Arrive at B looking (and feeling) just as cool as you did when you left A.

Many of us who reside in the Western Hemisphere spend a good part of the year longing for the sun to appear – or else devote considerable sums of hard-earned cash to airline tickets in pursuit of it. Despite this perpetual quest for a vitamin D boost, the minute the mercury begins to climb in our own country, we start whining about the heat. The British are particularly good at this. It’s all well and good if it’s 28°C and you’re sitting on a shaded terrace under a ceiling fan with a Mai Tai in your hand, but when you’re slumming it to work on a train packed to the gunwales with sweaty commuters, it’s another story. If you’re one of those unfortunate chaps who forgot to pull a sickie on the hottest day of the year, you can at least dress appropriately and make the sultry commute a little more bearable.

It’s fair to say that, even if it’s sweltering outside, tank tops and aloha shirts are off-limits as officewear. This shirt from MP Massimo Piombo’s latest collection provides a smart solution. The linen-cotton blend is lightweight and breathable, while the soft grandad collar is a comfortable alternative to a traditional stiff collar. Leave casually untucked for extra style points.

There’s a reason why linen was the Ancient Egyptians’ fabric of choice (and not just because cotton cultivation hadn’t been developed yet). They realised it was durable and cool to the touch, and gets softer the more you wash it. In fact, linen was such a prized commodity, it was used as currency before coinage was invented. Smart people, those Egyptians. This T-shirt by Sandro is made entirely from the wonder fabric, so it is sure to keep you cool as others wilt in their tailoring. Wearing it as a base layer means you can always put on the shirt once you reach office.

With their relaxed, pleated profile, these trousers by Blue Blue Japan are just the ticket for warm-weather dressing. They’re a relaxed alternative to clingy, slim-fit woollen trousers, but their deep indigo hue and considered cut ensure they’re just as presentable. Additionally, the pure linen composition means you’ll stay feeling fresh.

Like shorts, sandals are a grey area when it comes to the office dress code. The fairer sex can expose their toes without judgement, but if a man arrives in the company boardroom bearing his pasty feet, it’s likely to raise some eyebrows. The alternative is confining your feet to heavy leather shoes, which isn’t particuarly appealing (or hygenic) on a hot day. These suede loafers by Officine Creative are a stylish compromise. The elegant, slip-on style is perfectly appropriate for the office, while the perforations provide some welcome ventilation.

This capacious bag from Balenciaga has plenty of room for all your tech essentials, with additional space to stash your shirt and a bottle of water should it get unbearably hot. The shoulder strap is a practical feature, leaving your hands free for more useful tasks, such as steadying yourself on a jolting Tube train or downing that chilled water you’ve been lugging about.

It’s unlikely to improve your commute, but this Mikia bracelet will at least make it look as if you’ve just come back from somewhere you’d much rather be. Its folsky, surf-inspired charm will, at the very least, provide a discreet dash of holiday spirit as you negotiate the jostling rush-hour crowds.