As temperatures begin to rise, piecing together an outfit that won't make you sweat and won't get you in trouble with the HR is getting harder. We're suggesting you 6 totally office-appropriate outfit ideas that will keep you cool even in the hottest weather.
1. Chambray or Linen
Choose breathable fabrics such as chambray or linen for an easy summery take on work wear. These materials are perfect during summer.
However, the problem with chambray and linen is that these fabrics can feel too casual and thus, not totally work-appropriate. To make your look more office-friendly, opt for a basic button down shirt in chambray or linen and keep the rest of the outfit simple and elegant.
To avoid another problem associated with linen, which is wrinkling, wear this fabric only on top or opt for the cotton-linen blend.
Another idea is go with a cotton-linen pantsuit. Pantsuits were one of the biggest fall/winter trends, why not take yours into the summer too in another, more 'breathable' version?
If you're looking for a laid-back and at the same time totaly stylish look, try pairing a black blazer with grey skinny pants. To infuse a sense of casualness into your ensemble, introduce grey low top sneakers to this outfit.View Details
Putting together a blue chambray dress shirt and a blue denim pencil skirt is a fail-safe way to inject style into your wardrobe. A pair of brown leather ankle boots looks incredible here.View Details
Showcase that nobody does smart casual quite like you do by wearing a blue chambray dress shirt and a pink peplum skirt. Look at how nice this ensemble pairs with navy satin pumps.View Details
A white linen blazer and white linen tapered pants are the kind of chic casual items that you can wear for years to come. Introduce a pair of black leather heeled sandals to your getup and the whole look will come together.View Details
Pair a beige linen blazer with beige linen dress pants if you seek to look absolutely chic without trying too hard.View Details
When the occasion calls for an elegant yet neat getup, dress in a white linen dress shirt and beige vertical striped skinny pants.View Details
Putting together a white linen long sleeve blouse and white wide leg pants is a fail-safe way to breathe style into your styling rotation. Let your outfit coordination expertise really shine by rounding off with white leather pumps.View Details
Wear a light blue linen shirtdress to showcase you've got serious sartorial prowess.View Details
Dress in a light blue chambray jumpsuit to show you've got serious sartorial prowess. Add an added touch of chic to your look by finishing off with beige suede heeled sandals.View Details
2. Wide Legs
Billowy wide leg trousers are a life saver during the heatwave, especially if you have a pretty conservative work environment. Wide legs will help your lower half breathe throughout the day, keeping you comfortable both in the heat outside and the air-conditioner chill inside.
Finish off your look with an elegant sleeveless blouse. Sophisticated perfection, achieved!
Combining a tan leopard dress shirt and tan wide leg pants is a surefire way to infuse your styling lineup with some class. A pair of beige leather heeled sandals is a smart pick to complete your ensemble.View Details
Definitive proof that a beige dress shirt and beige wide leg pants are awesome when teamed together in a polished outfit.View Details
A white silk dress shirt and white wide leg pants are certainly worth adding to your list of must-have items. We love how this whole look comes together thanks to a pair of light blue leather pumps.View Details
For a casually elegant ensemble, try pairing a grey vertical striped dress shirt with white wide leg pants — these pieces play well together. Add beige leather wedge sandals to the equation to make a standard ensemble feel suddenly fun and fresh.View Details
As you can see here, looking classy doesn't take that much time. Try teaming a tan button down blouse with red wide leg pants and you'll look fabulous. The whole ensemble comes together quite nicely when you introduce a pair of tan leather pumps to the equation.View Details
This smart casual combo of a white and blue vertical striped dress shirt and white flare pants is capable of taking on different nuances depending on the way it's styled.View Details
Why not dress in a white sleeveless top and black wide leg pants? As well as totally functional, these two items look great together. Black chunky suede heeled sandals are guaranteed to breathe a sense of sophistication into this getup.View Details
If you like off-duty looks, why not try this combination of a tan vertical striped sleeveless top and tobacco wide leg pants? Complete your getup with a pair of white and black leather flat sandals to immediately bump up the wow factor of your look.View Details
This combo of a white dress shirt and black flare pants is beyond chic and creates instant appeal. Let your styling expertise really shine by rounding off this getup with a pair of brown leather heeled sandals.View Details
3. Stripes
Stripes are always in style, but the pattern is particularly big this spring/summer 2017 season. Anything goes: seaside, breton, pinstripes; on blouses, pants, skirts and even shoes. And depending on how strict your workplace dress code is, why not try the double stripes look too?
For an off-duty getup, make a white and black horizontal striped long sleeve t-shirt and white wide leg pants your outfit choice — these two items go beautifully together. In the footwear department, go for something on the casual end of the spectrum and round off your ensemble with a pair of white leather ballerina shoes.View Details
Marrying a navy vertical striped dress shirt with light blue vertical striped wide leg pants is a nice option for a smart and elegant look. Black suede heeled sandals integrate really well within a myriad of looks.View Details
A white horizontal striped short sleeve blouse and a pink pencil skirt are strong players in any woman's sartorial collection. White leather pumps are the ideal addition for your look.View Details
Pairing a white and black horizontal striped short sleeve blouse with black wide leg pants is an awesome pick for a casual but seriously stylish look. This ensemble is rounded off wonderfully with a pair of white leather pumps.View Details
For a casually chic look, marry a white and navy vertical striped dress shirt with a grey pencil skirt — these items work perfectly well together.View Details
For something more on the relaxed end, test drive this combo of a white and blue vertical striped dress shirt and a navy skater skirt. To add a bit of zing to this getup, throw in red suede pumps.View Details
For a casually chic ensemble, marry a black and white vertical striped dress shirt with black dress pants — these items fit pretty good together. On the footwear front, this getup pairs perfectly with black suede pumps.View Details
Why not marry a white crew-neck t-shirt with white and blue vertical striped tapered pants? As well as totally comfortable, these pieces look great when paired together. For something more on the elegant side to complement your ensemble, introduce brown leather heeled sandals to the mix.View Details
A white dress shirt and navy and white vertical striped pajama pants are true must-haves if you're piecing together an off-duty closet that matches up to the highest sartorial standards. Complete your outfit with black leather heeled sandals for an instant dressy look.View Details
4. Monochromatic
Monochromatic is trending both in fashion and makeup.
The way to piece together a monochromatic look, appropriate for your 9 to 5, is opt for safe colors, such as grey, tan or navy, and their tonal shades. If you want to make your outfit more interesting and dynamic, introduce a different texture or print.
Reach for a grey dress shirt and grey dress pants if you're aiming for a proper, trendy look. On the footwear front, this look pairs really well with black suede pumps.View Details
A semi-casual pairing of a tobacco button down blouse and tobacco wide leg pants can be fitting in a myriad of situations. Bring a fun touch to this look by finishing off with a pair of tan leather thong sandals.View Details
Why not team a navy short sleeve blouse with navy wide leg pants? These two items are totally practical and will look nice when worn together. Green suede pumps pull the outfit together.View Details
One of the coolest ways to style a navy crew-neck t-shirt is to wear it with navy wide leg pants. Spruce up this look with the help of a pair of black leather heeled sandals.View Details
When comfort is a must, wear a dark green silk sleeveless top and dark green wide leg pants.View Details
Such pieces as a navy plaid dress shirt and a dark purple pencil skirt are the ideal way to inject extra refinement into your day-to-day casual lineup. Complete your look with black cutout suede ankle boots and you're all done and looking incredible.View Details
You can look wonderful without trying too hard by opting for a navy and green plaid dress shirt and a dark green pleated midi skirt. On the footwear front, this getup is finished off perfectly with gold sequin pumps.View Details
This laid-back pairing of a grey print crew-neck t-shirt and a grey midi skirt is a foolproof option when you need to look stylish in a flash. If you wish to easily up the style ante of your getup with a pair of shoes, why not complement your outfit with black leather heeled sandals?View Details
5. Total White
Nothing speaks summer quite as much as the total white look. It is also perfect for summertime work dressing. Opt for a silky blouse and billowing wide leg pants, and you've got yourself a chic, no-sweat uniform.
You're looking at the hard proof that a white silk dress shirt and white dress pants are amazing when combined together in a polished outfit.View Details
A white silk dress shirt and white wide leg pants are certainly worth adding to your list of must-have items. We love how this whole look comes together thanks to a pair of light blue leather pumps.View Details
For a casual-meets-classic outfit, reach for a white dress shirt and a white slit pencil skirt — these pieces fit brilliantly together. When not sure as to the footwear, introduce a pair of white and black snake leather heeled sandals to the mix.View Details
A white dress shirt and a white pleated midi skirt work together harmoniously. Beige leather heeled sandals pull the outfit together.View Details
This combination of a white long sleeve blouse and a white ruffle lace midi skirt will cement your outfit coordination savvy even on dress-down days. You could perhaps get a bit experimental on the shoe front and complement this look with a pair of black suede gladiator sandals.View Details
A white lace long sleeve blouse and white tapered pants will add serious style to your current arsenal. If in doubt about what to wear in the footwear department, add a pair of beige leather pumps to the equation.View Details
If you would like take your casual look to a new level, choose a white silk long sleeve blouse and a white and black geometric midi skirt. White leather heeled sandals round off this ensemble very well.View Details
If the situation allows a casual outfit, pair a white peplum top with white wide leg pants.View Details
This casual pairing of a white sleeveless top and white wide leg pants is very easy to put together in seconds time, helping you look amazing and prepared for anything without spending a ton of time digging through your closet. Get a bit experimental in the footwear department and complement your outfit with white and black leather heeled sandals.View Details
6. Black & White
You can't go wrong with the classic black and white look. It's a timeless uniform formula that oozes class and sophistication.
There are several ways to give your black and white office looks a bit of oomph.
The first one is to add texture - for instance, you can opt for a black skirt or a white top in lace or crochet.
Details on the sleeves are another trend to embrace this spring/summer 2017 season. Give an on-trend feel to your 9-to-5 attire by introducing a blouse with ruffled, oversized or bell sleeves into your black and white look.
Finally, playing with accessories is a sure-fire way to spice up any basic look.
This smart casual pairing of a navy blazer and white chinos is super easy to pull together without a second thought, helping you look amazing and ready for anything without spending a ton of time combing through your wardrobe. Ramp up this ensemble by sporting dark brown leather tassel loafers.View Details
Infuse glamour into your current styling rotation with a white long sleeve blouse and a black lace midi skirt. Look at how nice this outfit is finished off with a pair of black leather loafers.View Details
A white dress shirt and black skinny pants combined together are a total eye candy for women who prefer classic and chic styles. When not sure about what to wear in the footwear department, add a pair of white cutout leather ankle boots to the mix.View Details
When the situation calls for a refined yet neat ensemble, you can dress in a white long sleeve blouse and black wide leg pants. The whole getup comes together perfectly if you add a pair of black leather pumps to the equation.View Details
This look shows it pays to invest in such pieces as a white dress shirt and black skinny pants. A pair of white and black leather ankle boots will tie the whole thing together.View Details
This pairing of a white button down blouse and black tapered pants is proof that a safe outfit can still be really interesting. Let your outfit coordination savvy truly shine by completing your getup with a pair of beige leather heeled sandals.View Details
A black button down blouse and a beige pleated midi skirt are indispensable items to have in the off-duty part of your closet. A good pair of black and gold suede pumps pulls this look together.View Details
A white silk long sleeve blouse and a black midi skirt combined together are a total eye candy for fashionistas who appreciate cool chic outfits. We love how cohesive this outfit looks when finished off by black mesh pumps.View Details
For a cool-meets-polish ensemble, wear a white silk long sleeve blouse and black flare pants — these two pieces play really well together. Beige leather heeled sandals are a smart choice to finish your getup.View Details
You'll be surprised at how easy it is to throw together this outfit. Just a white short sleeve button down shirt and black skinny pants. This ensemble is complemented perfectly with a pair of beige leather loafers.View Details
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