Between jackets, ties, and suits, regular office-goers have plenty of choices to maintain a formal and professional tone during work or meetings. However, when summer arrives and temperatures rise, there's a need to find office outfits suitable for the season that respect the company dress code without sacrificing the freshness required during this period.

In the office, tank tops and shorts are generally not permitted (except in rare cases of young agencies or startups), but with a bit of care and attention to detail, it's possible to rely on combinations suitable for summer to maintain a formal style without being overwhelmed by the heat.

Before considering which pieces and combinations are most appropriate, it's important to determine what the context is, since business attire for women and men is not all the same, but can vary greatly depending on the level of formality. The most conventionally known are business casual and business formal:

• Business casual: very common in modern offices, this dress code, while professional, doesn't give up comfort and a touch of carefreeness. For this reason, it appears as the link between formal and casual. Jeans are not prohibited, if they are well-maintained, while basic-cut shirts, blazers, single-breasted jackets with a youthful cut, chino pants or soft fabric pants, blouses, and sneakers are very common.
• Business formal: this style requires a higher level of formality and professionalism, which is why it can be perceived as more rigid. It's common in offices with a more traditional approach or among those in managerial roles and consists of elegant suits for men - strictly with jacket and tie - and pantsuit or skirt suit for women's office looks. Generally, sober colors trending toward dark tones are popular, as well as elegant shoes and accessories.

The best materials for a summer office look

An important aspect to consider for a look that is both professional and fresh is the choice of material. While in winter, fibers must keep the body warm without resorting to heavy layers that risk creating a "bundled-up effect," in summer, the opposite principle applies. The pieces to select should be composed of breathable fabrics capable of regulating both temperature and humidity:

• Linen: natural fiber, sustainable, breathable, and hypoallergenic that has the merit of allowing moisture to evaporate. Its slightly rustic appearance makes it more suitable for business casual, but there are excellent suits for more formal contexts too, such as those in linen blend.
• Cotton: perfect choice for summer looks, it's breathable, comfortable, and quite lightweight, but tends to become more humid compared to linen.
• Viscose: material characterized by a shiny appearance that adds a touch of refinement to the outfit. It also distinguishes itself from others by being a more delicate
• Silk: perfect material for those who want to make an impression, especially in a more formal or elegant context, and particularly suitable for summer, being lightweight and fresh, with good breathability and moderate resistance.

Tips for a business casual office outfit

For those working in a context that requires professionalism, but without exaggerating, business casual is the ideal code. This means you can leave structured jackets and elegant pants in the closet, calling upon much less formal pieces.

Men's business casual outfit

A timeless element of men's office attire in an easy key is the polo shirt, a usually short-sleeved shirt that brings with it an idea of carefreeness and lightness, but also sobriety and professionalism. The merit lies in its regular cut and the presence of a collar, which adds a touch of sophistication.

You can opt for tailored polos of good quality, in sober colors like beige, white, light gray, hazelnut, soft pastel tones, or with a striped pattern. Alternatively, you can focus on details, like particular stitching or contrasting elements on the collar. For a slightly more formal tone, you can pair this piece with classic or chino pants, while if you're looking for an even more relaxed effect, light and soft pants in linen or jersey are excellent (perfect for their elasticity). If the dress code doesn't prohibit them, indigo, gray, or dark jeans can also work well, as long as they maintain a simple style and regular fit. Instead of the polo, while maintaining sober colors and patterns, you can also consider a basic t-shirt.

Women's business casual outfit

For women's office outfits, low-cut tops or dresses should absolutely be avoided. You can play it safe with a light and fresh blouse, paired with chino pants slightly short at the ankle or jeans. Dresses are also excellent, as long as they're not too light to show undergarments and reach at least the knee. Office etiquette also requires that shoulders be covered.

Blazer: a must-have for the office

For less formal offices, the perfect jacket (for him and her) is the blazer, a piece to pair with polos and t-shirts, characterized by soft material and comfortable stitching that guarantees excellent freedom of movement. The absence of buttoning makes everything more casual.

Even in this case, it's better to prefer light tones, in line with summer trends. The slightly informal patina also allows some more vibrant colors, like bright blue, forest green, coral, or light blue, in addition to models with striped or windowpane patterns.

As an alternative to the blazer, choose a single-breasted jacket, to wear unbuttoned for a slightly more relaxed air, or buttoned in moments that require a touch more seriousness.

Another interesting trend is playing with contrasts regarding this upper layer. Although it represents a more classic style, the double-breasted jacket has returned to trend, and in this case excellent if combined in a mismatched look, which lowers its rigidity. The opposite effect can be obtained by pairing elegant-cut pants with a fitted vest, creating a creative and youthful look, even in women's office outfits.

What shoes and accessories to wear with a business casual look?

Regarding footwear, minimal sneakers pair very well with both jeans and polos, and with separates or a suit composed of pants and blazer of the same material and color. For a more sophisticated touch, you can wear summer suede moccasins in light colors or lightweight leather shoes.

A similar discourse applies to shoes for women's office outfits: sneakers, light moccasins, but also sober sandals, flats, or pumps that aren't too high.

Finally, go ahead with briefcases, backpacks and leather bags, and suede or braided belts.

Formal but fresh: how to appear more professional even in summer

To best integrate into offices with a more classic disposition or to make a good impression at formal meetings with clients or stakeholders or during conferences or presentations, business formal is the perfect dress code.

Pure business formal is a look that requires jacket and tie for men, while for women, the suit is popular.

For men, the complete suit dominates, that is, the two or three-piece that matches colors and fabrics of jacket and pants. The single-breasted jacket is useful for making this look less rigid, usually worn closed, while the double-breasted communicates elegance and professionalism, recalling a look from other times. An excellent idea for the upper layer is to pair a formal vest of the same color as the jacket, and the pants must also match, possibly a classic tailored model, regular fit, structured thanks to single or double pleats.

Regarding the materials of these men's summer suits, the same discourse made previously applies, while for colors, generally black, anthracite, dark blue, and dark gray are preferable, tones that communicate reliability and seriousness, to be paired with lighter colors like white, light blue, pale pink, or light gray.

The complete suit is also recommended for women, whether in pantsuit or skirt suit format. The important thing is that the jacket coordinates with the lower elements. Alternatively, you can also opt for sober dresses, usually regular fit, or an elegant women's vest. The lower layer generally consists of a white blouse or in soft colors.

If the dress code allows circumventing some limits of pure business formal (especially in youth contexts), tie and shirt can be replaced by other pieces, like soberly cut sweaters, which are particularly well-suited in combination with a formal jacket, single or double-breasted. The ideal pants regularly follow the leg line, structuring the fabric's shape with appropriate pleats, but palazzo pants can also be selected for feminine outfits.

Finally, the importance of the right footwear and accessories shouldn't be underestimated. For him, the shoe must be formal, possibly in brown or black leather, like the classic lace-up. For women's work outfits, pumps with heels (maximum 7 cm) or moccasins are popular, but both should be closed on the foot.

Among the elements to finish this office look for women and men, leather belts stand out, possibly echoing the shoe style, as well as watches or jewelry with a sober appearance that communicate elegance without being intrusive.

Men can amplify their summer work outfit with an understated pocket square and a leather briefcase, while for her, both briefcases and well-structured and sober tote bags are excellent.