These days, when I shop for new clothes, 80% of the time, I’ll ask myself Can I wear this to work? (The other 20% of the time I’m buying clothes that—it’s safe to say—will definitely not be making an appearance at the office—think denim shorts, lounge pants, bikinis… all of which may give my boss a mini heart attack.)
The truth is I spend a lot of time at work, so my purchases need to accommodate days spent at the office as well as meetings, press trips, and business dinners. But this doesn’t mean my work looks have to be boring. In fact, I love to challenge myself and get creative with balancing trendy and professional pieces. With summer just around the corner, there's one more factor to add to the mix—sweltering temps.
Considering the upcoming heat, it's normal to wonder how to rock summer’s biggest trending pieces and still look entirely appropriate for the office. Below, I’m sharing some chic office-outfit ideas that hit some of the biggest trends and are fit for an office environment.
Whether you work freelance, full-time, in a relaxed or corporate environment, there’s a little something for every work situation. Now, bring on the summer Fridays.
Long Shorts Suit
Not everyone can get away with shorts for work, but luckily this season the longer-length Bermuda shorts are super on-trend. There's been a rise in chic short suits that look relaxed yet polished. Go for loose longer-fitting shorts with a high waist and skip the sneakers for sleek flats or kitten heel mules instead.
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Utility Boilersuit
The utility trend is still going strong this summer, and luckily there are plenty of trendy pieces that are perfect for the workplace. (They were historically made for function, after all.) Opt for a beige, black, or khaki utility skirt, long pants, or a one-and-done boilersuit.
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Colorful Tailoring
One easy way to zhuzh up your work wardrobe is with colorful suit separates. You don't have to go too crazy with chroma if you don't want to. Versatile rust or pastel hues are a refreshing update. Keep the tailoring sleek and streamlined.
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Matching Double Breasted Suit Jacket ($95).
Strappy Sandals
While strappy-heeled sandals may be a trend you think is best suited for evenings out, that's not the case any longer. Many of this season's trending strappy sandals feature lower heels and square toes for comfort and practicality. They look just as chic with a tailored suit as with a midi dress or skirt. Buh bye, boots!
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Animal Print
By this point animal prints are practically a neutral and can look surprisingly polished for work. Pair a leopard- or zebra-print midi skirt with a simple black or white top, kitten heel mules, and a sophisticated blazer for a creative work look.
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Pistachio Purple
Want to know the two biggest color trends that will be huge come fall? You guessed it from the title. Pistachio hues and shades of purple were seen all over the runways (separately—but they also look really good together), and they're already having a major moment for the warm -eather season. For work, try a sage green or lavender midi skirt.
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Beige From Head-to-Toe
The all-beige-everything trend lends itself beautifully to summer. Opt for lightweight fabrics like linen, and pair with similar toned accessories such as nude shoes or white blouses. A light beige suit is an easy way to look elevated yet relaxed.
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Mock-Croc Bag
The biggest fabric trend of the year is undoubtedly mock croc. It's sophisticated, polished, and looks expensive, which makes it perfect for professional settings.
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Up next, nine affordable places women actually buy work clothes.
