The Lazy Girl's Guide to Summer Work Outfits

By Andrea Cheng and Jenna Pizzuta
Updated Jun 25, 2018 @ 12:45 pm
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When it comes to sartorial expression, there's nothing more freeing than being able to choose the clothes that suit your style and personality. Yet, there's something strangely comforting about working within the confines of a uniform. It's why one particular New York City exec willingly chose to wear the same outfit every day for three years—a uniform exempts you from the stress and anxiety over piecing together an office-friendly outfit. Is it too formal? Too casual? Is the hemline too short? Wardrobe worries, begone!

But there's a way to achieve uniform dressing without actually having to buy pieces in bulk and wearing the same ensemble every day. We formulated seven no-brainer work outfit equations that not only make getting ready in the mornings a cinch, but they also exude that effortless-chic aesthetic we all hope to achieve. What's more, these (genius) sartorial formulas rely on basics—as in, staples that most likely already exist in your closet. 

Ahead, study up on our definitive guide of fool-proof formulas for summer workwear dressing.

VIDEO: Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic 2018 Red Carpet Fashion 

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Luxe Tee + Midi-Length Skirt

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Give your tailored midi-length skirt a double-dose of ease and polish with a luxe tee. Got a more conservative work environment? Swap the shirt for a silky blouse or dressy tank.

Shop It: The Row t-shirt, $320; net-a-porter.com. Topshop skirt, $100; topshop.com. 

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Sleeveless Button-Down + Wide-Leg Pants

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Strive for a long, lean fluid line with a relaxed button-down shirt and billowing wide-leg pants. Sophisticated perfection, achieved.

Shop It: REDValentino sleeveless shirt, $315 (originally $450); matchesfashion.com. Bishop + Young wide-leg pants, $115; nordstrom.com. 

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Cami + Culottes + Long Waistcoat

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Add a punch of color to a classic pair of white culottes with a pretty pink gingham cami (any tank will do). Then, top it off with a sharp long waistcoat for a degree of polish.

Shop It: Cami NYC cami, $155; net-a-porter.com. Diane von Furstenberg culottes, $340 (originally $568); matchesfashion.com. Max Mara vest, $765 (originally $1,275) net-a-porter.com. 

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Playful Blouse + Knee-Length Pencil

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Pencil skirt pairings don't have to be boring. Dial things up a notch with a textured blouse for a playful edge—though, again, any blouse will do.

Shop It: & Other Stories embroidered eyelet blouse, $55; stories.com. Boden pencil skirt, $110; bodenusa.com. 

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Dressy Top + Tailored Shorts + Blazer

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Shorts are, admittedly, tricky to pull off at work—there's a whole host of things to consider. But if you've got the green light, elevate your luxe high-waist shorts with a dressy top and blazer. 

Shop It: Theory shirt, $295; theory.com. Banana Republic shorts, $49 (originally $58); bananarepublic.com. Mango blazer, $80 (originally $120); mango.com. 

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Shirtdress + Belt

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The shirtdress is easily one of the most versatile pieces around, especially when it comes to work wear. Wear it solo or cinch it at the waist with skinny black belt. 

Shop It: Everlane shirtdress, $80; everlane.com. Madewell belt, $45; shopbop.com. 

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Tunic + Cropped Tailored Pants

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Gravitate toward fluid tunics for an easy summery take on traditional black cropped pants. For a more polished spin, we went with a sleek double-breasted mini dress.

Shop It: Boohoo dress, $42 (originally $62); boohoo.com. J.Crew pants, $90; jcrew.com. 

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By Andrea Cheng and Jenna Pizzuta