I don't know if you've noticed but there's a heatwave, guys (has anybody spoken about anything else for the last two months?). And it peaks today: officially the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees across the UK. But the warm weather brings some serious sartorial stresses. How do you dress when you need to get through a clammy commute, erratic office air con, and evening outdoor cocktails? Well, if you're anything like us you battle the heat with a mixture of breezy dresses, no bras and Birkenstocks.
This is what some of Team R29 wore to work today. Sweat: models' own.
Charlotte Gush, Fashion Editor
I cycled to work on an Ofo bike this morning, and was initially concerned about wearing wide, flowy trousers (in case they got caught in the chain), but the low drop-crotch meant they actually rode up to become perfect wide shorts for cycling, catching lots of air as I went along. They're mid-weight silk, from an early Topshop Unique collection.
There’s nothing much to explain about the simple black cotton vest – it’s oversized and hangs loose (more air!). I always buy sandals from Clarks, because they have good rubber treads and quality leather straps. My red leather bag is from & Other Stories, and I borrowed the sunglasses from Fashion and Beauty Writer Georgia.
Sadhbh O'Sullivan, Social Media Assistant
Look – I've run out of office-acceptable heatwave outfits that aren't still damp with sweat but I can still cycle in, so now I look equal parts sensible dad and utterly ridiculous. Direct influences = Laura Dern, Harry Styles' silk shirt collection, early Monica Geller. Special shout out to my Lez Bag (real name) that cements this outfit as gorpcore.
Kara Kia, Editorial Intern
I got this ruffle wrap mini from Boutique1861, a wonderful little French Canadian find. It's breezy and dries quickly when my underarms get wet in the Tube (I take the Northern line, bless me). The slides are from Topshop and the bag – oh, the bag! It's from Shein, a holographic plastic mini bag modelled off of a Birkin. (It was a bargain but I would have paid more for a recycled plastic accessory, let's make that a thing?)
Natasha Slee, Social Media Manager
I'm braless in an oversized Uniqlo linen jumpsuit and I feel absolutely fantastic. Heatwave, shmeatwave. Pulling it off the airer this morning (still slightly damp! Bliss!) I said a tiny prayer for all the poor souls sweltering on the Northern line in suits and opaque tights. I would not recommend carrying a plastic see-through bag in 36 degree heat though, it's an oven for iPhones.
Zanny Ali, Senior Content & Optimisation Manager
I disagree with blokes wearing shorts and/or having their feet out at work, so have gone for standard Vans and 501s on the bottom half. These jeans are my most comfortable, but that's no consolation in this heat. Up top is the T-shirt I always wear on holiday. It's drenched in sweat and from Cos. Sunglasses given to me by a mate. I'd much rather be in a floaty dress and those black Birkenstocks everyone else seems to be wearing. But I'll have to settle for EasyJet baggage handler chic.
Gillian Orr, Content Director
You know that scene in Anchorman when Will Ferrell walks down the street on a boiling hot day crying, "Milk was a bad choice!"? That's how I feel about these Diane Von Furstenberg boots. Boots were a bad choice. What was I thinking? And the Réalisation dress is silk: another disaster. Kids, don't try this at home. The Stella McCartney sunnies were the only good decision I made this morning.
Chemmie Squier, Associate Creative
I would be lying if I said I wasn't a 'sweaty person' so today my outfit brief was simple: wear as little as possible. I originally bought this Zara linen shirt dress as more of a beach cover-up but it's actually ideal in this weather when maximum breeze, minimal skin contact is the objective. Size up and you're on to a winner.
Sandals went straight on because a) I'm not a madman and b) I recently bought Birkenstocks because, well, originality is overrated and there's a reason everyone's got a pair. My bag is & Other Stories which was a pre-holiday panic buy and I'm obsessed with it, not least because it actually has a zip (a rare commodity when it comes to straw bags) and Ray Ban sunnies because I value my sight and this sunshine is blinding. Hair will be going in a bun imminently because it's akin to wearing a scarf.
Dami Khadijah, Strategy Manager
If you travel underground to get to work then you will completely get the notion behind my look... I needed an outfit that was going to allow as much breeze as possible to flow through and not cling to any part of my body. This & Other Stories dress certainly delivers. My outfit (the trainers are Fila) was completely function over fashion.
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Let's be honest, someone with my skin colouring (translucent) and temperament (stressed) was not built for this climate. I should be walking across windy Yorkshire Moors or showing off my milky whites in a kilt in the Scottish Highlands. Summer 2018 for me is a vicious hell-cycle: anything I wear has to keep my skin covered to avoid instantaneous burning, but you know what being fully covered makes you? SWEATY. This H&M dress is thankfully a bit breezy, but what madwoman wears a ruffle collar on the hottest day of the year? Me, apparently. At least my trusty Birkenstocks make the long walk home slightly easier.
Rose Lander, International Co-ordinator
I didn't want to wake my boyfriend or turn the bedroom into a sunlight-fuelled sauna by opening the blinds this morning, so I literally got dressed in the dark. Once out in the daylight I was very pleased to find my Missguided skirt fit the requirements of not going immediately see-through after a sweaty Tube ride and allows for a breeze as I stride purposefully towards air conditioning. I hope my Meller sunglasses and lipstick help me style out my up-do as a well-thought-out vintage look rather than an absolute necessity, as I cannot face a hairdryer in this heat.
Nina Joyce, PR Director
At what point does a stretched-out old T-shirt from a charity shop become vintage? Anyway, this ~vintage~ T-shirt, H&M skirt and Clarks fake Birks are the perfect combination to wear on a beautiful day, here on what I can only conclude is the face of the actual sun. Black finger splint on my left hand lovingly provided by the NHS <3
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