Elevating Summer Work Wardrobe: Insights from Fashionable Women
Dressing for the office during the summer can be a challenge, especially when you’re faced with fluctuating temperatures and the desire to stay both stylish and professional. To offer some inspiration, we reached out to 18 women across various industries to share their go-to summer work outfits. From fashion editors to CEOs, their insights provide valuable tips for navigating summer style in the workplace.
Nina Garcia, ELLE Editor-in-Chief
Nina emphasizes the importance of color and versatility in her summer office wardrobe. She opts for dresses paired with flat sandals during the day, which she can easily dress up with heels for evening events. Button-down shirts with embellished skirts are another favorite, offering a chic yet adaptable look.
Liz Miersch, Head of Marketing at Paceline
For Liz, comfort and functionality are key. She relies on a combination of Koral leggings, a Nike sports bra, and a loose silk dress for a versatile ensemble that transitions seamlessly from workouts to meetings. The addition of sneakers and sandals ensures she’s ready for any occasion.
Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code
Reshma incorporates pieces from her book tour into her summer work wardrobe, including statement jackets and bold sweaters. Paired with Nike sneakers and floral dresses, her outfits reflect her empowering mantra of “Brave Not Perfect.”
Yasmin Moaven, Chief Marketing Officer at Pipe
As a tech professional, Yasmin combines corporate attire with casual elements like jeans and T-shirts. She elevates her look with oversized blazers, statement jewelry, and vintage watches, striking a balance between style and functionality.
Caroline Maguire, Fashion Director at Shopbop
Caroline’s New York roots influence her summer office attire, which prioritizes comfort and ease. She opts for tailored suits paired with graphic T-shirts and sporty sandals, ensuring she’s ready for both professional meetings and casual outings.
Iyore N. Olaye, Head of Fintech Product at Bird
Incorporating elements of “tech cool,” Iyore embraces layers and statement pieces for her California summer style. From power jumpsuits to floral dresses, she balances fashion and practicality with versatile footwear and bold accessories.
Katie Sturino, Founder of Megababe
Comfort takes precedence for Katie, who prioritizes ease and wearability in her summer work outfits. She opts for headbands and blazers that effortlessly elevate her look while ensuring she feels confident and comfortable throughout the day.
Nyree Corby, Founder & CEO of Fame and Partners
Nyree experiments with tartans and vintage pieces to create unique summer ensembles. Pairing statement skirts with ruffle tops and bold accessories, she embraces unexpected colors and prints for a standout look.
Kate Foley Osterweis, Stylist & Fashion Consultant
Kate gravitates towards long printed dresses that offer versatility and comfort in the summer heat. She prioritizes smart yet effortless outfits, ensuring she remains polished and put-together for client meetings and city appointments.
Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Co-Founder & Partner at Clerisy
Alexandra focuses on day-to-night ensembles that seamlessly transition from the office to evening events. With versatile outfits that pair effortlessly with heels or flats, she ensures she’s prepared for any occasion.
Andrea Lieberman, Founder of A.L.C.
Andrea’s summer work staple is a long sleeve silk top paired with jeans for an easy yet sophisticated look. This versatile ensemble can easily transition from day to night, offering timeless elegance and effortless style.
Gabby Karan De Felice, Creative Director of Tutto il Giorno Restaurants
Gabby embraces dresses and jumpsuits that effortlessly transition from daytime meetings to evening events. She opts for neutral tones with a touch of bohemian flair, ensuring she remains chic and comfortable throughout the day.
Holly Russell, Freelance Fashion & Buying Consultant
Holly relies on wardrobe staples like black dresses and skirts for her summer office attire. She pairs these classics with simple yet stylish accessories, ensuring she maintains a polished and professional look.
Bärí A. Williams, Advisor at Bandwagon Fan Club, Inc.
Bärí navigates San Francisco’s cool summers with lightweight denim and breathable blouses. She prioritizes comfort and versatility, ensuring her outfits are suitable for both casual tech environments and professional meetings.
Honor Brodie, Creative Director at Tory Burch
Honor embraces vibrant colors and prints for her summer office wardrobe, opting for lightweight fabrics and feminine silhouettes. With versatile pieces that seamlessly transition from day to night, she effortlessly exudes sophistication and style.
Maria Tash, Jewelry Designer & Piercing Expert
Maria incorporates warm gold jewelry into her summer attire, complementing lightweight fabrics like silk and chiffon. She prioritizes comfort and elegance, ensuring her outfits reflect her personal style and professionalism.
Roopal Patel, Senior Vice President & Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue
Roopal embraces experimentation and versatility in her summer office attire, mixing classic pieces with bold prints and textures. She prioritizes chic yet functional outfits that transition seamlessly from day to evening.
Leah White Rigueur, Professor at Johns Hopkins University
Leah opts for versatile pieces that reflect her diverse schedule and on-the-go lifestyle. She balances comfort and professionalism with lightweight tops and colorful dresses, ensuring she’s prepared for any occasion.
From bold prints to classic silhouettes, these fashionable women offer valuable insights into creating chic and professional summer work outfits. By prioritizing comfort, versatility, and personal style, they demonstrate how to navigate the challenges of summer dressing with confidence and ease.