London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Nov 03, 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
House of Lords Advances Representation of the People Bill to Modernize Electoral Law Ahead of General Election
Financial Markets and Private Equity Assess Tax and Corporate Realignment Following Recent Chancellor Budget Adjustments
Justice Committee Warns Legal Aid Is a Service in Managed Decline Due to Inadequate Government Funding Responses
Royal Navy Intercepts Russian Intelligence Vessel and Warships Across Intensive North Sea Operations
Business and Trade Committee Slams Government Policy on China as Fragmented and Lacking Strategic Direction
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood Softens Immigration Plans Following Intensive Cabinet Backlash Over Settlement Timelines
Automotive Industry Data Reveals Continued Acceleration in Battery Electric Vehicle Registrations Across British Dealerships
High Court of England and Wales Rules on Landmark Legal Challenge Regarding Local Government Housing Mandates
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Approves Expanded Offshore Wind Infrastructure Along Scottish Coastline
Competition and Markets Authority Launches Broad Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure and Cloud Partnerships
United Kingdom and European Union Launch High-Level Preparations for Bilateral Defense and Security Summit in Brussels
National Health Service England Unveils Emergency Workforce Reforms to Alleviate Winter Accident and Emergency Pressures
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Finalizes Autumn Budget Adjustments to Meet Fiscal Rules and Fund Public Services
Bank of England Prepares for Interest Rate Decision Amid Rising Bond Yields and Inflationary Pressures
House of Lords Begins Detailed Legislative Scrutiny of Representation of the People Bill and Cyber Security Laws
Metropolitan Police Detain More Than Three Hundred Individuals Following Large-Scale Demonstration Outside London Embassy
Home Office Prepares Stricter Residency Rules Requiring Vulnerable Migrants to Wait Decade for Settlement Rights
Professional Mental Health Bodies Demand Statutory Regulation for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
National Grid Confirms Construction of Britain's Largest Electrical Substation to Power Teesside Data Centre
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Travels to Samoa for Commonwealth Summit Amid Debates on Economic Cooperation and Reparations
Home Office Implements Enhanced Digital Border Controls and Visa Processing Systems at Major Airports
Office for National Statistics Reports Stable Employment Participation Rates Across Regional Labor Markets
Department for Business and Trade Announces Strategic Partnership to Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Scottish Government Unveils Regional Economic Development Strategy to Boost Advanced Manufacturing in Glasgow and Dundee
Treasury Officials Review Taxation Frameworks and Capital Gains Rules Ahead of Autumn Budget Disclosures
National Health Service Leaders Warn of Winter Capacity Pressures Across Acute Care Facilities
Bank of England Prepares for Key Interest Rate Decision Amid Sticky Inflation and Fiscal Policy Pressures
Home Office Expands Border Security Operations and Intelligence Sharing With European Partners
Office for National Statistics Reports Modest Retail Sales Growth Ahead of Crucial Christmas Trading Season
Welsh Government Unveils Strategic Plan to Boost Regional Technology Innovation and Digital Skills Training
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Implements New Agricultural Subsidies Framework for English Farmers
Scottish First Minister John Swinney Announces Major Regional Infrastructure and Green Energy Investment Strategy
National Health Service Leaders Warn of Severe Winter Pressures and Mounting Accident and Emergency Backlogs
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee Signals Cautious Interest Rate Path Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves Finalizes Autumn Budget Framework Aiming to Close Public Sector Fiscal Gap
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Prepares Enhanced Artificial Intelligence Safety and Cyber Defense Frameworks
United Kingdom Government Expands International Sanctions Framework Against Russian Shadow Fleet and Financial Enablers
Institute of Directors Reports Sharp Post-Budget Drop in Business Confidence Despite Long-Term Investment Intention Shifts
Chancellor John Healey Defends Sweeping Fiscal Adjustments and Household Support Packages Following Autumn Budget
Parliamentary Petitions Committee Schedules Major Legislative Debates on Special Educational Needs and Non-Stun Meat Labelling
Regional Devolution and Good Growth Fund Frameworks Reshape Local Government Funding Across English Regions
Loughborough University Economic Analysts Highlight Substantial Uncertainty Surrounding Public Sector Efficiency Savings
British Legal Sector Drives Sixty Billion Pounds in Annual Economic Output While Employing Over Half a Million Professionals
Law Society Welcomes New Better Regulation Executive While Pressing for Long-Term Legal Aid Funding Reform
Metropolitan Police and Security Services Heighten Operations Across London Ahead of Large-Scale Public Demonstrations
Bank of England Economists Scrutinize Corporate Tax Adjustments and Public Sector Borrowing Pressures
Chancellor John Healey Defends Autumn Budget Tax and Spending Allocations Following Intense Parliamentary Scrutiny
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Implements Strict Water Quality Monitoring Rules Following Severe Rainfall and Flooding
Welsh Government Unveils Comprehensive Regional Housing Strategy to Address Rural Affordability and Homelessness Pressures in Cardiff
Office for National Statistics Reports Slowing Consumer Price Inflation and Steady Retail Performance Across United Kingdom Markets
×