Always cold - how to look summery?

[GoogleyEyes]

As I sit here under a blanket and with goosebumps, I'm wondering how to look summery at work without freezing. I'm only warm enough for bare arms when it's over about 25C, the thermometer needs to be even higher for bare legs.

Office is smart - I usually wear a long-sleeved dress with a vest underneath it and knee boots with black tights. And keep a pashmina handy, for the cold meeting rooms. But this looks a bit ridiculous in mid summer. I've been doing trouser suits with sandals / summery ballet pumps. But most of my suits are on their last legs, so I'm thinking of getting something new and possibly different.

I'm size 10, fairly short, not sure what shape, to be honest. And it's a fairly formal office - doesn't need to be suits but no cleavage, thighs, shoulders etc.

Has anyone got any suggestions for looking summery but staying warm?

Is it too formal for non-pashmina scarves? I always find that if I have a scarf on (cotton one) that keeps me warm. You could pick a nice bright scarf with a summery floral pattern with a bright smart cardigan and trousers?

Summery colours would help - lose the black!

It's more that a scarf won't be warm enough - I wrap the entire pashmina over me like a shawl quite often (at my desk, or internal meetings). Sometimes I have one on my legs, too... And that with vest, dress, tights, boots.

Hmm, nude tights? But my dresses are mainly black / navy / grey. And then what shoes?

Non black colours. I'm always cold.
Today I'm wearing:
Vest
Long sleeve cotton dress - light blue ( cornflower ish) and white trim
Casual/ smart blazer - white
Tights - light grey
Cardigan - light Grey ( currently off but in bag for when cold later)

You could go for a cotton scarf that you just keep on AND your pashmina! And perhaps some summery patterned dresses, or brighter pencil skirts like this one. I have it and it is thick material and lined but still quite summery looking.

Is there a medical reason for being cold or are you just cold-blooded. I only ask because I am often quite cold but this is a symptom of my underactive thyroid, which although treated seems still to mean I always need a layer more than everyone else.

Art I hadn't thought of cardigan and blazer on top of dresses. That might well work, thanks! Presumably a thin cardi that's shorter than the jacket?

Will I think I'm just cold-blooded. I lost a substantial amount of weight years ago, and since then I've always felt the cold. Summery dresses, plus cardi / jacket and non black tights are definitely an option - though shoes will be tricky, I think. Clumpy (commutable in) black wedge sandals are currently my only smart option that isn't boots, but finding shoes that fit is such a pain.

I'm always cold at work too, most days I wear a vest under whatever I'm wearing and a cardigan on top. I've found that wearing pop socks keeps my feet a bit warmer with ballet pumps - ok so they aren't very sext but they are very practical. I only really wear dresses to work in winter when I can wear them with thick tights and boots, if I do wear a skirt to work in the summer it's usually a maxi skirt to keep my legs warm.

Oh yes also scarves are great for keeping warm.

Are you a rhesus negative blood group out of interest? I've heard it mentioned that people in that category feel the cold more - and also apparently get bitten by mosquitos more (Not sure if that's actually true or not though!)

That's interesting sweetheart I feel the cold and get bitten. OTO DD2 does not feel the cold and gets bitten while DD1 feels the cold but does not get bitten....

Uniqlo do a thermal range called heattech. They have vest tops and leggings.

The material is thin, so won't bulk you out. If you wear the vest tips under t shirts, it should help to keep your core warm.

chanie When I said a vest under, the Uniqclo ones are what I meant

sweetheart I have no idea about my blood type, sorry!

Hmm, may need to look at summery dresses and things to go with them now...

I just read this I am rhesus negative and get badly bitten by mosquitos but never feel the cold or didnt till bldy thyroid packed up who knew I'd find this out on style and beauty

have you had your thyroid checked ?

Yes I mean cardigan shorter than blazer. I have about 8 different colour and material blazers now so fit through most weather

interesting thread - I am rhesus negative and I feel the cold to some extent but not like OP. Is it the air con?

I am always hot now but it may be an age thing and I don't get bitten by mossies much. They like dh.

Suggestions for clothing are good. Linen trousers and wear thin tights underneath. I do that in the winter with trousers in general. Long cardigans that cover your rear or were around last year which were like coats.

Those knitted waistcoats, half sleeve jumpers.

Wow I'd never heard the rhesus neg thing. I am and always feel cold but never get bitten ( I think it is all the Marmite I say!).

Both DDS are audio rhesus neg and never seem child though. I miss socks in the summer!

Stupid auto correct... Also rh neg and never feel cold

I am a cold bod too (and also rhesus neg) - interesting idea, but maybe just chance. Anyway, I find if my feet are warm, it's easier to keep the rest of me warm too so pop socks are my friend this time of year. I usually wear a vest and keep a cardigan handy so that I can manage cooler more summery clothes. I even bought a slip this week to wear under a dress for a wedding - I told my sister and I think she thought I've suddenly b turned 80. I don't care, I'd rather be comfortable.

So, inspired by this thread I've bought this:
m-uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/5532840206

(First ever attempt at a link, hope it works!)

Cream jacket, nude tights, ballet flats (cream or black) and a vest (white or black?)? Or some other way of wearing it?

did other rhes negs have to have injection in bum. that finished me off after having stitches with ED.

none of my dc are RN

sorry didn't mean to hijack but almost forgotten about it.

Yes I had the anti D injection