I’m frequently asked to share my ideas for work outfits for women. I do work a fulltime job, but from a home office. And it’s been YEARS since I worked outside the home. But I’m tackling the topic today because these classy, cool, summer work outfits can also do double duty for church or other events and venues when you need to look a little more polished. Even if you’re retired or, like me, work from home, you’ll love these simple outfit formulas.
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Work environments certainly vary in the degree of professionalism they require in attire. Depending on where you work, you may need to dress up or you could have a more relaxed dress code. So I’ve put together three summer work outfits for women over 50 that will give you a template for how I would dress in a few different situations. Each outfit features Ally shoes from today’s sponsor.
Classy, Cool, Summer Work Outfit for the Professional Office
If your job requires that you look exceptionally professional, polished and put together, I recommend leaning into dresses during the warmer months. This sleek jacquard A-line dress is made in soft, quick-drying and breathable Catalina fabric. So you don’t have to dry clean it and it’s wrinkle-free. It comes in three beautiful colors/patterns, and it fits true to size. This is the type of dress I would wear regularly if I worked in an office and profession where I needed to put my best foot forward each day.
Call me old-fashioned, but I still think that for most work environments I would wear a closed toe shoe, even through the summer. Of course you also want footwear that can get you through the day looking cool as a cucumber and feeling fresh as a daisy. That’s exactly why I thought this topic would provide the perfect opportunity for sharing my favorite Ally shoes.
Every pair of Ally shoes I own are exceptionally comfortable and exquisitely crafted. For instance, the Bossy Beige leather lower block heel pumps I’m wearing above are scientifically engineered to alleviate pain. Ally’s patented, ergonomic internal support structure takes best practices from podiatry and sneaker design, re-balancing body weight in the heel and bringing unparalleled comfort all day long. I can’t walk in just any ol’ heels all day anymore. But I absolutely can and have stood for hours in my Ally block heel pumps.
You can always use code KAYHEELS for $40 off your first pair of Ally heels. And at the end of today’s blog post I’m sharing how you can register for an opportunity to win a pair of Ally flats. Yay!
Classy, Cool, Summer Work Outfit for Professional, Active Jobs
If your work environment and position call for a lot of movement throughout the day, but you also need to look polished and pulled together, I’d suggest stocking your closet with cool button-up shirts and pants and skirts that move with you gracefully and easily. This combo provides the freedom of movement you desire, but the structured shirt will give you a look of authority and professionalism, too.
For this look I combined a linen button-up shirt with a pair of lined, crepe pants with a drawstring, elasticized waistband. This style of pant is very on trend right now, but they also look classy and elevated in the crepe fabric. And they won’t wrinkle at all. This pant comes in a wide range of colors and fits true to size.
Here I’ve worn the Ally Tenacious Tan suede Mary Jane Forever Flat. To give you an idea of how walkable these Ally flats are, consider that I wore a similar pair without the Mary Jane strap a couple of different times as I walked several miles in London. The handcrafted leather upper is padded with an ergonomically-designed insole. The shoes have built-in metatarsal and arch support. They’re available in half sizes and 4 different widths. I recommend using the Ally Shoes size guide and Fit Finder Quiz to find your best size.
On the Ally website this Tenacious Tan suede looks darker than it really is. The photos here capture the color beautifully. You can see it’s very close to my skin shade. But the shoes come in a variety of other colors and smooth leather, too. You can always use code KAYFLATS for 10% off your first pair of Ally flats.
Classy, Cool, Summer Work Outfit for Face Forward Jobs
If you work with the public in any way – whether you’re a teacher, retailer, librarian, receptionist, etc. – you’ll want to feel and look cool and fresh throughout your day. You want to look approachable, but also like you know what you’re doing.
When I worked at Talbots about 10 years ago, I frequently dressed in outfits like this one. I was moving throughout my day and on my feet for at least five hours at a time. So I started every work outfit with shoes that were comfortable but also classy. I didn’t have them at the time, but if I had I would have worn these Courageous Caramel leather Forever Flats on repeat.
I love adding accents of caramel or cognac to neutral colored outfits in the summer. That color of accessory adds richness and depth to an otherwise tonally flat outfit, creating a look that is memorable but also easy on the eyes.
If you’re working with the public, it’s smart to wear something that looks accessorized and pulled together. Completing your outfit by tucking your shirt and adding a belt will give you an air of efficiency and competence, while the soft linen fabric in this combination will keep your appearance approachable and friendly.
Finally, notice that in each of these outfits I accessorized simply and classically, with gold statement earrings and a simple chain (no longer available) at my neck. No bangles at the wrist, which will only get in the way as you work. Instead, I wore a simple chain bracelet.
I’ve gathered all the components of my classy, cool, summer work outfits for women over 50 in the shopping widget below. And before you leave, be sure to register HERE for an opportunity to win a FREE pair of Ally flats of your choice, a value of up to $255. Thank you so much to Ally for sponsoring today’s blog post. And thank YOU for supporting my business by reading my posts, leaving comments and shopping the brands that I share. Have a great work day!
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I understand your feeling of lose with Lucy. Change is hard and you built a relationship. I’m glad you found a new gal that is so good. I’m grieving the lose of my 2 nd cousin. I just found out she passed yesterday. She will be missed. Wonderful lady in that generation we are loosing too quick. She passed at 93 yrs old.