Summer workwear: What to wear to the office in a heatwave
Summer work outfits sorted: keep your cool during a heatwave with these high street hits
Not to mention maintaining a professional polish isn't easy when you feel like you're melting. And your carefully curated holiday wardrobe isn't much help - cut-offs and caftans aren't exactly corporate wear.
Happily, you don't need to break your budget in order to look well-dressed for work this summer. Read on for the best high street buys we've found to cope with a long hot summer in the city.
From left to right: Linen jumpsuit £130, Toast; Cotton dress £109, People Tree; Silk dress £190, Arket
Natural fibres are your friend, namely linen, cotton, chambray denim and silk. Because they're breathable they won't create your own personal heat wave in the way man-made fabrics can. Ensure you've chosen light versions - heavy silks can get surprisingly warm.
Clockwise from left: Denim culottes £40, Warehouse; Linen top £25, Marks & Spencer; Linen vest £9.99, H&M; Linen skirt £45, Monsoon; Raffia sandals £60, Dune; Woven mules £36, Wallis; Woven pumps £25, Dorothy Perkins
While we love a good dress, when it comes to building a versatile work wardrobe separates can be more hard working. Buying pieces that can be easily mixed and matched not only means that you have more choice (crucial when something's in the wash or at the dry cleaners) but can layer up as the temperature changes.
If your dress code calls for tailoring, there's only so far that you can push it. Perhaps a city short suit isn't actually appropriate for your job in the city, but a linen trouser suit in a bright colour is certainly more summery than black or navy wool.
Colour-blocking can make quite a statement, so keep the rest of your outfit fairly neutral - a navy silk T-shirt and simple gold earrings would work well.
Clockwise from top left Espadrilles £29, Miss Selfridge; Strappy sandals £65, Dune; Flat sandals £99, Hobbs; Toe-post mules £72, Office
No matter how casual your office beach flip-flops are a distinct no-no. But that's not to say feet need to be fully clad in the summer months. Toe-post or strappy sandals, leather sliders, mules, sandals and espadrilles are just a few of the key footwear trends this summer.
