What to Wear: Summer Dressing in a Business Environment

Choosing appropriate clothing for the business environment can be challenging at the best of times. It becomes more difficult when temperatures rise and we feel being fully covered is uncomfortable and downright hot. It becomes even more of a challenge when we leave home in sweltering heat and then move into an air conditioned work environment. How do we dress? What should we wear?

Knowing how to dress for the summer heat and still remain comfortable and professional has the potential to boost your professional image and maybe even move you up a notch or two.

The Rules of Summer Dressing in a Business Environment:

1. Focus on professional: Resist the urge to wear clothing that shows bare skin. Low necklines, short skirts, sleeveless tops, sheer tops, bare legs are great for summer weather but are more fitting for barbecues and nightclubs than a day at work. When choose our clothing we are also choosing an image to project. If your intention is to move up in the business world keep your business clothes professional.

2. Wear lightweight clothing: You can still stay cool and not show skin. Choose fabrics that are lightweight such as cotton and linen. For example wear a cotton jacket over a lightweight blouse or wear a sweater set. If it gets too hot you can remove the jacket and still be covered underneath. If you work in an air-conditioned environment you will appreciate the added layer while you are inside and the option of removing it when you move into the heat.

3. Choose the proper footwear: Just because it's summer doesn't mean that sandals can be worn everywhere. Sandals are not appropriate in a professional setting. Wear only closed shoes such as pumps and sling backs.

4. Stay away from clothing that spells "summer": That means bright jewelry, cropped pants or skorts. Summer clothing can be worn in a professional environment but ever so subtlety. Wear lighter colored accessories and clothing but nothing that brings attention. For example, choose a pastel blouse or light colored professional handbag.

5. Wear loose clothing: Choose to wear skirts and pants in a light fabric so that the fabric glides over your hips and tummy. White is great for summer but will show every bump and lump if worn too tightly.

© Copyright Sheila Dicks 2005

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women feel more confident by dressing to suit their body type. To get tips on how to dress slimmer and find your best styles get a copy of her ebook "Image Makeover" at http://www.how-to-dress.com or go to http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to get the Free Report " 7 Things Your Girlfriends Won't Tell You About Beauty and Fashion".

---

The Mindful Shopper: Learning From Fashion Trends

Are you a fashion trend watcher? Do you spend a... Read More

Sterling Silver Jewelry -- Classic Simplicity

Sterling silver jewelry is synonymous with class and style in... Read More

Sunglasses; Function Doesnt Have to be Ugly

There are many reasons that we wear sunglasses. They keep... Read More

How to Find the Perfect Swimsuit for Your Body Type

Finding the best swimsuit is something that we all struggle... Read More

Earrings The Ultimate Fashion Statement

Earrings are an important part of every woman's wardrobe, whether... Read More

Sparkle and Shimmer With This Seasons Metallic Fabrics

The fashion world is buzzing this year as metallic fabric... Read More

Keep Your Flair of Style with Designer Reading Glasses

Reading glasses can be stylish and fashionable. There are many... Read More

History of Charm Bracelets

The custom of wearing charm bracelets dates back thousands of... Read More

Ralph Lauren 2005 Spring & Summer Collection

The Ralph Lauren Spring & Summer 2005 Collection is simply... Read More

Why Weight Train During Pregnancy?

There was once a time that a pregnant woman was... Read More

Have a Cause? Wear a Rubber Wristband!

They are the hottest wearable right now, despite the fashion... Read More

Celebrities Like Their Pearls

Pearls never go out of style ? they are always... Read More

Colored Contact Lenses, the Hottest Trend in Cosmetics is Spreading Like Wildfire Across the Fashion

A cross between cosmetics and vision correction, everyone from movie... Read More

Plus Size Fashion Tips: What?s Hot this Summer

The sun is sizzling, and so will you this season!... Read More

Turquoise Necklace Facts and Beliefs

'Pieces of sky.' That's how turquoise was called by some... Read More

Lion Jewelry: The Pride of Royalty

"I'll show you who's boss!" is what the sight of... Read More

History of the Watch

The earliest mention of the watch was in Shakespeare's play... Read More

Gianni Versace: A Fashion Success!

Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio, Calabria, in... Read More

Dolphin Jewelry Promotes Environmental Awareness

"And when the day comes that we can communicate intelligently... Read More

Get in the Fashion Loop with a Brighton Handbag!

Brighton handbags come in many extraordinary styles and designs making... Read More

Travel With Style

Your heading out for that vacation you've been waiting sooo... Read More

Shoes You Need for Summer Holiday

Summer is always a good season for people doing various... Read More

Do My Ugg Australia Boots Put Me Ahead of Fashion or Behind?

Ugg Australia boots are not just for winter anymore. These... Read More

Finding The Fashion Youre Comfortable With

Fashion is not only what we wear, it is also... Read More

Does Your Watch Keep Time with Fashion or Function?

If you haven't lived under a rock for the past... Read More

Each Watch Band is Unique and Tells Its Own Story

Anyone who possesses a valuable and unique watch will also... Read More

The Uniqueness of Missoni

To Uniqueness of Angela Missoni stands her alone and away... Read More

7 Keys to Powerful First Impressions

Image Development is the science and art of creating a... Read More

The Royal Blue Contact Lens Really Stands Out

Have you always wanted to have sparkling baby blues but... Read More

The History of Costume Jewelry

There is virtually no difference between costume jewelry and antique... Read More

Mens Fashion - How To Create Lasting And Permanent Styles

Many men and women do not have much idea about... Read More

Gemstones Natural vs Synthetic

What is a synthetic gemstone? A synthetic gem is created... Read More

Wolf Jewelry: Dances With Vogue

When shopping for jewelry, one can see two extremes in... Read More