Dear Belle,

On your advice, I bought a couple of silky blouses last fall.  I’ve worn them some this summer, but it’s so hot.  Do you have any suggestions for tops to wear in the heat?  Or do you wear your long sleeved blouses all year?

Sincerely, Sara

To an extent, I do wear my blouses during every season.  I don’t mind the long sleeves during the summer because my office is fairly chilly and I have a fairly high tolerance for the heat.  So there are certainly days when I wear long sleeved shirts in the summer.

We’ve discussed the topic of summer blouses before, but as the August heat approaches, it doesn’t hurt to revisit it.  As for alternatives, I think a sleeveless shell or a short sleeve top are good alternatives.  You can wear them under blazers or cardigans, or if the width on the sleeve is right and your office permits, solo.  Here are a few that caught my eye:

Mango Waterfall Blouse ($40) // Reiss Penny Tuck Blouse ($72) // Mixed Pussybow Blouse ($35) // Equipment Reagan Blouse ($158)

I like the ruffle detail on the Mango blouse because it’s a little something without being too frilly.  The Reiss blouse is running low on sizes, but the sheer fabric and the pintucks would make it a great choice to pair with a pencil skirt and a wide belt.  The bow blouse is a classic, and the cap sleeve allows it to be worn on its own.  And I really like the bright stripe print for a hint of summer in your work wardrobe.

If you’re after something bright, I also found this pink sleeveless shell and this color blocked blouse from Topshop.  This DvF blouse with a slight cowl neck and a soft peach color is also lovely.  And if you’re looking for a more modern take on classic white, I love the texture on this Rebecca Taylor blouse and the pleated bib front on this top from Dillard’s.

Plus size ladies, I found this orange sleeveless blouse and I adore the print on this top with it’s soft finish and fun colors.  Petite readers should check out this sleeveless blouse with a pleated yoke and I like the drop neck on this ASOS top.