What to Wear in the City During a Heatwave: A Summer Workwear Guide
There is a moment every summer when the city feels like it’s melting. Pavements shimmer, buses turn into saunas, and even the most seasoned Londoners look slightly defeated by the heat. And while I often approach fashion through destinations perhaps because my favourite hashtag is #lifeisabeach the truth is that many of us, myself included, spend high summer in town, at work, navigating heatwaves with a laptop in one hand and a coffee in the other.
Last week, during London’s sudden burst of extreme heat, I saw people dressed as if they were heading to a beach club in Saint‑Tropez. Kaftans, bikini tops under blazers, raffia hats the size of parasols. Charming for holiday, less so for a board meeting. Dressing for work is always an act of respect for the job, for the environment, and for yourself. And while my own style has always been playful (I work in a creative office, after all), I’m very aware that what works for me doesn’t necessarily translate to corporate life.
I often talk about this with one of my closest friends, Satkeen, a business professor. She loves my strange mix of colours, textures, and unexpected combinations, but she could never walk into her lecture hall dressed like me. And if I dressed like her structured tailoring, minimal lines, intellectual chic I would look like a conceptual Prada mannequin. Fashion is personal, but professionalism has its codes.
So the question becomes: what do you wear in the city during a heatwave when you still need to look polished, credible, and ready for work?
Let’s start with the classics. Safari style is always a winner in town. It’s structured enough to feel professional, yet relaxed enough to breathe. Think sand‑coloured jackets, belted dresses, and soft utility silhouettes. As for prints, keep them refined: stripes are perfect, crisp, urban, and timeless. Save the playful prints leopard, tropical florals, and anything too loud for weekends or holidays.
Fabric is your best friend in the heat. Cotton and linen are essential, not optional. They allow the skin to breathe, they move beautifully, and they keep you cool without sacrificing elegance. A linen shirt with rolled sleeves can look incredibly chic, especially when paired with a stack of bracelets that peek out subtly.
When it comes to shapes, choose pieces that allow air to circulate. Culottes, wide‑leg trousers, and shirt dresses are ideal for hot days in the office. They create movement, they don’t cling, and they maintain a sense of structure. A shirt dress, in particular, is a summer hero: effortless, feminine, and instantly polished.
And because every office in London seems to have the air conditioning set to “Arctic,” a tailored but slightly oversized jacket is the perfect finishing touch. It adds authority, balances softer summer fabrics, and keeps you comfortable when the temperature suddenly drops indoors.
Accessories are where you can add personality. If, like me, you dream of vacation even when you’re in a meeting, complete your look with a raffia bag or a colourful summer handbag. It brings a touch of high‑summer joy without compromising professionalism.
For shoes, keep it simple: sandals, minimal heels, or even a heeled flip‑flop if your office allows it. Clean lines, neutral tones, and elegant straps will always look appropriate.
The truth is, you can absolutely be in town, attending meetings, working through deadlines, and still hold onto a bit of playful summer spirit. Professionalism doesn’t mean abandoning personality it simply means translating it with intention.
High summer in the city can be stylish, comfortable, and polished. You just need the right pieces, the right fabrics, and a touch of imagination.
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