Workwear in this weather

[thinkingaboutitall]

Hi all

If you have a smart dress code and have to be in the office, what are you wearing in these temperatures?

I’m actually struggling with what to wear tomorrow whilst still looking smart. I just know I’ll end up profusely sweating in my usual suits and shoes !

Cotton is best, if possible! Take a cardi in case it gets cold or a kagoule in case it rains. They can be folded neatly into a bag.

I haven’t been in a formal office for a few years but if it’s likely to be your norm can you invest in a couple of bits? I’m assuming you don’t have aircon?

Linen trousers, or a suit if jackets aren’t optional for you, with a silk t shirt?
Cotton shirt dress?
Linen shift dress?
Would you be allowed something like palazzo trousers with a more fitted top and jacket or would that not be formal enough?

That’s right, no aircon! Most of the time the heating is on so imagine how stuffy my office is!

Thanks for the outfit ideas, a silk shirt sounds lovely. Going to have look on Asos.

In the 1980s, I worked in a really formal office in NYC, where the outdoor humidity often hit 95% and the temperature could be 95 Fahrenheit in August. But the office had big time AC, so there was a balance to find. For me it was thin dresses with sleeves in the office, or a thin white T shirt under a linen suit for presentations. Three packs of Fruit of the loom Ts were fine, but a better one for formal was a sound investment. Shoes (formal) under my desk at work and sandals for walking around town. Plus an umbrella for the thunderstorms. The office was cool and comfortable, but go to buy a sandwich at lunchtime and the wall of heat and humidity hit like a punch.

It was a tropical city in high summer, but Arctic in winter. Much more extreme temperature changes than most European cities.