London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 27, 2026

What to wear in a heatwave, according to a celebrity stylist

What to wear in a heatwave, according to a celebrity stylist

It’s hot, but you can still look cool

As the mercury creeps its way up towards record temperatures and we bulk buy fans and ice cold Fantas (ahem, rosé), the question of what to put on every morning becomes ever trickier.

Dealing with 40-degree heat is intense enough on a beach holiday, but finding workable ways to dress for the sweaty city is a whole different ball game.

What to wear to the office that’s demure but not faint-inducing? Which fabrics are best avoided? And which shoes to choose? It’s a 104-Fahrenheit fashion dilemma.

We spoke to celebrity stylist Aimee Croysdill, who’s responsible for Nicola Coughlan, Laura Haddock and Ellie Bamber’s best looks, to get her top tips and tricks...

Wear breathable fabrics


“Linen and cotton are simply the best,” says Croysdill. “There are some incredible oversized voluminous cotton dresses on the market at the moment, which will keep you cool whilst looking very on trend. “The key is to make sure it’s a loose cotton fabric with bare legs so you keep that breeze billowing on your skin.”

Flowy fabrics not your thing? “If you’re not a lover of loose fabrics, just make sure the tight fabrics you wear are a cotton jersey.”

Lean on light hues


Although colour doesn’t matter half as much as fabric type, it can still help.

Light colours, such as white and subtle pastel shades, are the best at resisting heat, not to mention, covering up sweat patches. However, sun UV rays can still easily penetrate light fabrics. So, if you are wearing bright whites, it’s a good idea to still be slathered in sun cream underneath.

What about those of us who literally live in all-black everything? Aimee says, “I still wear black because I love it! Just make sure I’m always walking on the shady side of the road.”

You can’t go wrong with a shirt and shorts co-ord this summer


“Cotton Poplin shirts and matching boxer style shorts are my favourite heat buster for days where you can dress casually. They’re lose and don’t cling whilst looking really cool and effortless,” says Croysdill.

“Wear a tiny tank top underneath and the shirt unbuttoned so you have the option to show skin your arms or cover up if you feel you need extra protection when you’ve been exposed to the sun all day. The Frankie Shop do my favourite co-ord shirt and short sets or Arket have a great selection in linen.”

Choose the right footwear


“I find the right shoes are key to staying cool and comfortable in this heat,” says Croysdill. “Pointy slip on sandals or a simple mule can still look smart enough for the office and are super chic, without feeling like you’re stuffing your swollen hot feet into a heeled court”.

“For more casual days, I’m really into a fisherman sandal. My favourites are by Penelope Chilvers as they look most traditional and are so comfy, Dear Frances or Hereu have some super chic summer footwear too.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Jaguar Land Rover Halts Production at UK Plant Amid Supplier Disruption
UK Police Reverse Position, Confirm Arrests Will Resume for Palestine Action Protests
UK Small Businesses Face Europe’s Steepest Cost Pressures, New Survey Reveals
US Envoy Urges UK to Proceed with King’s Visit Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
FTSE 100 Drops Over One Percent as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets
UK CO2 Plant Set to Reopen as Authorities Move to Safeguard Supplies Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Urges Stronger Defence Investment as He Questions Allied Naval Capabilities
New COVID Variant Detected in UK Raises Concerns Over Vaccine Effectiveness
FTSE Russell Moves to Standardise Free-Float Rules for UK and International Listings
HBO Max Launches in UK and Ireland, Marking Major Step in Global Streaming Expansion
UK Signals Readiness to Seize Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Escalating Middle East Conflict Seen as Major Threat to UK Economic Stability
Early Challenges Mark Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit
UK Government Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Theft of Former PM Aide’s Phone
Cyprus Opens Strategic Talks with UK Over Sovereign Base Areas
UK Faces Risk of Sharp Inflation Surge Despite Stable Pre-Crisis Figures
UK Police Arrest Two Over Suspected Antisemitic Arson as Iran Link Investigated
UK Inflation Holds at Three Percent Ahead of Oil Price Shock from Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Face Upward Pressure as Global Oil Trends Raise Cost Outlook
Girlguiding UK Sets September Deadline for Membership Policy Change Affecting Trans Participants
Germany and UK Accelerate Wind Power Expansion to Strengthen Energy Security
UK Moves to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations to Political Parties Over Foreign Influence Concerns
UK and Turkey Finalise Major Air Defence Agreement Worth Billions
Apple Introduces Mandatory Age Verification for iPhone Users in the UK
Diverging Views Emerge Over Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance
Trump Signals Frustration with UK Leadership Amid Diverging Approaches to Iran Conflict
UK Government Takes Control of Hunterston B as Landmark Nuclear Decommissioning Begins
UK Public Inflation Expectations Jump Sharply in March, Raising Pressure on Bank of England
UK Ministers Warn Expanded North Sea Drilling Would Deepen Exposure to Global Energy Volatility
Delayed UK Defence Investment Plan Leaves Suppliers Under Severe Financial Strain
Can Iran Strike the UK? Assessing the Real Military Threat as Conflict Escalates
Sanctioned Iranian Banker Linked to Luxury Marbella Villa Through UK Corporate Structure
Casey Bloys Navigates HBO Max UK Launch, Paramount Integration and Industry Buzz Over Netflix Meeting
Iran Conflict Sparks Sharp Turbulence in UK Mortgage Market, Reaching Pandemic-Era Disruption Levels
Major Donor Urges University of Kentucky to Reconsider Mitch Barnhart’s Post-Retirement Role
United Kingdom Moves to Lead International Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
Senior UK Advocate Criticises Barnhart Retirement Appointment, Calls for Reconsideration
UK Finds No Evidence of Direct Iranian Threat to Britain, Says Prime Minister Starmer
Assessing Iran’s Strike Capability and the UK’s Readiness Amid Rising Tensions
NATO Unable to Confirm Iran’s Role in Strike on UK-US Base as Tehran Denies Involvement
University of Kentucky’s Youling Xiong Receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award for 2026
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
Duchess of Sussex Secures ‘As Ever’ Trademark Rights in Australia Ahead of High-Profile Visit
UK Reaffirms Security as Officials Reject Claims of Immediate Iranian Missile Threat
Rising Middle East Tensions Spark ‘Trumpflation’ Debate Over Impact on UK Households
×