The heatwave continues – bring on the Super Shirt
— by Alyson Walsh
In typical British style, we’re all a bit ‘over’ the heatwave. One of the warmest summers on record and we’ve had enough of it. Partly because our infrastructure can’t cope with relentlessly high temperatures, (last week a colleague and I ended up spending our lunch break in the freezer section of a local supermarket). And partly because we’ve exhausted our wardrobe options. I know that some businesses have relaxed their dress codes but there was a man wandering around inside the pub the other evening without shoes on. Really. Like children after a long hot day in the park, our faces are sticky, our clothes are dishevelled and we have all gone a bit feral. As the heatwave continues, I’ve been raiding my holiday box for bits and pieces to combine with the not-so-basic basics. This summer’s style hero has to be the Super Shirt. Worn with loose trousers, Harem pants or a la Carolina Herrera with a statement skirt – it’s a cool and easy way to add a little decorum to a scorching hot day.
If you’re looking for an end-of-summer wardrobe pick-me-up, Arket has up to 70% off in the sale and rails full of oversized shirts. Uniqlo is another good option for reasonably priced cotton and for silk shirts try & Other Stories. Go up a size or two for extra Waft Factor.

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Discussion (37 Comments)
A.Murphy says:
Nothing to do with the shirt but I am nowhere near over the heatwave!!!! The joy of eating in the garden, deadheading my flowers, reading In my deckchair. I would have the beast from the east every year if we had this weather. in the Summer. Sadly it is soon to end I fear….
On the clothes front, loose dresses, sandals , shorts, men’s shirts, tee shirts is all I need.
Linda B Kerr says:
And hair UP. I also carry a little spray bottle of rosewater to spritz my face….
Toomanyshoes says:
Totally with you on oversized shirts and t shirts, though not in silk which shows up any sweat ( sorry but it’s an age thing as well as a heat thing!!) straight away and then dries all crinkly. Poplin or linen all the way. Not with you on backless shoes though. I call them killer slippers due to their habit of making me trip up or shuffle. Can’t drive in them either.
Susan says:
While commiserations about the heatwave, am delighted that this topic has come up. Living in the Sub- tropics requires lots of cotton ( agree no silk) shirts – now days I buy long sleeved shirts and have them cut off as short sleeves ( but longer than the horrible cap sleeve- my upper arms too crepey for that now)
Recommend long skirts too.
A little tie at the waist amps up the look while keeping coolGillian Gustar says:
Before I ever found your blog, I read your first book – and quite apart from all the great style tips, what I loved was your writing. And this piece is a great example of what I love – it is so well observed, and it is fun.
Lynn says:
We are over the heatwave in the north-west so we aren’t doing it anymore. Pleasant high teens to low 20’s up here with quite a bit of cloud cover today so our wardrobe needs are quite different to those in the south. Enjoy the warmth down there while it lasts!
Mrs Tonia says:
I find myself wearing many outfits resembling those photographed here. Went out over weekend in a loose long-sleeved but rolled up poplin Gap shirt of varying stripes with ankle cropped loose navy linen trousers. But outfit far too hot as I walked home with bags of weekend food shopping. Back in dresses with short or cap sleeves now which has been my uniform all of the splendidly hot summer. I’m in agreement with the reader who comments on enjoying dinners out in the garden, drying laundry on a rack outside quickly in the heat etc. My fig tree and other Mediterranean plants have flourished as have the geraniums but maple is all frizzled. Unlike Alyson I don’t have a separate holiday clothing place but have raided my going on summer holiday clothing to wear for a staycation and for heading out in bathing suit under summer dress to swim in lido. Nights have been tough. Sleeveless thin cotton nighties and a cotton sheet only. Hair pinned back off face and worn shorter cut into nap of neck. The piebald ombré a bit brown a bit grey with some white streaks no longer bothers me. Growing into this new hair situation with a sharp purposeful haircut and confidence.
Let’s enjoy not having to wear jackets and raincoats and scarves while it lasts.Dear Mrs Tonia
I love your comments. And I totally agree: Let’s enjoy not having to wear winter clothes. Winter comes soon enough. So let’s sweat in style.
Oh dear shoeless in the pub, really? I remember a heatwave in London years ago (maybe 10) seeing men walking the streets shirtless. Yes shirts tied around waists like bloody hippies! Useless. You wouldn’t see women doing that. Not even a woman in menopause. #justsayin
Catriona says:
Loving your new look site. Also agree with the Arket shirts, the habutai silk ones in the sale are fab. Only comment on your site is the size of the font, I could easily read all your previous articles, but now the writing is tiny….maybe a feature on stylish reading glasses could be your next feature!
Hi Catriona, thanks for your feedback. After several readers mentioned the font size, it has been increased. I’ve looked at TNMA on my smart phone and think it’s OK. Please could you let me know if it’s still a problem? Many thanks, Alyson
Living in jersey dresses loose, even adopted a headwrap for covering sweaty hair, stripping down to vest and pants indoors…I know how to live !
Ah yes and keeping all the facial sprays in the fridge…happy summer days…
love the new look, fresh and clean
Ashley xJohanne Taylor says:
Living in Sydney, this part of my wardrobe is pretty much covered.
Where I struggle is corporate wear on the middle of our humid summers. Would love to be able to get away with oversized shirts, linen pants (linen anything really) and slides- but that doesn’t cut it in financial services offices.
Jane says:
Imagine your heatwave for 6 months, which is what we deal with in an Australian summer. September to April it will reach 30+ with high humidity every day and night. We wear cotton pants,skirts and tops. And 50+ sunscreen.❤
lisbethinsydney says:
Metta linen summer wear – from Melbourne – is good, carry a fan and enjoy an Antipodes G & T at the end of the day!
lisbethinsydney says:
Where to get the taupe oversized shirt in the main photo?
Yes and yes. I have enjoyed this summer because I am not a summer dress wearer and have found that baggy, oversized shirts (ironed, I am not a beast) and some cheap, fab trousers from H&M – bought three because I knew they would get the wear – have been perfect. And had my hair cropped. It takes about five minutes from entering shower to fully dressed. Bliss.
Imagine your heatwave for 6 months, which is what we deal with in an Australian summer. September to April it will reach 30+ with high humidity every day and night. We wear cotton pants,skirts and tops. And 50+ sunscreen.❤
Deborah Porter says:
This is not hot- Lisbon topping 44′ on Sunday was! Most chic older lady in a loose navy cotton (I supect Cos) sleeveless dress.
Best buy of the weekend an umbrella, shades head and shoulders and no sweaty head!Mrs Tonia says:
Font size absolutely fine and sans serif legible with ease on my phone. Plus you can enlarge easily. Haven’t tried on iPad yet. New look is clean and smart and navigation much improved now.
Roberta says:
I admire the new look of your blog. I noticed one or two readers mentioned the size of the font but no one has mentioned anything about the column of pictures being cut off. I can only view 2 1/2 columns (pictures in 3rd column are cut off) and am pretty sure you posted a full 3 columns horizontally or more.
Lorraine Matthews says:
I like the look of your new site, but the pictures of suggested options for garments and shoes are falling f the right hand side of the page on my tablet and also don’t respond to tapping to open them up. I don’t know if it’s just me or my tablet, but I hate missing out!
Thanks for letting me know, Roberta and Lorraine. I’ll forward this feedback to the designer.
Lorraine & Roberta —
This has been fixed. Sorry about that! Let us know if the issue persists after refreshing the page.
Lorraine Matthews says:
Thanks, Tom. Problem seems to be resolved for me now.
Lorraine
SFord says:
Also, is it just me or is it also far too hot for bras? I’ve resorted to a halterneck bikini top under t-shirts when not at work to avoid that lovely line of swear just under the boobs!
colleen frederickson says:
also need to know where the main photo shirt is from? I can’t find anything that even comes close to that shirt
Hello Lisbeth and Coleen, apologies I’ve had a look but can’t seem to find this shirt, either. As it’s being worn by a fashion stylist at the couture shows, I’m not even sure whether it’s current season or not. Initially, I did wonder if it was Margiela…
Jo says:
Just thought I’d share a few labels that make good-quality cotton clothes that are perfect for hot days in Australia in case it’s of use to anyone! Madame Hall, an Australian based in India, makes glorious oversized artist-style shirts. She sells on Etsy. I love my voluminous black shirt and it’s suitable for working in an office. Sydney label Read & Bell do summery dresses in great light-cotton fabrics – perfect for seriously hot days. And Melbourne labels Obus and Gorman do fun, bright, patterned ranges – but you might need to wait for later in the year (the Australian spring) to get the really light, cotton frocks and tops.
Elizabeth says:
This post has been inspirational for the Australian summer coming up: found Rejina Pyo’s Amber shirt on sale online and bought two in different colours. Gorgeously airy and cool! Thank you 🙂
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With all due respect, my heatwave saviour is a cotton bag (aka oversized dress) in a kind of mattress striped ticking and a no cling style! Those shirts look gorgeous but i anticipate ironing is needed!