Summer is officially here (yay!), and even if your mind is filled with vacation plans, summer weddings and weekend barbecues, your regular Monday-Friday is still in the office.  And when it’s hot outside (and often air-conditioning frigid inside), what to wear to work can pose a challenge.  But don’t fret – you can still be comfortable, professional, and yes – even stylish – at the office in summertime.  You just need to balance weather-appropriate styles with work-appropriate dress codes.  Check out my 10 favorite office-friendly looks for this (or any) summer that will get you through two weeks in professional summer style, along with my short list of do’s and don’ts for what to wear at the office.  And enjoy your summer!

DO’S & DONT’S

• Do dress for the job you want – which may not necessarily be the job you have – even though it’s hot outside.
• Don’t wear anything too tight, too short, or too casual.
• Do be prepared for the chill of air conditioning.
• Don’t wear strappy sleeveless tops without a sweater or jacket to cover your shoulders.
• Do express your personal style – but in a completely business-like way.
• Don’t wear high heels that you can’t maneuver in.  Flats, wedges and low heels are much more work-friendly.
• Do wear what’s comfortable and appropriate – and then forget about it and focus on the task at hand.

SKIRTS

1. Classic office look: a button-down shirt and pencil skirt.  Silver sling-back flats add some needed shine.
2. An easy skirt, camisole and cardigan take you from work to lunch to wherever.  Nude wedges will become your go-to work shoe (if they’re not already).
3. Bold graphic sweater + striped skirt = creative work style.
4. A short-sleeve safari jacket adds structure and balances the sweetness of a lace skirt.

PANTS

5. Seersucker striped pants become office-friendly with a piped navy jacket.  And sandal wedges are fine for the office, as long as you can handle the heel height.
6. Classic black and white in modern silhouettes are a no-brainer for work.  Striped loafers ensure that you can run around campus and back in a flash.

DRESSES

7. Pair a sleeveless knit dress with a colored cardigan for dressier days.  And then wear the same dress to your next summer wedding.
8. A wrap dress is a must for career-wear.  It flatters most every silhouette, and is the ideal one-piece dressing.
9. A denim jacket feels fresh in white, and is a great blazer stand-in.  With a navy dress and pink flats, it’s got a youthful preppy vibe.
10. A shirt-dress is another one-piece wonder.  A few of these will get you through any tense meeting, or just those ‘what do I wear’ days in style.