So it has been hot… like really hot. In fact just yesterday the temperature in Britain overtook the South of France. All in all it has been pretty spectacular and most of us have achieved a decent level of sunburn/stoke to match our hangover from the family bbq on Sunday. Yes, there is no doubt, we love it when the sun is shining. I mean is there anything better than sitting in your niece/nephews tiny paddling pool with a cold beer in hand? However, our love for the big star in the sky quickly dissipates as we make our way to work on Monday morning. As the week draws on, delight and appreciation is replaced by negativity and frustration as we sweat over our computers like a cinematographer that just messed up the lights while Christian Bale was acting out a serious scene.
But (my soon to be enlightened friends) there are a few tips and trick that if followed, will help you to keep cool at the office whilst still adhering to the unrelenting dress code.
Probably the most obvious consideration when preparing for a hot day in the office is your attire. If there is no dress code then this is a pretty easy decision to make. Speedos and a huge Sombrero would be my advice (and if you do please send me some photos as that would be hilarious). But for those of you who will need to wear a suit and tie there are a few tips for you too.
Colour:
Stick to lighter colours if you can. Dark colours absorb more heat than light, so stay clear of black or charcoal. Instead, opt for a royal blue or light grey and keep your shirts white. Try to avoid light blue shirts as they will show sweat more than any other colour.
Fabric:
Cotton and Linen suits should always be your go-to option in the heat. Natural, light fibres are generally better at soaking up moisture from the skin, allowing it to evaporate. Synthetic materials such as polyester
Cotton and Linen suits should always be your goto option in the heat. Natural, light fibres are generally better at soaking up moisture from the skin, allowing it to evaporate. Synthetic materials such as polyester tend to reflect heat back to your body and inhibit the outward flow of warm, moist air. Wool and silk both tend to retain heat, and silk can often lose some of its strength through exposure to strong sunlight and perspiration.
Style Tip: Accessories linen and cotton suits with knitted or linen pocket squares and ties as the textures often compliment each other better than silk.
3 quick tips to keep cool at work:
Eating a lot in one go will only make you feel hotter, as digestion uses a lot of energy and generates body heat. If you want to stay cool, eat small amounts of cold food throughout the day, instead of stockpiling your body’s work after one big meal.
We all know water is the best way to stay cool, but when a swimming pool isn’t handy, there are clever ways to make a little water go along way. Dab water to the body areas where heat tends to gather, and also to pressure points where a little water will help cool your whole system. Wrists, temples, elbows and joint creases are good places to start.
Keep blinds and curtains closed in your office or working environment. This prevents a greenhouse effect. Sash windows should be opened by equal amounts at top and bottom to cool a room efficiently. This lets rising warm air out of the top while drawing cooler air through the bottom.
