Companies based in the capital’s financial district have for years adhered to more traditional dress codes than other employers, with many companies requiring their staff to wear ‘business casual’ regardless of the weather. But in the more flexible post-pandemic world of work, workers are working out how to stay fit for the office while trying to beat the heat when the mercury hits 30C, as it did in central London on Tuesday. A striped bow tie, linen jacket and straw hat were a law firm’s concessions to the temperature. “I usually wear a long tie, but I feel less burdened with it [bowtie],” said Jake, who did not want to give his last name. “I’m not ready to let go of the bonds completely.” Clutching his briefcase as he walked down Cornhill, he said he didn’t usually wear a linen jacket: “But when it’s really hot I make an exception. I’m not very good in the heat.” A light white or blue shirt worn with trousers or chinos seemed to be the informal uniform among men, while there was more variety in the clothing worn by female workers. Mary Trussell says take it easy and wear natural fibers to beat the heat. Photo: David Levene/The Guardian “I think loose is the way to go, not natural fibers,” said Mary Trussell, wearing a navy and white polka dot dress and neutral jacket, as she headed to a board meeting at the financial services firm where she works. . Despite the temperature and her journey from her home in Cornwall to London, the 59-year-old wore tights with suede heels. “For me, part of dressing for a board meeting is shoes with at least a small heel and tights,” she said. Trussell said choosing a work outfit is more difficult since the Covid era, as dress codes have changed along with work standards. “It’s about dressing properly,” said Mark, who did not want to give his last name, works in financial services and wore a blue shirt and navy pants. “You can wear a jacket and tie to an important meeting if you want,” he said. “It has changed since the pandemic. People are more flexible and want to be seen to be more flexible.” The change in City’s kit had not gone unnoticed by Tom Benfield, who was having lunch with a friend on a bench near the Royal Exchange. The employee at a financial technology firm said he was more dressed up than usual after opting for a blue and white striped shirt, black chinos and white trainers. “It’s noticeable this week that people are a bit more relaxed,” said the 33-year-old financial technology worker, adding that he would normally be dressed more like his friend, who wore a more formal pair of gray suit trousers and a white one. shirt. “This week there are shorts and trainers.” Andy, who did not want to give his last name, recently started a new job at a foreign exchange firm and said the heat wave had not had an impact. He had been warned about his attire during last week’s hot weather and was told by his boss that chinos were “unacceptable”. Fernanda del Aguila, having lunch with three fellow interns on the steps of the Royal Exchange, is spending two months of her university holidays in London working for a procurement consultancy. The 21-year-old discovered she hadn’t packed a suitable summer work wardrobe: “I brought long-sleeved tops, trousers and cardigans.” “We had to run to Zara yesterday,” laughed her colleague Olivia Ford, 22. “I came down from Scotland and even brought a trench coat.” Stefan Ogrisi makes no concessions in the heat except to wear no socks. Photo: David Levene/The Guardian One of the few workers wearing a tie was Stefan Ogrisi, 35, who took a break from his job at jewelery retailer Boodles despite not being required by his employer. “I’m Italian, I like to be presentable,” he said, in a navy suit, white shirt and leather shoes worn without socks. “People are very excited by this heat, this is a normal summer in Rome or even hotter.” Matthew Kemp follows a “dress for your day” workplace policy. Photo: David Levene/The Guardian Wearing shorts was insurance worker Matthew Kemp, who said he was allowed to wear more casual clothing because his role does not involve meeting clients. Wearing brown shorts and a navy blue long-sleeved shirt, Kemp, 27, said other members of his team didn’t hesitate to wear shorts to work, especially since his office’s air conditioning wasn’t working. “Anything above 20C is shorts territory for me,” he laughed. “The dress code is ‘dress for your day.’ If I actually saw customers I would wear a suit, but I’m hiding on the fourth floor out of sight.”
