Business Casual for Women - Summer Edition
With Instagram Feeds From Your Favorite Style Influencers
Is anyone else holding their breath for summer to arrive? I know I can't wait to dust off my summer wardrobe.
As the seasons change, we have an opportunity to switch things up and have some fun liberating our personal style! But business casual for women in the summer can get confusing. Men can rely on the standard khakis plus polo shirt summer work vibe, but for women it's not so straightforward. Even less so when you need an outfit that works just as well during a sweaty morning commute as it does in a freezing office with the thermostat set way too low.
So how can you create a summer look that's breathable, comfortable, professional, and modern? I'm here to help you navigate those questionable waters!
I've been working remotely for the past 7 years. But after years of fudging my look to adapt to my webcam's perspective (you know, business at the top, lounge-wear at the bottom), I've adopted 3 style elements for those occasional face-to-face meetings with my business partners and peers.
Comfort.
Sophistication.
Minimal design.
As women, we show up to work embodying our diverse shapes and sizes, so remember to consider your build and frame first while keeping these tips in mind:
Fabrics and Textures:
Natural fibers that have light or flowy textures are best —consider linen, rayon, cotton, or silk. To learn more about the benefits of choosing natural fabrics, check out this organic clothing brand guide.
The Fit:
Comfort and mobility is key. If the air can circulate through the fabric, even better! Avoid tight or bulky fits in general.
The Top:
A shirt or blouse that does not show too much shoulder, no cleavage, and no visible waist/stomach. Always bring a sweater to ensure your survival in the air-conditioned office.
Loose trousers or dresses and shorts that either meet or pass the knee. Some teams allow jeans for a more casual look. Check in with your manager to see if jeans are appropriate at work.
The Shoes:
No flip flops, no sneakers, no exotic beach sandals that distract you or others from working. Anything else is up for grabs!
The Bonus!
Add some subtle flare to stay true to your personal style so that you feel inspired while at work. A light and colorful summer scarf, a piece of jewelry, or expressive bag usually does the trick.
Since I pride myself on being a digital connoisseur, I spend a lot of time scrolling through Instagram to survey trends and bookmark new ideas. I've filtered through a list of women and non-binary people who are trailblazing high-performance business-casual looks for the summer that are sure to inspire your summer-work vibe.
Thumb through these summer-appropriate business casual looks for women, and check out their profiles for more info. Get social and tag @PowerToFly with your favorites.
Happy summer!
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Diversity Reboot 2021: The One Hundred Day Kickoff
<p><strong>When</strong>: February 1-5, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Free!</p><p><strong>Where to register: </strong><a href="https://summit.powertofly.com/" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>We had to include our own Diversity Reboot on our list of the best diversity and inclusion events to attend in 2021 because we know firsthand how the quality of 100+ expert speakers, the enthusiasm of 10,000 participants, and the cutting-edge tech that enables meaningful virtual networking and job fairs combine to create a truly epic five-day experience. This year, the theme 100 Day Kickoff harnesses the energy of the new government's first 100 days in office to help jump-start personal and professional plans to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. </p><p>Following the February summit, we'll have a monthly series of smaller virtual summits on topics spanning everything from returnships to LGBTQ+ advocacy, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!<br></p>The Future of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2021
<p><strong>When</strong>: February 3-4, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Free</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://www.hr.com/en/webcasts_events/virtual_events/upcoming_virtual_events/the-future-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-2021_kcxf8glq.html#detail" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>This virtual conference put on by HR.com focuses on how social movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have pushed DEI at work beyond legal compliance and into a major factor of any company or brand's culture, employee engagement, and performance. Topics include how to uncover and resolve pay gaps across your team and hire top-level diverse talent.</p>Workplace Revolution: From Talk to Collective Action
<p><strong>When</strong>: March 8-12, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register: </strong>$820</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://cvent.me/ZQ4BbE" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>The Forum on Workplace Inclusion's 33rd annual conference includes 12 session tracks, from DEI Strategy to Social Responsibility, along with 59 workshops and daily networking sessions. This year's theme focuses on one question: "What will it take to start a workplace revolution that moves us from talk to action?"</p>Diversity: How Employers Can Match Words With Deeds
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<p><strong>When:</strong> August 18, 2021</p><p><strong>Where: </strong>Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register: </strong>$195</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://www.hci.org/conferences/2021-virtual-conference-hire-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-august-18-2021" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>This conference put on by the Human Capital Institute is one of 12 virtual conferences that HCI has planned for 2021. This one focuses on fair and inclusive talent acquisition, including how to attract diverse talent, implement inclusive hiring practices, and addressing bias in employee selection. Other conferences will focus on optimizing talent strategy, engaging employees, and developing your workforce.</p>Virtual Grace Hopper Celebration 2021
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<p><strong>When:</strong> October 25-27, 2021</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Virtual and in person in Austin, Texas as of now</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Hasn't yet been announced</p><p><strong>Where to register: </strong><a href="https://conferences.shrm.org/inclusion" target="_blank">Here</a>, though 2021 registration wasn't live at the time of writing</p><p>The Society for Human Resource Management's biggest conference of the year saw 1,200 DEI leaders participate last year; SHRM hopes to see even more come to learn, be inspired, and to walk away with a playbook of implementable strategies to create truly inclusive workplace cultures.</p>AfroTech 2021
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