'Above 20C is short territory': City workers use heat wave to push boundaries

Summer in the City of London: As the mercury soars, you can leave your tie at home and even brave some shorts and trainers.

Companies based in the capital's financial district have for years adhered to more traditional dress codes than other employers, with many companies requiring "business casual" dress from their staff, regardless of the time.

Yet in the post-pandemic and more flexible world of work, employees struggle to stay in the office while trying to beat the heat, when the mercury reaches 30°C, as it did in central London on Tuesday.

A striped bow tie, linen jacket and straw hat were the concessions of an employee of a law firm at the temperature.

"I usually wear a long tie but I feel less cluttered with this [bow tie],” said Jake, who declined to give his last name. "I'm not ready to give up ties altogether."

Carrying his briefcase as he walked along Cornhill, he said he usually wouldn't wear linen jacket: "But when it's too hot I make an exception. I'm not very good in the heat."

An open white or blue shirt worn with slacks or chinos seemed to be the unofficial uniform among men, while there was greater variety among the outfits worn by female workers.

"I think the rather than natural, tight fibers," said Mary Trussell, wearing a navy and white polka dot linen dress and neutral jacket , on her way to a board meeting of the financial services company where she works.

< p class="dcr-xry7m2">Despite the temper and her trip from her home to Cornwall in London, the 59-year-old wore a pair of tights with heeled suede shoes.

"For me, part of dressing for a board meeting is shoes with at least a small heel and tights," he said. -she said.

Trussell said choosing work attire has been more difficult since Covid, as dress codes have changed along with work habits.

< p class="dcr-xry7m2">"The mandate is to dress appropriately," said Mark, who declined to give his last name, employed in financial services, and dressed in a shirt blue dress and navy blue pants.

"You can wear a jacket and tie to an important meeting event if you want," he said. That's changed since the pandemic. People are more flexible and want to be seen as more flexible."

The city's change in dress hadn't gone unnoticed for Tom Benfield, who already had with a friend on a bench near the Royal Stock Exchange. The fintech employee said he was more dressed than usual, opting for a blue and white striped shirt, black chinos and white sneakers.

"It's noticeable this week that people are a little more casual...