Holy heat wave, people! It is HOT out there. If you are anywhere on the East coast, you are likely trying to avoid the 100 degree temperatures while trying to get from Point A to B without looking like you could have just run a marathon. I’ve run two of them and trust me, I think I looked better crossing the finish line than when I arrived at work this morning. Heat, humidity and no air conditioning on the metro do not bode well for this girl.

Sweat happens, but that doesn’t mean we have to let it beat us. Dressing for hot summer weather while still remaining office appropriate can be a challenge. Halter tops and shorter hemlines are tempting, but you can still look great while beating the heat with this simple formula:

1 light, airy dress + 1 lightweight blazer = the perfect outfit for a hot day

The key is to pick summer dresses in breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, that are not too form fitting. Go for sleeveless and pair it with a lightweight blazer at the office. The office A/C is usually working overtime on exceptionally hot days, so you’ll likely need that blazer to keep warm indoors.

Take the blazer off on your walk to or from work or for that happy hour cocktail your parched self will clearly need. Pick up a pair of nude wedges if you don’t already have them. They are a summer stable and will take you from work to play and everywhere in between. Not to mention they are in stores everywhere this season, so you can easily find a pair that match your price point.

The even better news? You can get twice the wear by pairing almost any of these dresses with tights, boots and a cute cardigan for the Fall!

Back to standing in front of the A/C vent…