Almost quicker than we could pull the skirts and dresses out of storage, summer is upon us.
Blue skies, long evenings, and balmy temperatures will have you jumping out of bed in the morning, but one downside to the glorious weather is trying to dress comfortably and appropriately for the office.
Trying to stay cool while looking polished can be challenging, so we spoke to two stylists working with professionals to hear their tips on looking like a CEO while feeling like you're at a breezy barbecue.
The main problem, according to fashion columnist, personal stylist and speaker Aoife Dunican, is that Irish hot weather is unpredictable: "Unfortunately, we're still dressing for two temperatures when it comes to work. There's the AM commute, which is a little bit light and breezy, and then there's the 12 o'clock meltdown."
Planning for these days is vital. The first mistakes people make, image consultant and personal stylist Isabel Gleeson says, are "choosing the wrong fabrics, wearing clothes that are too tight, and confusing 'summer' with 'too casual'".
"Heavy synthetic fabrics can trap heat, and overly relaxed pieces can undermine a polished look", Gleeson says. "The smartest summer office dressing is breathable, lightweight, and still structured enough to feel professional and confident in yourself."
Starting with the basics, everything comes down to fabric. We all know natural fibres like linen and cotton are the go-to for hot weather, but buying the right kind of linen and cotton is especially important when it comes to workwear.
To avoid looking crumpled in linen by lunchtime, Dunican suggests opting for a cotton-linen blend so that the fabric doesn't crease. If you're dead set on linen, she suggests looking for tumbled linen, which has more weight to it so it falls well and lends your outfit more structure.
With cotton, she says, "it doesn't matter where you buy it, but if it looks wrecked on the hanger, walk away".
"The collar should be lovely and stiff, because if it's not stiff now, it's going to be really limp after one wash", she says, "so don't buy a limp cotton shirt that looks like it should be over a bikini." Instead, look for cotton that has a "crispy" feel to it.
When using 'summer' fabrics like linen and cotton, looking for pieces with more formal details can elevate a look away from beachwear, Dunican says.
"I still think the trousers shouldn't be drawstring. Anytime we do a casual fabric, it should have a formal look to it. It would have to have a waistband."
Instead of loose and floaty trousers, she suggests wearing a heavy cotton chino that sits away from the body. "If you're conscious of your tummy area, you might go for a flat-fronted chino but keep it wide. And then if you're more of an hourglass shape, then you could do a pleated chino."
T-shirts are fine once they're a heavier cotton or have some embellishment that separates them from the ones we throw on for a walk at the weekend.
Lace inserts, puff sleeves or structural sleeves cut on the diagonal all add elegance to a simple t-shirt, Dunican says.
And, of course, jewellery does plenty of heavy lifting when it comes to elevating a look: add a string of pearls, a brooch or layered statement pieces to contrast the relaxed t-shirt.
Colour is key for keeping lighter fabrics feeling elegant, Dunican says. Although our instinct might be to pull out the crisp white shirts and the floaty cream trousers, Dunican says this can create that overly beachy look: "You don't want to look like the female version of Man from Del Monte."
"We can't look like we're going to a barbecue", Dunican says. Having worked for Deloitte for years, she's well used to navigating fluctuating Irish weather in style.
Instead, reach for dark coffee browns, mocha shades and navy blues. Colour drenching an outfit by wearing one shade from head to toe is a surefire way to make your outfit look "chic and expensive-looking", Dunican says.
When it comes to menswear, getting the fit and colour right is even more important, Dunican says. "Men have to be very careful sometimes of white shirts in this weather. Because whether they're prone to sweating or not, we're all prone to sweating, I think, on a day like today."
With so many men's shirts "probably more fitted than they should be", finding a cut that skims the body and stops sweat showing on the collar is vital. Opting for blue shirts over white will prolong your outfit too.
Finally, no outfit is complete without an equally stylish pair of shoes, and Dunican suggests ditching the heavy trainers during hot weather. Instead, she suggests opting for a brown suede loafer, which works well for both men and women.
Gleeson, meanwhile, suggests a boat shoe, the ultimate "summer smart flat". A classic ballet flat never fails, she says. "The goal is always lightweight, breathable, and polished enough to still feel work appropriate."
Feeling light and fresh in your work outfit on the way into work is one thing, but what about when you get there and they're blasting Arctic levels of cold air through the AC?
For Gleeson, it's all about layering: "Think versatile dressing! Linen lightweight blazers ... cotton shirts, unlined tailoring, or a relaxed overshirt you can throw on and off easily as you [go] about your day."
Dunican suggests an item that might sound counterintuitive at first.
"People sometimes think that wool is only for winter, and you'd be surprised, a very light wool or cashmere regulates your body temperature. You could do a shirt, of course, but I still love a very light fine knit in summer.
"Any really good quality wool will go with your temperature, but just make sure it's light and fine", she says. Avoid a knit with a polyester blend: "If you have a polyester mix in your knitwear, you're gonna absolutely boil."
