Business Casual in the Summer Heat:
What To Wear To The Office Without Melting
There are two types of people during the summer.
The first somehow manages to wear a full blazer in ninety-five degree weather without breaking a sweat.
The second is the rest of us.
By the time we’ve walked from the parking lot to the office, our hair has doubled in size, our makeup is negotiating its resignation, and we’re wondering why we didn’t just work from the nearest beach chair with Wi-Fi.
Summer office style has always been a balancing act. We want to look polished yet comfortable.
We want to stay cool without looking underdressed.
Gone are the days of squeezing into stiff trousers that don’t breathe or wearing heels that require a recovery day afterward. My wardrobe has evolved alongside me, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier.
These days, I’m choosing breathable fabrics, timeless silhouettes, and pieces that work as hard as I do — whether I’m jumping on zoom calls from home, stepping out for errands, or grabbing dinner with HG after work.
Here’s exactly what’s making the cut this summer.
Linen Blazer
Nothing elevates an outfit faster than a lightweight linen blazer.
It iinstantly transforms a simple tank top and trousers into something boardroom-worthy witout making you feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket.
Look for relaxed tailoring in breathable linen or linen blends instead of heavy suiting fabrics.Roll the sleeves, leave it unbuttoned, and let it do all the work.
My all-time favs are always going to be neutral colors — they go with everything
Cream
Oatmeal
White
Soft Navy
Sand
Olive
They’re timeless, easy to mix an match, and somehow always make an outfit look more expensive.
BRANDS TO SHOP
Quince
Banana Republic
J.Crew
Aritzia
Wide-Leg Trousers Are the MVP of Summer
If skinny work pants are still hanging in your closet…
Consider this your permission slip.
Wide-leg trousers have officially become my summer uniform.
They’re polished, comfortable, and most importantly—they allow air to circulate.
Pair them with:
Ribbed tanks
Sleeveless mock necks
Silk shells
Cotton tees
Lightweight button-down shirts
Stick with neutral colors and you’ll be able to mix nearly every piece together for dozens of outfits.
Dresses That Practically Get Ready For You
Some mornings my brain simply refuses to coordinate separates.
That’s when dresses save the day.
A midi dress is essentially one decision instead of three.
The best office-friendly styles include:
Shirt dresses
Wrap dresses
Knit midi dresses
Sleeveless fit-and-flare silhouettes
Add a belt, earring, comfortable sandals, and suddenly people think you spent far more time getting ready than you actually did.
We’ll keep that little secret.
Love the effortless look? ✨ Shop my favorite summer dresses, office-ready styles, and everyday wardrobe staples—all curated in my LTK.
The Office Cardigan Everyone Needs
Every office has that one coworker who apparently believes they’re storing frozen vegetable in the conference room.
Outside?
Ninety-eight degrees, with a real-feel of one-hundred and ten.
Inside?
A brisk sixty-one.
Keep a lightweight cardigan or knit jacket at your desk year-round.
It’s cheaper than arguing over the thermostat.
Shorts… ??
Yes!
Let’s settle one of summer’s biggest fashion debates.
Can you wear shorts to work?
Yes!
Most times.
If your company embraces a relaxed dress code—or you work in a creative, marketing, design, retail, real estate, hybrid environment, or from home, like myself—tailored knee-length linen shorts can absolutely be considered business casual.
The key is tailoring.
We’re talking polished Bermuda styles, not cutoff denim you wore to a barbecue.
Look for:
Knee-length or Bermuda cuts
Tailored silhouettes
Linen or linen blends
Pleats
Structure waistbands
Neutral colors
Style with:
A linen blazer
Sleeveless shell
Leather belt
Structured tote
Loafers or sling-backs
Gold jewelry
The overall look feels modern, sophisticated, and perfect for those sweltering commute days.
Final Thoughts
One of the best parts about getting older is finally understanding that style isn’t about impressing everyone else.
It’s about feeling like yourself.
I’ve spent enough summers pretending I was comfortable in fabrics that didn’t breathe, shoes that pinched, and outfits that looked great in photos but made me miserable by lunchtime.
Not anymore.
These days, I’m dressing for the woman I’ve become—someone who values quality over quantity, comfort without sacrificing style, and clothes that work with real life instead of against it.
Whether you’re commuting to the office five days a week, splitting your time between home and headquarters, or answering emails from your back patio with an iced latte in hand, your wardrobe should make life easier—not harder.
Choose breathable fabrics
Invest in comfortable shoes.
Don’t be afraid of linen.
And if your workplace allows it, wear those tailored knee-length shorts with confidence.
Because looking polished should require sweating through your blazer before your first meeting.
Summer is meant to be enjoyed.
Your wardrobe should help you do exactly that.
Until next time…
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Hi, I'm E. Lynn Jimenez, founder of The Hollow Quill and the voice behind Stilettos & Mascara. I believe great style should be effortless, comfortable, and confidence-boosting—especially for women over 40. Here, you'll find wearable fashion, timeless wardrobe inspiration, and practical style ideas that help you look polished without sacrificing comfort.
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Isla hasn’t even made it twenty-four hours into her No Sex Rule before Arie drops a Category Five bomb: Ellis Mann is moving in.
Temporarily.
Allegedly.
Now Isla has to survive emotional-support grapes, a best-friend truth bomb, and the inconvenient reality that Arie’s brother is far too attractive to be sharing their apartment.
The rule was supposed to be simple.
No sex.
Apparently, no peace either.