What to wear to the office in the summer?

Dutch summers are not always hot and dry. I know that as people living with near-constant gray skies and rain, we tend to get very excited about the arrival of high temperatures and sunny days. But the sweltering temperatures of summer can present a whole new set of problems.

When it gets above twenty degrees, I believe we’re out of control. You see striking outfits with flip flops, miniskirts, see-through clothes and shorts that leave nothing to the imagination. Colleagues get annoyed and offended.

What to wear in the office to feel comfortable, and simultaneously, be appropriate? Knowing what to wear can be tricky especially at casual offices. So if you’re a little unsure about what’s considered office-appropriate in the hot days of summer, follow these tips and be sure to get it right. The do’s but also the don’ts (like on the picture above).

What’s office appropriate and what is not?

First resist the urge to show too much bare skin! But how much is too much? Showing more than two bare parts is not professional. At work you want to be seen for how good you are, not as a distraction. Bare parts are arms, feet, breasts, belly and legs. On the pictures below you see three bare parts and that’s really too much if you want to be taken seriously. And avoid anything sheer, sloppy, or revealing.

• No cleavage. When it comes to breasts, your “cleavage line” should not be showing (on the picture at the left the neck line is too low)
  
• Go for safe and cover your shoulders. Many women don’t feel comfortable with sleeveless tops. And sleeveless tops are not usually considered acceptable, so go with a cap sleeve instead. Or you can cover yourself up with a cardigan or summer jacket. Absolutely no straps. If you do show your armpits go for a full shave
• I’m often asked what colors you can wear in hot weather. Dark colors are just fine. But only not from head to toe! Combine black or navy blue and pair it with something light and bright colors such as taupe pumps and also bright colored (turquoise) earrings. Cheerful colors are perfectly acceptable in the office, but don’t go overboard. Keep in mind that dark colors convey authority, light colors, friendliness
• • Sandals are a tough one. Some offices are okay with them, some aren’t. If you do decide to go with sandals or an open-toed shoe, wear them with a pair of pants (just like on the picture at the left). Make sure your toes are pedicured – people will notice if your feet look uncared for. Flip-flops are never acceptable in the office.

On the picture at the top left I would strongly recommend her to wear a higher neck line (she can, for example, use invisible snap fasteners to close it a bit) and a light summer jacket to cover up

• Short skirts and dresses are not okay. Skirts and dresses should be knee-length, or just ever so slightly above (only one hand above your knee – and do use your own hand!) Watch out for the skirt that rides up
• Is hosiery still deemed relevant in workplace attire? For those of us who work in a corporate setting, you should have stockings on. It’s unacceptable. Even in the summer? Absolutely! Then put on a summer sheer, nude pair on of 7 to 9 denier (a bit darker than your own skin color but absolutely no black) – available at good lingerie shops. Use gloves to slip them on if you want to avoid hosiery runs. In most mainstream offices you don’t have to wear stockings. When you go bare legs, make sure you shave your legs and go for smooth legs
• Wear loose-fitting clothes! A great option is an elegant wide-leg pair of pants. But big and baggy clothes are not a good idea and anything too tight will be hot
• Choose lightweight clothing – cotton combined with linen are always good bets (also to avoid wrinkles). No polyester, acrylic, or polyamide, since these artificial substances do not breathe, even though they are thin. Often the perspiration odor lingers in it – something you want to avoid.
  

Would the dress on the picture at the top left be knee-length, that would be perfect for business casual!

For men: no shorts, overly tight pants, sleeveless shirts and short sleeved dress shirts and flip flops. Men can wear long trousers with a neat polo or t-shirt with sleeves and closed shoes for business casual.

Do you still have doubts about what you can wear to the office in the summer? Discuss and talk about with your colleagues! And you can also always drop me a line to info@carinapersonalstyling.nl.

Happy Summer!