Workwear: Summer style

Personal development / 01 June 2010

With an eye on the classics you can’t go wrong this season with sophisticated wrap dresses and cool linen suits in neutral tones. Katie Greengrass gives the lowdown for fashionistas

Summer is the best time of year to shop for clothes. Not only are the collections more vibrant, colourful and eclectic, but as a shopper you feel more positive, carefree and body attentive than during the lowly winter months.

But we all fall into that seasonal trap of buying throwaway items only to wear them once – the flimsy dress that hides at the back of the closet, those expensive trousers that split as soon as we pull them over our knees.

This summer, let’s not fall into that trap. This time, let’s think carefully and practically about the season’s key buys and make them work now and in summers to come.

 

The best investment piece for transitional wear is either a good quality jersey wrap dress or a fitted sheath style. A wrap dress works brilliantly if you have a curvy figure and, similarly, if you’ve no shape it creates the illusion of curves

Patrick Swan, celebrity stylist and personal styling expert

“The number one investment piece for summer would be a good quality linen or linen/silk suit,” says celebrity stylist and personal styling expert Patrick Swan. “Choose a three piece version to give yourself more options in the office. A jacket, trousers and a skirt will work fantastically as the base for any work outfit.”

So for now, forget the mini, maxi and pencil. The mini screams ‘off duty,’ the pencil is synonymous with winter and the maxi belongs to the beach. This summer why not try that sartorial classic, the a-line skirt? “A soft a-line skirt always makes for a great shape in the office,” says Swan. “It is smart and comfortable but also business appropriate.”

Suited up

With trouser shape anything goes but stick with a style that is comfortable and suits your figure well. After all, a suit is an investment and experimenting with a radically different shape here could spell disaster. The same goes for colour and fabric.

“Try your suit in a summery tone like pale grey or oatmeal but steer clear of seasonal colours that will date,” says Swan. “With neutral tones you’ll be guaranteed the suit will work in harmony with other brighter colours that you layer on top, as well as the uniform office colours of navy and white.”

One place you can afford to gamble is where you shop as stores such as Reiss, Banana Republic and Jigsaw are continually changing and evolving their collections. With the market at a competitive peak, the choice is better than ever this season. “Jigsaw make suits that will last and last,” says Swan. “But Banana Republic is growing geographically as well as in terms of design. They have just opened in Covent Garden [London] and now have three stores in the UK.”

Dress sense

One of the best purchases to make this summer is the dress – you can wear it in and outside the work place. But do we go sexy, elegant or practical? If we go tailored will it be too formal when ‘off duty’? Or will a shorter length be over the top for work?

“A dress can often be the hardest item for a woman to choose, so I’d always advise women to go for a wrap style,” says Swan. “The best investment piece for transitional wear is either a good quality jersey wrap dress or a fitted sheath style. A wrap dress works brilliantly if you have a curvy figure and, similarly, if you’ve no shape it creates the illusion of curves.”

As well as department stores like Debenhams, Esprit has produced a great jersey wrap this season in myriad colours from fuchsia pink to sea blue. This linen wrap dress (pictured) by Susannah at Kaliko (£59) is great for the office. But how about trying a better quality version? After all, it’s a perennial classic that will last and last. “Diane von Furstenberg and Issa make the best wrap dresses on the market,” says Swan. “And Max Mara or Max and Co make great quality sheathe styles.” Diane von Furstenberg made her name with the invention of the wrap dress in the seventies and it’s still the most popular piece in any woman’s wardrobe.

Insider knowledge

The right outerwear is vital but every season what’s underneath is just as important – and all too often forgotten. Investing in good quality shape wear can transform new and old suits or dresses, especially this season as many women are experimenting with sheer fabrics picking up on the ‘underwear as outwear’ trend.

“The key summer working wardrobe essential is a good scoop neck camisole with adjustable straps,” says Swan. “Shop for pastel shades or nude tones, depending on your skin and hair colour. Shop at Wolford – it does the best lingerie on the high street.”

A camisole can double up as an office item for day wear and can then transition from day to evening wear. Remove it when leaving work so your dress becomes lower cut, or wear it under a delicate blouse and de-layer for an evening out. “Good dresses don’t require a camisole underneath although you should have one at the ready at work, especially if you are wearing a figure hugging style as an all in one camisole will smooth out lumps and bumps,” says Swan. “And under a wrap it will cover up unnecessary cleavage in the office but vice versa in the evening.” 

And for the men...

With menswear it’s not the multitude of choice but the lack of it that’s the problem. The seemingly simple formula of suit, shirt and tie can often leave a man’s summer wardrobe looking bland and season-less.

“Men can be fashionable in the office too,” says Swan. “Invest in pieces that will last but are modern. Nothing beats a great soft grey or khaki jacket in the summer. But I would recommend a narrow lapel and why not pair it with a contrasting tie or printed shirt?”

Indeed, print is the word in menswear at the moment with florals and plaid going strong as well as vibrant colours like purple and orange. “You have to be afraid of colour,” says Swan. “Just for a change try a pastel jacket or a bright shirt in the heat. For great styles shop in Reiss and Ted Baker on the high street, or Nicole Farhi or Paul Smith for designer appeal.”

Pictured: Ted Baker floral shirt, £95