- Published
Yet another summer heatwave could be on the way to make your commute sweaty and your workplace stuffy.
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workplace → publish → way
What to wear to work in the summer can be a surprisingly difficult decision.
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wear → wear → summer
Shorts, strappy tops and sandals may keep you cool - but will they be judged too casual, revealing or unprofessional?
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they → keep → you
There's a bare-legged backlash in Tokyo where officials encouraged men to swap suits for shorts at work, prompting complaints about hairy legs in the office.
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officials → be → office
So what is acceptable to wear to work, how can you successfully style your summer wardrobe and can your boss tell you what you can and can't wear?
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you → wear → you
Shorts
Conor, who works in media, has regularly worn shorts to the office during the recent hot weather.
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who → work → weather
"Who gives a monkey's what you wear?" he says.
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he → give → what
"If you're able to do your job safely, professionally and appropriately, there's a lot to be said for letting people be comfortable."
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people → do → job
And many seem to agree - a recent poll by market research firm Ipsos found 62% of adults thought it was acceptable for men to wear shorts to work in hot weather, while 63% said the same for women.
But we aren't talking short-shorts or denim hot pants fashion designer Amanda Wakeley points out: "If you're asking yourself whether they're too short, they probably are".
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they → seem → yourself
She says shorts are "the trickiest item to get right in a professional environment" and recommends tailored, longer shorts paired with a crisp shirt or lightweight blazer for both men and women.
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shorts → say → men
Stylist Clare Chambers agrees shorts should sit around the kneecap for both men and women.
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shorts → agree → men
For men, she recommends tailored chino-style shorts with an untucked T-shirt or shirt.
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she → recommend → shirt
Sandals
Wakeley describes flip-flops as one of the few definite "no" items in most offices.
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Wakeley → describe → offices
"They instantly signal leisure rather than professionalism and can make even the most polished outfit feel underdressed," she says.
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she → signal → professionalism
Chambers agrees, and says even during the hottest weather, woven flats are a better option because they are breathable while still covering the foot.
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they → agree → foot
Almost two-thirds of people questioned by Ipsos said they were unacceptable for men in the workplace, while 58% said the same for women.
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% → question → women
Sandals, however, are a slightly different matter as Wakeley says refined leather sandals can be entirely acceptable in many offices, provided they are clean and well maintained.
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they → say → offices
The difference, she says, is whether they look like part of a considered outfit or something that would normally be worn around a swimming pool.
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that → say → pool
She adds that while socks and sandals have become a viral fashion trend "it's important to consider whether a trend aligns with the image you want to communicate professionally".
"
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you → add → image
This combination can read as highly casual and youthful, which may unintentionally detract from giving you a credible and authoritative presence."
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which → read → presence
Some 40% of adults considered tank tops or vest tops acceptable for women at work, compared with only 24% who said the same for men, according to Ipsos.
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who → consider → Ipsos
Natasia, a teacher in London, says at a previous school she and other staff had been summoned "regularly in the summer months to tell us off about our outfits."
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she → say → outfits
She says she was also told to cover up her tattoos.
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she → say → tattoos
"It should be OK to have your arms out at work especially when it's hot," she says.
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she → have → work
Wakeley says a well-cut camisole or strappy top can work when worn beneath a linen overshirt, lightweight jacket or tailored co-ord.
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camisole → say → overshirt
On its own, however, it may feel too informal.
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it → feel → own
Chambers says if you're wearing a strappy top "you must wear a strapless bra as it utterly kills an outfit when you can see bra straps".
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you → say → straps
She explains that thicker straps are a safer option where the dress code is unclear and recommends satin camisoles as a more polished alternative to basic cotton vests.
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code → explain → vests
She adds that while bandeau tops are "such an on-trend look this summer, they are a no-go for work".
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they → add → work
"The constant need to keep fiddling to pull them up displays an uncomfortable and unconfident demeanour," she says.
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she → keep → demeanour
How to style summer clothes at work
Wakeley and Chambers both say that you don't need to lose your personal style when dressing for the office and you can still inject plenty of personality while following a dress code.
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you → style → code
Here are their top tips on how to style summer clothes for the office.
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tips → style → office
Can your employer tell you what to wear?
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employer → tell → what
Climate change is expected to bring more severe, frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves in UK summers in the coming years.
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change → expect → years
Employers are allowed to set standards around clothing and appearance, particularly where there are legitimate reasons such as safety, branding or maintaining a professional image.
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Employers → allow → image
But employment lawyer Sarah Tahamtani says dress codes should be "reasonable, proportionate and capable of justification".
"During extreme heat, employers should consider whether existing requirements remain practical and whether greater flexibility can be introduced.
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flexibility → say → heat
They must also consider employees with disabilities, medical conditions or other vulnerabilities that may be worsened by high temperatures.
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that → consider → temperatures
An employee who believes a request is unreasonable or inconsistently applied should first raise the issue with a manager or HR and explain how the rule is affecting their comfort or ability to work safely.
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rule → believe → comfort
The Aporia
