What’s hot?

The question of what to wear in the office in summer when it gets really, really hot is, literally, a sticky one.

But in reality, the answer is simple.

For both men and women, the answer is in the fabric you choose. Cottons and linens in cool shades are always going to be more comfortable to wear than dark, tight fitting clothes. But be prepared to have more than one favourite office outfit in these materials as they are prone to creasing.

Women have an easier time of it because they are always going to have more choice of what to wear. All they have to remember is: no low necklines, no spaghetti straps, no bare legs. Business casual is different to smart casual and women must always remember that even today, the boardroom is still male dominated and therefore the boundaries of the office dress code should not be abandoned just because it’s hot.

There is no need to resort to a prim dress code, but a round, scooped or slashed neckline is just as cool but far more classy than a plunging affair which may show off your ample charms but will lose points in the boardroom.

Unless you are a young woman with firm, tanned arms, you will be just as cool in a capped or three-quarter length sleeve than in a sleeveless garment.

Legs never look good bare unless they are on the beach. Better instead to wear fine denier tights but if it really is too hot for tights, then a pair of wide-legged cotton or linen formal trousers (not cropped pants) will look and feel cool and classy.

As for the men, well a short-sleeved shirt is really only an option if you are not in a formal environment. Better to wear a crisp cotton shirt with long sleeves which can be rolled neatly to just below the elbow, although I have always found those red garters for holding up shirt sleeves to be rather sexy!

Leave cream suits for the real tropics – and believe that a lightweight, well-cut dark coloured suit will look and feel cool.