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Home • Fashion

Timeless Chic: Stylish Summer Workwear

Timeless Chic: Stylish Summer Workwear
By Essence · Updated October 28, 2020
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Jennifer Freeman’s pretty peplum dress and nude pumps is a perfectly polished and trend-forward office style.

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White pants make the perfect summer statement. Pulled together with pop colors and a striped blazer like Chrisette Michele’s makes for a chic office casual moment.

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Ashley Madekwe’s tweed blazer short set balances classic and modern effortlessly. The blazer short-set is a great suit update, while the Chanel-esque tweed finish gives it a traditional touch.

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Melanie Fiona makes great use of color and accessories with a bold sleeveless top paired with an everyday wide-leg trouser. But the statement necklace and bag really add pizazz to the look.

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Suiting up? Use this as an opportunity to go bold like LaLa. Trade in your traditional grey suit for one with vibrancy and throw in a contrast-colored blouse and shoes for colorblocking effect.

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Monochromatic looks are hot right now! Overload on one shade from head to toe like Beyoncé’s, with a matching blazer, blouse and shorts, instead of pants.

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Fergie’s white blazer and Estelle’s floral shift are two examples of how to liven up traditional office looks. But the winning pieces are their pop-colored shoes.

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The designer’s RACHEL Rachel Roy dress is a classic take on a tropic print, and adding a cardigan will take you comfortably from summer heat into office A/C.

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Tyra Banks’ chic shift is sure to brighten up any office.

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What’s not to love about Nicole Ari Parker’s look? A bold blazer, floral blouse and peplum skirt combine all of the season’s freshest trends.

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Pair your staple pencil skirt with a bold blouse and fierce pumps like Vivica Fox for a bit of “Mad Men” fabulousness.

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Find your signature silhouettes in brighter colors and patterns, like Michelle Obama’s rainbow take on her favorite shift style. It’s an easy way to instantly update your work wear.

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Nene Leake’s light silk blouse and billowy, wide-leg trousers is an easy, breezy look. Choose fabrics that flow away from the body to keep cool.

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Play up prints in the boardroom like Vanessa Williams. Accessorize the look with a clean belt and diamond studs or add some edge with hoops and a studded belt.

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Oprah’s look is an easy transition from the office to a summer Friday weekend getaway.

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Gayle is another perfect example of how to take a classic shape and up the ante in vivid color. The matching accessories is another great way to work the monochromatic trend for a meeting.

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