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How To Dress For Work In A Heat Wave - Clothes To Wear Even When It's Literally Boiling Outside
Sweat marks are not haute
The British weather is all over the place at the moment, with blazing heat punctuated intermittently by raging thunder storms. It can be very hard to know what to wear at the best of times, without also having to worry whether you're work appropriate. Here's a load of inspiration to help you get through the season in style.
Looser Fit
Suiting needn't be off the menu for the days when you need to look more formal. Luckily for you, oversized fits are super in this season. So head for a slouchy, breathable shirt that you can tug over one shoulder and pair with a wide peg leg or palazzo-style trouser.
Lightweight Outerwear
Often when you're off to work, outerwear is a must. If not to cover bare shoulders, then for the purpose of carrying your travelcard in the pocket. But for obvious reasons, leather and wool are big no-nos in the sweltering heat. Linen blazers, lightweight trenches and silky duster jackets are your new best friends. Feeling fashion-forward (and particularly sweaty)? Opt for a sleeveless style.
Summer Suiting
Just step inside Zara and Mango for a whole range of suiting options for the summer months (and check out our round up of the best ones here). Lighter-weight fabrics and paler, summery colours are everywhere and many have the addition of interesting stitching details or fancy buttons.
Mango - Double Breasted Suit Blazer - £49.99
Dress length
Again, summer dresses aren't always unsuitable for work, as long as you pay attention to two crucial things: length (below the knee is usually a much safer option) and shoulder (whether you can dare to bare is totally up to how seriously your office takes its dress code).
Dôen - Ruffled Cotton Midi Dress - £515
Pyjama Co-ords
As contradictory as it might seem, because sleepwear doesn't immediately feel office-appropriate, some of the pyjama co-ords currently on the market are absolutely ideal. Often with a shirting vibe, but mostly in super slinky lightweight fabrics, this is basically just another summer suit – but even more comfortable.
Under Layers
Your favourite summer dresses with the cut outs and the spaghetti straps needn't be completely off limits. A simple tee or a cap sleeved shirt worn underneath makes things instantly more work appropriate.
Get Stuck Into Khaki
Khakis, camels and nudes are just smart enough to pass and they'll keep you cooler than denims, cords and suiting.
Shirt Dresses
A shirt dress is the obvious option. But warning to the wise - beware the see-through factor and plan undergarments accordingly. There's nothing charming about spotting a distracting VPL as you're walking into a meeting. Street stylers' hot tip? Leave it open atop loose matching trousers on cooler days.
Frankie Shop - Striped Shirt Dress - £160
Asceno - Organic Linen Shirt Dress - £425
Denim Can Work
Not the most immediately work-appropriate fabric, but denim can be smartened up. Keep an eye on length and pair with something smart, plus think carefully about footwear.
Play With Proportion
Even darker colours can work on a stupidly hot day, if you're careful not to let them sit too closely to your skin. Just as looser shirts are comfier in the heat, so too will A-line skirts feel breezier, letting the air blow next to your skin.
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