I Mostly Travel for Work—These 15 Amazon Stylish, Lightweight Summer Clothes Keep Me Cool and Polished

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

As a food and travel writer, most of my travel is work-related. That's not to say my journeys don't include delicious food and exciting destinations, but chances are, I'll also attend an important work meeting, dinner, or event along the way, even in the most fun of destinations. Of course, that complicates travel, as even if I'm headed to a resort or a vineyard, I have to do so with business-appropriate attire in mind—and during the summer months, when travel is hot and sweaty, these professional clothes also need to leave me feeling cool and comfortable.
That's a lot to ask of a lightweight dress or romper, and the key aspect for me has long been finding a few great staple pieces that can play several roles at once. Think: lightweight, hot-weather friendly clothing that can easily transition to various roles each trip, like a flowy dress that works from day to night or a matching set that can be worn together or as separate pieces. Versatility is the name of the game on work trips; I want to be prepared for wherever the itinerary may take me, but in a way that is as streamlined as possible. These business casual clothes are perfect for any type of trip, and they'll keep you cool and comfortable all summer.
This short-sleeved summer blouse checks all the boxes: it's comfortable, lightweight, and casual, but it is so easy to dress up when the occasion merits, making it a great transitional piece for summer business travel. "Super cute and comfortable. You can take it from the office to dinner. Breathable and lightweight," shared an Amazon five-star reviewer.
This sleeveless vest and pants set is an absolute steal, on sale for just $34 for both pieces. But aside from being cozy and breathable, it's a perfect set for a meeting or lunch on a hot summer day with it flowy yet polished look. "It was perfect for a recent conference with business casual attire..pants have a zip front, elastic waist in back, and pockets, which are always great!" according to an Amazon five-star review.
With an elegant neck and ruching at the waist, this sleeveless one-piece jumpsuit is available in a range of colors, like a dusty pink, royal blue, and versatile beige. Wear it to segue from a meeting or business lunch into a night out. "I'm always on the lookout for outfits that are stylish, professional, and comfortable enough to wear all day…This jumpsuit checks all the boxes,' said an Amazon five-star reviewer. 'The mock neck adds a touch of sophistication, while the wide-leg pants give it that breezy, effortless feel. And yes—it has pockets!'
Another great spin on a one-piece outfit that transitions well from a business lunch to exploration, this under-$40 midi dress has a round neck short-sleeve top with belt-tie waist and flowing skirt that is breathable and breezy. You'll stay cool, even on the most intense of summer days. 'I purchased it right before going on a business trip to Europe, and it was perfect,' said a five-star customer. 'I like how the top and bottom are connected, so you don't have to worry about separate items. It's a very light material and flows nicely.'
This cute button-down sleeveless dress screams Jackie O and is a way of looking poised and polished while still feeling cool and comfortable. 'Super cute dress that looks great for work!' shared a five-star Amazon review. Made of soft viscose material, it'll feel good on even for a long day, and the sleeveless design and slightly-flowy skirt will help beat the heat.
This casual, fun jumpsuit couldn't be easier to pack and is lightweight and comfortable to wear. With a loose fit and side pockets, it'll feel cool and breezy, and the patterns keep it feeling stylish, even if wearing it feels as comfortable as your favorite pair of pajamas. Amazon shoppers love the 'great fit,' saying, 'I got amazing compliments on this! Great for travel, conferences, and looks great with the jacket to dress it up!'
Cute palazzo-style high-waisted wide-legged pants that can play so many roles when traveling. These would be a dream for a travel day and can adapt well with a button-down vest (more on that soon!) for a lunch meeting, but would also work beautifully over a swimsuit at the pool later in the day. Amazon shoppers love the versatility, saying, 'Love these easy breezy pants. I wore these on a five-hour flight. They are loose and comfy, with pockets, [and] they can be dressed up or down.'
A sleeveless button-down helps you stay crisp and cool while feeling put-together and professional during summer business travel. This top comes in lots of shades, so it's a great excuse to stock up while it's just $20. 'Perfect for the summer to dress up or dress down slacks or shorts,' said one shopper. 'Comfortable and gives a neat, polished look to outfits. Would be good under a blazer for work.'
A button-down vest can dress up even jeans or a casual sundress to feel much more business-ready, all while staying cool and collected. Amazon shoppers call this sleeveless vest a 'great style and perfect fit,' saying, 'I wore it on an 80-degree day. I wasn't too hot and the vest still gave the 'business' look while I wore a tank top [underneath].'
This breezy, flowy, smocked dress screams summer picnic but is still sophisticated enough to wear when having drinks with a client or colleague. Amazon shoppers say it is flattering and wrinkle-resistant, making it perfect to pack in your suitcase without worrying about needing an iron or steamer. 'This is a really beautiful dress,' one shopper wrote. 'The material is mid-weight and comfortable and wrinkle-resistant, which makes this a great dress for travel.'
This linen-blend sleeveless suit set is the perfect travel businesswear that maintains a sophisticated look even when it's unbearably hot outside, thanks to its linen blend material. Amazon shoppers say it's 'comfy, elegant, and versatile,' making it 'perfect for work or a casual meeting.' The bonus part is that you can mix and match these pieces with the rest of your travel wardrobe for even more versatility.
A great buy on a wardrobe staple at just $21, this whimsical chiffon-style blouse with a pleated neckline and cap sleeves is easy to dress up with a skirt or slacks or down with jeans or shorts. Amazon shoppers love this top for business travel, and say they get so many compliments. 'I love these shirts for work and business travel,' one shopper wrote. 'They fold very small, and it is easy to get the wrinkles out!' There are dozens of colors available, so you can stock up on a few to wear throughout your trip.
This two-piece tracksuit set is comfortable enough to fly or sleep in, but throw a blazer or button-down vest over it, and it's ready for an important Zoom call while you're busy traveling. 'The material is soft, lightweight, and perfect for warm weather. I love how cute and stylish it looks without sacrificing comfort,' reads one Amazon five-star review. You can also pair the top with a pair of slacks for a business trip, and wear the shorts for lounging around your hotel room.
Casual and cool, this collared button-down V-neck dress exudes summer chill and versatility. Amazon shoppers love this dress because it's a great 'wear anywhere' look. 'I really like the oversized cut and relaxed fit of this dress,' wrote one shopper. 'It gives off a 'polished,' carefree look while being extremely comfortable, and it is the perfect length for any and all occasions.' The flowy fit makes it a summer staple while the touch of elastane in the fabric gives it a little bit of comfortable stretch.
Lightweight, soft, and comfortable for planes or long days of activity, this sleeveless jumpsuit is easy to wear casually to hang at the beach but also to dress up for a work meeting while on the road. Amazon shoppers 'love' this jumpsuit, noting that it's easy to 'dress it up with a blazer, or wear it as is,' and 'it's a versatile piece for travel and every occasion.' The wide legs will keep you cool, and it's plenty stretchy for staying comfortable all day.
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