Summer in the City

Dressing for the office in the summer is definitely a harder task than the rest of the year. How to keep cool while still looking appropriate can be tricky, particularly if you work in an environment where more traditional dress codes are at play. Here are three easy ways to look stylish for the office this season:

The right accessories

Changing up your black accessories for a light neutral will automatically lift your look:

Pointed Ballerina Flats £59 &Other Stories.

Or try LK Bennett’s Cici Nude Leather Flats £95.

For a patent go with the Luisa £160 in trench.

For a more loafer-like style, Jigsaw’s Clarence £98 is a great bet.

For a court shoe, L K Bennett’s Audrey £195 are a great heel height and come in a whole host of colours including this pink suede.

The Floret is their higher heeled option also £195.

If you can get away with an open toe then these Heel Strap Leather Sandals £69 also from &Other Stories are perfect for wearing with dresses/skirts/trousers alike.

Failsafe neutrals

For your bottom half, sticking to darker neutrals is more practical for commuting and they are much easier to pair tops and jackets with. But instead of black try a navy trouser like this Joanne Trouser £110 from Reiss.

Or these Cotton Twill Slim Leg Trousers £35 from Oasis.

Or even these amazingly good value, excellently fitting and machine washable Smart Ankle Length pants £24.90 from Uniqlo.

For something a bit more modern go for Whistles Navy Ribbed Cuff Crepe Jogger £119.

Alternatively swap your trousers for a pair of culottes like these Nara Cropped Wide-Leg rousers £140 from Reiss which come in black and a dark green.

Changing your wool trousers for a crepe like these Slim Fit Crepe Trousers £69.95 from Massimo Dutti, might also be another solution.

On the dress front, Whistles Paige dress £120 will always be a winner as far as I am concerned for being an effortlessly chic office staple with super flattering darts that slim and help create waist shaping. If you want to add in a bit of colour it also comes in green.

Cos had a couple of amazing dresses last summer which annoyingly haven’t been repeated this time around but they do have the Stand Up Collar Cotton Dress £69 which would do a good job.

Try Hobbs Lois Dress £139 in this chic dark khaki neutral which is a nice alternative to navy and black.

If you want figure hugging then Boden’s Kaia Ottoman Dress £90 is a good option too.

Lighten your load

It’s time to swap your dark jacket for a lighter option and Mint Velvet has a couple of longer line blazer styles which are perfect with trousers: Boyfriend Blazer £119 in either chalk or a slightly pinkier blossom. Both are perfect and even better if you are fair haired as black can often look too harsh.