This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks and Corporette® could earn commissions for purchases made via hyperlinks on this put up. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What do you have to put on — and never put on — to look skilled (and keep cool) when it is sizzling outdoors? Which summer time work garments are one of the best? We have not too long ago gotten two reader questions on the query of the best way to look skilled when it is sizzling.
First up, Reader M wonders:
Hello. I am 30 years previous. I’m a rock and curler. That means that I work within the music business. Up to now my job was to chaperone the live performance website. I used to be excellent at my job. Bought a brand new job in Orlando, FL, that has me now working at a desk. I’m now a supervisor. I got here into this job within the fall so I had some leftover black wool slacks, good darkish wash denim, and black sweaters to get me via.
It is now nearly spring (appears like summer time) and I do not know the best way to do skilled for summer time. I work in a enterprise informal setting, which helps. I prefer to hold all of my coloration in accents like purses, sneakers, scarves, and many others. I put on monochromatic. It is my signature and tremendous versatile when beginning a brand new wardrobe.
Are you able to advise cuts, materials, and many others. of workplace applicable summer time put on for a newly skilled, younger woman like myself that is making an attempt to beat the warmth with out wanting like a concertgoer?
Reader T additionally wonders:
I’m heading to D.C. from California this summer time for a authorized externship, and am in want of recommendation on the costume code within the authorized world when it is 95 levels. I labored on the Hill for a number of years and (sadly) recall a whole lot of flip flops and sundresses throughout the hotter months.
I think about that this may not be the case in a authorized setting/authorities company, however I might love some fundamental outfit formulation, cloth ideas (is tweed taboo?), and different concepts for a 30 yr. previous to appear to be a lawyer whereas combating the humidity and sticking to a finances.
Up to date June 2026. This put up was initially written in 2014 after readers in Florida and Washington, DC, requested for recommendation on dressing professionally via sizzling, humid summers. We have up to date it frequently ever since, and all suggestions and product picks had been refreshed in June 2026 by Kat Griffin.
After years of reader discussions about summer time workplace type, a couple of themes come up repeatedly: pure materials normally outperform synthetics, layers are important as a result of workplaces are sometimes a lot colder than commutes, and one of the best summer time work outfits stability professionalism with practicality. Your workplace tradition issues, however these ideas are likely to work throughout industries.
The Greatest Summer time Work Garments for Ladies
By way of outfit formulations, my go-to appears are boring, however they’re traditional for a motive: assume sheath attire plus a blazer (to be added when you’re inside), and good, light-weight trousers (search for cotton or cotton blends) with a pleasant tee and a traditional pair of pumps (and ideally an identical blazer).
As we have famous earlier than, pure materials like cotton, silk, and linen are going to breathe much more than non-natural materials, so do take note of that when shopping for new items.
(Additionally: take note of the laundry directions. That $20 pair of pants begins to look much less interesting — and fewer of a deal — after they begin to scent to excessive heaven after two wears and the one approach to launder them is to get them drycleaned.)
Our Favourite Light-weight Summer time Pants for Work
Fitted, Elegant T-Shirts
Fitted T-shirts may be nice as a result of they layer so properly beneath blazers and sweaters, however within the summertime they’re additionally simple to scrub and polished sufficient with the fitting equipment.
Opaque White T-Shirts
Attempting to find opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2026, we might counsel checking the double-layer strains from Boden, Categorical, Outdated Navy, and Hobbs, in addition to nice sources for fundamental Pima cotton similar to Uniqlo, COS, L.L.Bean, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Talbots. (This $268 tee additionally will get nice critiques for opacity, as do these two extra reasonably priced choices — and Elizabeth swears by this tee beneath $30!)
The Greatest Light-weight Blazers
White Blazers
White blazers are one other nice summer time work outfit fundamental as a result of they make the whole lot appear extra sunny and contemporary. They’re significantly helpful in case your summer time wardrobe tends towards navy, black, grey, or different darkish neutrals as a result of they immediately make an outfit really feel lighter and extra seasonal.
What To not Put on as Summer time Work Garments
Over time, readers have debated practically each summer time workplace query conceivable: sleeveless tops, open-toed sneakers, linen, shorts, and even whether or not pantyhose nonetheless issues. The consensus is that workplace norms differ dramatically by business, geography, and seniority.
We have talked about what to not put on as a summer time affiliate, what to not put on to work basically, and the best way to keep cool throughout a heatwave — however not in lots of moons. So let’s revisit!
A caveat: As we have famous in earlier discussions, that is very a lot a “know your workplace” state of affairs. In case you’re working at a NEW workplace, although, or are nonetheless studying your workplace, it is best to wait till you see somebody considerably extra senior than you break these guidelines earlier than you contemplate it “workplace tradition.”
(For instance: should you’re a summer time affiliate at a regulation agency and see a first-year affiliate sporting sandals, that does not essentially imply it is okay for everybody to put on sandals.) It’s kind of of a spectrum, however this is my checklist:
Summer time Workplace Apparel That Might Look Too Informal
- Sandals of any variety (sneakers that expose no less than three toes per foot)
- Shorts (and sure, regardless of our April Idiot’s shorts swimsuit roundup a couple of years in the past, we do embrace brief fits on the checklist of NO)
- Fully wrinkled garments (linen has its personal challenges, nevertheless it should not appear to be you balled it up, packed it in a suitcase, after which determined to put on it)
- Brief skirts — there’s a spectrum right here, however for enterprise it actually must be as near your knee as attainable!
- Spaghetti-strap tank or different prime that makes no effort to cover bra straps (or worse, requires you to put on a strapless bra)
- Low season gadgets similar to heavy tweed, boucle knits, thick wool trousers (however the skinny, gentle seasonless wool is, you already know, seasonless).
- Tights are in all probability not okay… however pantyhose could also be required.
- Cleavage of any variety. If at any level you look down throughout the day and see your bra, you want a camisole. (You could need to try demi camisoles if the thought of one other layer makes you swelter).
Summer time Workwear That is Often Positive (Relying on Your Workplace)
These are in all probability OK for all however essentially the most conservative of workplaces, however KNOW YOUR OFFICE (and your state of affairs — I would not put on any of the beneath on my first day or a day with a giant assembly)…
- Naked arms (i.e., sheath costume or good prime with bra straps absolutely lined)
- Naked legs. This varies HUGELY by workplace and by area — in most locations, I might guess, it is a “after all you do not have to put on pantyhose day-after-day!” state of affairs — however on Large Days in a whole lot of locations (courtroom appearances, consumer conferences), they could be anticipated or most popular.
- Peep toe pumps (a little bit of toe uncovered)
Okay everywhere, I might guess (however know your workplace!):
- Sleeveless attire, tops, tees, and blouses, worn with a blazer or cardigan (right here was our final dialogue)
- Sleeved attire, tops, tees, and blouses, worn by themselves
We have additionally talked extra about the best way to construct your wardrobe for a summer time internship, with what I believe remains to be a stable checklist of the minimal items you should purchase.
Methods to Cool Down Shortly After Your Commute
Over time, readers have shared dozens of methods for surviving hot-weather commutes. Among the hottest: carrying a blazer as an alternative of sporting it open air, retaining a sweater or wrap at work for over-air-conditioned workplaces, and placing lengthy hair up till arriving on the workplace.
No clothes selection fully solves a brutal commute, which is why so many readers swear by cooling equipment and desk-side backup provides.
- a easy fan, carried in your purse or bag — sure, you are expending extra vitality as you fan your self, however the little bit of a breeze may be superb should you’re caught on a sizzling subway platform
- an ice-cold can of soda, held towards the within of your wrist, the again of your neck, and even the again of your knees
- handy ice packs — there are even necklaces designed to be iced and worn!
- deodorant wipes like Lume — observe that there are additionally “underarm guards” if it is a frequent downside!
These are some fascinating merchandise that can assist you calm down or keep cool in your commute. See extra intelligent merchandise like this in our Amazon store! (In case you’re affected by sizzling flashes or really feel like throwing cash on the downside, do try the Embr Wave cooling bracelet or these “discreet cooling necklaces“..)
Summer time Work Garments FAQ
How do you costume professionally when it is sizzling outdoors?
Basically, the simplest approach to look skilled in sizzling climate is to mix breathable materials with no less than one structured piece. A tailor-made costume, light-weight blazer, polished trousers, or a crisp prime can add authority even when temperatures are hovering. The purpose is not to decorate for the seashore — it is to look intentional regardless of the warmth.
What ought to ladies put on to work in 100-degree climate?
Oof, I really feel you — it is by no means nice when you have to look skilled in sizzling, humid climate. First, your agency or workplace could calm down costume code guidelines barely throughout a warmth wave. If they do not, although, now’s the time to drag out linen trousers or breezy attire, ideally in cotton, linen, or one other pure fiber.
A blazer or different third piece remains to be an effective way so as to add authority, construction, and polish to your outfit, and so they do make them in linen and different ethereal materials. Notice that you simply actually do not should put on it in your commute — you would possibly even need to depart it on the workplace so it would not get additional wrinkled throughout your commute. In case you’re outdoors for a piece occasion, I doubt you will be the one one eradicating your blazer should you’re too sizzling.
(Additionally price retaining on the workplace: a sweater or blazer for days when the A/C is blasting regardless of the 100-degree warmth outdoors.)
Are you able to put on linen to the workplace?
Reader consensus through the years: linen wrinkles. The query is not whether or not it wrinkles — it is whether or not you are keen to just accept a little bit of rumpling in change for being cooler. Typically a linen mix with stretch is the reply (similar to J.Crew’s); generally it is simply recognizing that you’ll be a bit wrinkled so perhaps that outfit is not one of the best for a giant day.
Are sleeveless tops skilled?
Sleeveless tops have been a vastly debated topic over the previous 15 years right here at Corporette, and it will possibly differ broadly from workplace to workplace — so know yours. Basically although, in 2026, a sleeveless prime that covers your bra straps totally must be high-quality at many workplaces. Right here was our final dialogue if you wish to learn extra.
Are you able to put on sandals to work?
Know your workplace — basically I might actually, actually advise towards it till you have been at your agency for 2-3 weeks in the summertime. The folks to look to are the midlevels, not the VIPs (they’ve earned the fitting to put on no matter they need) or the summer time interns, who could also be clueless.
Readers, what are your go-to outfits for the summer time? What materials and types do you keep away from?
Image by way of Stencil.
