On the one hand, summer is the easiest season when it comes to style: less layers means less problems and your outfit can be simpler than at any other time of year.
On the other hand, heat waves like the one set to scorch Britain this week present problems of their own.
The following simple style hacks will help you stay looking sharp and feeling fresh, despite the blaze.
Buy some invisible socks
Wherever you stand on the great mankle debate, making a small investment in some invisible socks will at least give you the option to do it well. The best are impossible to spot and – best of all – don't slip down, meaning you can bare some ankle without sweating into your shoe which, aside from discolouring them over time, will make them smell like the inside of a gym changing room.
Unbutton your shirt (at the bottom)
An untucked, crisp Oxford or granddad collar shirt is a classic casual summer look. But the pitfall here is creasing: tie your shoelace or pet a passing dog and suddenly your fastidious ironing has been ruined, with no extra layer to hide the tragedy. Unbuttoning your last button of your shirt allows it to open when you sit or crouch, and minimises the problem.
Mix up your fabrics
While we're on creasing, shirts made from jersey, pique or slub cotton instead of poplin will stay wrinkle-free for longer, and have the added advantage of better concealing the paunch you have left over from winter. Or for a breathable fabric that suits being somewhat dishevelled, go for linen. Remember: (fabric) knowledge is power.
Add a temporary turn up to your trousers
Rather than retire your entire bottom half winter/spring roster, get a tailor to add a temporary turn up to your favourite trousers. That way, they're ventilated enough to wear in the heat - particularly if you go for the aforementioned sock-less look. The obvious bonus here? It's cost a fraction of buying a new pair.
Get a NATO strap for your watch
'Sweaty wrist' is a common summer condition that makes removing your watch feels as relieving as kicking off your shoes – neither of which you ideally want to be doing at work. Substitute your leather or steel for a nylon NATO strap to solve the problem. And before you worry it looks unsophisticated, note that high end brands like Omega produce their own.
Buy a linen jumper
Letting go of your favourite woollen knitwear is perhaps the most painful part of making the transition from cold weather to hot, but linen looks just as good and is far more breathable. Buy quality in a lighter shade and you also have a great option to wear under summer tailoring.
Keep your white trainers white (even the laces)
A pair of fresh white kicks should be a cornerstone of your summer wardrobe, and unless you're Jay-Z that means taking care of the pairs you have rather than going box fresh every time. We've rounded up the key ways to do this before, but aside from the obvious - brushing and treating the body of the shoe - a great trick is to wash your laces in soapy water whenever they get discoloured. You'll be surprised how much it brightens up an ageing pair of sneakers.
Invest in heavy-duty perspirant
Remember that poor kid at school, forever in a puddle of sweat and teenage angst? Well, he's not the only one who stands to benefit from heavy-duty antiperspirant. As the temperature and smog increases, your pits are sure to suffer. That means you upgrade as the mercury climbs.
Over-the-counter antiperspirants contain far larger doses of aluminium - an active ingredient that plugs sweat pores to temporarily prevent the flow of moisture to the skin. This means much smaller sweat patches which is always a good thing.
Consider performance fabrics
Wait: we're not recommending you don that ugly 'moisture wicking' muscle vest down the gym. That would be sacrilege. Instead, know that many brands have repurposed wardrobe classics in sweat-friendly fabrics - stuff specifically engineered to keep you cool.
Of course, you'd be hard-stretched to find a trend-of-the-moment piece miraculously crafted in such materials, so use performance fabrics as the staples and anchors within your look. And please, keep the gym kit firmly in your locker.
Take your swim shorts on dry land
Pick wisely, and your swim shorts can work out of the water, too. A print or stripe that isn't too prince of the poolside - think less florals, more pastels - will make a staple white T-shirt or shirt pop. More importantly, it'll keep you much cooler, so aim for a pair that finish below the mid-thigh, but above the knee.
Note we say shorts: anything that reveals extra thigh (or, God, forbid anything else) will ensure a baying mob of pitchfork-wielding angry parents. Leave the budgie smugglers well alone.