The second thing people ask me when they find out I work at Vogue is: “Is it stressful to decide what to wear to work every day?” (The first is usually, “Is it actually like The Devil Wears Prada?” – indeed, groundbreaking). And while we have all been guilty of administering the occasional Manhattan once-over as a colleague walks through the door in the morning, let me assure you that it is only ever in admiration of a particularly lust-worthy ensemble – are you wearing the… the new Adidas X Wales Bonner SL76s? Yes I am – and, perhaps unsurprisingly, we are not short of those in the Vogue office.
Yet even the most sartorially-eloquent among us can still find ourselves stumped at what to wear when the mercury rises and commuting becomes a Dante-like hellscape from which only the bravest emerge unscathed. Perfectly pressed shirts become creased, linen trousers concertina around the crotch and cotton tees go from easy breezy to oppressive in one fell swoop. And that’s not to mention the Baltic temperatures of the office aircon that inevitably follow.
But let us be the Virgil to your Dante this summer, and guide you through the many styling options at your disposal for when the great British summer strikes. We asked seven members of the team to share their summer work outfits and explain how they navigate their wardrobes for the warmer season. Of course, not all offices will be as, erm, liberal with their dress code as Vogue’s but luckily all of the below ensembles will look just as good on the weekend or on your next holiday. You can thank us later.
Tank top + tulle midi-skirt + mules
“I often find myself wearing a rotation of tank tops during the summer months, so my seasonal challenge has always been to find skirts and trousers that will elevate my basics. Enter Molly Goddard’s show-stopping tulle skirt, which I managed to get my hands on at a sample sale earlier this year. Initially I wanted to keep it for special occasions, but I quickly realised this was the wrong course of action, which was how I found myself wearing it with a blue tank and Fitflop mules on a unassuming Tuesday morning. I’ve never received so many compliments on one item of clothing – one woman in the shared kitchen literally thanked me for wearing it. I think that’s what they call an outfit success story.” – Joy Montgomery, commerce editor
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COS
Scoop-Neck Ribbed Tank
£25
Cos
Le Specs
Outta Love Sunglasses
£55
Selfridges
Fitflop
Shuv Leather Clogs
£130
Fitflop
Molly Goddard
Pink Lottie Midi Skirt
£720
Ssense
Missoma
Chubby Large Hoop Earrings
£165
Missoma
Gucci
Pre-Loved Black GG Canvas New Jackie Shoulder Bag
£736
Ebay
Short-sleeved shirt + denim miniskirt + ballet pumps
“Easy breezy clothes are non-negotiable for office days in the summer, so usually you’ll see me wearing some version of this outfit – a simple button-up and denim skort – even though, in my heart, I want to wear something more interesting. The sweaty commute is hard enough without having to worry about tight-fitting clothes!” – Riann Phillip, features assistant
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Uniqlo
Linen-Blend Open-Collar Short-Sleeved Shirt
£30 £25
Uniqlo
Vintage
Silver Tone Chain Link Belt
£20
Ebay
Jeffrey Campbell
Sutton Mesh Mary-Janes
£140
Free People
Stradivarius
Denim Wrap Skort In Medium Wash
£28
Asos
Common Lines
Franco Chain
£168
Flannels
Jean Paul Gaultier
The Piercing Hoop Earrings
£194
Harvey Nichols
Asymmetric bodysuit + cargo trousers
“Swimsuits as tops are just as common in my basics capsule as a white tee or tanks. They form a foundational part of my summer wardrobe because they’re super easy (and flattering) when teamed with trousers and skirts. I love this one by Filippa K layered under a pair of cargo pants and finished with jelly shoes and a vintage shell choker I’ve had since I was 15.” – Naomi Smart, commerce director
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Filippa K
Asymmetric Swimsuit
£130 £78
Filippa K
Sophie Buhai
Emilie Freshwater-Pearl And Silver Necklace
£570 £374
Ssense
Ancient Greek Sandals
Iro Jelly Shoes
£85
Ancient Greek Sandals
Vintage
Straight Cargo Trousers
£23
Ebay
Mejuri
Tube Oversized Hoops
£78
Mejuri
Balenciaga
Le City Bag
£1,750
Balenciaga
Colour pop cardi + printed midi-skirt + loafers
“In the summer months I like to try and dress a little louder and brighter. This printed silk midi is cool and comfortable, and my favourite summer everyday staple will always be a good white tank top. Here I have paired it with this lovely lime green baby cardi, which is the perfect additional layer for an easy office outfit.” – Charlotte Rutter, fashion assistant
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TILLY SVEAAS
Small Silver Plated Watch Chain Necklace
£395
Tilly Sveaas
Sunspel
Classic T-shirt
£90
Sunspel
PROENZA SCHOULER
Piper Tie-Dye Pleated Midi-Skirt
£415 £249
Farfetch
G.H. Bass
Weejuns Larson Leather Loafers
£149
MatchesFashion
Arket
Supima Cotton Rib Socks
£7
Arket
White Stuff
Pure Cotton Crew Neck Cardigan
£45
M&S
Long-sleeved top + gingham skirt + sneakers
“When it comes to getting ready for work in the morning, I usually think about what I might wear when I’m showering, then scramble to find whatever springs to mind. I’ve tried planning in advance, but often end up changing on the day anyway. Recently, I’ve been wearing this vintage gingham Comme skirt and unbranded vintage top non-stop, and I regularly slip into my Martine Rose Shox when I want to wear something that makes more of a statement than a regular trainer – plus, they’re some of the most comfortable shoes I own.” – Alice Cary, commerce writer
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Marks & Spencer
Jersey Textured Top
£23
Marks & Spencer
Molly Goddard
Handbag
£402
Vestiaire Collective
Nike
Shox TL
£155
Nike
Black Comme Des Garcons
Layered Check Skirt Black/White
£500
Dover Street Market
String Ting
Blue Crystal Karma Phone Wristlet
£60
Ssense
Tom Wood
Square Signet Ring
£165
Farfetch
Vest top + miniskirt + boots
“I love wearing co-ords in the summer as they’re so easy to style. This brown Frankies Bikinis set looks great with AS98’s chunky boots, as they add the perfect touch of colour and texture to the outfit.” – Lois Adeoshun, fashion assistant
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Frankies Bikinis
Lenon Cloud Knit Button Up Cardigan
£155
Frankies Bikinis
Mejuri
Pavé Diamond Hoops
£498
Mejuri
A.S.98
Tatum Over-The-Knee Boot
£568
Free People
Frankies Bikinis
Carver Cloud Knit Pleated Skort
£140
Frankies Bikinis
CDLP
Rib Tank Top
£85
CDLP
Ysso
Cordella Silver Ring
£310
Net-a-Porter
Statement top + baggy jeans + velcro sandals
“I love the flamenco flair of this frilled Molly Goddard top, which is an instant mood-lifter in the office, and makes you feel like you are somewhere far more flamboyant than central London. Here I’ve paired it with my favourite oversized Raey denim to pare down what is essentially a party top at work. 5pm sangria anyone?” – Laura Hawkins, acting European associate fashion features director
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Molly Goddard
Lisa Ruffled One-Shoulder Top
£1,073
Farfetch
Mejuri
Trio Diamond Necklace
£338
Mejuri
CECILIE BAHNSEN
Crystal-Embellished Cloqué Sandals
£430 £258
Net-a-Porter
Arket
Cloud Low Loose Jeans
£97
Arket
Marc Jacobs
Perfect Charm Bracelet
£180
SSENSE
ALAÏA
Black Mesh Design Half-Moon Shoulder Bag
£950
Browns Fashion