Play it cool at work

Tag : Solid Dress

There's only one thing worse than watching the summer pass you bythrough the office window, and that's deciding what to wear whileyou do it. Those florescent lights are never going to give you thegolden tan you dream of and the air con is drying up all the luxurymoisturiser you bought last month.
But while you count down the days until you hit St Bart's with yourbeau, there's no excuse to slack off in the style stakes.
Here's some helpful hints to send temperatures soaring in theoffice this summer.
The dress dilemma
Light materials and layering are the key to keeping cool when themercury rises. Hot off the runway is DKNY 's silk pleated cummerbund dress (E300, available at Brown Thomas ). This classy little number can be pared down with sandals for achic day look. Exchange the cummerbund for a belt to add colour andteam with bright accessories.
Chiffon is another girls' best friend, especially when it's hot andsticky outside. Topshop have a range of fabulous little chiffondresses from E60 that will have you looking polished from nine tofive, without perspiring.
There can be a tendency to fall back on barely there dresses whenthe temperature rises. However, what looks fabulous for after-workcocktails is likely to ruffle a few feathers in the officeconference room.
But it is possible to have it both ways. Follow Kate Moss 's rule and team your little dress with a tuxedo jacket that youcan then shrug off after five.
Skirting the issue
I'm a huge fan of the Dolce & Gabbana -inspired floral ra-ra minis that have dominated the high streetthis season but, unless you are 17 or blessed with perfect pins,it's a very hard look to pull off. And really it's best to avoidtennis-style hemlines during the summer months in the work place.
Pencil and other narrow styles is a sexy office look all yearround, think of Maggie Gyllenhaal 's amazing wardrobe in Secretary.
MCQ's dotty high-waisted skirt (E250, available atwww.net-a-porter.com) is also an exciting twist on the thisseason's nautical trend.
Fuller skirts are fine, too, as long as you don't get carried awaywith too many flounces and ruffles. Update with gladiator heels, a la Gwyneth Paltrow , for a fierce new look.
Keep your pants on
Generally, shorts are off limits in the corporate suite, but it ispossible to get away with them as long as they're tailored and in asolid colour. City shorts are acceptable, but so 2007. I'm a bigfan of the 3.1 Philip Lim linen playsuit (E350, from Harvey Nichols ), as seen on Sienna Miller . But this look is strictly for a more casual office environment.
Top it off
I loathe the uniformity of the office staple, a white cotton shirt,but All Saints has cast me under their spell with its Thierrystripe shirt, E80.
Sleeveless blouses are office-friendly as long as you go for thosewith a V-neck. Zara have some fab designer-esque ones in cream andnavy, from E60.
Halter, tank and tube tops are definitely a no-no.
Stick with this simple rule for summer: if you have to ask yourself'Is it too slutty for work?', then it probably is!