PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: OFFICE WEAR FOR THE WARMER SEASON - HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR WORKWEAR

Let’s be honest, when the sun starts shining, the last thing you want is to feel trapped in a stuffy, heavy work wardrobe. But here’s the good news: warmer weather doesn’t mean sacrificing style for comfort. It’s all about smart choices, a few key updates, and a wardrobe that moves with you, from the morning school run to the boardroom and everything in between.

Start with What You Love

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe, just a fresh way to wear what you already own. Dig out those trusty tailored trousers, the blazer that makes you feel like a boss, and that white shirt that goes with everything. These are your anchors. Now, let’s give them a seasonal twist.

Swap your winter wool for lighter fabrics, think linen blazers that breathe, cotton shirts that don’t cling, and silk tops that feel like a second skin. The trick? Keep the cuts clean and the colours neutral. Navy, cream, and soft greys are your best friends here, because they mix and match with ease. Add a pair of cropped trousers or a midi skirt in a flattering cut, and you’ve got the foundation of a wardrobe that’s as practical as it is polished.

The Midi Dress: Your New Secret Weapon

If there’s one piece that deserves a spot in your warmer-weather workwear rotation, it’s the midi dress. Slip it on, add a blazer, and you’re out the door looking put-together in seconds. Go for styles with a little detail—a wrap front, subtle pleats, or a bold print—to keep things interesting. Florals? Absolutely. Stripes? Always a yes. Solid colours? Timeless. The beauty of the midi is its versatility: dress it up with heels for a client meeting or keep it casual with sandals for a Friday lunch. It’s the kind of piece that makes getting ready in the morning feel like less of a chore and more like a joy.

Layer Like a Pro

Layering isn’t just for winter. A lightweight cardigan draped over a sleeveless dress, or a silk scarf knotted loosely at your neck, adds sophistication while keeping you comfortable in unpredictable weather. And don’t forget the power of a great jacket. A structured linen blazer instantly elevates jeans and a tee, while a relaxed denim jacket can take your office look straight into weekend mode.

Play with Colour and Print

Who says workwear has to be boring? This season, colour is your ally. If you’re not ready to go full rainbow, start small - a cobalt blue bag, a pair of emerald green loafers, or a blouse in a soft peach. Prints are another easy way to inject personality into your outfits. A striped shirt or a floral skirt can brighten up even the most basic ensemble. The key is to choose colours and patterns that make you happy. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows.

Accessories: The Cherry on Top

Never underestimate what the right accessories can do. A statement necklace, a sleek watch, or a bold belt can transform a simple outfit into something special. And let’s talk shoes. A great pair of loafers or block heels will carry you from desk to dinner without missing a beat. The goal? To look like you’ve put thought into your outfit, even if it only took five minutes.

Make It Work for Your Life

Your wardrobe should work for you, not the other way around. That means pieces that transition seamlessly from work to weekend. Tailored shorts paired with a crisp blouse and loafers? Perfect for the office. Swap the loafers for sandals and add a crossbody bag, and you’re ready for a post-work coffee with friends. It’s all about pieces that adapt to your day, so you don’t have to.

Fit Matters

Here’s the truth: no matter how stylish something is, if it doesn’t fit well, it won’t feel right. So take the time to tailor your clothes - hem those trousers, take in that waist, adjust those sleeves. When your clothes fit like they were made for you, you’ll feel more confident, more comfortable, and more you.

Style That Lasts

The best workwear isn’t about following trends, it’s about investing in pieces that last. Choose quality fabrics, classic cuts, and colours that won’t date. Not only will your wardrobe stand the test of time, but you’ll also be making a more sustainable choice. And that’s something to feel good about.

So this season, embrace the warmer weather with a wardrobe that’s as dynamic as you are. Mix your old favourites with a few new staples, play with colour and texture, and most importantly, wear what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Because when you look good, you feel good, and that’s when the real magic happens.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: DRESSING FOR THE OFFICE - TOP SUMMER DRESSES FOR WORK

When the weather is getting warmer, you may be looking for outfits that work for the office that aren’t as heavy. One of the best solutions is with a dress – it not only means you can feel cooler, but most of the time it’s a quick and effective way to create an outfit. Pop on a few accessories and you are ready to head to the office with minimal stress and outfit planning. However, what are the best summer dresses to wear for work?

In this blog, I’ll share some of my top picks of summer dresses to try at the office, so you can feel comfortable, professional and stylish this summer.

Picking the right patterns and fabrics

The most important part of selecting a dress (or any piece) for work is the colours, patterns and fabrics you choose, in particular when the summer comes around. Linens are a great option, while they may require a good steaming before you put them on, as long as they are not see-through. A white linen dress can be excellent for the summer, but make sure to put a slip on underneath for additional coverage!

Light cotton or silk are also great fabrics for the summer days as they are soft, and delicate fabrics which can keep you cooler in the warmer months. While cotton can be a more relaxed fabric, you can pair it with the more professional fabrics such as a blazer to pop on when you are in the cooler office.

Colours are another way to ensure the dresses you wear are appropriate for the office, deeper colours in your season, as well as neutrals, are easy go-tos. However, I always love to recommend a pop of colour if your office is a bit more relaxed, so deep oranges, forest greens, and brighter blues can be excellent options, too.

Finally, patterns can matter! While pinstripe and graphic prints are often great options for the office, particularly more creative spaces, bold florals (ditsy florals aren’t quite right), houndstooth, and even polka dots can also be added to your professional wardrobe.

Dress styles for the office

A-Line Dresses

A-line dresses are a floaty style of dress that work perfectly for a professional outfit, without feeling too restricted. The great thing about this shape is it is effective for many body shapes as well. Working beautifully in particular for upside down triangle shapes, hourglass (make sure to get a belt at the waist!), and oval shapes (when a looser style at the waist is selected). A gentle A-line style can be accentuated with a belt, such as this navy option from Hobbs, while this wrap dress in a bold blue polka dot can be great for the more creative office. If your office is more formal, such as a law practice, this deep navy v-neck by Libby London, with loose sleeves in a mid-length would be a perfect summer option to replace the pencil dress!

Shirtdresses

One of the new trends coming to office wear, that in fact is inspired by the classic ‘60’s styling, is the Shirtdress. Often with a collared neck and a pleated skirt, the style is more loose fitting, meaning you will probably feel more comfortable in warmer weather. The style is best for those with a smaller bust as they are buttoned all the way to the top and can work well for those with a rectangular shape or inverted triangle shapes. A neutral toned option, like this Proenza Schouler shirtdress is an elegant option, while this blue pinstripe jersey midi shirt dress by Boden is a simple solution, with the belt adding a defined waist.

If you are a triangle shape, opt for a shirtdress with accentuated shoulders, as this will help to create a balanced shape. 

Sheath style dresses

A sheath style dress has a more traditional “office” silhouette and are very well suited for those in a more corporate or formal dress code. You can add a touch of your personality with pieces that have a colour or pattern, while minimal touches like necklines and pleating are also great ways to change up the style. For example, an ivory sheath dress with zip detail by Victoria Beckham is an elegant and summer-ready style, while this Armani navy dress with zip neckline and waist detail is a beautiful option too. If you are able to show your arms in your office, then this navy sleeveless Karen Millen sheath dress is a beautiful option, with a high neckline, front split and elegant waist details, it’s an exceptional style.

(as a personal styling note, you can see in the Karen Millen styling that the model is wearing gold strappy heels – while they are not appropriate in most office looks, it shows the versatility of the garment. You can pop on these heels and go for drinks after work, while keeping your more professional shoes on during the working hours!).

Standout Pattern Dresses

Finally, a patterned dress can feel daunting for the workplace, but it is a beautiful way to add a touch of personality to your office looks. As I mentioned above, a pattern that is more abstract is an excellent way to keep colour and pattern in your looks, particularly if your personal style is dramatic or creative.

If you have a love of abstract prints, this BITE abstract black and white maxi dress with long sleeves is a beautiful option (and can be elegantly worn in day or night). While the keyhole neckline may be best covered in the office for a more modest look, it may work depending on your profession.

Another option for your abstract pattern workwear is this Jigsaw fluted sleeve dress with camisole lining has a hand-painted motif in blues, yellows and whites. The styling is quite romantic with frills and ruching, so can work well for a relaxed office look on a warm summer’s day.

Finally, another standout patterned dress is this dogtooth midi dress from Reiss. While it is a high neck and long sleeved dress, thanks to the fabric it will remain airy and light in the warmer months, and will work beautifully for those in a more modest attire who still want to show off their personality.

No matter your needs this summer, these dresses will help you feel great while heading into the office. Make sure to stick to the guidelines on fabrics where possible, or when trying on the dress feel if it is more floaty and skims you to ensure you don’t feel to restricted.

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.