(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Summer is an incredible time of the year. Not only is there amazing weather, but it feels like the city is bustling with excitement. The gloom and doom of the “recession” takes a backburner to sunshine and opportunity. There is a perception that the tide is turning and companies are beginning to hire again. Summer time office attire seems to more closely border casual than winter and wearing a suit when it is ninety degrees outside is like walking around in a sandwich board that says “hey, I am interviewing”. If you are interviewing or attending an important business meeting here are a few tips to stay cool while maintaining a professional appearance
For the Gents:
My heart goes out to your during the summer months. Many firms don’t allow shorts in the office so you must endure every heat wave in pants with socks and shoes. Throw in a jacket and forget about it–you’re drenched by the time you make the commute home! The ladies can at least have bare legs and sandals, but for the professional man it is a challenge. The good news is that unless you work in a very proper environment, most firms won’t begrudge a non-coordinating suit. Most suits are made with wool and too heavy for warm summer days. Those that are made of linen or seersucker are lightweight but don’t scream professional . Business attire is about the look and feel of professionalism and you can achieve it without wearing a suit. A nice shirt (long or short sleeved) can be worn with a pair of pants and easily converted to a more polished look by adding a sport coat. It is important that the shirt isn’t a loud print or color. As for the tie, if you think you need it or feel more comfortable in one, you likely won’t be judged for being overdressed. Do your homework and wear what is appropriate to your audience/industry. The great thing about skipping the suit is that sport coats are usually made with sturdier fabrics and maintain their shape better. You can slip them off outside or on the commute without worrying about a hanger. Whatever you decide, sport coats or suit jackets should never be folded because they will wrinkle. The same goes for ties, silk creases and rolling it helps to keep the shape and it can easily be stashed in a pocket.
For the Ladies:
Summer pieces have so much versatility it makes the season ideal for work! Companies aren’t necessarily looking for you to show up in a pant suit- its more about the professional demeanor. What could be a better starting point than a shift dress? A basic dress or pencil skirt and top can go from office casual to business sophisticate in minutes without you needing to bring an entire new outfit to work. Just throw on a statement necklace and blazer with a pair of heals and voila you have transformed a casual look into career ready – fashionating! Just be sure that you don’t show too much skin, and low cut or short dresses are not the way to go. You may want to bling it on some other time as well. Layered jewelry is fabulous but maybe better suited outside the conference room. Bib necklaces are the perfect solution. They offer some shine and elegance and paired with simple earrings look fantastic. Don’t wear the big earrings, big necklace and big bracelet. Balance your look and be sure to always check yourself out in a full length mirror. What seems like a good idea at the bathroom sink may not work with the whole ensemble.
Once you have put together the perfect outfit here are a few other tips for enhancing a professional look:
- Leave the wrinkles on the Shar Pei. Stay away from fabrics like linen and 100% cotton because they have the largest propensity to wrinkle. Select items that maintain their shape- wrinkles look messy and disorganized, which you don’t want to portray.
- If you aren’t sure if something is appropriate- don’t wear it. Second guessing yourself will only make you feel self conscious and less confident and you don’t need that.
- Keep it classic. I love trends as much as the next person but unless you are in interviewing in a fashion driven industry this isn’t the time embrace trends you want to be the focus of the meeting, not your outfit.
- Stay fresh. Throw an extra tube of deodorant in your desk or bag. No one wants to smell you later and pit stains…well they are the pits! Ladies don’t forget to touch up your make up even the best outfit won’t hide a blemish!
- It’s in the Bag. Carry one professional looking bag; no one wants to work with a bag lady! Guys the canvas messenger bag is great for day to day but not for making a professional impression. Something with a little structure is more apropos. Gals, you are lucky, there are so many great bags to choose from, ones that can hold a notebook and all your accoutrements and still look stylish. Save the canvas totes for the beach or grocery store!
- Great Shoes. Shoes should be shined and a clean. Make sure you wear something that is comfortable, who needs to worry about a blister? Not to mention how hard it is to walk with one- do you want to be remembered as the slow moving person with the strange walk? Ladies save the 5” platforms sandals for the party, a nice peep toe is a good way to go.
- Get Groomed. Men should be clean shaven and clipped. Straggly hair and long fingernails aren’t polished. Women keep the fingers and toes manicured- just stay away from the blue nail polish. If you are having a bad hair day or the heat makes it unmanageable or frizzy, throw it into a ponytail.
Most importantly, dress to impress. This isn’t the time to hold back, you are trying to establish a favorable impression after all!
