Choosing your office outfit is difficult enough when the weather is pleasant, but when the weather changes, another dynamic is added to the equation. For this reason, understanding how to dress to work across different seasons of the year is a fundamental skill to master.
In this article, we will examine in detail office dress codes for different seasons and have you looking the part no matter the time of year. Dig in.
Different types of Office Dress Codes
The first part about dressing the part for the office is understanding different types of office dress codes and how they relate to your work environment.
The main types of office dress codes are;
Interview Dress Code
The interview dress code relates to attire worn for interviews at the workplace. The function of the interview attire is to help you make a good first impression.
Interview attire should therefore be professional and appropriate for the work environment at which you are seeking a job.
A suit and tie is generally the accepted standard for men across multiple job environments.
Women, however, have multiple options when dressing for an interview including;
- Suit dresses
- A black or navy shift dress
- Wide-leg culottes paired with a tucked-in blouse
Business Casual
Business casual is workplace attire that sits between formal attire and smart casual.
Business casual attire is typically worn to less than formal office events including office parties, and events that take place outside the usual work hours.
This type of attire includes; Cardigans, Blazers, Pencil skirts, Chinos, Khakis and Loafers to mention a few.
Business Formal
Business formal work attire is typically worn to traditional office settings and has for the longest time been used to portray professionalism and competency at the workplace.
Business formal attire includes Suits, Dress Shoes, Ties, Pocket Squares and Dress Watches. A clean shave could also be said to be part of business formal attire.
Black Tie
Black tie workplace attire is worn to evening events like office anniversaries or award events. Men are encouraged to wear tuxedos while women wear long elegant evening dresses.
Smart Casual
Smart Casual attire is worn to office settings that don’t insist on formal attire, these are typically modern office settings mostly with a young workforce.
Related post: Workplace Dress Code Dos and Don’ts, Understanding Work Attire Etiquette
The Stylefit
The Different Seasons of the year and how they affect your Office Dress Code
How you dress for the office is, in a big way, determined by the weather. And therefore these are the different seasons of the year and how they affect your office dress code.
Office Dress Code For Spring
Spring is the season of the year that comes after the winter. The climate starts to get warmer and trees start to bloom again. Spring is also, in most places, the rainiest season of the year.
So even as you get back into light clothes after the winter months, it is important to keep in mind that it may rain as well;
Outfit materials to incorporate into your wardrobe at this time of year include;
- Hemp
- Linen
- Rayon
- Seersucker
For women, a silk-stripped shirt paired with a maxi skirt will work just fine. Top off the look with ballet flats or loafers.
For Men, a silk linen blazer, paired with an oxford cloth button-up dress shirt, together with cotton linen pants and loafers for a timeless business casual look.
Office Dress Code For Summer
After spring comes the hot summer days and nights.
Temperatures during summer are the warmest they will ever be in the year. To keep from sweating like you just came from the Sahara, the best outfit materials to incorporate into your wardrobe during the summer months include;
- Linen
- Cotton
- Silk
- Polyester
During summer, Women can wear to the office a variety of looks including;
- A blue polyester military tailored mini dress, paired with a white tote handbag and nude heels.
- A striped silk shirt, paired with a Megan button wide leg pants and topped off with a tote handbag.
- A white boucle dress, paired with nude heels and a tote bag
For men, the summer months present a challenge, especially when working in a corporate office that requires formal business attire. Be that as it may, the following outfit choices will work just fine.
- A charcoal or navy suit paired with penny loafers
- Navy pants paired with a short-sleeved button-up shirt to stay cool
- A navy hopsack suit for a refined business casual look
Office Dress Code For Autumn
After summer, temperatures typically start to fall in preparation for the winter months. Welcome to Autumn.
Outfit materials that will serve you best at this time of year include;
- Cotton
- Cashmere
- Alpaca
- Wool
- Flannel
For women, the following looks will make your office wardrobe rock during the Autumn months;
- A white Paloma shirt with darcy wool wide-leg trousers, a brown Emily jacket and black boots
- A navy crew neck jumper paired with wide-leg navy trousers and top the look off with a quality slim leather belt
- A Drew double-breasted ankle-length coat, paired with a Lambswool turtleneck jumper and a faux leather maxi skirt. Round this look off with stretch leather boots.
For men, during autumn, the following outfit choices will work a treat. You can dress them up or down as you choose.
- A grey flannel suit
- A plaid sports coat
- A white Oxford cloth button-down shirt
- Stripped business shirts
- A grey V-neck sweater
- Brown cotton pants
- Dark brown wingtip shoes
- Tassel loafers
- Wingtip dress boots
- Chelsea boots
Office Dress Code For Winter
After autumn comes the snow. Temperatures during winter are the coldest they will ever be.
Outfit materials to incorporate into your wardrobe during the cold winter months are;
- Fleece
- Wool
- Cotton
- Leather and faux leather
- Fur and faux fur
- Cashmere
- Down
For women, try the following office wear looks during winter;
The following tops are tried and tested and will work a treat for you;
- Turtle neck sweaters
- Mock neck tank tops
- Knighted vest tops with shoulders
- Pintuck Yoke Button-Up Blouse
- Ruffle Sleeve Blouse
For office wear winter bottoms, stock your wardrobe with the following;
- The Lana Slim Pant
- Treeca 4 Plaid Wool Crop Pants
- Kelsey Knit Trousers
And when the winter weather gets extra cold, the following coats, blazers and cardigans can round off your office outfit.
- Polyester Gathered-sleeve Jacket
- Woolen Cozy Button Front Cardigan
- A dark wool ankle-length coat
- Aritzia Duvet Puffer Mid-Length coat
Moving on to men’s winter outfits. To make a timeless winter outfit wardrobe make sure to have the following.
- An everyday formal suit in black or navy to act as a foundational suit
- Cotton button-down shirts
- Cotton or linen pants
- A woollen or cashmere sweater
- A sport coat
- A top coat
- Ties
- Dress shoes in black and brown
This collection of outfits will act as the basic winter professional capsule wardrobe for any man. Dress the outfits down or up as you please.
Remember, the key is to remain warm and appear professional at the same time.
Now let us look at some excellent office dress code samples for different seasons of the year.
Spring Office Dress Code Examples
Let us kick it off with spring office dress code examples for women;
Spring Office Wear Examples for Women
Example 1: A blue button-up shirt paired with a pair of white wide-leg trousers.
Example 2: A gold print blouse, paired with pink pants and black heels.
Example 3: Ablue polka dot shirt paired with a blue skirt and blue handbag. Just lovely.
Spring Office Wear Examples for Men
Example 1: A navy blue double-breasted suit paired with pointed-toe loafers.
Example 2: A grey suit ensemble; perfect!
Summer Office Dress Code Examples
Then comes the summer, here are a few office wear examples for the sunny days and months of summer.
Summer Office Wear Examples for Men
Example 1: Try on this casual business look. A blue patterned shirt, paired with a pair of brown khaki pants and blue loafers.
Example 2: A brown brushed cotton chino suit.
Summer Office Wear Examples for Women
Example 1: Wide-leg pants, paired with a white Paloma shirt
Example 2: A black polka-dot dress paired with white boots
Example 3: White sandals, white button maxi skirt and cream long sleeve wide elbow shirt.
Autumn Office Dress Code Examples
As winter approaches, the weather gets colder. Here are a few examples of office wear for this time of year.
Autumn Office Wear Examples for Men
Example 1: A brown sport coat, paired with a striped shirt, blue tie, dark khaki pants and brown dress shoes
Example 2; A grey three-piece suit coupled with a light blue shirt and brown dress shoes
Example 3: A brown sports coat, blue shirt, grey khaki pants and brown Chelsea boots.
Autumn Office Wear Examples for Women
Example 1: Wedge heels, pencil skirt and light blue wide elbow shirt
Example 2: Flat shoes, brown sleeveless coat and patterned dress
Example 3: Black heels, Patterned skirt, white Paloma shirt and red sweater
Example 4: Gray pants and navy blue jumper top
Example 5: Maxi skirt and beige knitted sweater
Winter Office Dress Code Examples
Finally, the cold winter months arrive. Time to stay warm. Here are a few examples of winter office wear.
Winter office wear examples for women
Example 1: Brown ankle-length coat, brown turtle neck sweater, black leather belt, brown pants and leopard print boots.
Example 2: Brown leather boots, black wide-leg pants, brown leather belt, grey turtle neck sweater and navy coat
Winter office wear examples for Men
Example 1: Navy three-piece suit paired with a top coat
Summary
Mastering office dress code for different seasons of the year will put you a step above your workmates and peers, boost your confidence and elevate your style.
Don’t forget to add a personal flair to your office wear combinations and let your personality shine through. Thank you for reading.
