Wardrobe Inspiration: 15 Summer Outfit Ideas That Are Work-Friendly

The only thing common between summer fashion and office wear is that the goal is to look presentable and feel comfortable at the same time. With the evolution of office wear styles, there’s innumerable options to choose from to ace your work (and beyond) look. Between the comeback of cargo pants, midi skirts reigning supreme, and tank top season, the summer outfit ideas are endless. Whatever your profession may be, there’s an option to match everyone’s comfort levels and commute needs. So if your search for work-appropriate outfits has brought you here then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to check out 15 summer outfit ideas for you to bookmark and recreate.

Midi Dress

Taking a page out of Alia Bhatt’s summer lookbook, the midi dress comes out victorious. A midi dress is just the right amount of formal and casual packed in one outfit. Alia Bhatt has time and again given us major midi dress styling inspo, each one more work-friendly than the next. Experiment with happy hues and prints to be in the spirit of season. Pair your midi dress with strappy sandals or cool loafers to complete the look. And voila, you’re ready to slay the day!

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Button Down Shirts

Meghan Markle loves these and so do we, and that brings us to our point that one can never have too many button down shirts. There, we’ve said it! This piece of clothing is the most versatile thing to add to your work wardrobe, because it will get you through that pitch meeting and the celebration dinner after.While a humble white button down may be the ideal choice for your work day, adding a bit of colour to be in the spirit of the season never hurt anybody!

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Co-ord Sets

No one does co-ords quite like Kareena Kapoor Khan. Be it monochromatic or printed, she knows how to work them best for any day and occasion. They’re casual, stylish, and will make you look absolutely put together. Sounds like a great summer outfit idea to us. Play around with mood-boosting prints and colours to keep the summer mood in place. Need some styling tips for your co-ord day? Wear a smart pair of flats for a daytime look, and change it into pretty heels for a polished nighttime look.

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Skirts

While mini skirts look like the ideal option for summer, it’s the midi skirts we’d reach for when it comes to dressing for work. Priyanka Chopra Jonas makes a strong case for midi skirts every once in a while and we can’t help but notice how chic they look when paired with a crisp button down shirt. For days when you’re down to serious business, pick a bodycon midi skirt, and for the laid back ones, a pretty ruffled skirt with a fitted solid colour top to match will make for the perfect match.

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Tunics

Strike a balance between traditional and contemporary with tunics that are perfect for everyday wear. Wear it with a pair of jeans or cigarette pants in a colour that complements the tunic and you’ll be all set to take on the work day.

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Kurtis

This summer outfit needs no introduction! From our fave girl, Jahnvi Kapoor to Sara Ali Khan, all of them swear by the humble kurti and pants combination to beat the heat. Flowy and comfortable, kurtis make for the ideal celeb-approved choice for summer. Fabrics like cotton, rayon, linen, viscose are perfect to keep you looking and feeling comfortable through the commute and the rest of the day. To nail the celebrity-like kurti look, pick kurtis that you can pair with wide leg bottoms like palazzos or relaxed fitted pants for added comfort.

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Basic Tees

This one’s Malaika Arora Khan and my personal favourite. Everything about this outfit spells comfort (literally!) There’s nothing more relaxed than a basic t-shirt on a hot summer day. For days when you know you’ve got a chill day at the office sans the meetings, pull out your favourite graphic t-shirt. Wear it tucked in with jeans and throw in a cool pair of sneakers and you’ll be ready to take on the heat. Want to kick the casual quotient up a notch? Pair your t-shirt with cargo pants and chunky sneakers.

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Linen Trousers

Que the ‘Old Money: Summer Style’ trend! The one thing that is constant in this trend is the use of linen fabric. It is the ideal fabric to reach out for in the summer months owing to its extreme breathability, and high absorbency so it won’t feel like a drenched mess. This piece of clothing is extremely versatile and can be worn with formal shirts, t-shirts, or pretty tops depending on your trousers and the occasion.

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Shirt Dresses

Sonam Kapoor and Anne Hathway rocked the same bright yellow shirt dress in two different ways; one leaning toward the semi-formal look and one being outrightly casual. And we loved both! An interesting choice for summer – shirt dresses have become an increasingly popular choice for women in the workplace. A crisp shirt dress paired with the right kind of footwear will give the perfect business casual vibe you’re looking for.

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Cargo Pants

If you’re the kind of person who will take any opportunity to ditch the good ol’ jeans this summer, but can’t seem to find its alternative, we’ve got you! The comeback of baggy cargo pants is a boon for hot, humid days, and they are the new IT thing to have in your summer wardrobe. They work just as perfectly for a day at work as they do for a casual day out in the sun. Not sure how to style it? Look up Sonakshi Sinha’s take on this casual summer outfit.

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Tank Tops

Summers and tank tops go hand in hand, and there is no denying that. Open up your instagram during the summers and every second person is donning this outfit in multiple different ways. They’re sleeveless, they’re fuss-free, and they’re well-fitted, and when paired with a light blazer or jacket, it will make for a great outfit idea for work and beyond. Got a Friday night post-work plan? Then this combination is the one to go for.

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Blazers

Business casual or business professional – blazers fit seamlessly with both. Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Aniston make a compelling case for the off-duty blazer and jeans look, but you can make it work for a regular day at work too. Pair your blazers with a solid colour t-shirt and matching pants or a pair of jeans, throw in a classy pair of boots and channel the inner boss lady in you.

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Boxy Fits

A boxy silhouette doesn’t stick to your body, gives your skin space to breathe, and looks super stylish. What’s not to love, right? It checks off all the right boxes for summer work style. A boxy shirt or top, paired with a similar fitting pant – the result? A chic combination!

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Jumpsuits

Be it Jahnvi Kapoor denim jumpsuit or Aditi Rao Hydari’s ethnic jumpsuit, our bollywood divas sure know how to work this summer outfit in every form. The ease and comfort of a jumpsuit are unmatched! Whether you’re looking for something formal or casual, the variety of jumpsuits in the market will offer you a fair share of both. However you wear it, this piece is bound to help you make a statement.

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Culottes

Casual bottom wear is all the rage this year and that includes culottes. The versatile and uber comfortable culottes make for the ideal summer outfit idea. Wear your culottes with a shirt for a formal look, or pair it with a basic tee for a casual one, either way it’s going to make you look and feel summer-ready! Pick and choose as per the day and occasion, whether you want to go for a full length one or a three-quarter one, either way, they’re going to look just as great.

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