What to Wear When the Weather Is Weird

It's May 1, and while our minds may be ready for a new season, weather patterns around the country aren't exactly cooperating. Depending on where you live, winter may still be lingering, spring may have sprung, or summer—with its high temps and humidity­—is already here. This week, it was snowing in Wyoming, 85 degrees and humid in St. Louis, and 50 degrees and rainy here in DC. Don't like it? Wait a day or two; it's likely to change completely.

Dressing appropriately for the office is a simple but powerful tool for career success, but it's difficult to dress for success when the weather is so weird. Here are a few quick and simple rules to follow for what to wear when the weather can’t quite make up its mind:

1. Dress to fit in. First, understand the culture of your organization and dress accordingly. What is the customary attire? How do your supervisors dress? What does HR say? If you work at Google, flip flops and jeans may be de rigueur, but if you work on Wall Street that's probably a no-no. Always be appropriately attired for your particular office environment.

2. Don't jump the gun. Unless you live in Miami or LA, don't jump the gun completely on warm weather clothing. You don't have to stick with the woolens, but for most of us it's still a bit early to don a light linen suit or sundress.

Are sandals OK for the office?

3. If the shoe fits, you may be able to wear it. It may be warm enough for open-toed shoes or dressy sandals where you live, but it's still a tad early for strictly summery shoes like rope-soled espadrilles. If it is warm enough, stick to conservative leather sandals right now. And flip-flops at the office? Never (but...see #1).

4. Save the shorts for the ballgame. No matter how warm it is, you may not wear shorts to the office. I don't care what your colleagues are doing or what the the fashion magazines say: Shorts are never appropriate for a professional office environment.

5. Check your grooming. Warmer weather means less clothing, and for the ladies this may or may not mean panty hose or sleeveless shirts or dresses. If you go hose-free (which is acceptable) just be sure that you have shaved your legs. Ditto for the underarms if you go sleeveless. Exposed armpit hair on a professional woman is a no-no.

What NOT to wear at work

6. Always dress as best you can. Finally, no matter the weather, you should always dress as best and professionally as you can. Ask yourself: Do I look professional? Do I look like I belong? Am I dressed for success? The answer, no matter the weather or time of year, should always be yes. Jeans and strappy tanks may look great on you, and they may even be appropriate for your office (doubtful, though you never know), but is that really the best you can do?

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.