Thursday, September 2, 2010

How Not to Dress For the Office When Temperatures Soar

By: Vanessa Renee

With summer temperatures soaring, sometimes it is difficult to identify appropriate work attire that is both comfortable and professional. During summer months, many companies relax the dress code and allow employees to forgo the suits of winter for a more cool and casual look.

Unfortunately, sometimes employees take that inch and go a mile, selecting revealing and unprofessional clothing to wear to work. Some of those offenders may even be sent home to change.

For those who have been sent home from work, or who have made questionable summer wardrobe choices in the past, this article is for you.

Even though the sun is shining, the temperatures are climbing, and the kids are out of school, your office is still your place of work and your wardrobe choices should reflect that. Wardrobe choices can be cool and stylish, but should not be sexy or provocative.

The following is a general breakdown by gender of wardrobe choices you should not make for the office.

Ladies should always refrain from:
• Baring her bosom. Both men and women in the workplace may be distracted by a professional woman showing off her cleavage in a plunging neckline. Don't let your great work be upstaged by your chest. Even some blouses that may seem modest when standing up looking in a mirror can be all but indecent when you are leaning over or seated. Be sure to check out your outfit at many different angles in the mirror before leaving for work. When in doubt, layer your outfit with a camisole for modesty.

• Showing too much leg. Regardless of how hot it is, mini-skirts or short shorts which are tight and reveal a lot of a person's leg are not appropriate for an office. If you need a guideline, try not to select skirts that have hems that are any shorter than an inch or 2 above the knee.

Men generally have it easier when it comes to dressing appropriately for the summer months, because men's fashion is not as focused on revealing their figure, or showing a lot of skin.

Men should not:
• Wear clothing that is too tight. Whether your body has gone up a few sizes due to overeating or your muscles are bulging from going to the gym, you need to stay in properly fitting clothing. You may want to show off your new muscles, or you could be avoiding purchasing bigger clothing to fit a fuller figure from a winter of carbohydrates. Either way, it's important to have appropriately fitting clothing for work. Tight shirts and pants are not appropriate anytime of the year.

• Wear clothing that is ragged. Gentlemen are more likely to be offenders of this rule than women. You need to be aware of how old your clothing is, and look for signs of wear and tear. Wearing old t-shirts or jeans with holes in them is not appropriate for the workplace. Remember, you are at the office, and not working on a car in your garage. Wear a nice light weight pair of dress pants such as khakis and a new polo shirt instead.

There is one area of workplace attire where both genders tend to offend, and that area is footwear. Both men and women parade through the office in flip flops, Birkenstocks, and Crocs in the hot days of summer. These types of shoes along with well-worn sneakers, while comfortable, are not appropriate for work.

The safest bet is for women to stick with a closed toe shoe. If you must follow the trends and wear sling-backs or toe baring shoes, make sure to have your feet neatly manicured.

Footwear for men should be approximately the same in the summer and winter months. Neatly polished leather dress shoes are always en vogue for men.

Remember, you are not attending a BBQ in someone's back yard, or going to a night club. Dress conservatively and appropriately for the office, and enjoy the summer fashions on the weekend!

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