What Should You Wear To Work In This Weird Weather?

The heatwave is over but it certainly isn't cold. And it's raining, too. How are we supposed to get dressed every day?

cefinn work shirt

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

Term time has begun. Everyone has gone back to school, your holiday tan is fading quicker than Boris Johnson's sense of hope and you heard a colleague mention Christmas yesterday. It's September. This means that, while last week was still dominated by high temperatures and billowing cotton dresses, this week calls for ankle boots and lightweight knitwear.

It's not cold, as such. It's just that we all got used to heatwave life, which liberated our minds from the tyranny of outerwear. Is it too hot for a full-on coat or too cold for just a denim jacket? These are now the sorts of questions plaguing us on a daily basis, nevermind what on earth we should be wearing on our feet. I would argue that sandals still seem appropriate – warmer temperatures are forecast for next week, after all, and you don't want to force your poor toes into socks and tights any sooner than is necessary.

So, whatever you do on a daily basis, here's a very helpful (and humble) guide to getting dressed for work every single day while the weather is just plain weird.

The easy breezy shirt

Cefinn shirt
Cefinn, Callie Cotton Bib Front Collarless Shirt, £190

BUY: Cefinn, Callie Cotton Front Bib Shirt Collar, £190

Samantha Cameron’s Cefinn is always a winner for workwear that’s chic instead of coporate. Her newly launched range of shirts, long-sleeved with bib collars and ever-so-slightly puffed sleeves, are perfect for wearing with simple black trousers when temperatures spike. (Tip: buy a size up so the fabric doesn’t cling to your skin.)

The sleeveless dress

COS dress
COS, Panelled Sleeveless Dress, £115

BUY: COS, Panelled Sleeveless Dress, £115

Put the power dresses on ice until further notice. What you need now is something sleeveless that has a pleasingly relaxed silhouette. This COS number is just the ticket. It hits that sweet spot on the mid-calf, still has a flattering A-line shape and looks like a flash of sunshine. You can also layer it over long sleeved tops if you feel a bit chilly.

The linen blazer

Zara blazer
Zara, Linen Blazer With Pockets, £69.99

BUY: Zara, Linen Blazer With Pockets, £69.99

A trouser suit might be non-negotiable for some, but the rest of us should swap the matching two-piece for a linen blazer and white trousers combo. Stick to a spectrum of light neutrals on the top half - cream, biscuit and camel, you know the drill - and finish with tortoiseshell shades.

The minimalist sandal

Aeyde sandals
Aeyde, Chrissy Sandal, £130

BUY: Aeyde, Chrissy Sandal, £130

Put your espadrilles away, for you won't be needing them for a while. If you're not ready to pack away summer just yet, try a minimalist sandal. Aeyde’s three-strap style ticks all the boxes - flat, smart and wear-with-anything.

The 9am - 9pm jumpsuit

BUY: Me+Em, Tie-Front AM-PM Jumpsuit, £169

If your day starts with a breakfast meeting and finishes with work drinks, then you need something that’s smart but not square. Me+Em specialises in transformable clothing, like this AM-PM jumpsuit. It has three neckline options - round, V and keyhole - so you can zip or unzip depending on the time of day and temperature.

The cropped trouser

Dai trousers
Dai, Flare Game Trousers Midnight, £190

BUY: Dai, Flare Game Trousers Midnight, £190

Dai is your one-stop-shop for workwear that acts like performancewear. Every woman should have a pair of cropped, kick-flare trousers - so much more flattering than a straight cigarette style - and Dai’s are breathable, quick-drying, machine washable and resistant to pilling.

SHOP: What To Wear To Work In This Weird September Weather

Gallery

SHOP: The coolest workwear buys for weird weather

M&S shirt1 of 10

M&S, Pure Linen Utility Shirt, £29.50

& Other Stories shirt2 of 10

& Other Stories, Relaxed Fit Button-Up, £45

Warehouse dress3 of 10

Warehouse, Sleeveless Tiered Midi Dress, £39

Uterque dress4 of 10

Uterque, Dress With Belt, £120

Jimmy Choo sandals5 of 10

Jimmy Choo, Joni Crocodile-Effect Leather Slides, £375

& Other Stories sandals6 of 10

& Other Stories, Leather Square Toe Slip-On Sandals, £65

Stine Goya trousers7 of 10

Stine Goya, Bob Cady Flared Pants, £190

3.1 Phillip Lim jumpsuit8 of 10

3.1 Phillip Lim, Belted Cotton-Blend Poplin Jumpsuit, £580

J&M jumpsuit9 of 10

H&M, Silk Jumpsuit, £14.99

Baum Und Pferdgarten trousers10 of 10

Baum Und Pferdgarten, Noa Trousers, £179

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