It's summer. What the 'eck do I wear?!

[SallyOMalley]

Every year it's the same. The sun comes out, the temperature rises and I haven't a clue what to wear for work.

I'm an autumn person - I love dresses, tights and ankle boots or just above ankle length slim trousers with brogues. I've often got a scarf wrapped round my neck. But how do I translate this into summer wear?! I always look like I'm expecting a cold snap.

I'm 5'8", size 12 and slightly apple shaped. I hate baring my legs (unless wrapped in aforementioned thick tights). Oh and I work in HE, so not corporate at all.

Help me before I melt!

Slim ankle length trousers, maybe a woven leather shoe and a lightweight blouse? The summer version of your winter uniform.

It probably is that simple, isn't it?

I guess I get a bit hung up on colour. I like greens, purples, tealy (is that a word?) shades and they never seem to translate very well into summer wear. I'm a bit clueless about all that really.

What do Autumn lovers where in summer?!

Sigh. *Wear.

My 'summer work uniform' is usually ankle grazing cigarette trousers, blouse and heels.

Colour wise I go for navy and black trousers, with blush, cream, white and light blue on top. Very simple and having a wafty type blouse keeps me feeling cool during the sweaty months!

Yeah, I basically swap my long sleeved shirt for a short sleeved drapey T-shirt or sleeveless top to wear with my ankle length trousers and switch from boots to courts for work.

It’s pretty boring but cool and easy. Uniqlo do good trousers. And tops for that matter.

I struggle with the bottom half as I'm not keen on skirts or dresses. What about these M&S peg leg which are quite light and floaty. I thibk there's black as well.

Cotton shirt dresses? Lots around in green and I'm sure you could find some navy dresses that would be suitable. I think a lot of midi skirts are 'work appropriate', I wore an old silk slip skirt with a t-shirt tucked in and Toms lots last summer (casual side of smart casual workplace).

Swap the boots and brogues for loafers in the summer (I do still wear my brogues, just without socks). But otherwise cotton ankle skimmers plus silk or cotton shirt is a great summer look.

I wear roughly the same dresses as in winter, but take my cardigan off . Also summer versions of similar dresses but a bit longer so go ok with bare legs (or nude tights... I know....) instead of opaques & boots. I am cultivating a wardrobe of navy dresses for all occasions!

I like the same autumnal colours as you. Navy works all seasons. Try lime green with it? Or a rich deep pink? Or mustard? Kind of rich/dark versions of spring colours.

Great ideas - thank you!

I've got some slim ankle length trousers from Uniqlo which I really like, but none in navy. I can see that they might get a lot of wear.

I spotted this dress on the Uniqlo website today. I don't work in a corporate setting (in HE) so this could work. I've got a scarf in this colour and it works for me (well, I think so!)