Q. How do I dress for the office when it’s sweltering hot outside? I want to look professional and fashionable - but all of my clothes are either too dark, too heavy or too skimpy. Help!
A. As I write this, the sun is shining and the sky is blue, which means that we can finally get to wear all of those glorious summer fashions that have been languishing at the back of the closet for God knows how long. Although many of you will probably be leaping up and down with joy at the first sign of sunshine, the rise in temperatures can present a whole new set of problems - especially when it comes to office wear.
We all know the feeling; you're trapped in a pair of black polyester trousers. And the faded flip-flops which complete your outfit aren't doing much to improve the 'stylishly summery meets efficiently businesslike' look you were aiming for. Maintaining a professional image in soaring summer temperatures can seem an impossible task, but it can be done.
You can still get away with wearing floral prints or a plain black dress and you can have bare legs, as long as they're tanned, with a nice pair of kitten shoes. I also think that kind of Audrey Hepburn dress is great. Very neat, very sexy without being overtly sexy. It's never dated.
This summer bright - and even fluorescent - colours like tangerine are fashionable and these can be included in a smart office look. To impress workmates, without dazzling them, try choosing a bright top or shirt and mixing that with black trousers or a white pencil skirt. But pick your ensemble carefully to make sure your look is not too casual.
I also love to see women heading into the office wearing knee-length shorts that are either slim or tapered. Pair the shorts with a crisp button-down shirt and a cropped blazer. The strappy sandal is a must-do accessory, too, and a chunky platform version in a neutral color will elongate the appearance of the leg. A high nude shoe will also look great.
Summer fabrics need to be cool and crisp but beware - the linen look is a tricky style to pull off for the office and one I’d advise against. The problem people have with linen is they always try and iron it and it's always got to be perfect then you put it on and it creases straight away. Get away from things that crumple or fabrics that crease because by the end of the day you just look like a mess. I think the crisper you look the better. Crisp cotton is quite nice and a silk jersey is great because it does not crease.
Tight clothes are another no-no; they're more likely to show sweat and feel uncomfortable. If you're having a fat day, don't struggle into a tight dress. If it's hot you don't want to be worrying about your tummy-control knickers.
And last but not least – enjoy the good weather. Let’s just hope it lasts...
