PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: OFFICE WORKWEAR IDEAS FOR THE SUMMER

As summer settles in and temperatures rise, finding the balance between staying cool and looking professional can feel like a daily challenge. When the morning commute is already warm and the office air-con is blasting by midday, dressing for the season requires a bit of strategy.

But don’t worry, it’s entirely possible to feel comfortable and look polished, without sacrificing your personal style or professional edge. The key lies in smart fabric choices, clever layering, and a shift towards softer tones. Here’s how to master summer workwear like a pro.

1. Choose Breathable, Lightweight Fabrics

When the heat is on, your best friends are natural, breathable fabrics—think linen, cotton, and silk blends. These materials allow your skin to breathe and help regulate body temperature throughout the day.

Linen often gets a bad rap for wrinkling easily, but modern blends have come a long way. Brands like Theory, for instance, offer technical linen that creases far less while retaining that effortlessly crisp look. Try linen blazers, cotton button-ups, or a fluid silk dress for pieces that feel as cool as they look smart.

2. Embrace Sleeveless and Short Sleeves

While a long-sleeved blouse is undeniably classic, summer calls for a more relaxed silhouette. Sleeveless tops or short-sleeve blouses are a great way to stay comfortable without compromising on style.

Opt for elegant details, subtle pleats, tie-necks, or neat button-down designs, to elevate your look. Pair with high-waisted trousers or a tailored skirt for a sleek, office-ready outfit that won’t leave you overheating by lunchtime.

3. Lighten Up Your Colour Palette

Dark hues can feel heavy in the summer months—both visually and literally. Lighter colours not only reflect heat more effectively, but they also give off a fresh, polished vibe that’s perfect for the office.

Try incorporating soft neutrals like white, beige, dove grey or gentle pastels. These tones pair beautifully with most wardrobe staples and allow for effortless mix-and-match options throughout the week.

4. Step Into Comfortable, Stylish Footwear

Let’s face it—navigating city pavements in stilettos on a hot day is no one’s idea of a good time. Fortunately, comfort and style can go hand-in-hand.

Look for smart flats, chic mules or block-heeled shoes that offer both support and elegance. These are perfect for long days at the office (or running between meetings) while still keeping your outfit feeling refined.

5. Layer Lightly for Office Comfort

Summer might bring soaring outdoor temperatures, but inside the office? It can feel more like autumn. A lightweight layer is essential to help you transition between climates comfortably.

Think cotton-blend blazers, airy cardigans or soft knits—pieces that add just enough warmth without feeling bulky or stifling. Keep one on hand at your desk or in your bag for those inevitable air-con chills.

Summer workwear doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right mix of fabrics, colours, and clever styling, you can feel cool, confident, and completely office-appropriate, no matter how high the mercury rises. Dressing smartly for the season is all about ease and elegance, so embrace the warmer weather with looks that work hard and feel effortless.

Stefania Bartolomei
Personal Stylist, London

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: RETURNING TO THE OFFICE - TOP TIPS FOR STYLING SUCCESS

This week I was getting ready for heading back to my London studio, as my son is going back to school, and I realised the stress that dressing for work can bring.

Getting back into the swing of heading to the office, going to meetings (whether online or in person) can be a difficult start to the day. Even if you’re not going to the office every day, you may be heading to more meetings or attending more online meetings, meaning your dresscode may be changing back to more professional looks.

This can mean being unsure what to wear! With the changing of the season adding an added concern for outfit styling, I have compiled this guide to help you have confidence when dressing for work.

Check the weather forecast

The seasons always change in London, no matter the time of year! I have seen many professionals get caught out by wearing summer dresses and being welcomed by a downpour, while others have brought layers for a cool Autumn day and hit by 30 degree weather (as we had at the beginning of September).

One way to make sure your outfit will complement the expected weather conditions is by checking your weather app. With the knowledge of rain to come, or a heatwave, I can plan my outfit to accommodate. This saves so much stress in the morning (and during the day if a downpour comes, but I have made sure to pack my umbrella and coat).

You can then utilise the fabrics and layers to reflect the expectations of the day. For example, adding a leather jacket if it’s going to be cooler, or adding sandals instead of boots for a warmer day. For some inspiration for summer outfits, check out my blog, while the weather is still hot outside, these may help you plan some beautiful looks for going back to work. 

Plan your outfits in advance

Avoid the morning let downs of not knowing what to wear, misfitting pieces or outfit problems by planning your outfits the night before (or if you’re super organised, why not try a few days or the for the full week?).

Getting your outfits together can look like simply laying them out on the bed and knowing what to put together, or why not make it a pick up and go by adding everything together on a hanger? You can put accessories, layers and the full outfit all in one spot so you can get up in the morning, reach for the outfit, and know it works beautifully together.

If the thought of planning outfits causes you more concern than joy, I can help you by creating an easy to use personal style board, which is part of our Colour and Style Clinic. Click here to find out more.

Invest in key pieces for the new season

Every season requires a few essentials. Making sure you have them at the ready as you welcome a new change in the season will help you to prepare and plan for your outfits without any stress. Autumn usually welcomes cooler climates, so layers, jackets, and tights will now be needed (on most days!), so make sure all of last year’s pieces all still fit, work for your style needs and if they need washing, tailoring or to be donated.

Making sure you have pieces that you love to wear, and feel great in, are so important for day to day, and in particular when you are going to meetings and heading to work. Understanding the styles, outfits, and looks that you feel best in will help make you walk taller and feel more confident every day, making dressing for work a little easier.

To find a few of my autumn essentials, I have shared my top five in this blog.

If you are going back to work after the summer holidays, I hope these tips help you feel more confident. However, if you are unsure where to start with styling, colours, and what to wear for your professional life, I’d love to help.