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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.
Manolo Blahnik Callamu 50 elaphe mules
Khaite Amelia medium raffia tote
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.
Polo Ralph Lauren belted striped midi dress
The Row Tana top
Alaïa Vienne Cut-out Mary Jane Ballerina Flats
Ben-Amun silver toggle necklace
Jenny Bird Nouveaux puff earrings
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.
St. Agni fine strap leather slides
DeMellier New York tote bag
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.
Adidas Samba OG leather and suede sneakers
Laura Lombardi Portrait collar necklace
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.
Anine Bing double-breasted herringbone woven blazer
Re/Done classic cotton-jersey T-shirt
J.Crew eyelet-hem midiskirt
ATP Atelier Aquara leather sandals
Jennifer Fisher mini Samira hoops
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.
Loro Piana Trani leather sandals
Proenza Schouler White Label Morris large raffia bag
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.
Tory Burch Simone cardigan
Toteme scoop-neck tank top
The Row Flash shorts
Mango kitten heel sandals
Dragon Diffusion Nantucket large woven leather tote
Jil Sander classic hoops
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.
Ferragamo Alrai flat leather sandals
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.
Porte & Paire leather loafers
Everlane The Cactus Leather Hobo Bag
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Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in this article.
Summer Workwear Essentials:
The article discusses various summer workwear essentials that strike a balance between style and sophistication. Here are the key concepts mentioned:
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Capsule Wardrobe: The article mentions that the summer work outfits have been crafted with essentials in mind, suggesting the use of a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.
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Nine-To-Five Dress: The article suggests wearing a Polo Ralph Lauren belted striped midi dress as a summer work outfit. The dress is described as a balance between a polished shirtdress and casual comfort.
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Smart Suit Vest: The article highlights the Remain Birger Christensen Majsa woven vest as a summer workwear staple. It suggests pairing the vest with matching trousers and minimalist mules for a stylish look.
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Pinstripe Pant: Max Mara pinstripe trousers are mentioned as a quietly chic essential in any workwear wardrobe. The article suggests pairing them with a white T-shirt for a classic look.
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Office-Appropriate Sneaker: The article recommends Adidas Samba OG sneakers as a suitable sneaker option for the office. It suggests pairing them with pinstripe trousers for a stylish yet comfortable look.
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Summertime Blazer: Anine Bing's double-breasted herringbone blazer is mentioned as a blazer suitable for summer. It suggests styling the blazer with an eyelet-embellished midiskirt and a simple tank top.
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Bright Blue Button-Up: Camilla and Marc's Avani shirt in bright blue is suggested as a summer layering piece. The article recommends wearing it with a leather midiskirt and slide sandals for a fresh summer work outfit.
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Leather Midiskirt: The Frankie Shop's Heather pencil skirt, made of luxury leather, is mentioned as a versatile piece that can be paired with a button-up shirt or a tank top.
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Sleek Jean: Mother's The Hustler ankle fray jeans are suggested as work-appropriate jeans for the summer. The article recommends pairing them with a black blazer and a crisp white shirt.
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Simple Slide Sandal: St. Agni fine strap leather slides are mentioned as minimalist slide sandals suitable for summer work outfits.
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Summer Work Bag: Khaite Amelia medium raffia tote is suggested as a stylish work bag option for the summer.
These concepts provide a starting point for building a summer work wardrobe that is both stylish and appropriate for the office. Remember, personal style and workplace dress codes may vary, so it's important to consider individual preferences and guidelines.