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CNBC
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CNBC
What 7 stylish people are wearing to the office this summer
Summer can be a tricky time to dress for work when you're battling extreme heat outside, over-active air conditioning inside and the constant battle to incorporate your personal style into your corporate looks. Not to mention, casual summer styles can be at odds with what's deemed appropriate for a professional setting. But looking sharp at work in the summertime can be done with creativity and flair. CNBC Make It spoke with seven stylish people around the country about how they're dressing for the office this summer. Winston Jones, 27, works in digital operations for a corporate fashion company in New York City. His personal style: I'm not dressing to impress anybody else or a to trend, per se, but I wear what best works with my body and makes me the most confident walking into the room. It's a little bit vintage, a little bit contemporary, but it'll always be chic and tailored. The summer trends he's looking forward to most: Bermuda shorts, especially with a nice pleat. Another is crocheted or loose knit tops. I got a really good one from SuitSupply recently; it's a V-neck sweater in a crocheted knit, so it's very loose and airy. His summer office uniform: I'm really into pop-over shirts, and I love a good crochet-knit polo shirt, which is a very European summer kind of thing. Plus a cable-knit cashmere to throw over shoulder. That office AC be pumping sometimes. I love a good pair of high-waisted trousers in a summer wool or a linen, then a pair of fun sneakers, like checkerboard Vans, or white leather shoes like a loafer. His biggest savings tip: Ebay. You can get higher-end brands with the same quality but for a fraction of the cost. I recently bought a Ralph Lauren double-breasted navy blue suit with the gold buttons for under $100. Because it's a suit separate, you can wear the top with jeans, or you can wear the pants with a different button-up shirt. You always look clean. His office fashion hot take: I'd say it's OK for men to wear certain types of sandals to the office. Your toes shouldn't be out, but if you have a fisherman sandal with socks on, or a mule, or other closed toe sandal, it gives an old Italian grandfather vibe. Keen footwear has a really nice pair with a black rubber sole. Alayna, who declined to share her last name for privacy reasons, is 33 and works in HR in Sacramento, California. How being in HR informs her workwear: The way we move in our HR is, 'If our executives were to walk in the door, would you feel comfortable talking to them in what you're wearing?' That doesn't mean I'm putting on a businesswoman costume. I just think: Do I feel that I look together enough to talk to an executive and feel confident in doing so? Her summer office uniform: I'll do a structured vest that has buttons and is more fitted. If I'm wearing a vest, I'll always have a pair of slacks on. I won't ever pair it a shorter skirt; I try to make my outfit balanced if I'm going to uncover my shoulders. Then I incorporate summer colors into my slacks, like butter yellow, pink and other pastels. I love a maxi skirt. I love a twirly dress. A dress is way less work than putting on a three-piece outfit. It is absolutely a cheat code. How to be stylish in a formal office: I like to say I bring whimsy into my cubicle. I don't like to stick to like the quote-unquote '"business" clothes. Introducing fun colors and patterns in classic silhouettes, like a colored blazer or patterned pant, is a really good way to feel a little bit more like yourself. For example, I have Dr. Martens loafers that are a Mary Jane style, but they're a little bit more edgy and feel more like me. Dominique Bird, 31, works in sales in Austin. How she developed her style: I started small: chunky boots, louder of makeup, wearing some chains for my necklaces and adding rings and belts, until it evolved into this whole aesthetic called corporate goth (inspired by social media creator Why she dresses up for work: When you show up as yourself, you show up stronger. That's going to help you combat things like imposter syndrome, stand out for the right reasons, and for me personally take up space in what's usually a male dominated industry. But, that self-expression should never come at the expense of your ability to support yourself. There are going to be times where you are in a position, or at a company, or in a role where you can't push the limits of more traditional corporate style, and that's OK. Her summer office uniform: A black midi dress in cotton or linen, black Mary Jane shoes and a belt. My favorite belt has gold chains off the side of it. Her office fashion hot take: We really need to retire the fear around distracting clothing in the office, which is almost always targeted at women. Melissa Pereira, 46, works in web operations for a luxury beauty brand in Linden, New Jersey. Her office dress code: Before Covid, we couldn't wear denim, open-toed shoes or sneakers. Now, it's more relaxed and casual denim is OK. Her denim obsession: If it's denim, I want it. I've been wearing a long denim jort or a faux leather jort with a mule or flat. Her thoughts on shorts in the office: I'm gonna say "yea." It should be at the knee or lower, and you should always keep it business appropriate with a cardigan or a button-up, so it's easy breezy at the bottom but structured and business on top. Her favorite accessory: Blue light glasses can be a fun accessory to take the outfit to the next level. But they also save your eyes on the computer. How to level up your business casual: It doesn't take too much money to be stylish. You can thrift great quality pieces. Instead of a sneaker, try a pointy flat or a mule. I love casual, but also elevate it a little for that professionalism. It should always be chic. Kiera Patterson, 31, works in advertising for a financial services company in New York City. On dressing from day to night: I'm intentional when I go shopping to find things that could work for when I'm at work and when I'm not. I hate to use the term "day to night," but technically that's what it is. Could I wear this next weekend if I switch out the top or pair them with different pants? Her summer office uniform: I have a few jumpsuits that remind me of Memorial Day or Labor Day outfits when you're at the beach and it's very flowy. I also like a summer dress or white linen pants. Because I use a wheelchair, I do have to be careful of what fits me well. So I have to find things that are more fitted at the top and looser at the bottom, or else it just looks like a bunch of like fabric. Why she dresses up for work: It's a form of showing who you are. I love thinking about what I'm going to wear the next day and if someone's going to be like, 'Where did you get this from?' then telling them the story behind the outfit or what I was thinking about. Inez Lopez, 25, is a civil engineer in Austin. His office uniform staple: Definitely my cowboy boots. I have four pairs, but my brown ones are my favorite. I like my loose-fit Docker pants to go with them. And of course, a matching western belt. A lot of us are from smaller parts of Texas, and so we're a little more cowboy, or a little more Tejano in my case. Advice to new grads: You will always, always, always get compliments on your outfit whenever you're not looking like everyone else. If you want additional pop of color without being too loud, add color in your shoes. His office fashion hot take: I love to wear my going out clothes to the office. It's just a matter making it more business appropriate by tucking it in, or if it's a Cuban collar, buttoning it up all the way. If your shirt is a little more flashy, add an undershirt for work. Meredith Heagerty, 28, is a social media manager in Harrisburg, Louisiana. How her work style has evolved: I felt a lot of pressure to buy a whole new office wardrobe when I first graduated. I had all crop tops and jeans from going out in college. I thought I had to wear trousers, loafers, blazers and collared shirts. I've ended up getting rid of most of the things I bought because it just wasn't my style. Now, I buy capsule wardrobe pieces that I can style in and outside of work. I've gotten more creative with my office outfits to make them more aligned with my personal style, which is girly, simple and classic. Her summer office uniform: I'm usually opting for a midi skirt or midi dress, and I really like to pair that with ballet flats. I'll pair that with a cardigan or a blazer over because the office is always freezing. Her savings tip: You can thrift menswear like button-ups and trousers and style it super cool for the office. There's also a lot of good brands that cater toward the younger office girly, like Old Navy and Gap and J. Crew. They have good sales to get more staple pieces new.
Boston Globe
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
They settled into Boston and committed to each other with an Arnold Arboretum wedding
Her date, Rex Reynolds, waved from across the bar. Steph stared back, clearly confused: 'I'm not a person [who's] able to hide their emotions on their face.' Canyon, the couple's beloved boxer-pit rescue, served as ring bearer. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film She had been chatting with the software engineer on the dating app, Hinge, where his photos highlighted his adventure-seeking lifestyle and auburn beard. But the Rex waving to her was beardless. Advertisement 'My mom always said it would be rude to show up on a first date with facial hair,' Rex explains. 'She needed to see [my face] one time. So she knows what I look like.' 'And he has not had a clean-shaven face since,' says Steph. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds changed into reception attire; a gown from Reformation for her, and a Suit Supply suit for him. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film After the initial surprise, the pair quickly warmed to each other. Steph remembers that Rex's initial shyness, due to his nervousness, eased as the night wore on. 'We had pretty immediate chemistry,' Rex says. They kissed before the night was over, and Rex showed off his motorcycle in the pouring rain as proof that the rest of his profile's photo claims were truthful.' Related : Both had moved to Seattle that spring. Steph, who grew up outside Los Angeles before attending college in Boston, had arrived in March, taking an assignment as a travel nurse with an area hospital. Rex had been living in North Carolina, where he's from, and attended Elon University, before the tech company he worked for went remote. Inspired by childhood friends who lived in the area, he moved that April. About six months into dating, Steph and Rex had brought Canyon, her boxer pit rescue, to a local dog park. While neither can remember the source of the argument, Steph remembers who had been in the wrong (him), and thinking, 'OK, I'm ready for this fight.' Advertisement The families' hanbok were a gift from Steph's mother, who had them specially made as a 'welcome to the family and our culture' gift for the Reynolds. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film 'I'm very strong-headed,' she says, 'and Rex turns to me and goes, 'Oh, I'm so sorry. I completely understand what you're talking about.' He was so responsive to my blowup — cool, and calm and collected about it. And that's when I remember thinking, 'Oh my God, I think I might love him .'' For Rex, falling love was less of a lightning bolt: 'I think it was more me realizing how I already felt,' he says.' I wanted to spend literally every moment with [her]. And all I wanted to do was talk to other people about [her], [laughs] even when we were fighting in cars about me not expressing my feelings.' Months became years. They filled the time with camping and road trips, and they met each other's families. Steph's birthday celebration for four took place at her family's favorite Korean-Chinese restaurant in Orange County. She had reassured Rex, 'My mom is so nice, wonderful woman. .. and my dad's just like me, he can talk to a wall.' The couple asked Emmy Dubinsky of Frank Darling in Boston, who had made Steph's engagement ring, to help design their custom wedding bands. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film Likewise, Rex's mom and dad, two friendly, Southern 'Chatty Cathys,' arrived for a backyard cookout in Seattle amid their own travels. 'Steph fit right in,' says Rex. He moved into her apartment late in the summer of 2022. When her next travel assignment sent her to Orange County in December 2022, Rex, joined her. As they made new friends, and explored the area, the topic of 'forever' emerged. While each agreed they had each found 'the one,' how to commemorate their commitment was a work in progress. 'I was more on the side of, 'What's some piece of paper and the government knowing that we're married going to do?'' remembers Steph. 'But I do want to have a day where we can have our closest friends and family [be part of] a celebration.' Advertisement They moved to Boston in June 2023 when Steph's travel assignment aligned with multiple weddings they were invited to in the area. (They subsequently decided to stay.) In October, they celebrated their third anniversary as a couple, and Rex had a surprise: 'We're going ring shopping.' Most of their guests had stayed at the Hilton Park Plaza, where they had a room block for the weekend. Steph arranged for the Original Party Trolley of Boston to take the couple and their families from downtown to the Arboretum. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film Rex proposed on March 31, 2024, at Mount Royale Park in Montreal. He took a knee and anxiously fumbled her Korean name as he presented the ring they had designed together with jeweler Their photographer, Dominique Holliday of Castillo Holliday Photo + Film, helped them decide on the They picked The couple found their wedding DJ Yalayas after hearing him perform at Trillium Brewery. The Boston-based DJ brought singer Bri Joi and saxophonist Alek Razdan to accompany his set, which the couple calls a 'highlight' of their wedding. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film They wed in the afternoon on Oct. 26, 2024. The couple, now both 31, told their 73 guests the ceremony was 'optional,' and expected only close family to attend, but every person they invited also wanted to come to the ceremony. Steph's best friend from Northeastern University served as officiant; Canyon was the ring bearer. Their moms wore traditional Hanbok, as did the betrothed, who wrote their own vows. The ceremony incorporated Korean wedding customs, including a relaxed iteration of the pyebaek ceremony, during which the couple bows to the ground for each of their parents. The moment was a welcome surprise for both families: '[My dad] had never told me specifically he wanted something [cultural incorporated in the wedding], but I knew that this was important to him,' says Steph. Advertisement Their wedding cake was a coffee-Oreo ice cream cake from JP Licks with their initials and wedding date in pink icing. Castillo Holliday Photo + Film The celebration at After the couple thanked their guests, they left the mic open for anyone who wanted to say a few words. They had asked Steph's sister and Rex's best friend to step up, but once the speeches began, the stories, toasts, and tears started to flow. However, 'the best speech of the night' went to Rex's father, who 'gets up there, grabs the mic, and goes 'hi' and starts bawling,' remembers Steph. The newlyweds had rendered a Chatty Cathy speechless. Read more from , The Boston Globe's new weddings column. Rachel Kim Raczka is a writer and editor in Boston. She can be reached at
