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
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
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
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
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
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 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
SHOP: The coolest workwear buys for weird weather
1 of 10M&S, Pure Linen Utility Shirt, £29.50
2 of 10& Other Stories, Relaxed Fit Button-Up, £45
3 of 10Warehouse, Sleeveless Tiered Midi Dress, £39
4 of 10Uterque, Dress With Belt, £120
5 of 10Jimmy Choo, Joni Crocodile-Effect Leather Slides, £375
6 of 10& Other Stories, Leather Square Toe Slip-On Sandals, £65
7 of 10Stine Goya, Bob Cady Flared Pants, £190
8 of 103.1 Phillip Lim, Belted Cotton-Blend Poplin Jumpsuit, £580
9 of 10H&M, Silk Jumpsuit, £14.99
10 of 10