Summer is back. Finally, it’s starting to heat up – but so are you: On the tube, your walk to work and in the office. Summer workwear can be technical: How to find the balance between breezy in the heat without scrimping on formality? The simple answer is finding the perfect summer work dress. No complications; just one piece and zero stress. As a recent London College of Fashion grad who has made the transition to work this summer, here are the dresses I’ll be wearing all summer long.
If in doubt: Keep it simple and classic. Muted tones and T-shapes are a winner for every office dress code. Cotton is my go-to summer fabric, as it keeps you cool on the commute, and dresses with sleeves give the perfect air-con coverage. Opt for deep cherry reds (yep, our favourite AW24 colour trend is sticking around for summer) or midnight black tones with interesting details, like wood-block prints or lace trims for that effortless Madrid street-style aesthetic.
Feel the breeze with these floaty dresses that will keep you cool (in every way) and add some zing to your working day. Pistachio green is quickly becoming the colour of the summer – and with WGSN labelling it a key colour for S/S 27 – it’s here to stay. Not only is it incredibly wearable, green is also proven to boost concentration and promote tranquility. Bonus. For extra interest, choose styles with broderie and bows, which are everywhere right now, as the coquette trend continues to shine.
Nothing says timeless quite like a crisp, button-down, shirt dress. So why not add a twist when you wear one to work this summer? As we saw through this year’s Met Gala theme: ‘Superfine: tailoring black style’, nothing says glamour quite like a crisp collar. So, go one step further this season and ‘dress’ up the shirt if you will.
Be bold this summer by adding more prints into your rotation. Don’t ditch your trusty floral dresses just yet (I know you have a few!), but things are ramping up this season with bigger, brighter, bolder blooms, botanicals and abstract prints coming to the forefront of fashion. Cut in easy, effortless silhouettes, these styles always work (no pun intended).
Though the sun is shining, every now and then things can get a little chilly. Denim though, is one of those things that is never hot and then cold, it’s always the moment. Try a denim dress for the extra weight while maintaining some much-needed ventilation. Its versatility too always pairs well with a more colourful summer jacket. One thing about denim is you can never go wrong!
Kate Middleton has reaffirmed that polka-dot dresses are going nowhere and has got everyone talking about her VE Day 80th annaversary dress on the 8th of may also worn by her at the Order of the Garter service in 2023. Why not channel the stylish royal to work this summer through incorporating the print into your workwear wardrobe with dresses and linen separates alike. This one we can confirm will never get old.
What makes a summer work dress so appealing in the morning rush is the ease of throwing a look together. When it comes to accessories, don’t overcomplicate things, reach for classic black or contrast colour sunglasses and sandals (gladiators wore them and so should you – strength, flexibility and glamour in one) or ballet flats to suit your mood. Finish with a cross-body bag and you’re good to go.
Ready to simplify your morning routine? Choose one or two perfect summer work dresses from our new collection and you’ll be set all season long. Whether you go bold and abstract or simple and understated, we know you’ll rock them from desk to drinks.
