In-Office Sufferers: We're Showing You Exactly How To Beat The Heat & Look Professional This Summer

Knowing what to wear for those hot summer days in the office can be near impossible. You've got to keep yourself cool somehow, but not by wearing the same thing you would at home and not by showing too much skin. Yeah, it's an absolute minefield. As Harper's Bazaar's fashion director, Avril Mair put it, "Just because it's appropriate for the weather doesn't mean it works in the office." In short, unless your workplace has a super lenient dress code, you should probably leave those crop tops and miniskirts at home.

Obviously, you want to keep your look professional for the workplace, but spending the day in your typical workwear when the mercury keeps on rising can often feel torturous. There are ways to keep yourself feeling and looking cool, while still wearing an appropriate look for another day with your co-workers. Though each workplace is different when it comes to what is and isn't considered appropriate, we're stepping up at Women.com with a few tips for those typical in-office sufferers, showing you how to beat the heat in even the hottest of workplace situations.

If you love a skirt and you don't have a pencil skirt in your regular office wear rotation, let this be your sign to get your hands on one today. The shapely garment is an absolute must-have for the office, and it's perfect for the summer because it can be paired with so many different tops that will keep you cool. For those really hot days, we'd recommend it with a simple tank top, but keep a jacket on hand just in case the AC has been cranked up. Black is a great choice for those who don't want too much color, but if your workplace is a little more casual, why not opt for something more vibrant?

We know, we know. Shorts can be a bit of a contentious subject in the workplace, but there are ways to do it right. To keep things professional, we'd recommend sporting a longer pair of the seasonal staple (it goes without saying that super short shorts aren't exactly office appropriate), and keeping your top half a little more covered to compensate. As this look shows demonstrates, you could pair white bottoms with a nude top and matching blazer, as the more neutral palette keeps the outfit on the side of demure. You can always take the blazer off at your desk if you're wilting in the warmth. As for footwear, dressy flats or sandals would be a great choice here.

When it comes to staying cool but still dressing professionally, wide-legged pants are the complete package. Because they're so baggy, you won't feel like you're being totally restricted as temperatures rise, as they'll give you the breathability of shorts without having to worry about them crossing the line of being a little too inappropriate for the office. More demure colors like this tend to work better in a workplace environment, and they're easy to pair with a waistcoat for a breezy yet polished summer look.

Though it may not always be appropriate in the office to show too much skin (although you should always dress in a way that makes you feel confident, especially in the summer), there is a way to show more skin while remaining professional at the same time. One of the best ways to add a professional edge to almost any look is to pair it with a sleeveless, double-breasted jacket. Here, it's been paired with taupe pants and a matching sleeveless top, as lighter colors are more likely to keep you cool on those crazy hot workdays.

For those summer days when you want to wear pants, a great way to adapt them for the summer is to go for a pattern. As this look proves, a cute pattern on your bottom half paired with a plain black or white T-shirt (there are so many ways to rock either) will keep you super cool, in every sense of the word. We'd suggest opting for a cropped pair of pants and sandals to keep overheating to a minimum. Just make sure you stay true to yourself when it comes to the design you choose. "Don't be tempted by faddy prints and colors that you wouldn't usually wear," recommended by Net-A-Porter's senior shopping editor, Hannah Cole.

Linen pants are another staple we can't endorse enough when it comes to your warm-weather work wardrobe. The reason these style bottoms are so popular in the hotter months is that they're so breathable — which can rarely be a bad thing when you're stuck in the office all day. There is a range of different tops you could wear with bottoms like these that would make them suitable for the workplace, though a simple, ribbed tank top is a solid option because the differences in fabric will add a little texture. For footwear, something like this can easily go with office-appropriate sandals, flats, or block-heel mules.

Maxi dresses are already a summer must-have outside the office, but did you know they can also be appropriate for the workplace? To stay suitable for a day at work, make sure you go for a designer with a higher neck or a button-down you can fasten up as much as you need, depending on your office's dress code. Most maxi dresses tend to be light, billowy, and made from more breathable fabrics. This makes them ideal for those sizzling work days, while a version with long sleeves will ensure you're looking both summery and professional at the same time.

A button-down shirt has been a staple when it comes to office wear for as long as we can remember, so why not extend that must-have into dress form? A shirt dress gives you the professional vibe of a classic button-down, but with the breathability of a dress. Depending on your office's policies, you'll probably want to make sure it's just past the knee, as you can't really go wrong at that length. All you need to add is your favorite work shoes!

A satin skirt screams summer cool yet dressy at the same time. A satin midi-skirt can easily be paired with a T-shirt, blouse, or tank top as an easy way to stay cool yet professional at the same time. On a hot day, we'd say the flowier the better! This kind of skirt looks extra fashionable in a high-waisted form with a more fitted top that can be tucked in, and, as proven in this outfit, it's extra chic if you keep your skirt and top in the same color palette.

Though we wouldn't usually recommend jeans for the office (unless your workplace has a more relaxed take on dress code), in this case, we're making an exception. Looser-fitting white jeans can be a solid option for the summer, particularly if they have a little stretch in them, and are a great option for dressing up or down depending on what works in your office. For those hot, hot days, a simple dressy top will work great with these slack, and they're ideal to pair with a light, summer shoe such as a sandal or even a loafer.

Though a high-slit maybe isn't always the most appropriate when it comes to workwear, that doesn't necessarily apply to pants in the summer months. These billowy bottoms are so breathable, they're perfect for those days the thermometer is pushing 100 degrees or higher, all without showing too much leg. If you opt for bolder-patterned pants that are full of color, they'll easily match with a basic white or black T-shirt (which are super easy to upgrade, by the way) while they can also be worn with anything from heels to flats.

Sheer clothing isn't something we'd usually recommend when it comes to office wear, but in the summer, you can definitely make it work. To pull this look off, a sheer top made of something like mesh or lace can help you stay cool while also helping you cover up enough to still be appropriate for the workday. A mid-sleeve top like this one can be layered over a tank top in white or nude (just make sure it's full length, as crop tops are still rocky ground at work) and paired with pants of your choice for a breathable sunny day look.