What to wear to the office in the summer

Always wear the appropriate underwear

Your underpinnings make a fundamental difference to how polished you look, so consider yours carefully. Make sure you have “a flesh-tone bra underneath anything white or light; a strapless bra under anything with spaghetti straps; a camisole or vest underneath anything sheer,” says Mair. “A word of warning about off-the-shoulder tops, too: viewed from the other side of a computer, you can look entirely naked. Depending on where you work, this may not really be okay.”

A white shirt always works

“There’s a reason this is a classic piece – everyone looks good in a white shirt, without exception,” says Mair. You can find a myriad of variations on the high street for summer; Cos is especially great at this and always stocks a range of interesting cuts for a twist on the look. “For a new-season update, consider changing white to blue,” says Mair. “Otherwise, look for interesting details like long cuffs.”

Choose hard-working, versatile pieces

The designer Wiggy Hindmarch launched her brand Wiggy Kit when she became frustrated at having to invest separately in pieces to wear abroad on holiday and those she could wear during the summer in London. Following a background in retail, Hindmarch (whose sister-in-law is the accessories designer Anya) decided to solve the problem herself.

“I realised it was ridiculous having two summer wardrobes, and thought there must be a way of combining the two,” she recalls. “I knew I couldn’t be the only woman looking for clothes to wear in the city heat.” She started with a collection of 11 pieces that were designed to be as “easy to throw over a bikini” on the beach as to “wear with a pair of gold heels” for a post-work soirée. The range consisted mostly of dresses, as well as a bib shirt that remains a bestseller today – testament to Hindmarch’s belief that fashion should not be disposable, as a good style should stay in fashion season upon season.

Adapt key pieces from your winter wardrobe

For the designer Jane Lewis, whose brand Jane (formerly Goat) is the secret workwear weapon for women in the know, hero pieces are the key to a wardrobe that works hard for you, all year round. She advises investing in a few key pieces such as a good A-line skirt (“that affords you a lot of flexibility, because you can wear it with a simple tank top or a crisp cotton shirt”), a great pair of trousers – peg, Capri or palazzo are all suitable warm-weather options – a very fine silk or georgette shirt and a loose-fitting jacket. “The best buys don’t fit only into a summer of winter wardrobe – they can leapfrog over seasons,” she says.

Great shoes are key

Both Hindmarch and Lewis emphasise the importance of an office-appropriate summer shoe. “If you’re going for a sandal, you have to choose carefully – it should be quite dressy and not expose too much of the toe area,” advises Hindmarch. “A flat mule is a good choice because it avoids that issue but still gives you the feeling of an open shoe. And a pointy ballerina flat – I recommend Aquazzura – can elevate a look from weekend to workday.” Lewis echoes this view: “Very pointed ballet pumps look chic with, say, a sleeveless pencil dress for a Sixties-style silhouette.”

When it comes to sandals, Lewis says that she would “personally steer clear” in the office, but Mair thinks they can work – provided you have the right preparation. “If you work in an office where open-toe sandals are allowed, get a pedicure – Chanel’s top coat makes any colour especially long-lasting,” she advises. “But no matter how relaxed your work environment, flip flops are never okay. The jury’s out on pool slides.”

Monochrome is always in…

“Black and white looks great at work,” assures Mair. “Appropriate doesn’t need to be boring, though: a white T-shirt plus a black leather skirt is the easiest summer outfit imaginable.”

…But embrace colour and pattern in small amounts

“I think the way we dress in the office has become less formal and a lot more joyful, especially in terms of colour and expressing your personality,” says Hindmarch, whose brand is known for its mood-boosting prints and patterns. “If you’re not brave enough to go all-out, try pairing a white T-shirt with a statement blazer in an amazing colour, or add a pair of shoes in an offbeat shade.” Stripes are a good way to introduce pattern gently.

Focus on natural fabrics

To make your summer-holiday wardrobe work for everyday life, Hindmarch recommends focusing on non-synthetic fabrics (“linen is hard to beat”). These will keep you cooler in hot weather, meaning you can wear more demure, looser styles to the office without feeling uncomfortable. “I’d also avoid anything too form-fitting for comfort,” she says. Many of Wiggy Kit’s skirts and dresses come with drawstrings to allow for a more or less cinched-in waist.

Get clever with layering

For Lewis, layering is the key to adapting your wardrobe for summer. “If you’re going from a blazing commute to a very cold, air-conditioned office, I’d suggest opting for a relaxed version of a classic two-piece – perhaps a sleeveless shift dress in jersey fabric with a light jacket on top,” she says. “An outfit like that is fluid and comfortable, but still has form.” White is always stylish and gives you the flexibility to be bolder with your accessories, but brighter hues also work for the office in summer.

During the summer months, a blazer will become your best friend. “Throw an oversized navy or white blazer over a summer dress to sharpen up your look,” says Mair. “This is the kind of wardrobe staple that you’ll never regret investing in.”

Alternatively, look for a slightly more relaxed cover up that will still regulate your temperature and still look smart to boot. “Take a tip from Victoria Beckham, who is often seen with a short cardi layered over her dresses,” says Mair. “From the heat of the tube to icy air conditioning, a thin cardigan can be a very chic cover up. Add a belt to modernise the look. Also consider a lightweight collarless cropped jacket.”

Workwear doesn’t need to be dull

“Of course, it does depend where you work,” Mair says, “but trend-led pieces like oversized trousers or sportswear can perform brilliantly in the office with flats or block heels, then be dramatically dressed up for a night out.” Look for pieces in your wardrobe that can be adapted to look smart for work.

Your weekend wardrobe is just that

There are, however, some styles that will just never work. “Denim shorts, slogan T-shirts, thigh-skimming dresses, coloured bras, cheesecloth tunics, strapless maxi dresses: some things should be left for the park or pub garden,” says Mair. “Just because it’s appropriate for the weather doesn’t mean it works in the office.”

Shop the sales

“It’s worth investing in a good summer work wardrobe and you’ll find plenty of timeless pieces in the sales: the trench coat, the pleated skirt, the slightly oversized trousers, the shift dress, the button-up shirt,” says Mair. “Buy wisely in neutral colours – camel, grey, monochrome or even animal print – and you’ll never regret it.” It’s worth checking the sales out of season, too; a summer skirt bought in January will serve you well when the temperature rises.