Looking for heatwave outfits? These sheer styles are surprisingly practical

Looking for heatwave outfits? These sheer styles are surprisingly practical We’re adding that skirt right into our basket. (Picture: Metro/Getty) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more It has been such a heatwave-heavy summer that, at this point in the season, you’d be forgiven for forgetting what number we’re on. Are we sweltering through heatwave five, or is it six? One thing’s for sure, the challenge of what to wear when heat alerts are in full-flow shows no sign of easing. While it may be acceptable to resort to beach clothing when you’re on a WFH slog, you can’t exactly rock up to the office in a two-piece and a sarong. Well, unless you actually work at the beach – and even then, you might be pushing it. The sartorial mission is this: clothing that allows as much air flow as possible while avoiding an indecent exposure charge. A possible solution? Mesh and sheer apparel. Because in this heat, even those dependable natural linen and cotton fibres are starting to feel clammy. Mesh, with its lovely open net construction, allows skin to feel the sweet relief of any passing breeze. Meanwhile, opting for sheer designs keeps things as lightweight as possible. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The trick to pulling either off is layers, which may be the last thing anyone wants to read right now, but hear us out. I’m talking longline bralettes and full-coverage briefs. Think delicate slips under dresses and cooling tank tops (shout out to Uniqlo’s excellent sweat-wicking, fast-drying AIRism range here). As for the extra light layers on top, stick to loose, floaty designs to keep things as ventilated as possible. Embroidery, embellishments and patterns are superb at distracting the eye, so you don’t feel too ‘on show’. If full mesh or sheer feels too daring, pieces with panel inserts can help bring down your internal thermometer. Need to see the look in action? We’ve lined up the genius sheer and mesh womenswear to bag before the next heatwave. Shop our top mesh and sheer fashion pieces below COS Sheer Pintucked Dress An LBD made summer-ready, COS bats away workwear conundrums with this chic pintucked number. An integrated slip falls to a mini hem, keeping you from feeling bare, while the top layer hits the knee, offering extended lightweight coverage. Buy Now for £139 ASOS DESIGN Tailored Palazzo Sheer Pleated Trouser in Cream With characteristically wide legs and pleats at the waist, ASOS presents a pair of palazzos you can actually wear to the office – and beyond. It helps that the fabric is semi-opaque; you’ll only see the shape of your legs, no details. Available in sizes 4 – 18. Buy Now for £28.99 (was £38) & Other Stories Sheer Knitted T-Shirt A fine-knit crew tee made with sheer and opaque panels, meet the piece destined to be the workhorse of your summer capsule wardrobe. It pairs nicely with tailored trousers and jorts as it will with a silky slip skirt. Buy Now for £25 (was £57) By Anthropologie Sheer Long-Sleeve Buttondown Loose fit and in an icy blue tone, this is a button-down shirt – but not as you know it. Available in 2XS – L sizes, it features a high-low hem and full sleeves with opaque cuff and collar detail. We’ll wear ours with a tank top and Bermuda shorts or throw it over swimwear for a chic cover-up. Buy Now for £98 AllSaints Cesca Mesh Midi Dress Keep calm and carry on under AllSaints’ vintage-inspired sheer dress. The midi-length piece is full of details, from embroidery to lace trims. Add a slip dress underneath for every day wear or swap to a bodysuit for parties and festivals. Buy Now for £159 Free People Intimately Bring the Bling Embellished Mini Slip Dress Still got a festival or two to tick off your summer diary? Worn with short shorts and a bralette, this is the ultimate piece to help you keep your cool. The bead work and high neckline work in tandem to balance the shorter hem. Buy Now for £158 H&M Appliquéd Barrel Trousers H&M’s sale is the gift that keeps giving, as proven by these sublime sheer trousers, in an en-vogue barrel cut. The look is finished with floral applique down the legs, adding textural details that allows you to dial down the rest of the look – a tank or scarf top is all you’ll really need here. Buy Now for £42 (was £59.99) Topshop Sheer Column Midi Skirt in Mono Print With a half slip underneath and a graphic monochrome print, Topshop’s skirt is ready for any summertime occasion in your calendar. A back slit helps to keep those breezes cool sun-warmed skin. Buy Now for £38 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below Arrow MORE: The trainers dominating men’s fashion right now, including Sambas and Air Force 1s Arrow MORE: The best M&S summer sale fashion deals, according to a shopping expert Arrow MORE: I’m a fashion editor and these are the linen buys worth adding to basket before the heatwave Puzzles Newsletter Get your favourite puzzles when they are ready to play on the website sent directly to you every day and track your daily streak!