Workwear: Keeping cool

Personal development / 12 August 2011

Let the sun bring some heat to your wardrobe while ensuring you stay cool. Fiona Campbell looks at this season’s fashion essentials

A week of unseasonably warm weather during April offered a welcome opportunity for a fashion dress rehearsal for the summer ahead. Now the season has really arrived, thoughts turn to what to wear when the weather heats up. Let's hope that the weather warms up to reflect the season.

Summer dressing has always been characterised by certain timeless staples – shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and floaty skirts. Taking these as a given, a few updates and accessories are the easiest way to look chic in the heat.

Clash of the colours

Colour blocking is all about pairing together primary colours and acid brights to create a bold, vibrant look from head to toe. Designers such as Jil Sander, Prada, Christopher Kane and Louis Vuitton have all been pushing this trend. But you don’t need to splash out on designer brands to achieve the look; for women, Marks & Spencer has a great selection of affordable dresses at a fraction of the price of their haute couture equivalent. Their tailored-looking A-line cut means you won’t look out of place in the office – just watch the lengths.

A pleated skirt can be easily dressed up with a pair of heels for the evening or office, or dressed down with some ballet pumps and a neat cardigan for a more casual daytime look.

Fiona Campbell

For men, colour blocking has reversed the way we’ve previously worn colour. Patterned shirts have been pushed aside in favour of plainer designs in bright shades. Meanwhile, last season’s neutral palette has quickly fallen out of favour – mustards have morphed into yellow, and blues have shifted to purple. Uniqlo and Reiss have the ideal range of bright, block-coloured lightweight shirts and shorts.

If clashing bright colours together is a bit too adventurous for your workplace, try pairing one colourful item of clothing with neutral shades. For example, wearing a pair of cream trousers or a navy skirt with a yellow blouse and colourful jewellery will achieve the desired effect, while metallic accessories offer the perfect accompaniment to brighter hues.

Perfect pleats

Pleats were aplenty on the spring/summer 2011 catwalks, particularly at Erdem, Jonathan Saunders and House of Holland. They may not be the easiest to iron, but they are feminine, versatile and have a sophisticated, old-school feel. A pleated chiffon skirt is the ultimate office staple in the sunny weather – the lightweight, sheer fabrics are ideal for a hot and sticky workplace, not to mention extremely flattering for all figures. A pleated skirt can be easily dressed up with a pair of heels for the evening or office, or dressed down with some ballet pumps and a neat cardigan for a more casual daytime look.

Whether you opt for summer dresses that are romantic or playful, whimsical or classic, almost anything goes but black. Floral dresses and skirts are in and can be found in a range of patterns and styles in vintage and high street stores, making them one of the most affordable and easily accessible trends of the summer. Bright fruit print patterns and the maxi deckchair stripe can be seen in the Marc by Marc Jacobs summer collection, while Red Herring at Debenhams offers the perfect imitation on the high street. Team it with a pair of black court shoes and an oversized patent or leather bag to make a swift transition from beach chic to slick office attire in seconds.

This summer hemlines have been brought down to earth. The shops are full of floaty maxi dresses and boho-looking full length skirts, providing a style that is appropriate for any summer occasion. If you feel brave enought to wear it at work, team one with a short-sleeved, feminine blouse for a sophisticated take – but always make sure you tuck it in to balance proportions and accentuate your natural curves. As for shoes, flats with long skirts are a must, as seen in the Chanel couture summer shows – these coral flats from Office (above) are stylish and comfortable.

A great summer office look is not complete without the perfect pair of shoes. For women, platform shoes and wedges have proved a huge hit this season. Synonymous with the 1970s, the platform offers a more comfortable alternative to the stiletto, as the high heel is paired with a concealed platform, allowing you to opt for style without having to sacrifice comfort. On warmer days steer clear of closed-toe shoes, as your feet will be cramped and swollen. Check out Dune and New Look for chic, peep-toed courts, the perfect addition to your power-dressing wardrobe.

Loafing around

For men, an airier alternative to the standard office leather lace-up is the suede or canvas slip-on or deck shoe. Tom Ford has been leading the way with a range of loafers in every colour, be it red, yellow or perhaps a more conservative brown for the office. Tod’s also offers a great selection of coloured slip ons.