How to Dress Casually Stylish on Summer Fridays

Are you one of the lucky ones whose office has summer Fridays or who allows for more a more casual dress code after Memorial Day? This past Friday, while walking around the city, I already saw people lined up in the middle of the day to take the jitney bus to the Hamptons. Granted, I am self-employed, I can do whatever I want on Fridays, but I found myself envious of those people who could cut out of work start their weekends early. There is actually evidence to support summer Fridays all year long and that it increases productivity.

If you are among the lucky ones and see Fridays during the summer as sort of a "dial it in day", don't spoil this privilege of being able to relax a bit on this day by dressing like a slob. It's not the weekend just yet and, it should go without saying, that a certain level of decorum should still be observed. Here are some tips on how to dress casually stylish on summer Fridays.

How to Dress Casually Stylish on Summer Fridays

Outfit #1
The first easy way to dress casually stylish is to grab a summer dress. Not only is it quick and easy, but it looks less buttoned up while still being professional. It's important to remember that, while it may be hot outside, your office will probably be freezing. A soft, relaxed cardigan as a layering piece will give a dress a work appropriate finish in a more laid back manner.

In this look, I used this colorful Reiss dress and layered a white cropped cardigan over it. I accessorized the look with a pair of peach flats from Shoes of Prey and a rose quartz pendant from Ann Taylor.

Outfit #2
Regardless of how laid back your corporate environment gets on Fridays in the summer, jeans and a t-shirt is probably too dressed down. However, a few subtle tweaks to this look can make it appropriate for work. First, make sure you jeans are professional looking, not over washed or too worn. Jeans like this boot cut pair from Michael Kors are perfect. Next, with such a casual base of jeans and a t-shirt, like the lemon yellow style I used above, a blazer upgrades the overall look of the ensemble. Here, I used a navy blazer from J. Crew. Finishing the outfit, I added a pair of colorful Kate Spade earrings and nude wedge sandals from Charles by Charles David.
Outfit #3
A skirt can be another perfect casual Friday style to wear. You can make a basic pencil skirt look more relaxed or you an try a casual style like this from Theory. The outfit looks pulled together but is a bit more relaxed using this cropped sweater from Zara, chunky platform sandals from Coach and stacked bracelets from Bauble Bar and disc drop earrings from Nordstrom.

Even if you get to call it day earlier on Fridays this summer or can dress in a more casual manner on the last day of the work week, try to keep your outfits presentable and professional by paring professional pieces with more relaxed ones. You can wear pieces to work that you would wear on the weekends but, when you do, just make sure you are pairing these pieces with more professional ones. You'll definitely be able to find the perfect summer Friday style when you do.