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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
As temperatures start to climb, that blazer starts to look less and less attractive — constricting! hot! layers! oh my! And of course, if you CAN get away with it at your workplace or job, you ditch the blazer for a sleeved sheath dress, only keep it in your office as a topper for air conditioning, or find other professional things to wear.
Still, for those of you who want to wear blazers in hotter temperatures (at conferences, cocktail parties, and other networking events that may be indoors or outdoors), I thought we’d round up some summer blazers in linen, cotton, and other lightweight fabrics — we looked at lightweight blazers last year, but it’s time for an update.
Linen! Seersucker! Cotton pique! Eyelet! There are a million varieties on the lightweight summer blazers — we thought we’d round up some of the best.
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
The Best Summer Blazers for Women: Our Favorites
Hunting for lightweight blazers in linen and other fabrics? As of 2024, J.Crew's Helena blazer in stretch linen is a bestseller, as is this super affordable Quince blazer and this Old Navy blazer (regular, tall, and petite up to 4X). Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo's Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell's Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers' Soft Icons line (lightweight and drapey).
The Best Washable Blazers for Women
As of 2024, these are some of the reader favorites that are also machine washable blazers…
The Best White Blazers for Summer
Not all white blazers are cooling and lightweight, of course — but they can be a really stylish look for summer, and a great way to summer-fy your entire work wardrobe.
As of April 2024, some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, Liverpool, and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop). If you're looking to splurge, try Smythe or L'Agence.
The Best Summer Blazers: A Closer Look at the Styles
The Best Summer Blazer in Linen: J.Crew Helena
This stretch linen blazer is a bestseller at J.Crew, where they offer it in SEVEN colors for $178-$198, and in sizes 000-24, 00P-12P, 2T-20T.
I like that you can make it a set (with select colors, at least) with the matching Carolina pants and this vest.
The patch pockets are also great, both to give it a collegiate flair as well as a place to keep your building card, business cards, or even just a place to hide your tampon on the way to office bathroom.
The Best Affordable Summer Blazer: Uniqlo
We've featured Uniqlo's AirSense line a few times — these jackets have “UV cut technology,” and are made from a “[i]ncredibly lightweight, stretchy, comfortable fabric with a premium texture, jointly developed with Toray Industries, Inc.” They’re designed to be wrinkle-resistant for easy care, and have “DRY technology.” (I can’t find a description of DRY technology, except to note that they sell men’s active shirts from the same fabric.)
Commenters love to note how lightweight the suit is.
In addition to being breezy, you can get matching pieces for a really affordable price: the jacket is $80, and the pants are $40; both are available in sizes XXS-XXL.
Other great options for affordable summer blazers for women: Quince and Old Navy; you can also find some good sales on Madewell's Drapeweave blazers.
The Best Summer Blazer for Travel: M.M.LaFleur
Lightweight, machine washable, and wrinkle resistant — those are some of the many reasons people love M.M.LaFleur's #1 bestselling blazer. It's currently available in six colors in sizes 00-20 for $335, and you can find matching pieces like multiple dresses and pants, different cuts for blazers, and skirts, all in their OrigamiTech fabric.
The Best Summer Blazer for a Splurge: Smythe
Smythe has a number of linen blazers, but this green linen and silk number is my absolute favorite. Silk and linen are both incredibly cooling fabrics on their own — but they can both be incredibly wrinkly on their own. When combined though you usually get a bit more structure, as well as better wrinkle releasing.
The pictured blazer is $895 at Nordstrom; you can find more linen options from Smythe at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks.
Another good option for a splurge: Veronica Beard has a bunch of beautiful linen blazers. Looking for something more affordable, but still in linen and silk? This beautiful blue Hobbs blazer is on sale, and Ann Taylor has a pretty turquoise suit set in a linen/silk blend.
The Best Summer Blazer in Cotton/Linen: Cinq à Sept
This Cinq à Sept blazer in a linen/cotton blend looks fabulous — I especially like the ruched sleeves for a summery touch here. (The brand's much-loved Khloe blazer also has ruched sleeves.)
The blazer is available in sizes 2-14 for $395.
Another great option: this L'Agence blazer, which may be our Suit of the Week this week it's so gorgeous… Also, Frank & Eileen's “performance linen blazer” is a blend of 50% cotton, 48% linen, and 2% elastyne.
On the more affordable side of things, check out this GibsonLook blazer in an 80% linen/20% cotton blend.
Looking for plus sizes? This Marina Rinaldi option is gorgeous.
The Best Seersucker Blazer for Women: J.Crew Factory
We featured this J.Crew Factory blazer about a week ago, in anticipation of Seersucker Thursday… but seersucker is a classic fabric for Southern summers because it's very cooling!
The blazer is $149, but today's sale offers an additional 60% off. It comes in sizes 00-24 and has a few matching pieces.
Another good option for seersucker: this Brooks Brothers set, or this Max Mara blazer marked 50% off.
The Best Summer Blazer in Cotton Pique: Ann Taylor
Cotton pique is another fabric that I tend to think of for summer blazers — but it can be hard to find!
My definition of cotton pique is a textured, almost puckered cotton that holds its shape better than a plain cotton weave. I also tend to think of these as being 100% cotton, but it seems like there are a lot of cotton/poly blends out there at the moment…
Ann Taylor has a number of promising blazers in a cotton pique, though — the pictured blazer comes in this cream as well as a kelly green, and there are some blazers in purple as well.
Other Great Summer Work Clothes for Women
Wondering what else to wear to work in the summer? Here are some of our latest favorites. You may also want to check out our roundup of the easiest office up-dos!
Summer Work Pants
Some of our favorite summer work pants for women as of 2024 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Ministry of Supply, Uniqlo — and Banana Republic Factory sometimes has pants in their AirStretch line, also!
Opaque White T-Shirts
Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2024, we'd suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)
As of 2024, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria's Secret also has a bunch!
White Pants for Work
Some of our favorite white pants for work as of 2024 include Nic + Zoe, Talbots, Spanx, Favorite Daughter, Everlane, Lafayette 148 New York, Vince, and Cinq à Sept! For budget-friendly options, try Old Navy or Tapata. If your office is OK with 5-pocket styles and/or denim, check out the highly rated Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ pants.
Work Dresses with Pockets
As of 2024, some of the best work dresses with pockets include M.M.LaFleur, J.Crew, Lands' End, Elie Tahari, and Boden… Some of our latest favorites are below! If you're on a budget, Quince has a great basic, this business casual Amazon dress has pockets, and Amazon seller VFShow has a number of dresses with pockets! Both Amazon and Etsy make it pretty easy to find dresses with pockets, as well.
Lightweight, Seasonless Sweaters
Our latest favorite lightweight sweaters for work include this Nic + Zoe cardigan and this M.M.LaFleur jardigan; readers have also sung the praises of these beach sweaters at J.Crew Factory. We've also rounded up 100% cotton sweaters, as well as the classic summer sweater, the twinset.
Products to Keep You Cool On Your Commute
These are some interesting products to help you cool down or stay cool on your commute… see more clever products like this in our Amazon shop! (If you're suffering from hot flashes or feel like throwing money at the problem, do check out the Embr Wave cooling bracelet…)
Our Latest Favorite Sunscreens
Don't forget sun protection (especially face, hands, and chest)! Sunscreens readers have loved over the years are pictured above: Elta MD, Supergoop!, and this $17 sunscreen (Kat's favorite). Sephora's 2024 Sun Safety Kit is also out and a huge hit with readers. If you're hunting for cute rash guards, check out J.Crew, Boden, Coolibar, and Athleta.
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Anon
I’ve been thinking about moving in with my boyfriend and the only thing was giving me pause is that my father is very religious and I knew he would be furious. I had my mom break the news to him this morning that I was “thinking of moving in with boyfriend” and he completely blew up. Went on a tirade. Said I needed to “stop thinking about it.” Said he would not help me move, wouldn’t come over, would not acknowledge it in any way. Said that God would not bless me. I’m 31 years old and I’m ready to move on with my life, but it feels as if my relationship with my dad will pretty much end if I do this. Not sure what I’m asking, just very upset and venting. This isn’t a cultural thing either – he’s a white, Christian evangelical.
Senior Attorney
It is a cultural thing — in his culture it’s not okay for you to do that. If it were me I would go ahead and figure it’s his loss, but I know how hard it is. Hugs, Anon.
Anon
Do you need his help to move? Do you need him to come over? You’re 31 years old. He can’t live your life for you. It seems you don’t share his particular religious values about living together, so I suggest you go with what feels right to you. Not to him.
Reader I am divorcing him
Just wanted to report back to those who commented on my post in yesterday morning’s thread. Your words and suggestions were so helpful, as were the comments from others who have been through a similar sounding experience. It gives me hope that there will be a morning I wake up with a light heart. Anyway, I have instructed my lawyer to contact him today, saying I would be filing for divorce, so the process is underway. I have friends and dogs coming to the house this evening, and I am away over the weekend so I have plenty to occupy my mind that is not him.