Getting dressed for the office this week has been an actual nightmare – what can I wear to work that’s appropriate? Are shorts ok? And how about denim skirts? Help!
Livia, West London
If you’re heading out for a fun day of drinks in the sun with your friends, your outfit presents no issues. Linen mini dress? Cute! Denim shorts and a vest? Lovely. Bold maxi dress with waist cut-outs? Stunning. But if you’re heading to work in the heat, up springs all the fashion dilemmas. How much leg is too much leg? Is a strappy top appropriate? And can I go braless in a ribbed vest?!
Heatwave-friendly dresses:
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Us Brits have waited long enough for warm weather to come around that we can’t fall at the first hurdle and heatwave. Here’s your every heatwave workwear question answered complete with lots of outfit inspiration and tips – don’t get ready for work this month without reading it.
Can I wear denim shorts to work?
Unless you work in a creative or casual work environment, I’d advise against it. Denim cut-offs are giving Parklife rather than printer area, and I’d say dressing too casually at work in the heat is a bigger faux pas than dressing too formally.
My only exception? Bermuda denim shorts. A wide style that hit an inch above the knee are perfect with a waistcoat and smart sandals if you’re in a smart/casual office.
Are vests and strappy tops appropriate?
The thing is, we all know that the commute in 30 degrees feels like the equivalent of sitting next to an active volcano, but once you arrive at work, the air-conditioning will have you wondering if you dreamt it was sunny outside. I say all that to say, a strappy top likely isn’t the best top to wear any way. Oddly enough, I find myself following style rules like that of Ascot’s Royal Enclosure: straps must be at least an inch thick and no strapless tops. This ensures you err on the side of polished and modest.
It’s also worth noting that covering up in the right fabrics is much more comfortable than baring skin in the wrong fabrics. Think a linen shirt instead of a polyester vest.
Summer workwear pieces to buy and wear now:
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Are there any sandals that don’t feel super-casual?
Leave the Tevas and Havaianas at home. This season’s It sandals are all elevated and chic – think Hermès Oran dupes, Chanel dad sandal dupes and strappy The Row-esque flats, so rest assured there’s an abundance of suitable summer work shoes. Birkenstocks are appropriate, too, if you typically have a smart/casual dresscode, but formal offices should steer towards leather sandals and mules.
Is it unprofessional to have my arms out?
As a rule, no, but it does depend on the top or dress that requires you to have your arms out. A knitted tunic or waistcoat are vastly different to a strapless mini dress or halterneck top, for example. If you’re conscious of showing too much arm or decolletage, ensure you’re wearing a smart top for balance. Be sure your bra isn’t on show and you’re good to go.
What should I wear if I have a big meeting?
If you need to look super-smart but stay cool, a linen trouser suit is the chicest option. M&S’ Autograph range is the OG in this category: I have this Irish linen set which is easily dressed up and down. A linen skirt suit would work too, and would look particularly good with a T-shirt and leather loafers. Use accessories to elevate your look for an important work day, so instead of a straw bag and coloured slider sandals, opt for a leather crossbody, dark sunglasses and smart slides.
Do I still have to wear a jacket?
Unless the weather has a 0% chance of rain (which is rare in the UK), I’d always carry some sort of cover-up. Whether that’s a light cardigan, a denim jacket or a linen blazer, stash it in a tote bag while the weather’s warm, then feel smug when you can bring it out for a late commute home.
A lightweight blazer that you can shoulder-robe with at your desk, or in meetings if you want to smarten up a summer dress, is a must-have.
Summer workwear shirts:
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Can I get away with not wearing a bra?
This completely depends on the type of top you plan to wear, and whether you tend to go braless regardless of the heatwave. Controversially, I’d argue that if you must go braless in your top or dress for it to work, then it might not be the most appropriate option for a corporate office. Often, a strapless bra or a jersey bralette will create a streamlined shape under your clothes and leaving you looking polished, which is what workwear dressing (regardless of the weather) is all about.
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