Dressing for the summertime and dressing for your nine-to-five often means living a double life. In a sad twist of fate, all the joys of summer dressing -- flip flops, crop tops, spaghetti straps, cut-offs -- can make your boss frown and give HR a heart attack. That's why we chatted with an expert, style consultant and "Styletini" author Ashley Martini, who revealed exactly how to pull off this summer's stylish trends and still earn your boss' respect. Here, office-chic pieces that will not only earn you a thumb's up from HR, but get you from work to summer night soirees sans a wardrobe change.
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The Trend: Rompers
"Rompers are a great alternative to classic sun dresses," says Martini. While the built-in shorts prevent potential wardrobe malfunctions, playsuits also run the risk of looking more juvenile and less sophisticated. To avoid coming off as too junior, look for rompers in subtle prints with a more relaxed fit around the legs. Add a lightweight blazer for a chic look with a hint of playfulness.
Birkenstocks and carefree slip-ons are everywhere you look this summer, but for many workplaces, the "ugly" (or "comfy," as Martini prefers) trend is simply too casual, even for Fridays. To get the same effect without looking like you're headed to the beach, pick a sandal with straps at the heel to get rid of the flip flop feel. Or look for an added platform wedge to dress up the sporty vibe.
Shorts are a summer mainstay, but wearing them to the office can be tricky. To avoid sidelong looks from your boss, embrace the loose fit that's currently in style. Leave the denim cutoffs at home and opt for scalloped or lace shorts instead. "These will easily transition into evening wear," Martini adds. If you're still unsure, look for the on-trend culottes shape that avoids being too tight or too short at the same time. (Plus, they're comfier to boot).
When summer rolls around, the last thing you want to do is spend all day trapped inside a pair of pants. Luckily, this season, breezy wide-legged trousers that rival your favorite maxi dress are the pant of choice. To avoid looking like you're strolling into the office in a pair of pajama pants, look for a pair of trousers with folds and pleats for a greater sense of structure, or a fitted high waist to give your whole outfit shape and direction. For a crisp, polished look, Martini suggests clean-cut white or nautical navy to make light tops pop.
