What to wear to the office during a heatwave

As a heatwave swept across Europe last week, France recorded its highest temperature ever. And while this horrifying reality might wake you up in the middle of the night covered in cold sweat, finding a way to keep cool during the day might be a bit trickier – especially if you work in an office. If you’re looking for tips to summer-proof your office wardrobe, you have come to the right place.

Think fabrics

Before you pick any piece of clothing to wear on a hot day give some close consideration to the fabric it is made of. You want to avoid clingy, sweaty materials such as synthetics and instead opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen and chambray. These fabrics are breathable and will help you feel cool and less sweaty.

Tops

When it comes to work tops it can’t get easier than a simple white, cotton blouse. Don’t be afraid to go a size up to give your skin some space to breathe. Another simple solution is basic cotton or linen tees. Choose high quality tops so that they are more work-appropriate, it will be a good investment for the future. If your office is a bit more laid-back a tunic is always a good option.

Dresses

A flowy summer dress is, of course, the most logical solution on a hot summer’s day. Depending on your company’s dress code you can try various styles, though spaghetti straps are probably off the table. Keep the hem length in mind – it’s probably best to stick to maxi and midi length dresses. For a more formal office environment we suggest shirt dresses but don’t completely rule out your LBDs just yet! If you’re not working in direct sunlight a little black dress is great way to remain professional and cool.

Trousers, skirts and shorts

The same mantra holds true for bottoms: avoid tight fitting, clingy pieces. Instead, think paperbag trousers, wide trousers and mini or maxi skirts. One thing you want to avoid by all means is tights. And though you should probably leave the daisy dukes in your wardrobe, tailored shorts can actually look quite modern and professional when paired with a smart blouse.

Shoes

It is said that we lose most of our body heat through our head and feet and, regardless whether or not this is true, you don’t really want to walk around all day with sweaty feet. Flip flops are out of the question but dressy sandals can really pull a summer outfit together. Don’t forget to double check your employee handbook to make sure bare toes are allowed before you splurge on a cute pair. Some offices might even allow smart looking sneakers. Veja Esplar sneakers in white look great paired with light boyfriend jeans and a blazer.

Sally Wijers