Summer Work Wear 2 -- Bright Basics

In part 2 of my Summer Work Wear series, I went bold and bright with basics. Stretchy slim-cut trousers and collared shirts are work staples. I have pants just like these in khaki and black. I usually pair these teal ones with more conservative tops. The same is true of this blouse -- I have the standard white button-ups in long-sleeved and sleeveless, but this bright floral number adds some summer fun -- that I would normally pair with something more toned-down. But since it's summer, I wore them together. With the neutral loafers and the white cardigan, the look remains professionally professorial and warm enough for air-conditioned buildings. When I'm trekking through the Texas summer heat or lounging with my double-tall-iced-caramel-macchiatto doing class prep-work at the local Starbucks, I stay cool, comfortable, and fun in summer brights.

Bright basics can be intimidating. As I said, I don't normally pair them together. But if you get the right colors and pair them with neutrals, you can get more wear out of them the rest of the year than you might think, and if you stick to complementary colors, you can wear them together if the fancy strikes. Also, sleeveless button-ups are useful all year round because they are perfect for layering under sweaters when the weather gets cooler but you don't want all the bulk and heat of double sleeves. I highly recommend investing in some when they are in stores this time of year.

Both the top and the pants are from Target. (See similar, here and here.) Both the shoes and the sweater are the fruit of digging through the racks at Ross.