Be sharp this summer

Staying fashionable in your every day work wear can be a chore rather than a joy. There are so many conventions to stick to and if you work in an office where a shirt and tie are the norm, it is hard to inject the latest look into your work clothes. If you have to wear your smart suit to work, be prepared to break out of your humdrum routine by putting the fun back into your style and becoming more versatile in your choices. With summer in full swing and work clients queuing to go out on the town after your usual 9-9 shift it’s a good idea to have a back up plan for your work wear.

After a long day in the office you need a change of clothes for the bar (a hot collar will never do!) so take a look at some fantastic summer shirts which you can keep handy at work to change into. There are hundreds of ‘non iron’ shirts around so take full advantage of this and keep a spare shirt at work!

These shirts are smart so they will easily fit in with your suit trousers. They are also light weight so that they can be kept at the office without the need for a full wardrobe. They are in keeping with the professional look that is needed, but won’t have you sweating under your suit jacket.

For a classic look which is sharp and versatile browse through the Jacamo range. Their Henley and Knight Shirt costs just £15 and this striped black and white look is very smart. Twinned with their cardigan for £20 you will have a second layer for when the great British summer inevitably lets you down. It creates a smart relaxed look in keeping with work but less formal than the suit.

Ben Sherman has also designed for Jacamo and his short sleeved pin stripe shirt for £40 is a slim fit stylish shirt with an edge on fashion. This shirt is more casual but the sharp lines create a professional look and you will blend into the trend setters of London.

To embrace the summer in your work clothes Marks and Spencer have a great range of cotton shirts.

Their blue, short sleeved, button down collar cotton shirt is a steal at just £7.50 and this is a great look.

It is lightweight and simple and although very different from the usual suit work shirt, this style is great for dressing down your suit for after work socialising. If you have a laid back boss and a passion for fashion then you can find a range of great cost effective shirts at Matalan too. For just £14 Matalan’s floral short sleeved shirt embraces summer and the sensibilities of your work dress code and tells people that your heart is really at the beach. Being smart doesn’t have to mean being traditional. You can spice up your look with the latest thin tie or slim cut shirt and not forgetting some of this year's must have brogues.

Schuh have a great pair of tan brogues which manage to be smart and casual at the same time. At £49.99 these leather shoes are a great investment because they look traditional but their colour fits into this year’s fashion. They also have a pair of white brogues for £54.99. White shoes for men are a top tip in fashion this year but you have to have the whole look to carry it off. If you have a flamboyant side, Hobb’s have a limited edition Addington brogue in silver which is sure to stop traffic. It is a stylish shoe at £179 and is for those who love to look sharp and on top of fashion.

Available form August onwards, River Island have combined the fashion of white leather with traditional black to create a brogue which gives a nod to early twentieth century America. Their Chaplin Patent brogue at £49.99 is a stylish choice to stand out from the crowd whilst blending into your well-groomed world of work.

The unique selling point of the traditional men’s suit is the flexibility it gives you to accessorise. So take full advantage of the summer trends and bring some fashion into your style. Shoes, ties, shirts and belts all have their place in fashion so the next time you invest in your work image think of doing something a little bit different. After all sometimes it’s good to be different.