6 DO's and DONT's for Summer Office Outfits
Dress for deskside rather than poolside
DO
DON'T
Hello Friends, Floggers & Fashionistas.
Today I wanted to touch upon the fashion rules when dressing for the office this summer.When it comes to getting dressed for work, I am a big believer that the
traditional "rules" are sort of bullshit. White after Labor Day? Sure! Mixing your
blacks and blues? Definitely! Pattern mixing? Obviously. However, the office, a
cornerstone of professionalism and structure, should be respected as such, and
even though it can be brutally hot in the summer, that doesn't mean you should
dress like you are poolside rather than desk side.
Instead, ask yourself the two questions you should always ask when you get
dressed: 1. What is the weather? 2. What is the occasion? If your outfit can
answer both of these questions, then congrats! You are dressed properly. The
same thing applies to gettingdressed for the office. Even if you work in the most
casual of start-ups, your office isstill not on A1A in Miami—so you should dress
to reflect that. Here, I've rounded up 6 common mistakes that people make and
the appropriate ways to go about correcting them when getting dressed for casual
Fridays or any summer day in the office. Because, yes, it's hot, but you shouldn't
look like a hot mess.
dressed: 1. What is the weather? 2. What is the occasion? If your outfit can
answer both of these questions, then congrats! You are dressed properly. The
same thing applies to gettingdressed for the office. Even if you work in the most
casual of start-ups, your office isstill not on A1A in Miami—so you should dress
to reflect that. Here, I've rounded up 6 common mistakes that people make and
the appropriate ways to go about correcting them when getting dressed for casual
Fridays or any summer day in the office. Because, yes, it's hot, but you shouldn't
look like a hot mess.
1 Lace Tops
Ladies, lace belongs in the bedroom or for a night out with your hot date or hubby. It is
not for the office. True, a thin airy fabric helps to keep you cool but it is a bit much for a professional environment. Its simply sending the wrong message to your colleagues and
is very unprofessional. Instead, try something with an eyelet, which still has a similar
fresh look but not as provocative.
not for the office. True, a thin airy fabric helps to keep you cool but it is a bit much for a professional environment. Its simply sending the wrong message to your colleagues and
is very unprofessional. Instead, try something with an eyelet, which still has a similar
fresh look but not as provocative.
2 Maxi Dresses
A maxi dress is pure resort wear therefore does not belong in an office environment.
Yes, we all know a big breezy dress will keep you cool on those scorcher hot days
however everyone will wonder if you think you are in Turks and Caicos. Unless your
office is actually in Turks and Caicos, it is definitely a no go. Choosing something more
conservative like a cotton pencil dress, could still keep you cool yet professional at
the same time. This option in particular has an open back, which can be covered up by
a light sweater once the A/C chill hits you.
Yes, we all know a big breezy dress will keep you cool on those scorcher hot days
however everyone will wonder if you think you are in Turks and Caicos. Unless your
office is actually in Turks and Caicos, it is definitely a no go. Choosing something more
conservative like a cotton pencil dress, could still keep you cool yet professional at
the same time. This option in particular has an open back, which can be covered up by
a light sweater once the A/C chill hits you.
3 Short Skirts
The short skirt is a definitely no no in the corporate world. Even though in the winter, you
may get away with this look with tights/leggings and high boots, however in the summer, it
is all skin, skin, skin. This may work well for a brunch with the girls, but if you can play tennis
in it or it has shorts built in as to avoid flashing, that skirt is too short for the office. As an alternative, go with an a-line skirt made of a poplin fabric instead, which I promise will keep
you feeling cool and looking cool. Try to stick closer to the knee length. You may want to look a little sexy or impress that hot dude you sit beside in your office, but trustme, fitted knee length pencil skirts are way sexier than trashy short mini skirts. You will be sending a better message!
may get away with this look with tights/leggings and high boots, however in the summer, it
is all skin, skin, skin. This may work well for a brunch with the girls, but if you can play tennis
in it or it has shorts built in as to avoid flashing, that skirt is too short for the office. As an alternative, go with an a-line skirt made of a poplin fabric instead, which I promise will keep
you feeling cool and looking cool. Try to stick closer to the knee length. You may want to look a little sexy or impress that hot dude you sit beside in your office, but trustme, fitted knee length pencil skirts are way sexier than trashy short mini skirts. You will be sending a better message!
4 Flip Flops
Okay ladies, I'm so sorry but flips flops are strictly meant for the beach or getting
a pedicure. Flip flops are not the footwear of a sophisticated woman and really have
no place in the office. I get that they're comfortable, but you know what else is? A chic
slide sandal. Stylish sliders are super popular this season and are coming out in
glamorous prints, and fabrics. Now is the best time to invest in a comfortable yet
very stylish sliders. Finally, comfort and style have united.
a pedicure. Flip flops are not the footwear of a sophisticated woman and really have
no place in the office. I get that they're comfortable, but you know what else is? A chic
slide sandal. Stylish sliders are super popular this season and are coming out in
glamorous prints, and fabrics. Now is the best time to invest in a comfortable yet
very stylish sliders. Finally, comfort and style have united.
5 The Denim Shorts
Denim shorts are great. They are a summer staple, a wardrobe necessity for any girl
that knows what's cool, but they belong nowhere near an office, not even if you're office is a hoodie-friendly, San Francisco start-up filled with ping-pong tables. It's still not right,
and even in the most casual of environments a cut off short is the first way to look
unprofessional. I know, I know. I am ruining your summer. There are plenty, dozens
of places you can rock these in the summer, but the office ain't one. So if you are
dying to wear something denim, opt for a more tailored denim dress or skirt instead.
I personally feel denim should be saved for Casual Fridays, however if you pair skinny
white denims or classic blue denims with a gorgeous summer blouse and brightly
coloured pumps, then you have rocked the look and it can still be very professional.
that knows what's cool, but they belong nowhere near an office, not even if you're office is a hoodie-friendly, San Francisco start-up filled with ping-pong tables. It's still not right,
and even in the most casual of environments a cut off short is the first way to look
unprofessional. I know, I know. I am ruining your summer. There are plenty, dozens
of places you can rock these in the summer, but the office ain't one. So if you are
dying to wear something denim, opt for a more tailored denim dress or skirt instead.
I personally feel denim should be saved for Casual Fridays, however if you pair skinny
white denims or classic blue denims with a gorgeous summer blouse and brightly
coloured pumps, then you have rocked the look and it can still be very professional.
6 Crop Tops
A crop top in the office is not always, as Anastasia Steele would say, "a hard limit."
In the winter, crop tops come in the long-sleeved or even the turtleneck variety, and
when you wear them with a high-waisted skirt, you can get a great silhouette without
the creating any bulk that a tucked shirt can add. But in summer, crop tops present a
problem because they are often showing more than just a little tummy. Add in arms or
cleavage plus and crop top and the equation leads to a human resources nightmare.
Instead, save your crop tops for weekend BBQs and go with something off the shoulder
instead. This summer shoulder cut outs are very hot. You can still look the part and be
stylish too, as long as it is tasteful.
In the winter, crop tops come in the long-sleeved or even the turtleneck variety, and
when you wear them with a high-waisted skirt, you can get a great silhouette without
the creating any bulk that a tucked shirt can add. But in summer, crop tops present a
problem because they are often showing more than just a little tummy. Add in arms or
cleavage plus and crop top and the equation leads to a human resources nightmare.
Instead, save your crop tops for weekend BBQs and go with something off the shoulder
instead. This summer shoulder cut outs are very hot. You can still look the part and be
stylish too, as long as it is tasteful.
Ladies, I hope you found this blog posting helpful and I truly hope next time you are
struggling with your work wardrobe and decide to put on something too revealing for
work, please remember the basic rules; looking trashy only sends out the wrong message
and can possibly cost you a job promotion. Look professional, and in turn you will feel professional and if you could wear it to the beach, chances are it doesn't belong in the
office!!
struggling with your work wardrobe and decide to put on something too revealing for
work, please remember the basic rules; looking trashy only sends out the wrong message
and can possibly cost you a job promotion. Look professional, and in turn you will feel professional and if you could wear it to the beach, chances are it doesn't belong in the
office!!
Enjoy you summer ladies and stay fresh!
Fashionably yours, Liana
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