For many, choosing what to wear to the office in summer can feel like walking a tightrope. You want to look professional and put-together but also want to feel comfy when you’re on a hot, sticky commute.
Generally, the three fabrics you should be looking for to achieve this are linen, which features a loose weave for maximum airflow; lightweight cottons, such as poplin or seersucker; and technical blends. Clothing made from these specialised blends will often be labelled ‘moisture-wicking’ or ‘cool-mesh’ as they help to regulate your temperature, so look for those in product descriptions.
Fortunately, Australian designers and international brands available here have mastered summer workwear. They offer silky-feel shorts that sit just above the knee. Linen blazers you can drape over your arm outside and slip into in the office when the aircon’s cranked up. And maxi dresses that let your legs breathe but are still polished enough for a meeting that’s ultra-high stakes.
The Best Workwear Brands According To marie claire
- Best For Shirting: E Nolan
- Most Affordable: Commonry
- Best Styles: Harris Tapper
- Best For Basics: Country Road
- Best For Luxury Fabrics: Camilla and Marc
We’ve rounded up some of the brands that do the best — and most affordable — warm-weather workwear here. From Sportscraft, with its chic chino pants, to The Frankie Shop’s timeless silk shirts and Friends With Frank’s simple shift dresses, these are the names to have on your radar when shopping for summer-ready officewear.
Viktoria and Woods
Known for its minimalist aesthetic and premium fabrications, Viktoria and Woods delivers effortlessly refined pieces perfect for the office and beyond. Think structured blazers, relaxed suiting, merino knitwear and elevated essentials in a neutral palette.
VIKTORIA AND WOODS
Snowbird Mini Dress
VIKTORIA AND WOODS
Monologue Short
VIKTORIA AND WOODS
Spotlight Short
VIKTORIA AND WOODS
Scorpius Dress
Sportscraft
A truly legendary Australian fashion brand, Sportscraft is an excellent option for workwear that balances structure with wearability. The brand emphasises clean lines and timelessness, so you can expect stretch blazers that don’t feel constricting, pants that hold their shape and silk blouses that will add femininity without feeling immature. Sportscraft also have one of the best size ranges right now, with a petite offering that gives you a precise fit off the rack.
SPORTSCRAFT
Valerie Relaxed Blazer
SPORTSCRAFT
Kamilla Linen Tunic Dress
SPORTSCRAFT
Ariana Pintuck Linen Dress
SPORTSCRAFT
Rosie Pocket Short
Country Road
No doubt, if you’re shopping for workwear in Australia, Country Road is already on your list of places to go. The iconic Australian brand is synonymous with elevated basics, and its workwear collection is extensive, featuring tailored blazers, cropped trousers, and silk-blend blouses, as well as wool skirts, among other highlights. Sustainability is also a key focus for the company, with many pieces made using organic or responsibly sourced fibres.
COUNTRY ROAD
Organically Grown Linen Pull-On Pant
COUNTRY ROAD
Organically Grown Linen Longline Cami
COUNTRY ROAD
Recycled Cotton Denim Sleeveless Top
COUNTRY ROAD
Print Pull-On Cupro Pintuck
Saba
Saba has become one of the most popular Australian brands for corporate women who want to feel confident and chic at work. They’re known for sharp suiting, streamlined silhouettes and neutral palettes (with the occasional statement print), making Saba a seriously ideal option for reliable workwear. Their pieces are made of fabrics like Japanese crepe and Australian merino wool, so you know they’re made for longevity in mind. With a great size range and reasonable price points, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
SABA
Tina Tie Front Blouse
SABA
Willa High Neck Short Sleeve Top
SABA
Dharma Barrel Leg Pant
SABA
Mia Milano Skirt
Scanlan Theodore
In Australia, there are few brands that have the kind of reputation that Scanlan Theodore does. Especially when it comes to workwear, you can’t beat the quality of their crepe knit pieces that are tailored to perfection, or their well-cut blazers and sleek midi dresses. A considerable downside is that their size range can sometimes feel a bit limited, so keep that in mind. But if you’re looking for premium workwear that will last beyond one, or even two seasons, you should absolutely make Scanlan one of your first go-tos.
SCANLAN THEODORE
Linen Tropical Bonded Skirt
SCANLAN THEODORE
Silk Jacquard Crop Shirt
SCANLAN THEODORE
Linen One Button Jacket
SCANLAN THEODORE
Linen Mid Rise Trouser
The Frankie Shop
New York-based The Frankie Shop has become an editor-approved favourite for its effortlessly oversized blazers, crisp shirts, and wide-leg trousers. In fact, if you ask any fashion editor, there’s a good chance they have at least one piece from The Frankie Shop that they wear on regular rotation. This is workwear that works hard to help you go from office meetings to after-work drinks. The fabrics lean toward low-maintenance cotton blends and structured tailoring, making them easy to care for and extremely wearable.
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Peri Striped Fluid Shirt
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Orissa Georgette Tapered Pants
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Peri Pussy-Bow Polka-Dot Chiffon Shirt
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Verlin Tie-Detailed Chiffon Shirt
Friends With Frank
If you’re leaning into simple basics done really well, Friends with Frank should be top of your list. Best known for luxurious knitwear and softly tailored coats, this Melbourne-based label creates workwear that feels indulgent without ever being over-the-top. You can easily layer their pieces — a cashmere-blend knit under one of their lush wool coats, for instance — making the label super versatile for casual office dress codes and a great investment.
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Bonnie Skirt
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Liberty Skirt
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Sofie Top
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Heidi Pants
Camilla and Marc
One of Australia’s leading fashion labels, Camilla and Marc design for the modern working woman. So you can find all of the essential building blocks to an exceptional work wardrobe here: sharp-shouldered blazers, fluid satin blouses, and perfectly cut trousers, to name a few. Not only that, but everything is crafted from luxury fabrics, making these pieces ones you’ll wear for years. A lot of their designs riff off the idea of wardrobe basics, but delivered with edge. It’s a great option because you know you’ll always feel comfortable and confident wearing their clothes.
CAMILLA AND MARC
Terence Blazer
CAMILLA AND MARC
Serra Top
CAMILLA AND MARC
Carey Knit Skirt
CAMILLA AND MARC
Eldh Pant
Commonry
A relatively new Australian label, Commonry is one of our favourite Australian brands for their workwear that delivers on comfort and fit without compromising on style. They strike the perfect balance between structured polish and all-day comfort, with linen-blend blazers that breathe through summer, tailored trousers with stretch for ease, and midi dresses that go from desk to dinner without a second thought. Their muted colour palette makes their pieces easy to mix and match, giving you an in-built capsule wardrobe for work in just a few items.
COMMONRY
Linen Shirt
COMMONRY
Lorraine Dress
COMMONRY
Bella Pant
COMMONRY
Good Earth Cotton Demi Shirt
E Nolan
E Nolan is a Melbourne-based genderless label by Emily Nolan, specialising in shirting, though it also makes ties, shoes, knits and accessories. Among their ready-to-wear collection, their Oversized Shirt, Tailored Shirt and Tux Shirt styles are best suited for the office. You can wear them done up or open over a T-shirt, which they carry too. The brand’s available at a Fitzroy boutique, its own online store and stockist Dotshop.
E NOLAN
Oversized Shirt in Triple Blue Stripe Poplin
E NOLAN
Fly T-Shirt in White
E NOLAN
Oversized Shirt in Latte Blue Stripe
E NOLAN
Tailored Shirt in Light Pink Cotton Poplin
Harris Tapper
For a capsule wardrobe, Harris Tapper is an essential name to know. Established in 2017 by former colleagues Sarah Harris Gould and Lauren Tapper, this New Zealand-based label is the epitome of easy elegance. The most office-ready among its range can be found in its Tailoring edit, which features short sleeve blazers, satin trousers and bonded suiting. The brand is stocked on its own online store, as well as at The New Trend and The Iconic.
HARRIS TAPPER
Gio Trousers
HARRIS TAPPER
Short Sleeve Tilmens Blazer
HARRIS TAPPER
Tanaka Trouser
HARRIS TAPPER
Chaimberlain Top
The Outnet
While The Outnet itself isn’t a brand, it’s certainly worth a mention. Launched in 2009, the platform stocks luxury women’s workwear from top designers like A. Emery, Toteme and Sando at up to 70% off. Their dedicated Summer Shop is currently the best place to find office-ready styles suited for the heat.
STAUD
Sasha Pleated Linen Wide-Leg Pants
BY MALENE BIRGER
Isoldas Taffeta Maxi Skirt
NANUSHKA
Grady Draped Printed Crepe Top
LOULOU STUDIO
Remy Knotted Silk-Twill Top
The New Trend
Another retailer, rather than a single label, The New Trend (TNT) offers an edit of luxury Australian and international designers, including Christopher Esber, WARDROBE.NYC and Saint Laurent, with most of its range office-appropriate. Check out their Summer Wardrobe edit for a quick look at pieces for sweltering hot weather. You can shop TNT online or at boutique stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
TWP
New Earl Shirt
WYNN HAMLYN
Darted Trackpants
ALEMAIS
Laurence Wrap Midi Dress
ST. AGNI
Paper Taffeta Column Skirt
When choosing clothing for warm weather, the goal is to find materials that allow air to circulate (breathability) and help sweat evaporate (moisture management). Opt for natural fibres like linen, cotton and silk. Semi-synthetics, designed to mimic natural fibres while offering better drape and durability, are also great options. They include rayon/viscose, lyocell and bamboo.
Top-tier options in Australia include Camilla and Marc, well-known for architectural tailoring and contemporary blazers; Scanlan Theodore, celebrated for polished crepe dresses and sleek corporate classics; and Commonry, a rising affordable label praised for budget-conscious, minimal‑luxury pieces suited to the office.
You can shop at major department stores like David Jones, Myer, and The Iconic, where you’ll find a wide range of brands offering everything from classic suits to tailored separates. You can also shop directly from brands’ websites or boutiques, such as Camilla and Marc, Scanlan Theodore and Commonry.
Commonry and The Iconic are a great choice for affordable and versatile workwear. Additionally, brands like Portmans, Witchery, and Target’s Preview range offer value-friendly basics, especially useful for building a capsule wardrobe.
Camilla and Marc deliver refined, architectural silhouettes ideal for modern offices. Scanlan Theodore brings timeless elegance with its polished crepe dresses. Bassike offers neutral-toned tailored basics, and Beare Park is known for luxurious, office-ready pieces.
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