How to dress for a heatwave in the office this summer
Prepare to face those scorching-hot days with our curation of the best in summery smart-casual style.
Words: Anna Galbraith
The season of sun is finally upon us. And, if the temperatures we reached last year are anything to go by, we can expect to spend more time basking in beer gardens and topping up our tans. But over here at Gentleman’s Journal, we can’t help but feel that we might be looking back on those scorching hot days through rose-tinted glasses. Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than having to pull on a suit and tie and endure a sticky commute — to then sit, sweltering at your desk counting down the hours until you can hop in a cold shower.
Thankfully, there are now a handful of luxury brands who are providing the stylish pieces that will keep you looking smart enough for the boardroom, without causing you to overheat. Read on for our curation of the best in summery smart-casual style.
Keep your cool with a linen shirt
The humble linen shirt has earned its reputation as a true staple in any gentleman’s summer wardrobe. Unlike cotton, linen – which comes from the flax plant – is one of the world’s strongest natural fibres, ensuring greater durability and longevity. Linen is also a natural antibacterial fabric, making it the perfect choice if you’re concerned about unseemly armpit patches.
Happily, the diverse array of quality linen shirts on offer makes it easy to find one that can keep you looking smart enough for work — whilst preventing you from overheating,
Stride out in lightweight chinos
Another sure staple in the modern man’s wardrobe — whether you’re dressing to impress on a dinner date, trying to strike the right smart-casual note in the office, or just strolling out for a casual coffee, a reliable pair of chinos will always fit the bill handsomely.
Now that it’s time to turn your attention to some lighter pieces to last you through the warmer months, your trousers must be made using lightweight and breathable materials. These chinos come in as our top choices for ticking all the right sartorial boxes.
Opt for a cooling layer with a classic polo shirt
A polo shirt deserves to be held up, alongside your slim-fit chinos and favourite smart sneakers, as a true hero item in your everyday wardrobe. Not least because it promises to work with almost all of the other things already hanging in your closet. The renaissance of this all-star piece of apparel (many thanks, Mr. Gosling) means that a polo shirt no longer belongs exclusively in the 1970s, or your father’s golfing clubhouse.
Take your working attire from the mundane to the Milanese with one of these relaxed-look pieces. The lightweight handle and slim fit also make any of these shirts a great option for layering under a lightweight jacket.
Put your best foot forward with a pair of smart sneakers
The last thing you want to be pulling onto your feet in hot weather is a pair of leather brogues. Thankfully, a handful of our favourite smart sneaker brands are ensuring that you don’t have to, with designs that can take you effortlessly from the boardroom to the bar.
Thanks to their lightweight designs and breathable materials, these smart sneakers will keep your feet cool and comfortable as the mercury rises — without letting you down in the style stakes.
Looking for more summer style inspiration? Make a splash with the best in surfing style…
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