How to Find the Best Summer Business Casual Dress

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Last year I wrote a post all about how to dress for a business casual dress code during the summer. I mentioned in that post how I loved to wear dresses during the summer…but I never discussed how I find those dresses.

DC woman blogger wearing J.Crew Factory Dress in Animal Print

Talbots Blazer Jacket c/o (Old, Super Similar on sale, Similar, similar but pricey) J.Crew Factory Dress in Animal Print (similar short sleeve version)Everlane The Day Heel (Less expensive, similar, similar)

DC woman blogger wearing Everlane the Day Heel

How to Find the Best Summer Business Casual Dress

There are a few things you need to take into consideration when you’re searching for the best dresses for your wardrobe.

How to Find the Best Summer Business Casual Dress

The Style

Does anyone else feel like the summer is the time when ALL of the dress styles seem to come out of the woodwork? Maxis, midis, halters, sundresses, backless, strapless, the list goes on. Sadly (or maybe, easily), the list is quite shorter for business appropriate dresses, especially in the summer. Obviously it’s summer, so you avoid the long sleeves. Instead, aim for the sleeveless or short sleeve.

From there, I would suggest a sheath or fit and flare style. Either of those styles tend to look great on most body types AND are easy to find year round. So whether you’re shopping for summer or in the middle of the summer, you can almost always find them in any store with work styles.

The Length

Next, look at the dress length. The perfect length? Knee-length. We’re aiming for business casual here, so you really can’t go too short. You can also go below the knees, but that length can also really depend on your body type. I wouldn’t go all the way to the ankles, but there’s nothing wrong with a good midi length!

The Fit

As much as I hate having any fabrics touch my body during the summer (DC is just TOO HOT AND HUMID), that doesn’t really fly for business casual. When it comes to business casual, you want your dress to be fitted. Notice I didn’t say tight, I said fitted.

The best way to achieve the perfect, fitted look? If your dress doesn’t look that great right off the rack, go to the tailor! They can perfectly fit a dress to your body. The better fitted the dress is to your body, the more expensive and high end your dress looks. It can be a Forever 21 dress, but if it’s fitted to your body (and the right length, it can look like a $150 dress). Not that you should look for work clothes at Forever 21, but you get my point.

The Color & Pattern

From here…..maybe this is my art background talking, but I say go crazy! Within reason. Personally, I think any pattern that seems a little too loud can be brought down a little bit by a neutral, solid color blazer and shoes.

Now, you really have to judge that choice by the office you’re in. I really can’t tell you what the vibe in your office is, so you might have to tone it down if the vibe in your office is on the more conservative side.