What To Wear To The Office This Summer
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11 minutes ago
Meet the summer office heroes you’ll wear on repeat
Dressing for work in the summer months is something of an art form. It’s hard enough to dress well in sweltering weather – but factor in office attire (and the battle between the heat outside and the relentless air conditioning indoors) and the task feels almost impossible. But not to worry. Here, we bring you our ultimate guide to what to wear to the office this summer, as well as our list of 2026 wardrobe staples and top tips from a stylist.
Summer Office Attire: A Guide
Goodbye spring, hello summer – and hello sunshine, heatwaves and sunscreen. This might be the season for holidaymaking, but between shuttles to the airport and days on the beach you’ll find us (still) working our required days in the office. Which leads us to one of the biggest dilemmas of the season: what to wear to the office during the summer months.
Your work wardrobe needs to work hard, but from June to September it works its hardest. ‘Everyone’s work life looks different, but we all have one thing in common: a need for flexible fashion staples,’ says Nicole Smallwood, stylist and fashion director at Country & Town House. ‘Being a freelancer, I’m not based in one office, but my outfit still needs to work across appointments, meetings, studio sets and events.
‘For me, summer office dressing is all about smart layering and versatility,’ she adds. ‘I always think about breathable fabrics and pieces that are easy to carry around as temperatures change throughout the day. You want items that feel polished without being heavy or restrictive.’
And with less layers to work with, our options for workwear can feel slightly limited. But Nicole suggests making this an advantage, rather than a limit to your summer office wardrobe. ‘I think it’s important to have one hero piece that instantly elevates your look,’ she tells us. ‘For me, that’s always a blazer. You can throw it over a summer dress, tailored trousers or city shorts and instantly look chic and work-ready.’
M&S
How To Navigate The Office Dress Code
In general, we’d say office attire is much more relaxed than it might have been a few years ago. And even in more traditional work settings, there’s usually some leeway on the dress code when the warmer months descend. ‘I think summer office style has become much more flexible and personal,’ agrees Nicole. ‘There’s less pressure to follow strict rules and more focus on creating a wardrobe that feels authentic to you while still looking polished and professional.’
If your office doesn’t have a strict dress code – aka, the usual suits and ties – then a good rule of thumb is to aim for an elevated rendition of your off-duty style. Nicole’s top tip? Don’t be too casual. ‘Ultra-casual pieces can make an outfit lose its polish, so it’s all about balance,’ notes the stylist. ‘Even if you’re dressing more relaxed in warmer weather, you still want your outfit to feel intentional and put together.’
The Summer Shopping List
To kick off your summer office wardrobe, Nicole suggests building a capsule around these core pieces:
- A lightweight blazer: ‘Don’t be afraid to play with colour,’ says Nicole. ‘I just bought a beautiful pale lemon double-breasted blazer, which works with everything around this time of year.’
- A great summer dress: ‘You want something easy to wear that can be dressed up or down depending on the day,’ advises the stylist. ‘I’d just be careful with florals as they can sometimes feel a little ageing if styled the wrong way.’
- Tailored city shorts or trousers: ‘These are best worn in lightweight fabrics,’ she tells us. ‘These are perfect with a blazer or crisp shirt for a polished but relaxed look.’
- Ballet pumps: ‘Classic black styles always remind me of Kate Moss and work with almost every outfit. These also double up as a comfy option to walk into work and then change into your kitten heel mule or sling back.’
- A crisp white shirt: ‘The ultimate wardrobe staple.’ Need we say more?
- Minimal accessories: Keep it simple, says Nicole. ‘A few key pieces of jewellery and great sunglasses neatly finish any look without overcomplicating it.’
The Edit: What To Wear To The Office For Summer 2026
A Stylist’s Top Tips
Comfort Is Key
Above all else, Nicole emphasises that you should dress comfortably – especially when the weather heats up. ‘When you’re comfortable, you naturally look more confident and polished,’ she says. ‘Invest in lightweight fabrics that breathe well in warmer weather, and prioritise dressing for your figure, shape and lifestyle.’
Build Up To Colour
Bright, bold colours feel like a summertime staple – but if you’re quick to feel overwhelmed, don’t jump in too quickly. It’s best to build up to brighter tones, using your current capsule wardrobe as a base line. ‘Keep your colour palette fairly neutral, then add one seasonal pop of colour or accessory,’ suggests Nicole. From there, you can build up to a colour language that best suits your personal style.
Look For Seasonless Staples
‘Don’t be a slave to fashion trends,’ warns Nicole. While some trends prove to be modern classics – polka dots, ballet flats, butter yellow – others don’t last as long, and shouldn’t be your priority. The stylist adds that a multifunctional capsule wardrobe will also last much longer: ‘Stick to versatile pieces that can work across multiple outfits and seasons.’
And Make Sure To Avoid…
Synthetic Materials
‘I’d avoid anything overly clingy or synthetic in summer, as it can quickly become uncomfortable during a busy day,’ says Nicole. ‘Investing in better-quality fabrics means you’ll keep pieces in your wardrobe for much longer.’
Over-Accessorising
Less really is more here. ‘I’d avoid over-accessorising in summer,’ emphasises Nicole. ‘Sometimes the simplest looks feel the chicest and most modern.’
