Although not always guaranteed in the UK, summer generally means warmer weather and with it the dilemma of what to wear to work in a heatwave.

It can be hard to strike a balance between being comfortable and looking professional on hot days. No one wants to be the talk of the office for getting it wrong or, even more cringe worthy, be sent home for being ‘inappropriately dressed’!

Luckily, we’ve put together our top 5 tips on what to wear during a heatwave:

 

If in doubt, ask

If you’re not sure what your company’s dress code policy is, ask your manager or HR department. Even if the company’s dress code is very strict, you might be able to ask for leniency in a heatwave.

 

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should

Remember, no matter how much you wish you were off to the beach, you’re still going to work. Just because an item of clothing is appropriate for hot weather, doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for the office. Save the denim hot pants or low-cut vests (yes, this doesn’t just apply to women!) for the weekend.

 

Be a material girl (or boy)

Even if your workplace insists on a very formal dress code, there are still ways you can make yourself more comfortable in a heatwave. Natural fabrics like fine cottons and linens will be much more comfortable than synthetic fibres.

 

Don’t sweat it

In hot weather certain colours are more likely to show sweat patches than others. Prints can be great for disguising sweat patches and keep you looking cool even if you don’t feel it.

 

Wear sunscreen

A recent study by Cancer Research found one in five UK adults aren’t protecting themselves at all from the sun during the height of the British summer. You might think that sun cream isn’t necessary if you work in an office, but what about during your commute, lunch break or those impromptu after-work drinks in the beer garden?

 

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