9 Rules For Dressing For The Office In A Heatwave
Your outift can certainly get a raise. By Michelle Varinata
By Harper’s Bazaar Singapore Team - published
Never let the heatwave make you give up on dressing up for success. Although we alternate between the drastic heat and cold air from 9 to 6, stay cool without being overheated by going for slip dress. As the versatile wunderkind of fashion, the lightweight material has enough opacity to preserve your modesty while helping you stay cool in muggy weather.
Related article: The Best Slip Dressses That Are Perfect For Singapore’s Weather
Wear it over a white t-shirt, layered necklaces, hoop earrings and loafers for the best summer office outfit. Blazer optional.
Farrow Anika Slip Dress, US $19.99 at Need Supply
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If you are not comfortable with wearing animal products on your back, you can go for a polyester dress. Give it a high fashion upgrade by styling it with lucite jewellery and PVC sandals.
Love Bonito Sarosi Contrast Layer Slip Dress, $46.90 at Love Bonito
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The basic office suit is as dated as a Seinfeld episode. Instead of sweating inside your stuffy wool suit, switch it up with a fun, playful and flirty two piece.
Related article: 12 Matching Two-Piece Outfits That Require Zero Effort Getting Dressed
This up-and-coming brand has been loved by many celebrities from Ariana Grande to Bella Hadid. Made with rayon, it'll keep you warm underneath the freezing cold office temps and help you stay cool when you walk outside to get your lunch.
Prette Kenny Set, US $44 at prettefashion.com
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Sneak in a cardigan or a t-shirt to make this linen two-piece look more office-appropriate. You can also wear the skirt with a thin long sleeved shirt and sneakers.
Reformation Kitty Two-Piece, US $218 at Reformation
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If you absolutely have to wear shorts in office, go for a tailored silhouette like Bella Hadid's. Extra style points if you want to go to the Clueless route by pairing it with a matching jacket.
Your coworkers won't believe it when you tell them that this is a pair of shorts.
Alexander McQueen Belted Pleated Cotton Gabardine Shorts, US $723.80 at Net-a-Porter
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Top off your watercooler walk with these popping pink shorts. Style it with a pair of stud earrings, graphic tee (or billowy blouse) and mules. Bonus: you can also wear it with a matching blazer for a vibrant high fashion effect.
Lovers + Friends City Shorts, $160.28 at Revolve
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Closed toe shoes and hot weather are like two bitter exes. Since wearing closed toe shoes and hot weather have been linked to smelly feet, you can curb foot odor by wearing socks.
Wear it with your go-to loafers or slingback sandals.
Liana MO' Exclusive Three Pairs of Socks, US $105 at Moda Operandi
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Generally a no-no in the office, open toe shoes run the risk of making you look like a beach bum. However, you can make them fashun.
The shower slides got an editorial-worthy makeover with pilgrim buckles and bedazzled rhinestones. Wear these with a striped linen suit.
Schutz Judith PVC Slides, $258.99 at Shopbop
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Every celebrity who wears this brand knows why Stuart Weitzman is the king of shoes. Comfortable, versatile and chic, these kitten heels are bound to last all day from your morning commute to post-work cocktails at night.
Stuart Weitzman Nudist 45, US $398 at Zappos
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Set the mood with these funky, yet classic colourblock sandals.
Miista Ivon Field Leather Sandals, £165 at Miista
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See, smell, touch and taste the rainbow to brighten up your up your mood.
Charlotte Stone Belle Sandals, US $178 at Charlotte Stone
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Nothing is more important than preventing your skin from turning into a piece of crispy fried chicken or worse, a freshly cooked red lobster. Wear sunscreen at all cost no matter where you go. Despite piling it on, just one layer isn't enough to block the UV rays.
Before you add sunscreen, apply serum or a sheet mask as a base.
Instead of using your pore-clogging traditional cream sunscreen, you should try this lightweight gel formula. It won't leave a heavy cast of oil against your face compared to most sunscreens.
Heliocare XL Gel SPF 50, $54.55 at Heliocare
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The sun isn't just the only primary factor in ageing. Surprisingly, your office desk job is contributing to it, too! (Are you shook?) Dermatologist to the stars Dr. Barbara Sturm cooked up this miraculous serum that can combat digital ageing.
Dr. Barabara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops, £105 at Cult Beauty
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Squeeze in a last-minute touch up during your commute with this bag-friendly serum spray. Your skin will thank you later.
Neogen H2 Dermadeca Serum Spray, US $19 at Soko Glam
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Blame your newest breakout on all the dairy products, booze, excessive coffee and gluten you consumed two days ago. Also, blame your malfunctioning dehumidifier, too. Let this carbon-based mask suck away all the humidity, pollutants and toxins.
Caolion Magic Black Sheet Mask, $12 at Sephora
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Believe it or not, materials made from mother nature (i.e. silk, cotton and linen) keep you cooler than animal-friendly synthetics. (Sorry, vegans and vegetarians!) If you want an office look that doesn't make you look like you're going on vacation, a menswear-inspired garment is the way to go.
Related article: How To Pull Off Linen In Singapore
Wear it with a pair of clean white slip-on sneakers and a tote bag.
Equipment Sleeveless Slim Signature Dress, $445.52 at Revolve
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We saw French influencer Camille Charrière wearing these linen pants on Instagram, so we're going to buy a pair of linen pants.
ba&sh Farah Trousers, €147.00 at ba&sh
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Sneak in your casual Friday denim on a Monday with this cute cotton chambray dress.
Sea pleated cotton-blend chambray shirtdress, US $204 The Outnet
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For more conservative office environments, a modest retro 1940s inspired polkadot dress does the trick to deflect glares from your superiors.
HVN Morgan Metallic Silk Crepe de Chine Polkadot Dress, US $320.87 at Net-a-Porter
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If you got a bad case of the cramps, blame the hot weather. According to research, our heat-heavy humid climate aggravates water retention. When you are on your period, feeling drowsy in a heatwave is a performance killer.
Before all of your coworkers ask you about your non-existent pregnancy, hide the bloat in non-body con dresses.
A belted shift dress builds shape as it conceals the additional liquid weight you piled on.
Zimmermann Radiate Flounce Shift, AUD $450 at Zimmermann
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Coordinate it with a headband, drop earrings and chic slides.
Isabel Marant Étoile Plaid Cotton Shirt Dress, $710 at My Theresa
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Wearing a black dress in the middle of a heatwave is the equivalent of going to a sauna. As a heatwave-friendly option, a white dress can help you provide the much-needed ventilation you truly need.
No one does sexy summer gear other than Jacquemus. Sensuous drapery and a sexy low cut V neck don't sound like a SFW combo; however, its wide functional pockets make this dress a winner for the weekdays.
Jacquemus La Robe Bolso, $524 at Jacquemus
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This Brigitte Bardot-esque vintage-inspired dress is sexy, yet conservatively appropriate for the office.
ASOS Design V-Neck Dress With Tortoiseshell Buttons, $62.35 at ASOS
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Cute with a hint of sexy, this dress is born to make you look like the most well-behaved worker bee in the office. Score productivity points by pairing it with closed toe raffia flats and a tote bag.
Karen Millen Broderie Anglaise Dress, $250 at Selfridges
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