Summer office attire: Nine tips on dressing appropriately while still keeping your cool

When the heat and humidity strike, so does the temptation to dress down at the office. This is a big no-no. Whether it’s January or July, the rules are the same: You should always look professional, you should always look like you belong, and you should always be appropriately attired for your work environment.

At all times, even in 90-degree heat and humidity, your attire says everything about you. Does your look say, I’m gong to a luau or I’m ready for business? Here’s how to keep your cool without undermining your attire—and integrity—at the office:


1. Understand your corporate culture. What are the expectations for summer attire? What does HR say? Look around at the senior staff members—how are they attired? A suit and tie may be required year round. Sleeveless for ladies may be a no-no. Find out what is expected at your office and follow suit.


2. Lighten up. Put away the heavy fabrics and colors and lighten up, literally. Think linen, cotton, and silk, rather than tweeds, wools, and blends. Choose lighter colors, too.


3. Choose the right dress for success. For the ladies, sundresses are perfectly appropriate in the summertime as long as they are cut conservatively and paired with a sweater or jacket. Sleeveless may or may not be appropriate, but revealing spaghetti straps is not. Dresses should fall at or below the knee. As always, you should never show any cleavage.


4. Ugly toes are a no-no. Open-toed shoes may or may not be appropriate at your work; again, look around and see what senior staff wear or check with HR. If open toes are permissible, be sure your feet are well groomed. Ugly toes are an absolute no-no. Pedicures are a must, and make sure you choose a conservative color.


5. Professionals never wear flip-flops. In the summer, the temptation arises to slide little things in. A flip-flop here, a tank top there, a little more skin overall. Don’t do it. Here is what professional men and women never wear, even when it’s 100 degrees outside: Flip-flops, midriff-baring shirts, tank or halter tops, spaghetti straps, mini skirts, low-cut shirts or blouses, see-through blouses, jeans, short-sleeved shirts with ties, Hawaiian shirts.

And don’t buy-in to what fashion magazines say—shorts are never appropriate for the office. It doesn’t matter how tailored they are, shorts are not suitable for work. Furthermore, if you are a professional workingwoman, your bra strap should never be exposed. In fact, if you are having trouble finding a bra for a particular shirt or outfit for work, you are wearing the wrong thing.


6. Casual Fridays doesn't mean shorts. Or anything listed above. Find out what management specifically means by casual Friday. What does the boss wear? You don’t want to be a stick in the mud and wear a suit when everyone else is in khakis, but you should still observe a conservative, professional rule. If you are a man, you may be able to wear a short-sleeved shirt, but think polo rather than Hawaiian. Unless you're Magnum P.I.


7. Interview outfit rules remain the same. Even in warm weather the same rules apply for interview attire: Dress for the job you want, look like you already belong, and dress even more conservatively than you normally would. You want to make a good impression and you want to do it by looking like you belong, by looking as polished and professional as possible, and not by looking summery, sexy, or casual.


8. Check your smell. We’re all a little sweatier and stickier in the summertime, so make an extra effort to check your hygiene. After that sweaty walk from the Metro, pop into the bathroom to freshen up. Maybe even keep a little dopp kit in your office with deodorant, powder, etc. Runny make-up and sweat stains are never a good look.