Bazaar's Guide To The Dos And Don'ts Of Summer Office Dressing
The golden rules for summer workwear
Dressing for the office in warmer weather can pose quite the style conundrum. So, here's our one-stop fashion guide on dressing for summer!
This article originally appeared on Harper's Bazaar UK.
A flesh-tone bra underneath anything white or light; a strapless bra under anything with spaghetti straps; a camisole or vest underneath anything sheer. Your underpinnings make a fundamental difference to how polished you look. A word of warning about off-the-shoulder tops: viewed from the other side of a computer, as your boss walks through the office say, you can look entirely naked. Depending on where you work, this may not really be okay.
There's a reason this is a classic piece – everyone looks good in a white shirt, without exception. You can find a myriad of variations on the high street for summer; Cos is especially great at this. For a new-season update, consider changing white to blue. Otherwise, look for interesting details like long cuffs.
Related article: Summer Work Outfits: Survive Both The Heat And Freezing Temperatures In Your Office
If you work in an office where open-toe sandals are allowed, get a pedicure - Chanel's top coat makes any colour especially long-lasting. But no matter how relaxed your work environment, flip flops are never okay. The jury's out on pool slides.
Black and white looks great at work. Appropriate doesn't need to be boring, though: a white T-shirt plus a black leather skirt is the easiest summer outfit imaginable. An immaculately ironed white man's shirt with Chloe-styled track pants is also chic.
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Take a tip from Victoria Beckham, who is often seen with a short cardi layered over her dresses. From the heat of the tube to icy air conditioning, a thin cardigan can be a very chic cover up. Add a belt to modernise the look. Also consider a lightweight collarless cropped jacket.
The mid-length skirt – definitely not summer's perennial maxi, dragging limply on every pavement – is surprisingly flattering and easy to wear. Tuck in your top and try it with flats.
Denim shorts, slogan T-shirts, thigh-skimming dresses, coloured bras, cheesecloth tunics, strapless maxi dresses (especially strapless maxi dresses): some things should be left for the park or pub garden. Just because it's appropriate for the weather doesn't mean it works in the office.
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Make like Michael Kors and throw a slightly oversized navy or white blazer over a summer dress to sharpen up your look. This is the kind of wardrobe staple that you'll never regret.
Of course, it does depend where you work. But trend-led pieces like culottes, oversized trousers, sportswear, even jumpsuits can perform brilliantly in the office with flats or block heels, then be dramatically dressed up for a night out.