Dressing for the office in a heatwave is one of the more unfortunate realities of British summer. One minute it’s grey skies and trench coats, the next London is hitting 30C and the Central line feels hotter than Burning Man. While getting dressed for weekends in the sun is easy enough, figuring out what to wear to work in a heatwave is an entirely different challenge.
Because despite the soaring temperatures, most office dress codes remain very much intact. And somehow, we’re all expected to look presentable after commuting across the city in humidity that feels better suited to southern Europe than a Tuesday morning in July.
The good news is that heatwave office dressing has become considerably chicer in recent years. This summer, the key pieces dominating office style are oversized cotton shirts, linen co-ords, sleeveless waistcoats, breezy white separates and floaty dresses that allow for actual air circulation during your commute. Tailored Bermuda shorts are perfect for replacing trousers, boat necklines are making sleeveless dresses feel more elevated, and linen suiting remains the easiest way to survive formal office dressing in 30-degree heat.
From relaxed tailoring to airy dresses and summer-ready workwear staples, these are the heatwave office outfits we’ll be relying on this season.
Breezy white outfit
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 14: A guest wearing white sheer wrap dress, grey Saint Laurent bag, brown shoes at Australian Fashion Week 2026 at Anibou on May 14, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
