Looking for Inspiration: Go-to Spring/Summer Workwear - YouLookFab Forum

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Looking for Inspiration: Go-to Spring/Summer Workwear

Nadia

This is my first year working at a truly business casual office and I have realized that I lack ideas for warm weather work wear. Apparently my office gets a bit chilly in summer with the A/C so that's a factor. What are your go-to fab outfits for warm weather workdays? Pics would be appreciated!

Note: Business Casual at my office (which leans towards the traditional- I actually saw someone wearing a twin set the other day) means no denim, no shorts, skirts hit the knees, and no exposed shoulders. Printed t-shirts are also discouraged.

15 replies

Latest reply was from Nadia

cheryl

Veteran

My work is very casual so i'm no help, but i'm bumping and hopefully some of the other wonderful people here can help you.

Becky

Veteran

I'm currently looking for dressy trousers in lighter colors, such as light gray, taupe, or even white for warm weather business casual wear. I'm still working on this capsule myself, so hopefully others will have some suggestions.

Nadia

Thanks for your replies Cheryl and Becky.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

How about a knee-length sleeveless dress with a jacket or cardigan (which will only be worn inside)? That's pretty much all I wear once it starts hitting the 90s.

Here's today's version.

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Nadia

Thanks Cinnamon Fern.
I do have a few work-appropriate dresses that I can wear for summer that are sleeveless or have cap sleeves. I have been on the lookout for good summery cardigans to wear over them.

(Speaking of which, does anyone know what happened to all the short cardigans out there? They seem to have vanished)

christieanne

Veteran

I think short cardigans are coming in to stores now - I saw a ton of bright color basic but very useful versions at Old Navy recently.
I like the dress CF posted - navy would be nice for summer with a colorful short cardi.

Summer dressing gives me trouble with it's lack of layers and sweaters which are my favorites but an aline or slightly full skirt and embellished top are good fall backs.

Nadia

Thanks Christieanne. A nice a-line skirt would be just the thing.

Nadia

More ideas please everyone... especially with pics.
I've got the money for shopping once I know what I'm looking for!

Jewell

Veteran

Great, I see you added a definitiion of business casual for your office. I, too, am trying to assemble a spring/summer work wear capsule that fits the business casual bill. I work in an academic setting, so our guidelines are pretty similar to yours. I've added a few images to help you visualize the outfit combos. You can see that I stuck to just a few colors to maximize remixing. Sorry I don't have any WIW pics of the actual outfits I've already tried.

The key pieces include a short sleeve solid tee, a striped tee, a colorful tank or top, a sleeveless dress, a lightweight blazer in white or another springy color, a colorful belt, a brightly colored scarf, 2-3 pairs of trousers or cropped pants (suggest white, dk blue, and a neutral like brown or camel), and 2 skirts. And of course you'll need appropriate footwear.

Here are a few combinations using the pieces I've listed:
1. white tee layered under sleeveless dress with bright belt
2. white blazer layered over dress (no tee) with colorful necklace
3. striped tee with white skirt or white trousers
4. yellow or orange top with blue trousers or blue skirt and bright scarf
5. dress under a cropped denim jacket for a tonal look

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rae

(website)

Veteran

Here are some of my more straight-laced outfits from when I worked at The Other Bank. Midis are great for the office, too!

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Nadia

Thanks Jewell & rae for the ideas!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

OK, here are a bunch of outfits I pulled together. Not sure if sandals are OK for your office, and not sure how hot your weather is. I think mine boil down to:

Trousers with light or sleeveless blouse and jacket or long cardigan
Pencil skirt with light or sleeveless blouse and jacket
Dress with jacket or long cardigan
Full skirt with cropped cardigan

Easy! For warmer days you can take the topper off when outside.

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Traci

Veteran

My summer go to is a closet full of light dresses. The easiest to throw together being a woven dress just at the top of my knee cap with a cardigan, necklace or earrings and 1.5 in wedge sandals and a ponytail. Variables I may throw in would be swapping out for a comfy knit dress, light weight jacket instead of the cardigan, or booties instead of sandals, but those typically only come into play on the days when I have a few minutes to play and try to get it right. Dress/cardigan/sandals gets me out the door. Not the most daring of combinations, but it gets the job done.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Nadia --

I just saw that Ann Taylor is showing some shorter V-neck cotton cardigans again (and running various 30-40% off or whatever promotions). They probably have crewnecks, too.

[I can't said I was thrilled with my last AT cotton cardigan (maxed out at 2 seasons of wear despite babying re: washing) but I'm pretty desperate right now, so I re-ordered.]

Other members have posted great examples upthread!

Mine are mostly close-ups for color and texture -- I find that's where my primary shift comes in as I can and do wear a lot of my workwear year-round.

However, it gets pretty toasty during my short summer and like many I'm always left needed ways to deal with commuting then freezing in AC'd offices. For context I am in a place where "nicer" business casual is the norm and "business creative" is ok.

[Which *may* explain my crazy panther patchwork dress!]

I'm a brunette who tends to feel off-balance in the summer without one dark neutral or color-color in my outfit, but sometimes I get over that.

My tendencies:

* Lighten and brighten-for-my-coloring

* Mix in fewer dark neutrals, substituting lighter neutrals or medium/dark color-colors

* Look for elbow, 3/4, or long-sleeve blouses with interesting detail that can stand alone

* For sweaters, choose fabrics with some airiness -- linen/cotton blends or semi-sheer

* Swap in silk or cotton/linen scarves for velvet or wool ones (I will occasionally use them as belts, too)

* Choose summertime fabrics for blazers (cotton or linen, though I wear my lightweight wool in Photo 3 year round)

* Shoes...since I am not a shoe person, I mention but defer to other members

* If you're normally more buttoned or covered up due to the cold, take advantage of more open necklines to wear some fun jewelry!

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Nadia

Thanks for your answers Jenava, Traci, & Vix.

I appreciate all the feedback I'm getting from everyone- I'm sure this will give me a good base to work with in my Spring/Summer buying spree.