Summer Business Attire Chic: What to wear to work when it’s hot as hell + still look polished

Summer Business Attire Chic: What to wear to work when it’s hot as hell + still look polished- Milla Jovovich at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2013/2014 - Chanel Show

How to stay cool yet maintain polished summer business attire élan can be a toughy  during a heat wave. Let’s dive in, at least the metaphor is cooling & solve the what to wear to work when it’s hot fashion dilemma…

My gosh, it’s a scorcher out!

I just got back from a meeting in sweltering midtown Manhattan, aka Schvitz City today,  and thought I would hurry up and push this post up as long as the temperature was doing a fine job rising on its own.

 Commuting to and from the office in a heat wave is a no fun zone that I’m lucky enough to avoid  most of the time. But, when that summer meeting gets me to midtown… yeech.

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It’s hard to look polished and cool, but no impossible; it just takes some advance styling thought.

As most offices have air conditioning, it’s best wear sleeveless pieces that also look pretty with a fitted cardi or unlined jacket thrown over at the office.

There are a few ways to go and Milla Jovovich, pictured above, is wearing the most classic and timeless way of what to wear to work when it’s hot by way of a classic silk shell that’s pretty enough to stand on its own yet looks just right under a cardigan or light jacket for a more professional look.

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For me, a full midi skirt in a light silk or cotton is the coolest in hot weather. It’s easy-breezy, the longer length avoids the bare legs at the office syndrome, and always look polished when worn with a silky top and interesting belt. If you are afraid the added fullness from the skirt may make you look puffy, try a lightweight bodyshaper underneath- they are surprisingly cool and a buffer to stickiness.

Sleeveless cotton blouses (I have a go-to white Jil Sander that I adore) and edgier asymmetrical, non-clingy cuts also offer a polished yet cool workwear option.

What to wear to work when it's hot as hell out? Try a silk midi skirt like this one from J.Crew. You can dress it up or dress it down and stay cool all the while.
What to wear to work when it’s hot as hell out? Try a silk midi skirt like this one from J.Crew. You can dress it up or dress it down and stay cool all the while.

As they are so versatile, you can top one over a midi, pencil skirt, cropped straight pants,  or a pair of weekend jeans.

As far as color palette on super hot days, neutrals always look crisper and seem less wilty than pastels. I prefer white, cream, black, navy, and a dash of brilliant red. The added bonus is that sweat stains are less obvious on these colors so if you perspire heavily you may want to consider that.

Undies are another thought. So many seamless bras these days are either double-layered or have molded cups. Select a bra style that is less armour and more support and you’ll stay a few degrees cooler.

What are your summer business attire secrets for what to wear when it’s hot as hell? Do share your tips in the comments below…

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Photo: Milla Jovovich at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2013/2014 – Chanel Show; Pixplanete / PR Photos

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