Fashion: Summer hours

Photos / Guy Coombes

Crisp and classic is the way to go when it comes to summer workwear that can go into overtime.

If there's anything that fashion loves to do, it's update classics and make things new. From the hackneyed 70s to the new take on nostalgic estate dressing, these ideas and shapes continue to transcend time as designers rework and renew.

The constant need to refresh staples is the key to a workwear wardrobe that's diligent enough to keep up with the demands of the working week, specially as the weather begins to warm up.

Fabrics are worth considering here, and crisp cotton shirting, linen and lightweight silks are the types of summer-friendly fabrics that manage to keep you feeling cool, calm and collected in the workplace.

A crisp white shirt from Eugenie, for example, has been reworked with a mandarin collar and a lengthened hemline. It works well undone or wrapped around the waist and worn with sleek black pants for the perfect black and white outfit that can be worn around the clock.

A well-fitted dress with a tidy hemline is another wardrobe staple for the workplace and this option from Harman Grubisa (#5) is a no-brainer. It's the type of cleancut dress that can go from day to after-five functions with the simple change of shoe from a pump to a lace-up heel.

Those with a relaxed office dress code have more opportunity to play with a working wardrobe that looks professional but enjoys a touch of personality. A borrowed item from traditional menswear tailoring (for example, Rembrandt's double-breasted line blazer #3) works well a little oversized and worn with fitted pants or a pencil skirt for a modern play on proportion.

1. Eugenie blouse, $355. Queen of the Foxes lace camisole, $35, from Lana Boutique. Camilla & Marc culottes, $460. Mimco chain strap clutch, $399. Ruby teardrop stone earrings, $129. Robert Clergerie suede slingback heels, $690, from Scarpa.

2. Wynn Hamlyn top, $275. Eugenie skirt, $389. Sylvester trench coat, $345. Kathryn Wilson heels, $369. Preen sunglasses, $320.

3. Eugenie shirt, $425. Rembrandt linen blazer, $499. Zambesi flared pants, $330. Mimco mules, $229 and chain strap clutch, $399. Deadly Ponies neoprene tote bag $385.

4. Juliette Hogan shirt, $399. Sylvester skirt, $195. Mimco necklace, $149 and ring, $100. Stuart Weitzman slingback heels, $650, from Runway.

5. Harman Grubisa dress, $495. Stuart Weitzman lace-up heels, $790, from Runway. Oliver Goldsmith handmade sunglasses, $525, from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear.

Stockists

• Deadly Ponies (09) 376 3469
• Eugenie (09) 557 8608
• Harman Grubisa (09) 963 6129
• Ingrid Starnes (09)555 9452
• Juliette Hogan (09) 360 9347
• Kathryn Wilson (09) 367 6865
• Lana Boutique (09) 214 5848
• Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear
• Mimco (09) 523 2412
• Preen Eyewear 0508 EYEWEAR
• Rembrandt (09) 524 9209
• Ruby (09) 522 6658
• Runway
• Scarpa (09) 358 4140
• Sylvester (09) 307 3282
• Wynn Hamlyn
• Zambesi (09) 303 1701