Ladies - here's how to dress for work in the heat

It’s a scorching summer day. You breeze into work wearing your favourite summer dress.

You’re cool & comfortable. Life is good.

However, as you go through your day you begin to regret your casual flowy dress choice.

It is far too short when you are sitting at your desk & your bra straps are on show. You spend every second minute adjusting, trying to feel covered & professional.

Not exactly an ideal work day.

While we all want to be cool & comfortable in summer, there are ways we can achieve this without breaching dress standards or forfeiting professionalism.

Here are some simple rules to help you avoid a fashion faux pas at the office when the heat hits...

Choose the right underwear

When the outer layers come off & a little more skin is on show, it’s more important than ever to choose your undergarments carefully.

Visible underwear lines & bra straps are a complete no-no in the office. It makes your outfit appear too casual & unprofessional.

Bring a cover up

The weather has finally gotten warmer.

You are ecstatic to finally be wearing dresses & skirts to work.

However, along with the heat comes the air conditioner - the enemy of any cute summery outfit.

To ensure you don’t spend the day shivering away at your desk, always bring a cover up.

Whether that be a cardigan, scarf, or blazer, always have something prepared to throw on if someone in your office gets a little too keen on the AC.

Pay attention to your feet

If you choose to wear flats, ensure they aren’t made of cheap plastic materials.

They will cause your feet to sweat excessively & start to smell quite quickly.

Consider wearing footlet socks with flats to reduce the risk of permanent odours.

If your workplace permits wearing sandals, make sure your feet are clean & toes are manicured.

(A home job is fine - you just don’t want long or ragged toe nails ruining your appearance).

Don’t go too casual

Yes, it’s summer, & depending on where you work that may mean the office dress code is relaxed slightly to accommodate for the warmer weather.

However, this does not mean that all rules have gone down the drain.

Aside from the obvious tips like never wear flip flops to the office, there are other tricks you can use to make sure you always look put together - even if your outfit is a little more casual.

For example, if you are wearing a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt, make sure your legs are covered.

Similarly, if you are wearing a skirt that puts your legs on show, make sure that what you are wearing on your top half isn’t too revealing.

This will help to balance out your outfit, ensuring there is not too much skin on show & keeping your look professional.

Get the length right

If you’re wearing skirts or dresses, they should be at least knee length.

The midi skirt is a popular, flattering & breathable option that you could consider trying when the temperature rises.

Avoid sweat patches

Many people believe that when the heat hits, light coloured fabrics are what will stop you from getting too hot & sweaty.

However, a scientific study from 1980 looking into why Bedouins, living in the Sinai desert wore black robes, proved this assumption wrong.

It showed that it’s not the colour, but the cut of the clothing & fabric used that keeps you cool.

Opt for loose, billowy, non-synthetic items that will allow air to circulate freely & reduce the instance of sweat patches.

Alternatively, if there are some colours you find don't show your sweat patches clearly, wear them on a hot day.

Focus on fabrics

In summer it’s best to go for breathable lightweight fabrics such as linen & cotton blends to allow air flow & help combat the heat.