Dressing for Success in the Office this Summer

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Summer is on the way, and you know what that means, it’s time to start thinking about your hot weather work wardrobe. When you’re working in an office, it’s important that you don’t show too much skin or dress down too much, but you’ll also want to be comfortable in the heat of the sun, so it can be tough to put together outfits that meet the criteria. However, it’s worth taking the time to get it right because you’ll feel so much more comfortable at work in the summer if you dress right.

Here are some tips to help you dress for success this summer:

Dress Brand Appropriately

Probably the most important thing you can do to ensure that you get your summer office wardrobe right is think about your company’s brand. Before you put on any item of clothing ask yourself whether it fits with your company’s image. For example, if you work in a creative industry, that colourful maxi dress should be fine, but if you work in a more corporate, professional business, you might want to stick with a nice blouse and tailored skirt.

Will You Still Look Professional?

It is also important, before buying any new summer work clothes, to ask yourself if you will still be able to present yourself as a professional person in your chosen outfit. Obviously, what will and will not negatively affect your image will depend on the industry you’re in, so what is and is not appropriate will vary. If you’re in doubt, it’s probably best to play it safe.

Sandals or No Sandals?

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In most cases, wearing a nice pair of sandals in the office should not be a problem, but if you are going to wear a pair of shoes that show off your feet, you need to take care to look after your feet. Ensure they are clean and manicured as a minimum, otherwise you could put off customers and clients with your style.

Think About Your Underwear

When it comes to women’s dresses and tops this summer, sheer, light fabrics are in, and they are very cooling in the heat. As long as these garments are not too revealing and well-made, they should be fine for the office, but if you are wearing white and sheer garments, it’s important that you pay attention to your underwear and choose pieces that are light or skin-tone colored to avoid underwear showing through, which I think we can all agree is rather unprofessional.

Carry a Cardigan

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If you do decide to wear a summer dress to work, it’s always a good idea to carry a cardigan or lightweight jacket along with you, so if a situation arises where you feel that being a bit more covered up would be appropriate, you can simply sling it on and give yourself a more ‘tailored’ look whilst maintaining your comfort.

Avoid Leggings and Capris

I know leggings and capri pants are incredibly comfy in the summer, but they’re not exactly the most professional garments available, which is why I would suggest only wearing them on Casual Fridays and other dress down days. Even then, you should always team them with tops and tunics that cover your butt.

Do you work in an office? What are your summer work wardrobe staples?