7 Warmer Weather Work Staples

You know the drill – by the time summer hits our shores, Mother Nature is not kidding around. Hot with a capital H is no over dramatization (kicking off a kitten heel for a post-swim dip was more of a regular occurrence than a meeting for most of us in 2014), which brings us to the topic at hand: summer work wear. A fashion anomaly to any of us who work outside watersports, it’s a sticky situation in more ways than pure perspiration. Save yourself from the HR headaches with our simple guide to no-sweat summer work wear.

THE FLUTED SKIRT

Easy, breezy, beautiful, as the name suggests – she’s a real easygoing type, the fluted skirt. Significantly more fun loving than a strict pencil (and airflow friendly to boot), think of it as the relaxed, beachside version of office tailoring. Being so personality-plus means keeping it simple up top, too – the kick flare adds all the drama you need, so tuck in a simple silk blouse or a lightweight short sleeve and leave all the conversation starting to your better (bottom) half.

Witchery midi skirt, $149.95
Witchery.com.au

Stella McCartney jacquard skirt, approx. $1,077.47
Mytheresa.com

THE VOLUMINOUS SLEEVE

We are in the midst of a ‘70s throwback, after all – the belle of which is the bell, cady and fluted sleeve. Swing it from romantic to minimal depending on your office mood, no blazer required. Just be sure to keep the volume restrained – anything too billowy will add extra width to your shoulders (it’s a fine line between Talitha Getty and Pirates of Penzance).

Topshop pleated detail top by Boutique, approx. $130.12
Topshop.com

Forever New Misa bell sleeve flare top, $79.99
Forevernew.com.au

Roksanda Myseen long-sleeved silk blouse, $939
Matchesfashion.com

J.W.ANDERSON striped cotton-piqué top, $620.06
Net-a-porter.com

THE WRAP VEST

You’re potentially already acquainted with the not-so-distant cousin of your winter blazer, and with good reason – she’s a keeper. All the polish without raising your body temp, the wrap vest’s newest incarnation is best worn belted for a silhouette-enhancing take on tailoring. Perfect for a casual Friday to bring a simple jeans and tee combo into line.

Topshop white wrap duster, approx. $141
Topshop.com

Warehouse belted waistcoat, approx. $104.32
Warehouse.co.uk

THE LIGHTWEIGHT KNIT

A Spring knit? Really? This isn’t a trick question – they do exist and yes, are quite indispensible come your 9-5. Best found on the high street, thin short and ¾ sleeve knits wield as much power in your work-drobe as the white shirt. Stock up in a slew of neutrals, stat.

Seed rib knit top, $99.95
Seedheritage.com

Uniqlo premium linen ¾ sleeve sweater, $49.90
Uniqlo.com.au

Witchery sleeveless longline knit, $99.95
Witchery.com.au

THE CHECK PRINT DRESS

Like a mirage in a bleak desert, the perfect work dress is not as hard to find as the name suggests. Whilst your LBD is still as relevant as ever, summer work wear can benefit from a little punch without going OTT – enter the check print to lighten the mood. It’s all about elongation here; think clean lines and a nipped in waist to stretch out your silhouette (to Elle Macpherson proportions, ideally).

Preen By Thornton Bregazzi Oxford printed silk midi dress, $1,506.86
Net-a-porter.com

Tory Burch checked pussy-bow silk-crepe dress, $556.50
Net-a-porter.com

Country Road structured overlay dress, $249.00
Countryroad.com.au

THE LINEN BLAZER

A girl’s BFF – best fabric friend, in this instance. For those of us who can’t enter the boardroom sans jacket, shelve your heavy cotton and wool blends in favour of lighter, more breathable fabrics like linen – smart, sharp and sans sweat, the office trifecta. Multitask them for your weekend wardrobe for an added incentive to invest.

Witchery linen blazer, $189.95
Witchery.com.au

Uniqlo linen jacket, $99.90
Uniqlo.com.au

J Crew regent blazer in linen, $339.40
Jcrew.com.au

Isabel Marant Haylee jacket, $1,015
Matchesfashion.com

THE TUNIC TOP

If your button-down’s are verging on the side of stuffy, trade them in for a tunic – seemingly casual at first glance, the tunic is the underdog of office-friendly separates. Pair them back over your pencil skirts (for corporate) or lightweight denim (for casual) as a 24/7-problem solver.