Beat the heat with these summer workwear essentials

Going to work in the summer is no joke—in fact, doing pretty much anything except lying horizontally with a cocktail in hand is kind of a big ask. But, alas, we soldier on, and because we’re fashion-savvy (among our many attributes), we do so in style.

Read on to discover eight wardrobe essentials that will help keep you cool at the office this season (air-con not included).

1. A linen dress

Amelie Stanescu wears a stretchy headband, frameless sunglasses, a black linen tunic dress, a tan leather waist belt, a tan leather shoulder bag, and tan leather mules.

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If ever there were a summer workwear must-have, it’s got to be the linen dress. Linen is a lightweight, natural fabric that allows your whole body to breathe as much as possible, making it the perfect hot-weather staple.

-55%

AllSaints

Womens Linen Skye Floral Asymmetric Hem Midi Dress, Size: 6 White

Delivery: free

£116.10 ~~£259.00~~

AllSaints

-63%

Fat Face

FatFace Amy Natural Linen Blend Stripe Dress

Delivery: £4.95

£22.00 ~~£59.00~~

FatFace

-40%

AllSaints

Linen Lyra Linen Midi Dress, Size: UK 8/US 4 Black

Delivery: free

£119.70 ~~£199.00~~

AllSaints

-41%

Fat Face

FatFace Jonie Olive Green Regular Jersey Midi Dress

Delivery: £4.95

£35.00 ~~£59.00~~

FatFace

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2. A summery skort

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Thought skorts were just for netball? Think again. Skorts offer a more practical alternative to mini skirts, as they eliminate all chances of chafing and awkward accidents.

Still think you can’t leave your fave mini skirt sitting in the wardrobe? A pair of tight biker shorts underneath will do the trick.

-55%

AllSaints

Wool/Polyester Mimmie Asymmetric Skort, Size: UK 16/US 12 Black

Delivery: free

£71.10 ~~£159.00~~

AllSaints

-50%

Sandro

Pleated skort Brown

Delivery: free

£104.50 ~~£209.00~~

Sandro

AllSaints

Polyester Dotty Broderie Mini Skirt, Size: UK 14/US 10 Black

Delivery: free

£199.00

AllSaints

Sandro

Ruffled skort with topstitching Black

Delivery: free

£239.00

Sandro

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3. A loose jumpsuit

A Paris Fashion Week guest wears silver jewellery, a white t-shirt, a pink tweed jumpsuit, a black leather micro bag, and black sneakers.

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Sometimes jumpsuits definitely beat dresses, and summer workwear is one of those times. They don’t blow up in a breeze, and you look super smart and stylish having only put one item of clothing on. Winning.

-66%

AllSaints

Viscose/Silk Mari Silk Blend Lace Trim Jumpsuit, Size: UK 6/US 2 Black

Delivery: free

£68.40 ~~£199.00~~

AllSaints

-51%

Reiss

Silk Ruffle Bandeau Wide-leg Jumpsuit, 10 White

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£138.00 ~~£280.00~~

Reiss

Nanushka

Ashton Black Faux Leather Jumpsuit Size M

Delivery: £5.00

£180.00

HEWI

-64%

Reiss

Burgundy & cream Colourblock Wide Leg Belted Jumpsuit, 12 Red

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£98.00 ~~£270.00~~

Reiss

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4. Wide leg trousers

A model wears a white top, black cargo pants and tan bag, outside Chanel, during the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 04, 2023 in Paris, France.

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Not only do wide-leg trousers make us feel like a glamorous actress from the 70s, but they’re also ultra-sophisticated and ideal for hot days, as they’re looser than your regular straight pants.

Go for natural fibres like cotton, linen, or lightweight denim, and try to steer clear of synthetic materials: polyester and similar will only trap heat and moisture in.

-46%

AllSaints

Cotton Essen Wide Leg Trousers, Size: UK 16/US 12 Black

Delivery: free

£101.70 ~~£189.00~~

AllSaints

-52%

BESTSELLER

Christophe Lemaire

Utility Pocket Jeans Beige

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£235.00 ~~£490.00~~

Labels

-55%

AllSaints

Womens Cotton Frankie Studded Wide Leg Jeans, Size: 30 Black

Delivery: free

£80.10 ~~£179.00~~

AllSaints

Fat Face FatFace Aubrey Black Wide Leg Crop Trouser

-39%

BESTSELLER

Fat Face

FatFace Aubrey Black Wide Leg Crop Trouser

Delivery: £4.95

£30.00 ~~£49.50~~

FatFace

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5. An oversized shirt

Guest is seen wearing Erdos oversized shirt with blue, red and white stripes, Chanel shoulder bag with little golden Chanel logos, oversized and distressed pair of jeans and white sneakers outside Alaia show during the Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Week in Paris.

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Commutes and stuffy meeting rooms have never been kind to tight clothing. An oversized shirt is essentially like wearing secret pyjamas to work – you look smart but you’re so comfy you forget.

Closed

Shirts, female, White, XS, Cape-skjorte i bomuld

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£162.00

Miinto

-43%

Fat Face

FatFace Dusky Purple Kat 100% Cotton Embroidered Shirt

Delivery: £4.95

£26.00 ~~£46.00~~

FatFace

-55%

AllSaints

Cotton Lulu Ruffled Cotton Shirt, Size: UK 14/US 10 Black

Delivery: free

£71.10 ~~£159.00~~

AllSaints

-39%

Fat Face

FatFace Whitney Chambray Blue Bows Shirt

Delivery: £4.95

£28.00 ~~£46.00~~

FatFace

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6. A light midi skirt

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The midi skirt has pretty much been our saviour since 2018—it’s so easy to throw on, and if you go for a pleated or printed style then all you really need is a simple t-shirt and you’re good to go.

Kocca Midi Skirts, female, Green, M, Chic Leather Look Pencil Skirt

-9%

BESTSELLER

Kocca

Midi Skirts, female, Green, M, Chic Leather Look Pencil Skirt

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£76.56 ~~£84.39~~

Miinto

Fat Face

FatFace Harper Black Layered Animal Midi Skirt

Delivery: £4.95

£59.00

FatFace

-40%

New Balance

Womens Stretch Corduroy Midi Skirt in Brown Poly Knit, size X-Large

Delivery: £4.50

£45.00 ~~£75.00~~

New Balance

-52%

Adnym Atelier

Lach Kilt Black

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£190.00 ~~£395.00~~

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7. A sleeveless top

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Sleeveless tops are a must during hot summer days, and if you play your cards right you can definitely get away with wearing one at the office.

Our advice? Go for a refined fabric like silk or viscose, and avoid spaghetti straps or deep V-necks. If you want to feel extra put-together, try a vest top or a two-piece suit!

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racer tank top - Black

Delivery: £10.00

£106.00

FARFETCH

-50%

Day Birger Et Mikkelsen

Alisson - Classic Rib RD Orange

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£35.00 ~~£70.00~~

Labels

-50%

Fat Face

FatFace Isla Green Lace Jersey Tank Top

Delivery: £4.95

£16.00 ~~£32.00~~

FatFace

Ganni

Soft Cotton Rib Tank Top Stripe Brown

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£110.00

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8. Slip-on mules

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It’s too hot for laces and any shoe that has a back, OK?