With the temperatures in the 100’s and the holiday weekend upon us, I find myself wondering if adults will ever have summer vacation – or at least summer work from home – as a part of the future for flex time. What is one to do when faced with the challenge of commuting in the record heat and remaining covered enough to meet dress code standards? No matter how they may or may not relax with the summer season, achieving airflow plus professionalism can seem a futile endeavour. And then there is the dreaded chill of the airconditioning pumped most aggressively into entry ways or creating iceboxes of conference rooms – how is one to succeed in moving from one climate into another within a matter of seconds? This summer I encourage you to simplify your strategy around fabric choice for suiting, full skirts, and knit layering. The mission is to beat the serious heat and these pieces will set you up for success!
Linen Suits
How perfect is the combination of linen clothes in the summer? Suits can feel heavy, but a suit made with linen can add a bit of breathability to your outfit of the day. For a slightly more casual and cooler option, you can even find one with a vest!
Top Row: Zimmermann Alchemy Linen Waistcoat and Wide-Leg Pants, Veronica Beard Hartwell Tailored Vest and Hoyt Wide-Leg Pant, Brunello Cucinelli Belted Linen-Blend Vest and Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants Bottom Row: Gabriela Hearst Leiva Darted Linen-Chambray Blazer and Rhein Linen-Chambray Flared Pants, Max Mara Linen Twill Blazer and Trousers, Posse Sabine Linen Blazer and Parker High-Rise Linen Wide-Leg Pants
Shirtdresses
For when you can’t bear to put on a pair of pants in the heat, but do want that nice button up shirt look, reach for a shirtdress! Somewhere between a nice button up and a casual dress, shirtdresses are a great and airy option for those summer office days. You can choose to replace any self belt with one of your favorites to up the level of polish when needed. The chicest updates this season are in a maxi length.
Top Row: Prada Pleated Popeline Neck-Tie Shirtdress, Simkhai Deanna Short-Sleeve Belted Midi Dress, Veronica Beard Perenna Maxi Shirtdress Bottom Row: Akris A-Line Flare Cotton Lasercut Grid Midi Dress, Sara Roka Midi Cheri Front-Buttons Belted Dress, Simkhai Mollie Pleated Cotton-Poplin Midi Shirt Dress
Light Sweaters
We get so preoccupied with dressing for the warm weather to survive cooking on the sidewalks that we sometimes forget about the air conditioning that is on in the office! These light sweaters will allow for a nice layer once the initial relief of the airconditioning wears off and you find yourself getting a bit chilled and are just as easy to slip over your shoulders as a wrap. Give them a permanent home in your work tote so you will never be without!
Top Row: Chloé Pointelle Scalloped Cotton Cardigan, Dorothee Schumacher Refined Essentials Wool and Cotton Cardigan, La Ligne Ben Cardigan Bottom Row: Dôen Diane Cardigan, Isabel Marant Izae Cardigan, Jil Sander Knitted Cardigan
