Working from home during a heatwave has many benefits. Whilst you may not be enjoying ice cold air conditioning, you can have an iced coffee without a care in the world. You also don’t have to think too much about what to wear. While TikTok will have you wearing metallic bikinis and shorts, here are some practical dress code suggestions for stylish and relaxing options that will keep you from sweltering this summer!
Sweating when it’s too hot is your body’s way of cooling down. However, some breathable fabrics – including cotton, silk, merino wool and linen – can also make the heat more bearable. If you can, opt for organic fabrics – it’s grown without the use of pesticides and is usually better for soil health.
Whilst cotton and linen absorb moisture, this means that if you’re sweating a lot, you’ll feel damp and there will likely be sweat stains on your clothes. If you want to avoid this, look for loose-fitting styles made from these fabrics. Try a flowy dress, a fabric that doesn’t cling to your body and allows more air to circulate. Patterns or dark colours can also hide sweat stains better than light solids. So-called “sustainable fabrics” such as modal and lycra are semi-breathable but do absorb moisture. Polyester and nylon will wick away moisture and leave you feeling dry – many sportswear garments are made from these materials – but they usually come from polymers made from petroleum.
If you wear it on the beach, it may feel a little too much to wear it in the office, but there are no hard and fast rules. Robes and floor-length dresses can be harder to wear, as can anything sheer. I’m wary of backless and cut-out designs; I want to feel comfortable when I’m having coffee with my colleagues and chatting to my manager. Fiddling with up-sliding hemlines or fiddling with bra straps is not something I need to worry about.
That’s not to say you can’t make more holiday-inspired pieces work in real life. A crochet tank can be worn over a cotton t-shirt. If you prefer a little more coverage, a crew neck or deep V-neck mid-length dress can also be worn over a contrasting t-shirt. An unbuttoned striped shirt over a white vest is also a good option. Look in the menswear section of charity shops or search online for vintage striped shirts.
Loose linen and fine cottons are often more sheer than they appear at first glance, especially on a sunny day. Stand in front of a well-lit mirror and take a photo to check transparency. Patternless underwear is a great solution.Stripe and Stare have seamless sets in a variety of skin tones.
Feet tend to swell in hot weather, so choose sandals with adjustable straps. I’ve just rounded up some styles that will ensure you can walk 10,000 steps in comfort. If you want to wear trainers, follow Generation Z and wear visible socks instead of trainers, which will also help absorb moisture and prevent blisters.
There are many styles of mesh shoes on the high street. Most are made from polyester and despite having tiny ventilation holes, they can sting and leave your feet cold and wet. Instead, opt for a simple pair of soft leather sandals. The same advice applies to male readers. A nice pair of fisherman’s sandals or double-strap sandals work much better than plastic sports slippers.
