What not to Wear to Work during Hot Weather
Dressing professionally always seems much easier in the winter than in the summer. Most offices prefer a very covered-up look, which is cozy in January but which feels ridiculous, if not downright uncomfortable, when the sun is blazing in the summer. While it may seem difficult to determine what is and is not appropriate work attire, especially if there's no written dress code for your workplace, there are a few fairly universal standards.
1. No shorts.
Men should eschew shorts altogether. Yes, even if they are made of a material that would be perfectly acceptable to wear in the form of full-length pants. They just come across as far too casual, and rarely, if ever, look good with work-appropriate shoes. Women may have a little more leeway in this department - while short shorts are always unprofessional, your office may allow shorts that hit the knee, provided that they are suitably dressy-looking. It is best not to assume that shorts are permitted, though. If there are no other women in your workplace in shorts, don't decide to be the first. You'll be just as comfortable in a knee-length skirt, if not more so. And don't worry: unless your workplace specifically says that you need to wear pantyhose with a skirt, you can forgo them.
2. No open-toed shoes.
Again, this is a hard and fast rule for men. Men might also want to think twice about wearing shoes without socks - sometimes this is acceptable; sometimes it's not. Women may or may not be allowed open-toed shoes. In cases where open-toed shoes are permissible for women, there are still some limitations. Flip-flops are always unacceptable - they expose too much of the foot and make distracting, irritating noises. Flat sandals, though less revealing and generally made of better materials than flip-flops, may also be too casual for most workplaces. Basically, the idea here is that any shoe that would look perfect at the beach should not be worn in the office. A peep-toe flat or pump or a high-heeled sandal might be acceptable, but again, check to see what other women are wearing before deciding to bare your toes to the office.
3. No exposed bra straps or exposed shoulders.
The camisole that works perfectly under a jacket in the cooler months cannot be worn on its own in the heat of summer. No, not even with a strapless bra eliminating the exposed bra strap look that so many people find tacky. A camisole or knee-length sundress might be fine for work, but only if covered by a light cardigan or jacket.
4. Be careful of how much skin you expose in general.
While studies have shown that conventionally attractive women do have an advantage in the workplace, women who bare a lot of skin in the office do not. It may feel unfair, but unfortunately women can't expect to be taken seriously when exposing cleavage, wearing a shirt or dress with an open back, showing miles of leg, or baring the midriff.
5. Avoid sheer fabrics.
A lot of light summer clothing tends to be on the sheer side. A sheer blouse over a camisole is a cute look, but even though it's technically not all that revealing, it's still frowned upon in most workplaces. Err on the side of caution and make sure that all your work clothing is opaque. There are still plenty of light fabrics that won't be perceived as being too revealing.
6. Nothing rumpled or wrinkled.
People generally feel a lot more relaxed in the summer months, and clothes tend to wrinkle more easily, but you should not take this as an excuse to be sloppy. Keep ironing and steaming your clothing before work to maintain a sharp, office-appropriate look.
It may seem like there are a lot of restrictions, but you'll find that there are still plenty of work-appropriate outfit choices that will keep you both cool and looking professional. Even as you avoid committing any of the major fashion faux pas listed above, you'll have no trouble finding items that are seasonal and that won't get you reprimanded by the boss.
