Summer outfit planning tends to be centred around fun, whether you’re preparing for a series of weddings or navigating dress codes at Wimbledon or Ascot. However, commuter dressing is when things get a little more tedious – a ride on the Tube in 30 degrees can wreak havoc on many-an outfit, meaning you arrive at the office feeling like you got dressed in a sauna. If you work in a creative work environment or an industry that doesn’t have strict corporate dress codes, we have assembled a number of polished, but relaxed, summer outfits that will help you feel put together on days when all you want to be doing is chomping on ice lollies in your local park.
We recommend you stick to loose silhouettes and natural fibres that are more breathable – think open, oversized linen shirts, cotton T-shirts and lightweight silks that won’t cling to the body. One easy way to make sure your outfit looks cohesive for a 9 to 5 is to stick to a tonal colour palette, so your separates look considered and elevated, whether that’s pairing a chocolate brown shirt with a caramel skirt or a beige shirt with oatmeal denim shorts with a tailored fit.
There are certain staples that will function as a cornerstone of your weekday wardrobe, including a linen Oxford shirt, a pair of clogs (smarter than a sandal, but have more of a summer feeling than loafers), a tailored waistcoat and cropped trousers as a more relaxed alternative to suiting and a black maxi skirt that will look as good with a T-shirt as a silk blouse. It’s especially important in a heatwave to focus on comfort-led design, so play with proportions that give a lightness to your outfit and avoid anything tight or constricting.
Keep reading for seven smart casual outfits that will solve your commuting woes this summer (well, the styling related ones at least).
