What Works: For Starters

There are a few general rules that apply to both men and women, when it comes to appropriate office dressing in the summer. While some businesses, like ad agencies and other creative outlets, accept more casual attire, most corporations, including legal and accounting firms, take a more formal approach, regardless of the weather.

So, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the industry I work in corporate or more creative?
• Is the dress code corporate or dressed-up business casual?
• What is my position in the company, and how does my image match up?
• Do I represent the company meeting with clients and the public?
• Is the way I dress reflecting and supporting my career goals and aspirations?

Basically, if you want to be taken seriously, you have to take your image just as seriously. Here are few tips, for men and women:

• If it's anything you'd ever wear to the beach or cottage - wear it on your next vacation, not your next day at work.
• Rock 'n' Roll concert T-shirts or any tees with slogans should be left at home. And no logos! Unless of course, it's casual Friday and you're wearing a golf shirt with your company's logo on it.
• No summer sportswear or workout wear, no matter what any sales person says. Save it for weekends or the gym.
• No matter how hot it gets, never wear flip flops. Wait to slip into them at the end of the day for your commute home.
• Select bright colours and bold prints according to your figure type.

In addition, you may want to steer clear of easily wrinkled fabrics. When looks great when you put it on in the morning, doesn't necessarily work if you're sitting at your desk most of day.

If you're still unable to establish what's appropriate, take a cue from your boss and your boss's boss. You can also request a copy of the office dress code policy with your employer's human resources department.

What Works: For Women

For years, corporate dress codes followed fashion and allowed a more relaxed, sportswear-minded look in the office. Recently, there's been a turnaround back to more conservative dressing. So how to follow fashion while still following a dress code?

• Dresses are a top trend this season, but avoid spaghetti straps, halter-tops and strapless styles. Look for dresses with wide straps or even better, cap or short sleeves. When in doubt, wear a lightweight jacket or fine-knit cardigan over top.
• You're bound to see short skirts in stores but, for the office, don't go any shorter than 3" above the knee. When trying on a skirt or dress, always check to see how things “shift up" and look when you sit down.
• This season's capri or cropped pant may be consider office-appropriate if the style and fabric is on the dressier side and it's matched with a suitable jacket or cardigan and heels.
• It's very important that your undergarments provide a good foundation and smooth lines: make sure your bra never shows. Especially when you're wearing lighter colours and fabrics, you can't get away with an ill-fitting bra (TIP: head over to La Vie En Rose, on the street level of FCP, to ask to be measured for a proper fitting bra).
• For most offices, dressy open-toe shoes are acceptable - so long as you keep up your pedicure regimen and have your toes perfectly polished. However, more conservative dress codes often dictate that open-toes shoes and sandals are a no-go.
• When is comes to accessorizing, it's smart to assume that less is more. Stacking big, bold bracelets up your arm may look fab, but they can also make a lot of distracting noise. And this season's big, eye-catching statement necklaces? Scale down or wait until after work to wear them.

Suited for Summer

Black is a year-round staple, but for summer, take a more streamlined approach: look for an abbreviated version of the blazer with a more tailored, shirt-like appearance, and a cropped length sleeve. Teenflo

Borrow this look from the boys: pinstripes mean business, but a rounded collar, short sleeves, matching self belt and contrasting trim gives this suit a fresh, feminine feeling. Suzy Shier

If khaki is not your colour, but the safari look suits you, try this version in bright, crisp white, with softly puffed sleeves and belted at the waist. Add the matching cropped pant, and you’ll look polished and professional. Suzy Shier

Great Lengths

A single-breasted white blazer is perfect to wear with a print or solids, while the bracelet-length sleeve is not only pretty, but provides your hands unfettered freedom for long hours at the computer, too! Gap

If you’re a jacket lover, but can’t stand the heat, look for new styles featuring shorter sleeves – just cropped above the elbow is always an appropriate choice. The one shown here is tailored and proportioned for plus sizes.

If your office dress code allows sleeveless, why not try the two-in-one versatility of a stay-cool vest with jacket details. If sleeveless is a no-go, wear it as you would a vest, slipped under a lightweight blazer.

Sizzling Separates

Separate yourself from the competition with a combination of smart separates that work in a wealth of ways, from classic pencil skirts and slim jackets to cropped trousers and simple blouses. Teenflo

Fridays are the perfect day to show off that pretty new skirt. Patterns may pop, but make sure when you’re wearing them that you don’t go overboard. Anchor the look with a solid, complementary toned top.

Use your animal instincts to match this zebra-print, bracelet-sleeved jacket with trendy colours but keep the look office-friendly and ground it with basic black. Teenflo

Dress For Success

Want to go from the office to an after-work event without changing? Try a sleeveless dress with a little cropped jacket or finely knit cardigan during the day. Also, note the higher, work-appropriate neckline of this figure-flattering dress.

A classic shift in popular plaid is always in style, and the neutral palette of black, white and grey is modern but still work day appropriate. Slip a short sleeve white blouse underneath for more conservative offices, or a black fine knit turtleneck come fall. Suzy Shier

Smart under a blazer for day, or just on its own, creative types can wear this chic dress in the boardroom, and then carry on into the evening without having to make a change. Let the designer details be a reflection of your own impeccable attention to detail. Teenflo

Stylist Secrets

For those really warm days, when you still have to wear a jacket, a tailored, sleeveless white blouse will help keep you looking cool and confident all day long. After 5, slip off the jacket during your humid commute home or to unwind on a patio. Teenflo

Here’s the perfect solution to those hot sticky days when it’s too hot to wear anything but a dress (and too hot to layer on a jacket or cardigan to cover up your arms): invest in a capped sleeve, knee-length style with an empire line that skims the body, for a cool, no-cling fit. Suzy Shier

Many offices insist on a no-bare-legs policy, but hosiery can also heat you up. The secret? These thigh highs are not only cooler than full coverage hose, but feature a thong-sandal cut out toe as well. And you can still have the sleek look of hose without hiding your fresh summer pedicure! Rexall Pharma Plus

What Works: For Men

Yes, men have an undeniably easier time of dressing for warmer weather than women: essentially their mainstay business suits and ties get lightened up for summer. FCP Shopper Cathy DeSerranno offers these additional tips:

• Look for good quality fabrics, along with good construction and tailoring - even for summer sportswear.
• Heavily patterned shirts, including Hawaiian floral prints are for weekends and vacations.
• Sorry guys, even if you see women wearing stylish shorts to work, you shouldn't.
• Keep the socks on in your shoes, even though it's summer, especially in the office.

Corporate Cool

Put away your dark, charcoal grey suits and replace them with lighter-weight, lighter-toned grey suits such as this one in dove grey. Harry Rosen

Take a break from dark suits – the tan suit is a sunny weather alternative, looks cool and keeps you from overheating. Expert tip: the two-button jacket will make you appear taller! Tip Top Tailors

Add a little flair to your tan and olive suits with a two-toned, lace-up wing tip. It’s a great way to inject your personality without breaking the dress code. Harry Rosen

Modern Mix

A multi-purpose sports jacket in a fine stripe is a study in versatility: it mixes well with khakis, tans and navy for the office on more casual days, and easily slides over a polo shirt with denim or white jeans for the weekend. Harry Rosen

Nothing says summer like gingham, but for the office, make sure it’s fitted, with a more tailored shape, in an easily mixed-and-match tone like pale blue, and the checks are balanced in size. Gap

Both the tan suit and darker alternatives can benefit from a juicy hit of any one of this season’s fashion colours. For example, try a striped silk tie and a pale peach shirt. The tie will also works well with a white shirt. Tip Top Tailors

Stylist Secrets

For those times you just have to keep your jacket on, but would rather skip long, cumbersome shirt sleeves underneath, a fitted, short- sleeved white shirt is a smart alternative. Gap

Too hot to wear a tie? A colourful silk pocket square is an easy way to keep your summery look polished and professional. Harry Rosen

Don’t weigh down your summer suits with heavy lace up shoes. Lighten your look with an easy, slip-on loafer that still looks professional. And yes, socks are necessary, at least at work. Aldo Shoes

Still Need Help?

If you need help... Whether you're updating your summer wardrobe or giving it a complete overhaul, if you're concerned about making wise investments, let FCP Shopper Cathy DeSerranno be your professional style guide. For information about this free service, call her at 416-862-6322.

If your office needs help... If you're thinking that “summer dressing" is starting to look a little too casual or unprofessional in your office, you're not alone. In fact, more and more companies are turning to FCP Shopper Cathy DeSerranno for help.

• Summer Dress Code Policies: Cathy can help define guidelines for what is - and is not - acceptable summer (and year-round) office attire. Once the policy is finalized, she can help introduce the dress code to everyone from entry-level staff to management, explaining the guidelines and restrictions. She can even work one-on-one with individuals to help them revise their work wardrobe to comply with the new dress codes.
• Group Seminars: You can also arrange for Cathy to meet with your team in either your office or another location. Cathy can customize her presentations to meet the needs and interests of your staff, including one specifically about proper office attire and summer dressing.