Summer work clothes

[Rtato]

I really need help with summer work clothes. Everything seems to be too casual or too formal! I don’t like trousers, so am looking at skirts and dresses. My usual look would be Cos, but I fancy a change. I’m 1.6m and a size 10/12 top and a 12/14 for anything that is fitted around the waist. I hate my stomach, so nothing fitted there. My legs are probably my best feature, as I’m quite short, above knee length looks better (but can sometimes look too casual with bare legs). At the weekends I like the short Sezane sundresses, but they are too casual for the office.

I work with mostly men and their uniform seems to be blue shirt and chinos to give you some idea! I just need some inspiration, maybe some new brands to try. I prefer natural fabrics, I’m not keen of overly floral things for work. I’d prefer to wear flat shoes, but don’t mind wearing heels occasionally if it looks better.

Clothes are super personal, you go with what you feel will work for you. I hate summer clothes for work too, mostly because my ankles get puffy as soon as there's a whiff of hot weather and that makes skirts a total no for me. Hope your new finds look fabulous on you! 😍

Cefinn

Not my style at all, but it is stunning and I think it might be yours: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/asymmetric-linen-dress-in-green/?

I’m not at all corporate so this is maybe useless, but I have a few a-line-y cotton poplin midi skirts which I am wearing with plain, slightly boxy crew-neck t-shirts. You could sub out the tee for a smart top? I recently got a great white one (skirt) from Marks and Sp3ncer.

Today I wore a gingham midi skirt from New Look (so cheap but 100% cotton and it looks great) with a black Arket boxy heavyweight tee, black Samba trainers and white ankle socks, red Cos crossbody bag, and black/grey Levi’s denim jacket. Red lipstick, gold hoop earrings and a chunky necklace, done. (I’m a lecturer in a creative subject so totally appropriate for work here.)

I find skirts and dresses awkward for work in the summer (bare pasty legs, cankles) and like the M&S chinos with a boxy T-shirt or very relaxed blouse or buttondown, and a blazer. With a bit of fake tan and good gold jewellery. Loafers or smart non-chunky trainers.

I've just been reading an article about Patrick Grant & his label, which has some nice, crisp-looking, womenswear. All in cotton or linen too. Everything looks as if it would be too short on me though (5'10"), but it might be just perfect on you!

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/short-sleeve-dresses/products/cotton-dress-straight-red?variant=20442448527414

Lots of good separates too. Styling is a bit dodgy for that denim midi - but it's a great skirt! And the chore shirts would make good summer jackets.

Oops - pressed send without the images!

Just realised the Patrick Grant stuff reminds me of Folk Clothing (which IS Nordic!). I nick the chore shirts off my partner on occasion ... but they do womenswear too. Again, fairly neat & unfussy.

https://www.folkclothing.com

I live in summer dresses at work. These have been this year’s purchases and all have been great. I usually wear with ballet flats various (or LK Bennett nude block heeled sling backs) and gold jewellery.

https://www.baukjen.com/collections/dresses/products/kalina-printed-midi-dress-navy-texture

https://www.baukjen.com/collections/dresses/products/ania-dress-with-lenzing-ecovero-crimson-red#

https://rixolondon.com/products/izzy-runway-spot-navy?variant=41977282658349&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19778671653&gbraid=0AAAAADh6VNbWza82BtX6OP4YfKtNrg1oh&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0LDBBhCnARIsAMpYlAoyGUQkJWY0LvQCFJQCkMNYWp1GyZHyi05J3sgFKoxG3QZEIEfkFNAaAtkPEALw_wcB

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/satin-shirtdress-3616851960133.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_subchannel=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidshopping&utm_campaign=high_volume&utm_term=pmax&utm_content=crid_campaign21646317817_adgroup_tid_pid3616851960133&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21642613574&gbraid=0AAAAADnESOxtG-_g681IFFURnGmdbifr2&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0LDBBhCnARIsAMpYlAoPMHEjpw04u2EMDqEqYiaajsZ5JBJQ5pXkfoFv6nTm2Wz6nF3TBUQaAgVeEALw_wcB

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/maxi-waist-tie-dress-in-green/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20407013689&utm_content=151320228669&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20407013689&gbraid=0AAAAADrNWmw7wrziC2VKAxOQkHpUhNuou&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0LDBBhCnARIsAMpYlAq2GxW5P0Vc8d84JSKSAdiF-Fc3J57ZzHrBRLnurKwl3fY1CRl2Z40aArV8EALw_wcB

Maybe some of you have either not read, or not understood what the OP is looking for?

Hope the Margaret Howell stuff works for you, @Rtato. It can take a bit of experimentation with sizing - but her clothes are dangerously habit-forming.

@MissPrismsMistake , maybe. i originally just bumped the thread because the OP was vague. I did think 'Studio Nicholson/MH' but thought they might be not 'corporate workwear' enough.
I love the aesthetic of them.

FWIW, I think bridgetreilly's W&B dress is bang on what I thought OP would be after.

For work?

Ah got you! Some of the styles look very casual. As for the W&B, yes for work.
Where I work now, it would be too much, but when I worked in the City, it would be fine. It would stand out in a good way.

Sorry I didn’t see this! It’s lovely! Might be too smart though.

@UpMyself @MissPrismsMistake

It’s not classically corporate. It’s literally Nordic Architect! I used to work a mixture of site and office so nearly anything would go (a third of my time was spent in hi-vis!). Now I have more of a corporate role, and go to head office more (mostly wfh), and hence struggling with summer work clothes. The men (and it’s mostly men), are fine in their chinos and shirts but it’s not my style and I’m struggling with being smart without looking I’ve stepped out off a Hobbs catalogue or the other way and look like I’m on day release from my Amish community! I’ve also now begun my 40s and fancy a change of style along with the role.

Have really appreciated everyone’s input and it’s given me a lot of ideas!

You mean you work with people called Per, Sven and Beate and they have FRIBA after their name sort of nordic architects? What do the women wear?

i think MHL/SN type clothes should be OK.

Carharrt is pretty cool IMO, but I got that idea from someone off the telly who I think is a qualified architect but now does set design. He sort of looks effortlessly cool for doing crafty things. That's more 'hi-viz and helmet' sort of workwear.

Architectural Outfit: 8 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Outfit

We have multiple Anders, but not a single Sven!

We don’t have many women, but it’s quite varied. When I was a young grad I favoured the preppy look, short skirts, high neck tops/shirts and am heartened to note that’s still going on for some (I’ve still not completely given up this look!). Others are mostly in trousers and shirts. One awesome woman makes her own clothes and looks great. The only very senior woman we have wears polo/turtleneck jumpers, plain trousers with a front crease, occasionally a wrap dress. She’s the finance director (so not an architect) and from the Highlands and (as she has said many times), hasn’t quite embraced the London heat!

I think, reading this back, it’s not really a work problem, more I want a bit of change. I’ve got a toddler, a promotion, I’m not on site anymore, I’ve finally lost a bit of weight and like clothes again, and want to stop hiding away in a (albeit lovely, but unimaginative) Cos sack and try some new things. Whilst looking confident, in charge, happy, and approachable. Not too much to ask surely!!!

Omg that article is hilarious!! Is it AI? I can’t decide if it’s satire or not?!

i love cos clothes and also wear & other stories, Uniqlo, selected pieces from whistles, jigsaw, white company and occasionally mint velvet but only the plainer stuff.

to be fair, m&s is really good and seems to have got a proper designer in this season so don’t rule it out.

I included it for Zaha Hadid's outfit. Unless you fancy a trouser suit or jeggings.

I really like Hobbs for work wear although I mostly buy second hand.

Have you been able to read the OP’s posts, @LivingDeadGirlUK?

I love the look of these. Are the pockets big enough to hold a phone? And what's the sizing like, eg I find M&S bigger than other high street, so would it be M&S sizing or smaller normal sizing?

I like a lot of Italian brands for elevated work wear. Someone previously mentioned MaxMara. There is also Woolrich and Max & Co. I'm in the EU and I don't have to worry about customs charges. If you want quirky but interesting design there's High. You'll find these brands onYoox