Cute, work appropriate summer clothes!

N

Nata

Guest
I'm sorry if this thread already exists, but I couldn't find anything about this specific topic. I need some help girls! I'm someone who is really comfortable in fall clothes and accessories but summer clothing is harder for me, especially when I have to dress for work.

I work as a receptionist at an upscale massage spa and I'm nervous about what to wear to work as it starts to get warmer. I need to be comfortable because my city has reallllly hot summers. But of course I also need to be cute, fashionable, and professional. I used to work at a casual retail store and I wore lots of see-through tops and spaghetti straps and whatever I wanted, so I haven't had to worry about this is the past. I can't just wear jean shorts all the time. In the colder months I always wear pants, but now in the summer I can't and that completely nixes my wardrobe :(. I don't have many dresses or skirts, so maybe I should invest in more of those, and some nicer looking shorts? Do you girls have any suggestions on stores to shop at?

Also, another big issue I have is shoes. I am a boots girl all the way. I wish I could wear boots every day of my life, but those won't cut it in the summer. I like boots because they always make me feel thin, but I am picky and sometimes I feel too fat to wear flats and sandals :(. Any suggestions on flats and sandals that are flattering? What do you guys think about Toms? Are they worth it or are there better alternatives? I would love suggestions!

I did buy a few new things for the meantime: a lightweight gingham button down, a nice tank top, and a couple of cute vests for coverage over tanks, so that's a start!
 
The simplest, crispest, and cleanest wardrobe (for that profession spa look) I can think of is:

1) simple & elegant ballet flats (b/c to me professional means CLOSED toe but if you are pedicured a classy sandal is OK if work regulations permit)

2) WHITE or color blouse (silk maybe or cotton but have a steamer for the cotton)

3) If you feel this washes you out then a simple silk scarf too or have several to bright up & change your look to use as belt, change your neckline, wear as a top and such. (scarves can be literally 10 bucks at H&M...or hundreds based on your preference. I actually like the H&M ones & the silk scarves I find here at Novica since I won't wear my nicer ones if it's so humid and risk sweating) Also look here: Hermes Scarf App Teaches You A Zillion Ways To Tie Scarves

3) Your choice of light weight skirt or pants or capri length cigarette pants. To me skirts are a prickly issue...also depending on your desk set up and duties. (preferably no shorter than knee length and certainly not shorter than hand length so you don't give free shows) Therefore, I feel find a few basic slacks in light weight...but good weighted material (cheap thin material is annoying and wrinkly) and literally 3 pairs can get you through the entire summer. Maybe short black capri, grey or a neutral tan/camel & black full length pair of pants is enough.

4) Have a light weight jacket/blazer or two available as well. Even a semi short/cropped one can be nice for summer


Also, for summer clothes you can get inspiration from BCBG, Club Monaco, Max Studio. When I think of summary types of clean clothes these brands usually have some good flowy finds. For example I have found nice SALE light weight wool work jackets (blazers) at club monaco and if you have a good blazer you can always wear a thin lightweight blouse underneath.

Then if you don't want to shop there, just use the look books or styles to get an idea of you something that you feel comfortable wearing...but these styles always end up on sale (nordstrom rack, etc) anyway but are fairly well made.
 
The simplest, crispest, and cleanest wardrobe (for that profession spa look) I can think of is:

1) simple & elegant ballet flats (b/c to me professional means CLOSED toe but if you are pedicured a classy sandal is OK if work regulations permit)

2) WHITE or color blouse (silk maybe or cotton but have a steamer for the cotton)

3) If you feel this washes you out then a simple silk scarf too or have several to bright up & change your look to use as belt, change your neckline, wear as a top and such. (scarves can be literally 10 bucks at H&M...or hundreds based on your preference. I actually like the H&M ones & the silk scarves I find here at Novica since I won't wear my nicer ones if it's so humid and risk sweating) Also look here: Hermes Scarf App Teaches You A Zillion Ways To Tie Scarves

3) Your choice of light weight skirt or pants or capri length cigarette pants. To me skirts are a prickly issue...also depending on your desk set up and duties. (preferably no shorter than knee length and certainly not shorter than hand length so you don't give free shows) Therefore, I feel find a few basic slacks in light weight...but good weighted material (cheap thin material is annoying and wrinkly) and literally 3 pairs can get you through the entire summer. Maybe short black capri, grey or a neutral tan/camel & black full length pair of pants is enough.

4) Have a light weight jacket/blazer or two available as well. Even a semi short/cropped one can be nice for summer


Also, for summer clothes you can get inspiration from BCBG, Club Monaco, Max Studio. When I think of summary types of clean clothes these brands usually have some good flowy finds. For example I have found nice SALE light weight wool work jackets (blazers) at club monaco and if you have a good blazer you can always wear a thin lightweight blouse underneath.

Then if you don't want to shop there, just use the look books or styles to get an idea of you something that you feel comfortable wearing...but these styles always end up on sale (nordstrom rack, etc) anyway but are fairly well made.

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I like the idea of taking inspiration from BCBG and Club Monaco, those are good suggestions.

I am definitely going to buy a few pairs of ballet flats as my go-to shoes. However I think I may have overstated the level of professionalism required of my work attire--there is no particular dress code; I simply need to look put-together but am allowed to wear jeans as long as they are nice enough, etc. But my usual summer wear isn't quite up to standard I feel, because summer wear tends to be more casual than winter wear. That said, I am comfortable wearing sandals from time to time at work. I'll also invest in some skirts: above the knee is A-OK at my job, within reason of course (fortunately, because I hate wearing longer skirts!). The capris are a good suggestion, I never really wear those and don't have any at the moment, so I'll make a point to buy some :)