What to wear to work when it's hot

It’s hard to get inspired to get dressed when the temperatures soar past 80 degrees F. But I’m here to help with that (and mostly to kick myself out of the closet doldrums). Here is some outfit inspo to get us through those sweltering work days.

Lightweight Tailoring

Tailored trousers and blazers, sleeveless vest and pencil skirts made from lightweight breathable fabrics like linen and cotton will be our best friends. Linen trousers with pleats or polished details like these from H&M, are office-worthy and look great paired with a blazers or button down shirts. Even pencil skirts, which I’d regulated to the back of my closet, get a refresh. One of my favorite style mavens manages to make pencil skirts look less stately and more fashion-forward. Try pairing a pencil skirt with a bold color shoe or with a cotton collarless blouse to give a fresher look.

Skirts and Dresses

I’m not much of a dress person, but they are a easy choice when it comes to staying cool and looking polished. Shirt dresses in particular are an easy no brainer when getting dressed in the summer. Breezy skirts can be office worthy when paired with blazers or button-down shirts.

Bold Accessories

If your summer pieces are mostly neutral tones, and there’s nothing wrong with that, a bold accessory or a pair of shoes in a contrasting color can give a summer ensemble a fresh look. Let’s face it, workwear especially in the hotter months when we tend to pare down, can get a little one note. Adding a scarf or bold jewelry, things I’m sure we can find in our closet, can make an familiar outfit feel new.