Whilst the summer might be coming, that doesn’t mean yawning summer holidays for all of us. Instead, most of us will still be in work 9-5 5 days a week, dreaming of a little break away from the office.

A key way to keeping happy and confident at work is how you look. Much has been written about the potential effect that ‘power’ dressing has on the mindsets or professionals – dress smart and elegant and you’ll think and work with discipline and elegance.

Whether you are after tailored suits or you work for a more playful office where jumpsuits and knits can be integrated, tailored looks from high street retailers such as Next can be affordable and still integrate contemporary trends and classic styles and cuts.

Taking a look at tailors’ forums and blogs are a wonderful way to pick up references and styles that you love – we love this Cutter and Tailor forum which has patterns and advice on how to adapt to different shapes and sizes, as well as giving a great overview of changes in shapes and cuts over the last six decades.

Coral slub peplum jacket and pencil skirt from the Jardin Collection

The summery Jardin collection from Next’s tailoring stable is a neat summary of the colour palette of spring/summer 2012 – and the cuts and shapes give you a great idea of how these lovely, rich pastels can be incorporated into workwear. Mid-length coral shorts with a loose, almost waterfall blazer, coupled with a bright, crisp white t shirt and either brown leather brogues or chunky sandals for a more casual office.

If you work in an environment where your appearance is key to maintaining distance and professionalism rather than conveying a sense of ‘nowness’ and affability, then you can still incorporate this season’s colours into more strict tailored suits.

A colour-contrast bag is a lovely summery off-set to black shift dresses and trouser suits. One of the keys to summer office dressing is a coat – in the UK we can survive up until April with our winter coat; however there comes a point in mid-spring when we need to move to something lighter, that nevertheless has a bit of smartness. Light trenches and raincoats in beige or on-trend soft peach or yellow are the way to bring some smart light and bright tailoring to you workwear.

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With H&M’s recent launch of its Conscious collection, the trend for ethnic and tribal prints all alongside the advocation of environmental and world issues by designers like Stella MacCartney, this is the summer of ethical fashion.

And with the world media training its scrutinizing gaze on the UK for the Olympics – already under scrutiny for going over budget and in the balance when it comes to sustainability and the potential success of building after the Games – it’s about putting your best foot forward.

The idea that ethical fashion costs the earth is truly a myth. And, truth be told, with the season’s most popular shoe - wedge sandals (take a look at Next’s fabulous range), with chunky straps and in terracotta neutrals and browns or eye popping acid yellow – even fashion is calling for soft cottons, well-sourced silks and neat, African-print skirts or shirts.

Linen and cheesecloth shirts are a key look for pairing with pastel trousers and A-line skirts, as last season’s colour-blocking trend gets more delicate and minimal. The latest feature on ethical fashion buys in Stylist magazine have got some excellent ideas too for combining textures and colours.

The bright bright mustardy yellow is a lovely sunny take on this season’s mellow yellow that’s finding its way onto shirt collars, toes and heels of brogues, and bags and shoes.

Secondly, this summer calls for big prints – from ethno-geometry and tribal looks combining anything from African cloth prints to Scandinavian knitting and everything in between. Next’s tropical prints and this geo print tunic (pictured) are a great exemplar of essential summer dresses which can move from work to the pub to a party with little effort.

Geo print tunic from Next, £36

It’s a question of accessories – we’d take the geo print tunic, and wear it to work with sensible flat sandals or thin-soled brown brogues (the latest Clarks range are gorgeous and delicate). Dress it up with wedge sandals – this kind of bold print can really carry a big strap too, like these from The Shoe Room at Next.