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Last week we rounded up a bunch of summer blazers — I thought I'd put together a few outfits using some of the pieces. Ladies, what are your favorite ways to wear summer blazers? Do you try to make sure your outfit looks good both with or without your blazer, or are you ok with looking a little unfinished on your commute? (Or, is your blazer the afterthought, and do you just throw on whichever blazer you keep at the office?)
Our Latest Favorite Summer Blazers
We still like the work outfit ideas below, but we have some newer summer blazers to recommend — these are our latest favorites!
Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer 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 Old Navy (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' seersucker line (lightweight and cooling). You can find silk/linen blazers at Ann Taylor and Hobbs; Ann Taylor also has a number of cotton pique options.
Work Outfit Idea #1: Floaty Blues
In addition to an interesting white blouse and a pencil skirt, I pictured this classic, hip-length blazer with a scarf. A scarf can be a great way to play with the colors of a blazer if you want to. You can pick out a small color featured in the scarf and use it to tie another element together (such as if you went with a dark green skirt here instead of a simple navy one), to help you decide what color shoes to wear (you could easily go with beige heels with these light colors, but I pulled out the black in the scarf to go with basic black pumps), or even start to play with patterns, such as if we'd mixed a pinstriped skirt with the floral scarf.
My favorite way to wear scarves is long and loose, like a second interior collar to the blazer, but you can check out all of our ideas for how to wear scarves to work. (Plus: if you end up taking your blazer off your outfit still looks more finished than it might if it were just a white blouse and navy skirt.)
Pictured, clockwise: Blazer ($77 today!) / necklace / white blouse / scarf / watch / earrings / skirt / heels
(On the hunt for basic black pumps? Check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels.)
Work Outfit Idea #2 – Basic Black, Taupe, and White
This taupey, browney clay color is one of my favorite colors for suits and blazers (outside of the typical black/navy/gray) because it's such an easy color to pair with neutrals. I'm comfortable in all black, so I'd probably wear this as a summery topper to a simple black blouse and pant combo — to add a third color here I've added the white pearls and an affordable white tote to make it just a bit more summery. (If this feels a little heavy to you, you can always flip the black/white, and wear a white blouse and white pants instead.)
This is an easy look to infuse more personality to on a more casual day — if the scallops on the blazer feel a bit twee to you (and you can swing it at your office), a trendy black leather choker might be an interesting look instead of pearls, along with an edgier pump or Rockstud flat.
Pictured, clockwise: Blazer / watch / pearls / blouse / pants / kitten heels / white tote
Work Outfit Idea #3: A Study in Grays
Blazers can be hard to pair with dresses — in my experience, shrunken blazers like this affordable Uniqlo (“cardigan jacket”) are the best ones to try. Gray isn't my favorite color, but it can be really powerful when worn as a monotone outfit, playing with different textures and temperatures of gray.
I was originally looking for a strong statement necklace in a color (this red one from last week would do nicely also), but this collar bib necklace is winning rave reviews over at Nordstrom and comes in several colors. (The necklace does have a leather backing with a magnetic closure — if it's too much for a hot and sticky commute you can always keep it in your bag until you get to work.)
Bright lipsticks are super in right now; if you're more of a traditional sort go for a basic red lip if you feel like your outfit needs some color. (Note that YSL products are eligible for a gift with purchase right now if you're stocking up.)
Pictured, clockwise: blazer ($40 today!) / necklace / dress (on sale here) / block heel / lipstick (eligible for GWP right now!)
Maddie Ross
Definitely would not wear black shoes with the top option. That calls for nude for you. Or some shade of seal gray.
Ellen
You are so right. I would go for the grey pumps or a light blue pump (Anne Klien has a great pair in my closet which I MUST wear b/f the end of the summer!) Maddie, you seem to have a sense of style about you. Why doesn’t Kat make you a guest commentator for a day? That would be great pubicity for the HIVE! YAY Maddie Ross!
ezt
Agree, I wouldn’t wear black shoes with that look either. Of my shoe collection that lives in the office, I’d pick royal blue or B&W snakeskin (which reads grey from a distance, but with more visual interest). I almost never wear black shoes unless I’m wearing a black item of clothing (which is often, although less so in summer). I think it can ruin a lighter outfit.
HSAL
What do people think about the accessorizing here? I’m not big on jewelry or scarves, but they look a bit much to me, especially the first outfit – the scarf and necklace seems like overkill. Is it just how little I wear? I wear my wedding ring every day, necklaces a few times a month (I’m pretty particular about matching a necklace to a neckline), but that’s really it. I’d like to be a better accessorizer and I like the idea of scarves, but it just seems like too much going on. Any tips or sources?
Maddie Ross
I’m big into accessorizing – I’ll almost always add a necklace or earrings, but almost never both. And never a necklace and a scarf (unless I just happen to be going through a period of wearing a dainty necklace, like an initial necklace, every day without removing it). I definitely heed the rule of put on everything you think you want to wear, then remove one piece.
Cat
My daily accessories are much much closer to outfit #2 (watch, simple earrings/necklace) than the other two outfits. Partly it’s my taste in jewelry as I prefer “real” metal/stones to costume, partly it’s not wanting to think about that many components of a look (both when choosing my outfit and throughout the day, dealing with a misbehaving scarf, heavy necklace, etc). If you’re not an accessories “person,” don’t force yourself!
My shoes might be more interesting than the low, plain pumps shown with #2, but not as interesting as outfit #3 — the super high heel plus the ankle strap puts those firmly in trendy/’party’ category to me.
Never too many shoes...
I love reading the differing ideas about fashion here. I love those #3 shoes so hard and would totally wear them to the office or to Court – I think the ankle strap just adds a little bit of interest. The website says they are 3.5 inches high which is not what I would personally call “super high” or party wear…but I regularly wear 4 inch heels to work.
Cat
On second thought, you’re right that they’re not *that* high — I think the ankle strap was throwing me off. The height alone doesn’t bug me. The combination w/ the strap reminds me of the mary janes that were super trendy when I was a teenager so perhaps that’s what is giving me the party impression.
AIMS
I’m surprised that the scarf plus delicate bar necklace is ‘too much’ for some people – I feel like you would hardly even notice it in real life b/c it’s so whispy. I can see scarves not being for everyone, but surprised the necklace is what puts it over the edge. Also, not sure about the size of the hoops in real life, but I also don’t think that small gold earrings, delicate little chain and a chunky watch adds up to all that many accessories. My watch is maybe a bit smaller but I wear some version of that every day and often with bigger earrings/necklace. I tend to wear scarves too but mostly outside. Maybe it’s not so much the white space bloggers try to fill up but the fact that you wouldn’t even notice all these components separately IRL but all collages together it reads like a lot/throws off the proportions?
I pretty much love all these, except no. 3 isn’t my style so I probably wouldn’t wear it (but it looks very chic for someone else), but very inspirational. I even totally get the black shoes for no. 1, although I just bought lavender kitten heels so would probably wear those instead.
Nice feature, Kat!!
Shopaholic
I don’t know that I’d wear a necklace and a scarf together (at least not intentionally) but I generally wear a chunkier necklace, stud or smaller earrings and a watch. Occasionally a bigger ring on my right hand if I’m in the right mood or doing something after work.
CountC
#1 – I wouldn’t wear the scarf (or the blazer) with that outfit, but I would wear the gold bar necklace and a chunky watch. I don’t like hoops, so I would swap those out for a pair of non-flashy studs (most likely pearls). I’d also, as someone said, ditch the black heels for that outfit.
#2 – the only thing I would swap out there is the black top. It’s too much black for the summer for me.
#3 – I LOVE and would wear everything together (except the lipstick, no thanks).
Baconpancakes
I think accessories on “outfit posts” generally tend a little heavy, across the Internet, just to fill up the white space. That said, I basically live in pearl earrings, a delicate gold-and-rhinestone necklace, my watch, and my fitbit bracelet (it’s one of the decorative ones – Bezels and Bytes).
I would wear everything, including all the accessories pictures, except the scarf+necklace in the first outfit. I do know a very polished southern lady who wears scarves as Kat suggests, like a second collar to her blazer, and she does wear necklaces at the same time, but I’m not sure I would feel comfortable pulling that off.
HSAL
I think that’s it – filling up white space and it looks like too much. Also, I’m opposed to the idea that handbags are an outfit accessory. I’ve seen posts from bloggers about making an outfit look different by changing the purse. Just…no.
Never too many shoes...
I’m not sure I totally understand what you mean, HSAL, and I am curious. I think a purse can totally change the look of an outfit, which seems so obvious that now I think you meant something else.
Cat
Nobody’s disputing that a different bag can change a look. But I’m guessing that HSAL meant that it’s not exactly low-maintenance to be swapping your work tote every day for the one that’s the right white / neutral / pop of color / etc etc. I have two work totes — one for summer and one for the rest of the year. Ain’t nobody got time to be changing bags every day. Professional bloggers, on the other hand, obviously have the incentive to do so.
Shopaholic
See I don’t know that I agree with that Cat – it takes me less than 2 minutes to change my work bag (everything is in pouches) and so sometimes I do change my bag just so it’ll match better with my outfit. I don’t think it’s super high maintenance (or maybe it is and I’m just more high maintenance than I realize lol)
Meg March
I think also that many of us do not carry our purse around the office. Mine goes into my desk drawer and stays there until I go home.
Senior Attorney
I change my bag almost every day. I keep everything in a pouch and just pop it in and out. Even though I keep my purse in my desk drawer and only take it out at lunchtime.
Anony
That pouch thing is a really great idea. What do you guys use?
HSAL
It’s primarily that I don’t think people carry around purses all the time, and a little bit of the practicality issue. But I genuinely don’t think a different purse changes the look of an outfit that much.
Senior Attorney
I use this insert: https://www.amazon.com/Periea-Handbag-Organizer-12-Compartments/dp/B00LM9663S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467129411&sr=8-1&keywords=purse+insert If you search “purse insert” on Amazon you will find about a million options.
Helpful hint: Get one in a light color so your stuff doesn’t disappear in the depths. Ask me how I know… ;)
Ally McBeal
I love the “outfit” posts! Seriously, I think they’re great. I would not wear all of these accessories at once — I’m not a big accessorizer and generally limit it to earrings and a watch — but I like having a “menu” of accessory choices to inspire me.
meow
Agreed, and it seems that it inspired a lot of on point fashion discussion too
Skinny heels
I’m usually a block heel girl, but I bought a pair of skinny covered heels. So pretty!
And so disposable! On wear #3, some urban sidewalk nonsense caught one heel at lunch (and I was trying to be in “careful” mode) and skinned a chunk of leather off of it. They will be OK — I can smoothe and affix with some glue when I get home. BUT it is no longer A+ workwear once it becomes a craft project to fix (and it probably won’t be the first time).
Any recommendation for skinny 2-inch heels that are either wood / stacked / not leather covered? I love them, but I can’t rebuy each month (or quarterly). My Brooks Brothers block heels (1 stacked; 1 covered) look like new 1.5 years later.
Anonymous
Take them to a cobbler instead of trying to fix them at home. It will cost like $10 and be a zillion times better than you could do yourself. Alternatively, they could replace it with a stacked or wood heel.
Overly matchy?
I’d think it would be hard for me in outfit #1 to wear that blazer and skirt together without having a scarf (or other accessory) that mixed the light blue and the navy (or at least other shades of blue) together. Otherwise I’d be afraid that I looked like I really didn’t pay attention getting dressed that morning and grabbed pieces from two different suits.
Thoughts? Perhaps I am overly matchy?
Anonymous
I like light blue and navy together. I think the mismatched suit thing is only an issue if you’re wearing suiting pieces. I’m not sure why, but to me, suiting pieces always look like they belong to a suit in a way that pieces meant to be separates don’t.
Fresh Start
Is this the coffee break thread?
If so – threadjack-
How do you stop being a negative nelly at work?
I’ve had a rough time at my job the last 3 years and I’ve made it known that I was unhappy with a number of ways that things are done. I’ve come to the point where I realize that things aren’t going to change and I have to decide whether they are deal breakers and leave or that they are not and stay. Because my job is unique and I theoretically love it (people who only know me outside of work would be shocked to hear that I’m unhappy), I’ve decided to stay.
I feel like I need to pivot away – both in my head and in other people’s perception – from the complainer who is obviously miserable – to someone who is reasonably satisfied with the job. Without losing the ability to offer constructive criticism or work to improve things. Basically, I’d like a “fresh start” at my job – I want that “new job” enthusiasm.
I would appreciate any and all advice, experiences and thoughts.
Anonymous
I went through this at my last job before I left. My goal was different than yours – I wanted to leave on a good note. I’m not sure I was completely successful, negativity in the workplace is a tough bell to unring, but I believe I left on a better note than if I’d continued to be outwardly unhappy. Here are some of the strategies I tried:
1. Smile more. It makes other people think you’re happy and it has somewhat of a fake it til you make it effect.
2. Act interested in coworkers’ weekends/families/lives. People like people who let them talk about themselves.
3. Be interesting without dominating conversation. Come to work every day with 1 positive thing to say about your life or the world or you work, if you can muster it.
4. Remove sarcasm from your vocabulary. When you’re unhappy, your “jokes” tend to come off as complaints, which tbh they kind of are. Avoid dry or self-deprecating humor or anything that sounds funny in your head but is actually kind of negative.
5. Be vocal about the things you love about your job. If people know you’re miserable, they won’t really buy it if you suddenly stop acting like you are. If the opportunity arises, say something like what you’ve expressed here – you’re in a unique position that you love and want to work with the team to improve as much as possible.
Spirograph
This was me a couple years ago, and is a tough position. Do you have any possibility of transitioning laterally within your current organization? That will help with the fresh start and enthusiasm, but it also undermines your ability to offer constructive criticism about wherever you are right now: on one hand you have an outside perspective, but on the other hand, people will wonder why you didn’t stick around in the old role to try to fix things.
Ultimately, I wasn’t able to reach a satisfactory result and started looking for a new job. Because I still had a job that I theoretically loved, I was able to be really choosy about my next position. And it is so. much. better. I suggest reframing your decision to stay as “stay for now” and at least put out feelers and take some interviews to see what else is out there. You may be surprised.
Ellen
I used to be known as a pain in the tuchus when I moved to my current job, b/c I had just come into my first legal work, and was NOT to familiar with what peeople expected of me, so I got nerveous, and asked alot of questions, to the point where people like Frank started to complain to the manageing partner about me. But then, as I get more comforteable, I became less of a PITA, and now that I am a PARTNER, am MUCH more relaxed. You will get there, OP– over time, you will be come more and more like me. YAY!!!
Miz Swizz
I recently realized I’ve been “venting” (really, just complaining) a lot at work and that’s not how I want to be seen. My new goal is to have constructive suggestions and not just complain. For instance, I work in the technical area of my industry but am not in IT. I get people who try something, get an error and then report a system issue to me. It’s usually an error in the way people are setting things up in the system and the system is working as expected. I noticed how much more receptive my boss is to me when I say “I’m having a hard time with people reporting system errors before thoroughly checking setup and I want to nicely tell them to look at their setup before involving me” because it allows him to offer advice and help me fix the problem. And I come across as someone who’s looking for a solution, which is important to me.
Lynnet
I love the blazer in option #2, but it seems to be the only thing without a link. Does anyone know where it’s from?
Never too many shoes...
I think it was featured last week at some point – maybe scroll back a few posts?
Anonymous
It’s linked to BR.
Meg March
What’s your favorite activity tracker? I’m considering a Fitbit (or other tracker– not set on Fitbit specifically). I am mostly interested in ability to track steps/workouts and chart sleep. I would like it to be water-resistant, if not waterproof– I don’t swim, but would like to not worry about doing the dishes, if possible. Since this seems to be be on the basic end of function, I am somewhat focused on form. I like the slimmer Fitbit Alta, and I like the trackers that have different bands available, especially ones with bands that look more like jewelry.
Hazel
I just got the Alta a couple of weeks ago (following advice from ladies here!) and have been very happy with it. I’m careful to take it off before washing my face or showering but don’t bother when washing dishes/my hands. I have narrow wrists and small hands, and the Alta looks/feels much better scaled than some of the other trackers. Sleep tracker seems very accurate (it even captures my restless/waking periods during the night, which my phone app hadn’t!), but the step tracker picks up movements like petting the cat, doing dishes, etc. If petting the cat counts as exercise, my cat is going to be very happy…