WHY IT WORKS
Don’t suffer in heavy winter suiting in the heat – there are smart summer alternatives
QI’m so envious of women who can wear a lightweight dress to the office; only a suit will do at mine. How can I cool down but still look smart?
AEven though it’s warmer, you still have to feel and look smart for work – this is when a summer suit can come into play.
It’s a good excuse to invest in lighter, brighter colours and break away from the classic navy and black. Avoid anything with linen that will crease the moment you sit down, and look for lightweight wools or cottons that have a bit of stretch in them, such as polyester or Lycra. Don’t be put off by these materials – they are your friends. Some of you will prefer a nipped-in waist and longer trousers to elongate the legs, or more of a boyfriend-cut jacket, which can hide a multitude of sins, with slimmer trousers. I would recommend not going too loose on both top and bottom as generally it’s not very flattering unless you are tall and slim. Play around with proportions and see what suits you – the beauty of online shopping is that you can try these options at home.
For the most casual option, take advantage of the blue and white shirting stripe trend that is everywhere at the moment. It doesn’t help that I am a complete sucker for stripes, so the idea of a whole suit was too irresistible not to include. Jcrew’s wide leg trouser suit is a good example. If you need to smarten it up, wear it with a crisp white shirt and white loafers. If this option is too casual but, like me, you love stripes, then opt for a monochrome stripe – Mango has a good version.
If you prefer one block of colour, then look for a pretty neutral in an off-white, cream or pale pink. It can look really smart with a navy silk shirt and navy heels but is classic enough to use the jacket as a separate or with jeans at the weekend. Stella Mccartney’s tailoring sits on the fence between modern and classic, so her suits are the perfect investment.
For those of you brave enough for a pop of colour, go as bright as you dare. I am completely obsessed with anything red – it’s always my go-to colour when I want to feel good and stand out. However, it is difficult to find the right tone of red – and in a fabric that feels and looks expensive. Often I have ordered something red online then been disappointed.
Cefinn have a gorgeous red suit that ticks all the boxes and can be worn in the summer months with a stripe underneath (back with the stripes again) , and will double up in the winter with a simple navy knit. There’s a navy version if you feel like blending in a bit more.
If I haven’t convinced you to think outside the box with a colourful summer suit, then you are excused and can stick to navy, rather than black.
I appreciate that in some work places the standard uniform is a darker colour, so concentrate on lightweight fabrics and pair with a print blouse to embrace the summer. The Fold has a brilliant array of navy suit options in its crease-free (yes, you read that right) fabrics. My favourites are the EC1 Elgin tuxedo jacket that can double up as evening wear or the EC1 Peplum jacket, which has flattering kick pleats. Both have matching trouser options.
And in case anyone has noticed, I haven’t included any skirt suits simply because I didn’t find any good ones. Also, I feel this time of year it’s quite a relief not to have to think about tights so its refreshing to wear trousers instead.
Flash some tanned ankle and team with your favourite heels or flats; these trouser suits should carry you through until the weather turns…