10 Celebrity-Inspired Summer Outfits to Wear to Work

By Andrea Cheng
Updated Jun 04, 2014 @ 10:02 am
Credit: Elder Ordonez/Infphoto; Courtesy Photo (3)

With the arrival of summer comes climbing temps and sun-saturated days—and an increasingly tougher time piecing together office-friendly outfits that can stand up to the sweltering heat. Workwear typically calls to mind straitlaced button-downs and structured silhouettes, which don't help in stifling conditions. But eschewing traditional office style rules altogether could potentially cross into inappropriate territory.

What's a professional young adult to do? We turned to the stars, who always know how to look cool on and off the red carpet. If you have a more laid-back work environment, copy Reese Witherspoon and pair a chambray shirt (breathable fabrics are a plus in warm weather) with a light denim pencil skirt (dark colors tend to attract and retain heat).

We did all the work for you—shop 10 chic celebrity-inspired outfits to wear for those unbearably hot days ahead.

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1 of 10

Chambray Shirt + Jean Skirt

Credit: AKM-GSI; Courtesy Photo (4)
  • Got a more laidback office? Take Reese Witherspoon's cue and team your worn-in chambray shirt with a jean skirt-the professional silhouettes make up for the casual textiles. Shop the look below:
  • Shirt: American Eagle, $35; ae.com
  • Necklace: Forever 21, $9; forever21.com
  • Skirt: Jones New York, $69; jny.com
  • Heels: Zara, $80; zara.com
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2 of 10

Textured Top + Checked Trousers

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  • Give workwear a playful spin with texture and prints, but take Chrissy Teigen's lead and keep it professional by sticking to a neutral color palette. Shop the look below:
  • Top: Rebecca Taylor, $250; rebeccataylor.com
  • Pants: Cos, $117; cosstores.com
  • Heels: Express, $45; express.com

3 of 10

Sharp Blazer + Printed Skirt

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  • The key to turning an office-friendly outfit into an after-hours ensemble is a sharp blazer. Cobie Smulders threw on her two-toned topper over a black top and pretty printed pencil skirt. Shop the look below:
  • Blazer: DKNY, $445; net-a-porter.com
  • Cami:American Eagle, $10; ae.com
  • Skirt: J. Crew, $90; jcrew.com
  • Heels: Banana Republic, $103; bananarepublic.com
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4 of 10

Collared Lace + Lace Pencil

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  • Take Emma Stone's lead and double up on lace for a flirty aesthetic, but make sure to keep the cuts clean and crisp-like a collared top and a pencil skirt-to avoid crossing into too-girly territory. Shop the look below:
  • Top: Tory Burch, $350; toryburch.com
  • Skirt: Tory Burch, $297; toryburch.com
  • Heels: Dolce Vita, $149; dolcevita.com

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Embellished Jacket + Skater Dress

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  • Accent your summer go-to LWD with an outfit-making jacket. But instead of a studded one, like Jennifer Lawrence's, tone down the glam effect with a ladylike version. Shop the look below:
  • Jacket: Mango, $120; mango.com
  • Dress: Rag amp Bone, $655; rag-bone.com
  • Heels: Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $275; bellenyc.com

6 of 10

Crop Top + Cobalt Blue Trousers

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  • The only way to work the crop top into your outfit rotation is with a high-waisted bottom. Jordana Brewster nailed it with cobalt blue trousers, a crisp white blazer, and chic tortoiseshell frames. Shop the look below:
  • Glasses: Warby Parker, $95; warbyparker.com
  • Top: River Island, $20; riverisland.com
  • Pants: Joseph, $345; net-a-porter.com
  • Blazer: Topshop, $110; topshop.com
  • Heels: Alice + Olivia, $325; shopbop.com
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7 of 10

Printed Wrap Dress + Cork Wedges

Credit: James Whatling / Splash News; Courtesy Photo (2)
  • A wrap dress is as versatile as they come-copy the Duchess of Cambridge and dress it up with cork wedges for work, and play it down with sandals for your weekend uniform. Shop the look below:
  • Dress: C. Wonder, $128; cwonder.com
  • Wedges: Stuart Weitzman, $398; stuartweitzman.com

8 of 10

Striped Crop Top + Matching Pencil Skirt

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  • For creative workplaces, try experiment withing a single print for a slightly more out-there look, like Olivia Munn, who teamed her mixed-print top with a matching skirt set. Shop the look below:
  • Top: Tanya Taylor, $425; avenue32.com
  • Skirt: Tanya Taylor, $525; shoplesnouvelles.com
  • Cuff: CC Skye, $188; ccskye.com
  • Heels: Steven by Steve Madden, $109; piperlime.com

9 of 10

Trench + Top + Pink Pants

Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/StartraksPhoto; Courtesy Photo (5)
  • Add a utilitarian punch to offset a too-delicate look. Jamie Chung struck a balance by shrugging a trench over her white-and-pink ensemble. Shop the look below:
  • Trench: Vince Camuto, $199; vincecamuto.com
  • Top: Elizabeth and James, $295; net-a-porter.com
  • Pants: Rebecca Taylor, $295; rebeccataylor.com
  • Heels: Kate Spade New York, $298; piperlime.com
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10 of 10

Midi-Length Dress + Oversize Vest

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  • Brooklyn Decker found a way to wear outerwear in the summer without overheating. Add interest to a midi-length sheath with a trench-length waistcoast and bold cobalt blue heels. Shop the look below:
  • Dress: Express, $35; express.com
  • Vest: Rick Owens, $1,434; farfetch.com
  • Heels: Loeffler Randall, $295; loefflerrandall.com
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