HOW TO DRESS FOR SUMMER IN THE OFFICE
Stephen Doig on ways to free up your smart attire in the heatwave
In our capital city at least, men have embarked on an uncomfortable few days of crisp shirts sodden with unsightly sweat patches, suit trousers as unpleasant as tweed underpants and ties yanked asunder; a heatwave is upon us and the British man’s corporate attire is woefully unprepared.
A debate flickered across the Twittersphere briefly this week about whether shorts in the office is ever acceptable; of course, it’s all about context. If you’re a whippethipped youth in his first job at a social media agency, go for it. If you’re a partner at a
Magic Circle law firm, absolutely not. Short suits became a curious phenomenon over a decade ago, with blazers worn with matching, beautifully tailored shorts.
Quite a fun ensemble for a casual, low key summer wedding (providing it doesn’t cause the mother-ofthe-bride to reach for her smelling salts), but still not really acceptable at a responsible office job. The New York designer Thom Browne has long proposed shorts, worn with long schoolboy socks, alongside shrunken jackets and shirts; he’s certainly carved out a niche in this territory and has acolyte followers, but I’m not convinced a fellow in his 40s looks his best while coyly unveiling a hirsute knee as he goes about his daily business. Women can (usually) slip on a dress to maintain an office appropriate look as the temperatures soar, but men’s working wardrobes tend to be more trussed up and less amenable to balmy environs. That said, there are minor adjustments a man can make to free up his formal attire and lend a more breezy approach. First of all, forget the shorts debate and look at the top half. Obviously, the caveat with all of this is how strict your dress code is, but stiff, starched formal shirts can occasionally give way to less ceremonial varieties; a grandad collar shirt, left unbuttoned at the top, is a great option here, perhaps in a breathable cotton poplin and if your workplace permits, an open-necked pyjama-style shirt that allows a degree more freedom. While we’re on the subject of shirts, it’s also worth considering the polo shirt as a viable alternative to a traditional shirt, worn with a smart blazer – a dynamic combination of sporty vim and smartness. The next place to attend to is your feet. Sandals are generally a no-go in the boardroom, but ditch the socks and opt for some “invisible socks” that leave your ankles bare, and go for a less structured variety of shoe, such as loafers or if it’s not too off duty, a smart pair of espadrilles with a proper sole. Finally, it might be worth a dalliance with a more soft-fitting style of trousers: go for versions in lightweight wool but with cropped shapes and more airy proportions. Cooling in even the most corporate of set-ups.