO
Relaxed Shirt
MATTEAU
The Lightweight Blazer
Another way to instantly dress up an outfit is by throwing on a blazer. But naturally your winter go-to won’t quite work for summer. Look for lighter fabrics like linen and cotton, or even sleeveless options, that will keep you looking chic—without overheating.
Watson Cotton Linen Blazer
JAC + JACK
Astor Vest
CAMILLA AND MARC
Lina Blazer
NUDE LUCY
Regular Longline Linen-Blend Blazer
cos
The Sheer Skirt
Sheer skirts are moving from eveningwear to everyday style this season. Paired with oversized shirts or simple tees, they’re effortlessly chic. Opt for neutral tones, subtle layering, and relaxed styling to balance transparency and make the trend feel wearable for the office.
Zora Midi Skirt
CAMILLA AND MARC
Peri Sheer Midi Skirt
THE FRANKIE SHOP
The Valletta Skirt
ALFIE PARIS
Olessa Skirt
HENNE
The Straight Leg Jean
Let’s be real, office dressing can get a little lax in the warmer months, but that doesn’t mean tank tops and daisy dukes. If you’re looking to loosen up a bit but still look sharp, opt for straight-leg denim, paired with dressier items like a blazer and slingback heels.
Danielle Stretch Jean
KHAITE
High Rise Straight Leg Jean
GLASSONS
Valentina Jean
HENNE
Straight Leg Jean
VENROY
Summer Work Outfits: The New Classics
The Tailored Short
Since 2020 we’ve seen the Bermuda short become a summer fashion staple, with the tailored silhouette dominating everyone’s work wardrobes.
There’s a bit of skin to be shown here, but try to keep it to just above the knee to keep it more sophisticated.
Keely Short
A. EMERY
Cotton And Linen-Blend Shorts
TOTEME
Flint Short
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Tailored Shorts
WITCHERY
The Voluminous Dress
Puffy sleeves, tiered layers and textured fabrics have dominated dress trends in recent years, and luckily for us, voluminous, silhouettes translate effortlessly to workwear with the right luxe accessories.
Comfy, light and cute to boot—what’s not to love?
Knit Bodice Asymm Dress – Black
ST. AGNI
Petal Midi Dress
COS
Flowing Midi Dress
ZARA
Gabby White Oversized Cotton Midi Dress
DISSH
The Printed Blouse
Summer usually inspires us to get a little more bold with our sartorial choices, and what better way to embrace your wild side then with a printed blouse? Keep it on the looser side and tuck into some tailored trousers for professional appeal.
Pietra Shirt
SIR
Camille Flower Blouse
AJE
Embroidered Cotton Blouse
H&M
Chelsea Blouse
LEE MATHEWS
The Short Sleeve Shirt
One of the newer pieces in our collection of staples, the short sleeve shirt is the versatile throw-over that will serve you well this summer.
Play your cards right with styling and you’ll find yourself with an outfit that can easily be taken to the beach for a post-work dip and drinks.
Short-Sleeve Wrap Shirt
& OTHER STORIES
Relaxed Short Sleeve Silk Shirt
VENROY
Cotton Poplin Short Sleeve Shirt in White
TRENERY
Mini Polo Short Sleeve Shirt
UNIQLO