Britain has been promised one of the hottest starts to June on record. Whether or not that promise bears fruit, don't let it cause a wardrobe meltdown. Here's our failsafe guide to heat wave dressing
Rule one: you’re not legally bound to dress like Sienna Miller circa 2004 just because the sun is outPhoto: finerylondon.com
For obvious reasons, Appropriate Heatwave Dressing is not this country's forte. But as an outward-looking international player, it behooves us to get it right - especially in the office. Reaching for your credit cards the moment the temperature hits 18C might seem rash, but investing in good foundations that can be marshalled for several years to come is actually a sound principle. A heatwave may only last a week, but those five days of sartorial solecisms will be remembered by your work colleagues for ever.
What should those heatwave foundations be? I'd start with the shoes, because they're such a source of torment if you get them wrong. They should look summery, but that doesn't mean they have to be open-toed. Prism's rope-soled, animal-print espadrilles (£145; Prism) are a good example. A low block heel, flatform or a realistic wedge/platform are non-negotiables.
It's hard to determine how much straps will rub, although as general rule, if it's the teensiest bit snug in the shop, it will hurt like hell by the end of the day. Keep a pair of wooden shoe trees handy or try a spray to soften leather (£3.75; Timpson) and make friends with silk-cotton ankle socks in a range of good colours.
As for your Heatwave Style Statement: you're not legally bound to dress like Sienna Miller circa 2004 just because the sun is out. Look for super-lightweight trouser suits in mid-blues and greys (fresher than black): H&M, M&S, J Crew, The Kooples, Joseph, Max Mara, Atea and Whistles are all reliable sources. If you can't find an exact match between your jacket and trousers, a cream jacket will work with everything. Mixing different textures means you can cheat with colours that aren't exactly the same.
Linen pinstripe blazer, £195 and trousers, £175, both Whistles ; Edie Campbell in a cream Atea jacket, £465, Atea Oceanie
Bold, simple patterns are useful for making serious pieces - pencil skirts, shirt-dresses - seem more playful and summery. Stripes, geometry and flowers are all classics (see Zara, Marni and E Tautz). Black and white embroidery and prints (Edun and Talitha) are an elegant way to break up those all-white outfits that look amazing on the catwalk but are hard to pull off in real life.
Denim dress, £295, MiH Jeans
Pinstripes are especially good in the summer (see the Whistles suit, above) because you can wear them with T-shirts, espadrilles and plimsolls, creating a stylish yin-yang. The best T-shirts, by the way, generally come from James Perse (hefty prices but lovely quality), Gap and Vince. Whatever you paid, when they're greying, sagging, snagged or speckled, it's time to ditch them. T-shirts should always look immaculate.
Michael Michael Kors cotton-nylon mix dress, £180, Harrods
Fine cottons, jersey and even linens are the cool (in every sense) option - and if you starch them when you iron, the crispest. Button-through shirt dresses are versatile and range from full-skirted, Fifties-style versions to more boyish, straight incarnations. Maxi skirts? Fine, and fashionable for evenings, but a bit too bohemian for most offices.
Max Mara woven linen jacket, £505, Matchesfashion.com
Above all, be flexible: light layers are essential. Even in a balmy spell, keep a fine knit in your bag. If celebrating what may or may not turn out to be a 48-hour-long heat wave seems childishly short-termist then you haven't lived in this country long enough.
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SUMMER SHOE FAQs with Marcia Kilgore, founder of FitFlop
What fabrics should you look for?
Rubber if you're going to be in the water; canvas if your feet tend to sweat; and leather or cotton linings because they allow the foot to breathe.
How can you ensure perfect fit?
Buy shoes in the mid- to late afternoon, when the fluid from your body has had a chance to settle and your feet aren't at their worst, but they're not at their "just woken up" slimmest either.
When it comes to holiday packing, what three pairs must you take?
An easy pair of inexpensive, waterproof pool slides (it doesn't matter if you ruin them); a brilliant pair of sandals with a backstrap that can double duty from daytime to sundown; and a pair of cool canvas ballerinas, to deploy in case the status of your pedicure suddenly plummets! Don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet, either.
Clockwise from top left: leather espadrilles, £90, Ugg Australia; flip-flops, £90, Fit Flop; block heels, £129, Boden; jewelled sandals, £290, Marni; jewelled heels, £75,Dune; espadrilles, from £142, Prism
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THE UNMENTIONABLES (THAT NEED TO BE MENTIONED)
Beset by sweat? Avoid wearing colours that show sweat patches more noticeably (grey, white) and pick loose-fitting styles in breathable fabrics, such as cotton. Keep blotting papers in your handbag to blot away excess oil, along with one of Mio's Clean Slate Wipes (£21; Space NK), a body towelette with a hint of cucumber, to deploy in emergencies. If your perspiration is at geiser pitch, only Perspi-Shield patches will do: their self-adhesive shields can be stuck to the inside of shirts or dresses, and back-ups in sealed pouches slip into pockets discreetly if you think you might need more than one (£5.95 for 10; Perspi Guard).
Facial mists come into their own in a heatwave, and Avène's thermal spring water spray (£10; Boots) brings relief to irritated or sunburnt skin. Keep it in the fridge for a quick cooling spritz; otherwise, it's perfect for sensitive or allergic, eczema-prone skin.
A new pair of summer sandals will likely mean a complementary blister . As a preliminary measure, Savlon antiseptic spray plaster (£3; Amazon) should be applied all over feet before you put on shoes to ward off the inevitable rub, and a bit of Vaseline underneath a leather strap or across toes can work wonders. Apply baby powder to soles and arches to alleviate the burning feeling that is an occasional side effect of rope espadrilles.
If you're steering clear of sandals, but your winter socks are too hot to handle, you need "invisible", or low-cut, socks. & Other Stories calls its low-cut versions "ballerina socks", and these can be worn with low-cut shoes or ballet flats (£4 for 2 pairs; & Other Stories). Ellie Pithers
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LINGERIE THAT WON'T LEAVE YOU IN A TWIST
The best VPL-eliminating knickers
We generally swear by M&S's seamless knickers (£6; Marks & Spencer) but Cos has a pair in a more palatable rose, rather than nude, colour (£10; COS).
The best multi-way bra for migrating necklines
M&S's offering has clear straps and a low back converter for halterneck, asymmetric and strapless necklines (100 way multi-bra, £22.50; Marks & Spencer).
The lightest lace bra
& Other Stories stocks lace and mesh bras in zingy colourways (from £17; & Other Stories).
The last-minute solution
Got to work only to discover you've worn the wrong bra and your straps are on show? Clip in a strap converter to alter straight straps into a racer back style that's less visible (strap converters, £3.50, Topshop). EP
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WARM WEATHER FUEL
Stave off the sweats by eating food that will hydrate you. Fresh fruit and vegetables such as berries, tomatoes and leafy greens are all nutrient-dense and more than 80 per cent water.
Eat slowly and steadily. If you've ever needed an excuse to graze, the heat is one. Large meals take more energy to digest and raise body temperature. Small meals are another way to ensure you're getting enough water, and keep energy levels up.
Going heavy on the liquor during post-work drinks will only dehydrate you. Say "yes" to more ice, and avoid anything with a high sugar content, sticking to a dry white or mixed spirits. Sara McAlpine
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