The Summer Workwear Styles Your Wardrobe Needs
From tailored separates to the perfect flats – GEORGIE LUCAS rounds up the pieces you need in your warm-weather office arsenal
The endless conundrum when the mercury rises – what can you wear to work that will seamlessly navigate a hot commute, remain chic for meetings and cover the possibility of ferocious office air conditioning? A capsule workwear closet is the answer, with mix-and-match styles you can reshuffle to offer numerous iterations, plus a couple of standout pieces which will glide effortlessly into an evening of rooftop cocktails. Seek out lightweight fabrics – cotton, linen, light jersey – in a neutral palette that will coordinate easily together. Bonus points for pieces which will segue neatly into your weekend wardrobe, too. And don’t overlook the impact of a few carefully chosen accessories – here, we opt for classic designs with considered details which will last for seasons to come.
First up, a classic duo – the tank top and midi skirt. Khaite’s version elevates the tank silhouette via a sculpting knit with a square neck and thick straps in an elegant light brown hue that goes with most colors. Wear it with Gabriela Hearst’s ivory linen midi skirt, part of the New York-based brand’s SS25 runway collection, the design is an elegant riff on this timeless style. All manner of footwear will work beautifully here, but for warm-weather days, flats are the answer, and you can’t go wrong with a ballet style – Jil Sander’s come with a leather whipstitch trim and sleek ankle strap. Office-appropriate jewelry can be tricky to judge – but these polished silver Lié Studio drop earrings strike the perfect note.
Next, seek out a statement dress – easy one-and-done styling and the perfect solution for those days where you’re heading straight out after work. Look to Loulou de Saison, founded by Parisian influencer Chloé Harrouche, the brand’s ‘Jada’ knitted maxi dress is an excellent choice. Crafted in knitted jersey, you’ll be comfortable but look put together, plus the bold red shade is a SS25 favorite that will stand the test of time. Pair with Jimmy Choo’s ‘Ayla’ suede sandals – they have a padded sole which your feet will thank you for as you dash between meetings. A capacious tote is another workwear essential, Bottega Veneta’s ‘Parachute’ is the ultimate pick – the woven leather nods to summer-ready baskets. And, of course, no warm-weather wardrobe is complete without a pair of sunglasses, you’ll wear Celine Eyewear’s square-framed tortoiseshell pair everywhere.
Finally, shorts have become ubiquitous with summer elegance – a Bermuda-cut which hems at mid-thigh is the perfect option for work, and James Perse’s linen-canvas pair come in go-with-everything black. These look particularly great with a classic white tank top, like Maria McManus’s organic-cotton design, part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted pieces. A crisply cut shirt is a great summer layer – look for something with a bit of structure in cotton or linen – consider sizing up for an oversized silhouette. Toteme’s organic cotton-poplin shirt comes in soft pastel yellow which has dominated this season’s color palettes and instantly cries summer. Finally, Dragon Diffusion’s ‘Egola’ tote is an elegant addition to every look and will carry all your essentials for hybrid working.