How to keep cool (and appropriate) in the summer heat
The temperature is inching up, winter coats are tucked away in storage, and office workers throughout the country are wondering what, exactly, they should be wearing in the impending summer heat. Frigid, overly air-conditioned offices certainly don’t help the wardrobe-planning process. There are plenty of pitfalls to avoid — the embarrassment of your boss associating your Casual Friday ensemble with a golf outing, for one. But office worker comfort is another consideration, especially as the heat increases outside and the air conditioning cranks up indoors.
“The spring and summer seasons have a naturally laid back atmosphere tied to them and can leave employees yearning to spend more time outside,” Peter Handal, chief executive of Dale Carnegie Training, explains to Forbes. “Warmer temperatures are sometimes harder to fix with just air conditioning alone, so employees might opt for lighter clothing, even if it means revealing more skin or more casual dress overall.” Follow our selection of expert tips to avoid revealing too much.
Men and women alike should take care to keep it appropriate for the office as they try to keep cool. From Sonny Abesamis.
1. Womenswear comes with its own set of rules. Nicole Williams, a career expert, tells Forbes, that halter tops, tube tops, miniskirts, flip flops, shorts, and spaghetti straps are the top offenders. “These all belong at the beach, bar, gym, or privacy of your home–not at the office,” she says. “Lose the sunglasses once you’re indoors – that’s a huge summer attire offense. Your Ray Bans shouldn’t be used as a headband.”
2. Even in offices that have adopted Casual Fridays, certain summer sandals are absolute no-go’s in the workplace. The dressiest of flip-flops have no place in the office, even for commuting in to work. Imagine the distracting sound of flip-flops repeatedly slapping a marble hallway. Do you want yours to be the offending feet? Pick up a pair of flats instead. Men should stick to their regular shoes throughout the season.
3. Consider fabrics and fit. Dick Lerner, author of “Dress Like the Big Fish,” tells NJ.com, “Garments shouldn’t fit like a sack or be untucked, wrinkled, or so light and flimsy that the garments are transparent and defines underwear underneath.” He takes a hard line: “Business is not casual, and just because others may dress more casually in summer, you shouldn’t.”
4. Read the dress code. Regardless of what your colleagues are wearing, it’s better to err on the conservative side when it comes to workplace attire. Read or re-read your corporate dress code to make sure you’re on the safe side. And remember, as anyone who has been called into a major meeting at 4pm on a Friday can attest, occasions can spring up out of nowhere, so it’s best to dress for the part in advance. Managers might consider informing their staff — and especially summer interns — about the company’s dress code policy, too.
5. Keep warm. Yes, you read that right. Combat low in-office temps with a neutral-color cardigan, kept in your office closet for emergencies. Consider layering a thin cotton shell with a cardigan and lightweight eternity scarf, so that you’ll have a layer or two to remove or add depending on the weather outside and the temperature inside.
6. Suit up. Men working in suits-only environments might have it easier in this department. But there are still some Casual Friday temptations. As HR expert Suzanne Lucas writes for CBS News, “Men, sorry, but no shorts. Your ankles need to be covered, and you’ve got to stay in shoes that require socks. And no, sandals do not require socks. Ever. Especially not black ones. But, you can break out short sleeved polo shirts or short sleeved button down shirts.” Keep shirts tucked in, and be sure that all pants, even jeans, are tailored and properly fitting.
7. When all else fails, ask that classic career-building question: “Am I dressing for the job I have, or the job that I want?” The answer (and any errant bra straps) will likely determine your outfit for the day.
Category: Office courtesy
