Blog | Cuts Clothing

Stay cool wherever the day takes you — whether you’re on the course, hard at work, or headed to happy hour — with these summer business casual wardrobe ideas.

Things are heating up. And while we like to put a little sweat into everything we do, we want that sweat to come from our own hard work — not from a wardrobe that can’t handle the heat. Summer business casual clothes need to perform as effectively as we do.

Warm weather workwear should take you from a steamy commute to an air-conditioned office to an outdoor happy hour without breaking a sweat or the office dress code. It should make you look and feel cool. And it should consist of premium wardrobe staples that last season after season.

If you choose the right pieces, you can build a timeless summer wardrobe. This guide will help you navigate the world of [summer business casual attire](https://www.cutsclothing.com/pages/summer-office-attire), avoid low-quality fabrics that leave you sweating, and put together a wardrobe of high-quality essentials.

## **What to Look for in Summer Business Casual Clothes**

The most important facet of your summer work outfits is the fabric. The fabric you wear will determine how comfortable you feel running from one meeting to another on a hot summer day.

It’s not just the type of fabric but how much of it that makes a difference. Intuitively, we know this — short-sleeve and sleeveless shirts are more common than long sleeves in the summer. But you should also pay attention to the weight and layers of fabric in an item of clothing. Pleats, for example, add thickness, so they’re not ideal in a summer wardrobe. And while lined clothing might be great in winter, it will leave you sweltering in the summer.

So before you commit to any business casual look, check the fabric. We’ll tell you the best summer fabrics to look for and what features they should have. Consider this your summer dress code.

Lightweight clothes allow more air to flow around you for a more comfortable fit. But, lightweight shouldn’t mean low quality. Avoid gauzy or see-through garments, as they’re likely made of cheaper lightweight fabrics. 

For the most comfortable lightweight fabrics, choose cotton, rayon, silk, or linen. But be warned: 100% silk and linen are high-maintenance materials. [Silk requires a lot of special care](https://studioheijne.com/how-to-take-care-of-your-silk-garments/) (it doesn’t even like to go near cologne or hairspray), and linen wrinkles so badly that you may have to spend your casual Friday ironing.

Cotton and rayon are the kings of summer. A [100% Pima cotton garment](https://www.cutsclothing.com/pages/pima-cotton) is soft, lightweight, breathable, durable, anti-pilling, and machine-washable. And rayon — made from synthetic and natural fibers, including cotton and wood — is durable, lightweight, and breathable. It also doesn’t cling to your skin, no matter how sticky the weather gets.

Natural fibers, like cotton, rayon, silk, and linen, allow more airflow so you can make the most of a summer breeze. Breathable clothes also help sweat evaporate more quickly instead of trapping it between your shirt and skin.

Any summertime polyesters should be blended with a natural fiber, like cotton, for the best breathability. You should also look for articles of clothing with a low spandex content. While spandex will provide a tailored fit to show off your summer body, too much spandex will make you sweat.

The main reason to choose blended fabrics over all-natural materials, like 100% Pima cotton, is their moisture-wicking ability. The right blend will act like high-performance exercise gear but look high-end and office-appropriate, sure to fit your business casual dress code.

Look for shirts, shorts, and pants with moisture-wicking capabilities. The CUTS [COZ Polo](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/black-coz-polo-curve-hem?variant=39693558677592), designed to take you from the conference room to the course, features this quality.

You’ve probably heard that light colors keep you cooler in the summer, but while we love the fresh summery look of a white t-shirt, you shouldn’t be afraid to add a pop of color to your summer wardrobe or embrace dark shades like black.

When a [physicist analyzed the theory](https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/does-white-clothing-keep-you-cooler) that white clothing keeps you cooler than black, he found that color didn't have a big effect on your body temperature. Liven up your casual office attire by incorporating bold colors alongside your neutrals and versatile pieces.

Clothes that fit close to your body will feel warmer than clothes that allow a little breathing room between your skin and the fabric. This extra room allows air to pass through, cooling your skin and helping heat to evaporate more quickly. So, if you want your [clothes to keep you cool](https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/23/wear-clothes-office-want-stay-cool-heatwave-10443236), avoid a skin-tight fit in the summer months.

## **A Summer Business Casual Wardrobe in 3, 2, 1**

You can create a flexible summer wardrobe with just six articles of clothing. Then, mix and match the pieces for endless outfit ideas. These are the minimalist essentials every man needs in his summer business casual collection.

Every wardrobe should have more tops than bottoms. This is especially true in the summer when sweat can lead to more quick changes. Although, with these breathable pieces, you’ll be able to wear the same shirt from breakfast to boardroom to boys’ night.

1. **Cotton t-shirt:** A [100% Pima cotton t-shirt](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/black-pima-crew-curve-hem?variant=39347202588760) will keep you cool all summer long and transition seamlessly into winter as a base layer. You can dress it up with a jacket or wear it on its own with a pair of tailored pants.
2. **Polo:** Dressier than a t-shirt but more casual than a button-down, a polo can take you from your big presentation to the putting green. Choose a [100% Pima cotton polo](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/white-prestige-polo-curve-hem?variant=39693362004056) or a[ moisture-wicking polo](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/white-coz-polo-curve-hem?variant=39900549546072) for the coolest look and feel.
3. **Camp shirt:** A [collared camp shirt](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/black-chileno-camp-collar?variant=39872533987416) is the perfect summer button-down shirt. This short-sleeve style looks good buttoned up or worn open over your cotton t-shirt. You can even drape it over the back of your office chair and throw it over your tee right before a big meeting.

Even the most stylish summer shirts can’t stand on their own. Here are the lightweight bottoms to complete the look.

1. **Joggers:** The perfect lightweight pant to replace your chinos, a pair of [straight-leg joggers](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/pacific-blue-ao-jogger?variant=39744233439320) looks tailored and stylish all year round. Look for joggers in a breathable, moisture-wicking material to keep you cool and comfortable.
2. **Summer shorts:** Perfect for a laidback day at the office, a pair of [tailored shorts](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/black-ao-hybrid-short) will take you from work to play. If you shop smart, you can find shorts that do triple duty as workwear, golf shorts, and swim trunks. That’s a wardrobe staple that works almost as hard as you do.

The biggest problem with dressing for the summer is that it’s often 100 degrees outside and 60 degrees in the office. And while it’s way too hot for a blazer or cardigan, you still need a jacket on deck to help you handle those AC extremes. The right jacket can also make your summer attire more formal and add instant confidence before a big meeting.

1. **Bomber jacket:** The [bomber jacket](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/black-legacy-bomber) is one of business casual’s best looks. It’s like a blazer with an edge. For the summertime, choose a bomber with a breathable shell in a wrinkle-resistant fabric. That way, you can throw it in your desk drawer or tote, and it will still look fresh when you pull it out for a meeting.

Around the office, you’re known for keeping your cool under pressure. You need a wardrobe that can do the same. By choosing lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking fabrics, you’ll show everyone that you can handle the heat.

Start building your summer wardrobe with premium pieces in classic styles. Fill your closet with comfortable joggers and timeless T-shirts. Add a lightweight jacket that will come in handy when the AC kicks in. And shop for versatility so you don’t have to search for new summer business casual outfits every season. Get started with [CUTS](https://www.cutsclothing.com/).

What to Look for in Summer Business Casual Clothes

Lightweight

Breathable

Moisture-Wicking

Bold Colors

Looser Fit

A Summer Business Casual Wardrobe in 3, 2, 1

3 Summer Tops

2 Summer Bottoms

1 Summer Jacket

Stay Cool in the Summer