London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 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
London Ambulance Service Sees Record Emergency Demand as Heatwave Intensifies
British Chambers of Commerce Warns of Prolonged Weak Investment Climate Through 2027
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Inflation Risks Persist
UK Construction Sector Faces One Percent Contraction Amid Cost and Investment Pressures
Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Convicted of Sexual Offences
Church of England Appoints Dr Linsay Cunningham to Lead Faith and Public Life Division
UK Armed Forces Day Marked Nationwide With Events From Aberdeen to the Scilly Isles
Rising Tensions in Edinburgh Prompt Joint Warning From Scottish Local Government Leaders
UK Construction Sector Forecast to Contract One Percent in 2026 on Cost Pressures
UK Parliament Backs 87 Percent Emissions Cut as Government Deepens Electrification Drive
British Chambers of Commerce Forecast Weak UK Growth as Investment and Demand Slow
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent Amid Energy and Inflation Uncertainty
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Surge in Life-Threatening Emergency Calls During Heatwave
UK Parliament Approves Legally Binding 87 Percent Emissions Cut Target by 2040
United Kingdom Records Third Consecutive Day of Record June Heat as Europe Faces Worsening Heatwave
Robert Jenrick Defends £5 Million Donation to Nigel Farage Amid Political Scrutiny
Plymouth Museum The Box Wins 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award
UK Government Faces Backlash Over Plans to Use Former Military Sites for Asylum Accommodation
Labour Party Faces Pressure Over Cabinet Stability as Senior Figures Clash on Policy Direction
Heathrow Airport Forecasts Passenger Decline in 2026 as Costs and Climate Disruption Mount
UK Energy Regulator Approves Expansion of Long-Duration Storage to Boost Power System Resilience
Crown Estate Reports Third Consecutive Year of £1 Billion Profit as Debate Over Royal Finances Intensifies
Teenager Charged With Murder in Wales Following Death of 14-Year-Old Boy
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Failures Trigger Calls for Public Inquiry Into Patient Safety
EasyJet Rejects £4.9 Billion Takeover Offer From Castlelake but Keeps Door Open for Further Talks
Record Heatwave Triggers UK Transport and Infrastructure Strain as Heathrow Revises Passenger Forecast Downward
Ofgem Approves Sixteen Long-Duration Energy Storage Projects to Strengthen UK Grid Stability
Labour Government Faces Internal Tensions Over Cabinet Decisions and Net Zero Policy Direction
British Food and Drink Exports Fall to Decade Low Amid Trade Friction and US Tariffs
Great Britain Grid Operator Spends £10 Million to Stabilize Electricity Supply During Heatwave Demand Surge
UK Parliament Committee Calls for Urgent National Adaptation Strategy as Extreme Heat Strains Public Infrastructure
Record-Breaking Heatwave Pushes England’s National Health Service to Critical Incident Status as Hospitals Struggle With Surge in Emergencies
UK Government Launches Review of Voluntary National Insurance Contributions System
UK Planning Inspectorate Reports Key Infrastructure and Planning Milestones in Annual Review
UK Government Reviews Travel Expense Reimbursement Rates for Employers and Employees
Civil Nuclear Constabulary Launches National Digital Memorial for Officers Killed in Service
UK and US Expand Collaboration on Nuclear Fusion Research and Workforce Exchange
Environment Agency Secures £275,000 Enforcement Deal with Anglian Water Over Permit Breaches
Independent Inspector Flags Ongoing Failures in UK Home Office Border Case Management
UK Government Considers Zero VAT Rate on Land for Social Housing Development
Bank of England Reports Sharp Drop in Emissions and Warns on Climate-Driven Financial Risk
Consumer Confidence in the UK Falls at Fastest Quarterly Rate Since 2022
UK Borrowing Costs Rise Sharply on Gilt Markets Amid Fiscal and Political Concerns
UK Government Plans Legislation to Bring British Steel into Public Ownership
UK Government Secures £210 Million Nuclear Fuel Deal to Support Ukraine Energy Security
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Emergency Call Volume Amid Severe Heatwave
United Kingdom Faces Record June Heatwave as Temperatures Hit 36.7°C in Somerset
UK Financial Services Reform Debate Intensifies Over Ministerial Regulatory Powers
UK Energy Price Cap Rise Expected to Keep Inflation Above Target Through 2026
UK Biohacking and AI Wellness Trends Drive Surge in Personal Health Monitoring
×