Art of Style

The Summer Workwear Styles Your Wardrobe Needs

It is possible to look chic and feel cool enough in the heat – mix-and-match separates in lightweight fabrics and our simple styling tips are all you need…

From tailored separates to the perfect flats – GEORGIE LUCAS rounds up the pieces you need in your warm-weather office arsenal

Fashion editor Connie Daw
Fashion

The endless conundrum when the mercury rises – what can you wear to work that will seamlessly navigate a hot commute, remain chic for meetings and cover the possibility of ferocious office air conditioning? A capsule workwear closet is the answer, with mix-and-match styles you can reshuffle to offer numerous iterations, plus a couple of standout pieces which will glide effortlessly into an evening of rooftop cocktails. Seek out lightweight fabrics – cotton, linen, light jersey – in a neutral palette that will coordinate easily together. Bonus points for pieces which will segue neatly into your weekend wardrobe, too. And don’t overlook the impact of a few carefully chosen accessories – here, we opt for classic designs with considered details which will last for seasons to come.

  • KHAITE
    Sani knitted tank
    $804.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small
    medium - out of stock
    large
    x large - out of stock
  • LIÉ STUDIO
    The Julie sterling silver earrings
    $190.00
  • ESSE STUDIOS
    Gathered organic cotton-poplin and stretch-knit maxi skirt
    $168.00
    Select a Size
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
  • JIL SANDER
    Ring whipstitch-trimmed leather ballet flats
    $711.00
    Select a Size
    35 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
One-and-done dresses and crisp cotton shirts in slightly oversized silhouettes are effortlessly elegant styles you can rely on.

First up, a classic duo – the tank top and midi skirt. Khaite’s version elevates the tank silhouette via a sculpting knit with a square neck and thick straps in an elegant light brown hue that goes with most colors. Wear it with Esse Studios’ cream organic cotton-poplin midi skirt, which has a knitted panel at the waist and discreet pockets. All manner of footwear will work beautifully here, but for warm-weather days, flats are the answer, and you can’t go wrong with a ballet style – Jil Sander’s come with a leather whipstitch trim and sleek ankle strap. Office-appropriate jewelry can be tricky to judge – but these polished silver Lié Studio drop earrings strike the perfect note.

  • CELINE EYEWEAR
    Square-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses
    $567.00
  • LOULOU DE SAISON
    Jada gathered knitted maxi dress
    $160.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Parachute medium Intrecciato leather shoulder bag
    $5,410.00
  • ST. AGNI
    T leather sandals
    $180.00
    Select a Size
    35 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    41
    42 - low stock

Next, seek out a statement dress – easy one-and-done styling and the perfect solution for those days where you’re heading straight out after work. Look to Loulou de Saison, founded by Parisian influencer Chloé Harrouche, the brand’s ‘Jada’ knitted maxi dress is an excellent choice. Crafted in knitted jersey, you’ll be comfortable but look put together, plus the bold red shade is a SS25 favorite that will stand the test of time. Pair with St. Agni’s brown leather ‘T’ sandals – they have a slightly padded sole that your feet will thank you for as you dash between meetings. A capacious tote is another workwear essential, Bottega Veneta’s ‘Parachute’ is the ultimate pick – the woven leather nods to summer-ready baskets. And, of course, no warm-weather wardrobe is complete without a pair of sunglasses, you’ll wear Celine Eyewear’s square-framed tortoiseshell pair everywhere.

Finally, tailored shorts have become ubiquitous with summer elegance – a Bermuda-cut that hems at mid-thigh is the perfect option for work, and Loulou De Saison’s wool-twill ‘Adler’ pair comes in go-with-everything black. These look particularly great with a classic white tank top or a crisply cut shirt – look for something with a bit of structure in cotton or linen and consider sizing up for an oversized silhouette. Toteme’s organic cotton-poplin shirt comes in soft pastel yellow, which has dominated this season’s color palettes and instantly says summer. To finish, slip on Saint Laurent’s glossed-leather loafers for instant polish.

  • TOTEME
    Organic cotton-poplin shirt
    $674.00
    Select a Size
    32 - out of stock
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
  • FOUNDRAE
    Heavy Mixed Double Belcher 18-karat yellow and white gold diamond necklace
    $22,632.00
  • LOULOU DE SAISON
    Adler pleated wool-twill shorts
    $128.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Laurent glossed-leather loafers
    $1,045.00
    Select a Size
    EU 34
    EU 34.5
    EU 35
    EU 35.5
    EU 36 - low stock
    EU 36.5 - low stock
    EU 37
    EU 37.5 - low stock
    EU 38
    EU 38.5 - low stock
    EU 39
    EU 39.5
    EU 40
    EU 40.5
    EU 41
    EU 41.5 - out of stock
    EU 42