What should you wear — and not wear — to look professional (and stay cool) when it’s hot outside? Which summer work clothes are the best? We’ve recently gotten two reader questions on the question of how to look professional when it’s hot.
First up, Reader M wonders:
Hi. I’m 30 years old. I am a rock and roller. Meaning that I work in the music industry. In the past my job was to chaperone the concert site. I was very good at my job. Got a new job in Orlando, FL, that has me now working at a desk. I am now a supervisor. I came into this job in the fall so I had some leftover black wool slacks, nice dark wash denim, and black sweaters to get me through.
It’s now almost spring (feels like summer) and I don’t know how to do professional for summer. I work in a business casual environment, which helps. I like to keep all of my color in accents like purses, shoes, scarves, etc. I wear monochromatic. It’s my signature and super versatile when starting a new wardrobe.
Can you advise cuts, fabrics, etc. of office appropriate summer wear for a newly professional, young lady like myself that’s trying to beat the heat without looking like a concertgoer?
Reader T also wonders:
I am heading to D.C. from California this summer for a legal externship, and am in need of advice on the dress code in the legal world when it’s 95 degrees. I worked on the Hill for several years and (sadly) recall a lot of flip flops and sundresses during the hotter months.
I imagine that this won’t be the case in a legal setting/government agency, but I would love some basic outfit formulas, fabric suggestions (is tweed taboo?), and other ideas for a 30 yr. old to look like a lawyer while fighting the humidity and sticking to a budget.
Updated June 2026. This post was originally written in 2014 after readers in Florida and Washington, DC, asked for advice on dressing professionally through hot, humid summers. We’ve updated it regularly ever since, and all recommendations and product picks were refreshed in June 2026 by Kat Griffin.
After years of reader discussions about summer office style, a few themes come up again and again: natural fabrics usually outperform synthetics, layers are essential because offices are often much colder than commutes, and the best summer work outfits balance professionalism with practicality. Your office culture matters, but these principles tend to work across industries.
The Best Summer Work Clothes for Women
In terms of outfit formulations, my go-to looks are boring, but they’re classic for a reason: think sheath dresses plus a blazer (to be added once you’re inside), and nice, lightweight trousers (look for cotton or cotton blends) with a nice tee and a classic pair of pumps (and ideally a matching blazer).
As we’ve noted before, natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen are going to breathe a lot more than non-natural fabrics, so do pay attention to that when buying new pieces.
(Also: pay attention to the laundry instructions. That $20 pair of pants starts to look less appealing — and less of a deal — when they start to smell to high heaven after two wears and the only way to launder them is to get them drycleaned.)
Our Favorite Lightweight Summer Pants for Work
Some of our favorite summer work pants for women in 2026 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, and Banana Republic Factory. Uniqlo sometimes has pants in their AirSense line, also! If you want linen, Eileen Fisher and Athleta both have nice options, and Aritzia’s popular Effortless Pant comes in PowerLinen.
J.Crew (linen)
M.M.LaFleur
Nic & Zoe
Banana Republic Factory
Fitted, Elegant T-Shirts
Fitted T-shirts can be great because they layer so well under blazers and sweaters, but in the summertime they’re also easy to wash and polished enough with the right accessories.
Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? Some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Everlane, J.Crew, Amazon Essentials, Theory, Banana Republic, and Banana Republic Factory — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!
Banana Republic
Theory
Everlane
J.Crew
Opaque White T-Shirts
Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2026, we’d suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as Uniqlo, COS, L.L.Bean, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, as do these two more affordable options — and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)
Boden
L.L.Bean
Uniqlo
Lafayette 148 New York
The Best Lightweight Blazers
Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer in linen and other fabrics? There are a lot of great options in linen, including J.Crew, Ann Taylor, J.Crew Factory, Boden, Quince, Aritzia, Brooks Brothers, and Hobbs. Along related lines, check out M.M.LaFleur’s Breeze line.
J.Crew
Brooks Brothers (linen-wool!)
J.Crew Factory
Quince
White Blazers
White blazers are another great summer work outfit basic because they make everything seem more sunny and fresh. They’re particularly useful if your summer wardrobe tends toward navy, black, gray, or other dark neutrals because they instantly make an outfit feel lighter and more seasonal.
Some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, and Amazon (Cicy Bell). If you’re looking to splurge, try L’Agence. Nordstrom also has a lot!
H&M
L’Agence (exact)
Favorite Daughter
J.Crew Factory
What Not to Wear as Summer Work Clothes
Over the years, readers have debated nearly every summer office question imaginable: sleeveless tops, open-toed shoes, linen, shorts, and even whether pantyhose still matters. The consensus is that office norms vary dramatically by industry, geography, and seniority.
We’ve talked about what not to wear as a summer associate, what not to wear to work in general, and how to stay cool during a heatwave — but not in many moons. So let’s revisit!
A caveat: As we’ve noted in previous discussions, this is very much a “know your office” situation. If you’re working at a NEW office, though, or are still learning your office, you should wait until you see someone significantly more senior than you break these rules before you consider it “office culture.”
(For example: if you’re a summer associate at a law firm and see a first-year associate wearing sandals, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ok for everyone to wear sandals.) It’s a bit of a spectrum, but here’s my list:
Summer Office Attire That May Look Too Casual
Sandals of any kind (shoes that expose at least three toes per foot)
Shorts (and yes, despite our April Fool’s shorts suit roundup a few years ago, we do include short suits on the list of NO)
Completely wrinkled clothes (linen has its own challenges, but it shouldn’t look like you balled it up, packed it in a suitcase, and then decided to wear it)
Short skirts — there is a spectrum here, but for business it really should be as close to your knee as possible!
Spaghetti-strap tank or other top that makes no effort to hide bra straps (or worse, requires you to wear a strapless bra)
Off-season items such as heavy tweed, boucle knits, thick wool trousers (but the thin, light seasonless wool is, you know, seasonless).
Tights are probably not ok… but pantyhose may be required.
Cleavage of any kind. If at any point you look down during the day and see your bra, you need a camisole. (You may want to check out demi camisoles if the idea of another layer makes you swelter).
Summer Workwear That’s Usually Fine (Depending on Your Office)
These are probably OK for all but the most conservative of workplaces, but KNOW YOUR OFFICE (and your situation — I wouldn’t wear any of the below on my first day or a day with a big meeting)…
Bare arms (i.e., sheath dress or nice top with bra straps fully covered)
Bare legs. This varies HUGELY by office and by region — in most places, I’d guess, it’s a “of course you don’t have to wear pantyhose every day!” situation — but on Big Days in a lot of places (court appearances, client meetings), they may be expected or preferred.
Peep toe pumps (a bit of toe exposed)
Ok in all places, I’d guess (but know your office!):
Sleeveless dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn with a blazer or cardigan (here was our last discussion)
Sleeved dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn by themselves
We’ve also talked more about how to build your wardrobe for a summer internship, with what I think is still a solid list of the minimum pieces you should buy.
How to Cool Down Quickly After Your Commute
Over the years, readers have shared dozens of strategies for surviving hot-weather commutes. Some of the most popular: carrying a blazer instead of wearing it outdoors, keeping a sweater or wrap at work for over-air-conditioned offices, and putting long hair up until arriving at the office.
No clothing choice completely solves a brutal commute, which is why so many readers swear by cooling accessories and desk-side backup supplies.
a simple fan, carried in your purse or bag — yes, you’re expending more energy as you fan yourself, but the bit of a breeze can be amazing if you’re stuck on a hot subway platform
an ice-cold can of soda, held against the inside of your wrist, the back of your neck, or even the back of your knees
convenient ice packs — there are even necklaces designed to be iced and worn!
deodorant wipes like Lume — note that there are also “underarm guards” if it’s a frequent problem!
These are some interesting products to help you cool down or stay cool on your commute. See more clever products like this in our Amazon shop! (If you’re suffering from hot flashes or feel like throwing money at the problem, do check out the Embr Wave cooling bracelet or these “discreet cooling necklaces“..)
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Summer Work Clothes FAQ
How do you dress professionally when it’s hot outside?
In general, the easiest way to look professional in hot weather is to combine breathable fabrics with at least one structured piece. A tailored dress, lightweight blazer, polished trousers, or a crisp top can add authority even when temperatures are soaring. The goal isn’t to dress for the beach — it’s to look intentional despite the heat.
What should women wear to work in 100-degree weather?
Oof, I feel you — it’s never pleasant when you’ve got to look professional in hot, humid weather. First, your firm or office may relax dress code rules slightly during a heat wave. If they don’t, though, now is the time to pull out linen trousers or breezy dresses, ideally in cotton, linen, or another natural fiber.
A blazer or other third piece is still a great way to add authority, structure, and polish to your outfit, and they do make them in linen and other airy fabrics. Note that you certainly don’t have to wear it on your commute — you might even want to leave it at the office so it doesn’t get further wrinkled during your commute. If you’re outside for a work event, I doubt you’ll be the only one removing your blazer if you’re too hot.
(Also worth keeping at the office: a sweater or blazer for days when the A/C is blasting despite the 100-degree heat outside.)
Can you wear linen to the office?
Reader consensus over the years: linen wrinkles. The question isn’t whether it wrinkles — it’s whether you’re willing to accept a bit of rumpling in exchange for being cooler. Sometimes a linen blend with stretch is the answer (such as J.Crew’s); sometimes it’s just recognizing that you’re going to be a bit wrinkled so maybe that outfit isn’t the best for a big day.
Are sleeveless tops professional?
Sleeveless tops have been a hugely debated subject over the past 15 years here at Corporette, and it can vary widely from office to office — so know yours. In general though, in 2026, a sleeveless top that covers your bra straps entirely should be fine at many offices. Here was our last discussion if you want to read more.
Can you wear sandals to work?
Know your office — in general I would really, really advise against it until you’ve been at your firm for 2-3 weeks in the summer. The people to look to are the midlevels, not the VIPs (they’ve earned the right to wear whatever they want) or the summer interns, who may be clueless.
Readers, what are your go-to outfits for the summer? What fabrics and styles do you avoid?
Picture via Stencil.
The post Summer Work Clothes: How to Look Professional When It’s Hot appeared first on Corporette.com.
