For all the festive fanfare that December brings, the later summer months pose somewhat of a style puzzle. This is most obvious on Monday mornings when you’re faced with the task of dressing for a day at the office. And while the last few years have given way to perhaps too much of a relaxed approach, thanks to work-from-home setups, it’s possible to master professional polish without buttoning all the way up.
Obviously, it depends on your industry but there’s no point getting hot under the collar and shvitzing in your suit just for the sake of outdated workwear “rules”. It’s 2023 after all and we’re living through a climate crisis.
Loose cuts, neutral colours and easy-wearing fibres are the key to keeping cool on your commute. Now is not the time to don bodycon or anything with an ounce of nylon in it. Darker shades will camouflage any failings of your antiperspirant, while the right accessories can elevate pieces that feel borderline beachy.
If your workplace does dictate a dress code, try deconstructing your tailoring to help tone things down. Wear an oversized blazer with a breezy slip skirt or match your wide-leg trousers with a billowy top to launch gently back into the power suit mentality.
The tailored short
There are two types of people in the world: those who think it's okay to wear shorts to work in summer, and those who are currently sweating at their desk, wishing they held different beliefs. While denim cut-offs are a big no, tailored shorts are a sartorial saviour when the mercury heads north of 30 degrees. Longline styles and wide-leg silhouettes with belt-loops or button details will keep you looking pulled together. Choose a crisp shirt or freshly pressed tee to match with the Marion shorts from Marle; Sir’s Clemence tailored style, the Ada shorts by Friends with Frank or this printed pair from Oroton.
The shirt dress
A tried and tested favourite, the shirt dress is a summer workwear staple. Crisp cotton-poplin styles hold just the right amount of structure to keep you looking poised – the Oakley or Peony dresses from Lee Mathews have perennial power. Similarly, Country Road keeps things classic with this tie waist style, as well as this basque detail design cut from a linen and silk blend. Camilla & Marc inspires a twist on the timeless silhouette with the Salvador Mini and Flynn Cocoon dresses, while Assembly Label elevates the humble tee shape, cutting its Ena dress from sandwashed silk. Try grounding higher hems and floating fabrics with a pair of chunky loafers or trending clogs for balance.
The wide-leg pant
Once you go wide-leg, you never go back. Switch out wool tailoring or heavier woven fabrics for cotton and linen variations that add subtle slouch to this trending silhouette. A pleated waistline gives Oroton’s chocolate-brown linen pair refined edge, as does the belted finish on the mint-green Darcey trousers by Jillian Boustred. Assembly Label is a consistent favourite when it comes to smart-casual essentials and the Leila, Nilsa and
Italian jacquard striped pants prove why. Choose a kitten heel to elevate longer hemlines and add edge to your look.
The short-sleeve shirt
Worn tucked into a pair of straight-leg pants or left to hang over an A-line skirt, a camp shirt is a breezy solution on days that are too sweaty for rolled sleeves. Embroidered details and printed silk styles lift boxy silhouettes from casual-cool to business ready. Matteau, Blanca, Caves Collect, Commas and St Agni offer up some of the best in class this season.
The slip skirt
Made from silk or spun in a lightweight knit, the slip skirt is here to save your summer office style woes. Midi and maxi styles, cut on the bias, offer a flattering fit that matches well with oversized blazers and undone shirting alike. Esse, Lee Mathews and Aere make the case for lustrous finishes during the day. But Venroy’s pale-blue ribbed style, Camilla & Marc’s Dante skirt and the Celeste silhouette from Anna Quan demonstrate that woven styles can still shine when the sun is out. Invest in a pair of trending sandals to complete your outfit.
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