The Dos and Don'ts of Summer Workwear

July 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Summer starts today, and many of us are digging through our closets for comfortable clothing. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when assessing your work wardrobe.

While some companies adhere to stringent dress-code policies, other businesses take a laid-back approach to their work attire, a trend that's been demonstrated by even the most influential leaders.

During his first day in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama made headlines after he was photographed sans suit jacket, something that had never been seen in the White House before this administration, the New York Times reported.

Career and fashion specialists alike encourage employees to put effort into their work styles to avoid the wrong type of attention from the connections that matter most, such as managers, clients and peers.

"Clothing may influence the extent to which another person may consider us credible," gender communication specialist Audrey Nelson, Ph.D., writes for Psychology Today. "It is often read as a sign of character."

With this message in mind, it's often difficult to discern suitable clothing from inappropriate wear, as employees at the same company may have different ideas as to what is acceptable.

Here are some essential steps to dress appropriately for work in summer.

Assess the Situation and Unbutton as You Go
Observe the workplace dress code by starting formal and dressing down your wardrobe once you have a clear picture of your company standard. According to CareerBuilder.com, an employee assessment should include the type of industry he or she is in, whether it is very conservative, what image an employee strives to project and whether there will be frequent contact with customers.

"Especially if you deal directly with customers, the way you express yourself to the world is far more important than the true you — at least while you're on the job," Salary.com emphasizes.

While employees can look for fashion guidance by observing their peers and managers, it is essential that leaders project a good example of professionalism. "If you are strolling in wearing T-shirts and jeans, your employees are likely to see that as the most formal they will ever have to be," etiquette expert Gail Madison tells Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

Material Matters
Clothing fabric may have much more of an impact on looks than many might think and selecting the right materials can help employees save time and effort later on.

"To avoid being a wrinkly mess with sweat marks by the end of the day, opt for clothes made of cotton, lightweight jersey or tropical-weight wools," Instyle suggests. Dressing in all-natural fibers will help employees stay cool, fashion consultant Bill Hoffer suggests at his Traveling Fashion Consultant website. Be wary of certain "sloppy" fabrics, such as linen, which tends to wrinkle.

Factor in a Drop in Degrees
By the time many employees get to work after a summer-time commute, they are often too hot to think about the temperature drop they will inevitably face. For this reason, it is essential to have a few key items accessible at workplace. "Because of air conditioning, it is best to dress in layers and always have a jacket or cardigan handy," Robin Keeler, the fashion director at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, writes at NationalPost.com.

"...The difference in temperature between the outdoors and your air-conditioned office can be 30 degrees or more," Careerbuilder.com emphasizes. Storing a tailored cover-up (such as a blazer) in your cubicle or workspace can also be helpful for spur of the moment business meetings.

Don't Flaunt What You've Got
It's essential to project a good image to hold and to show respect with your fellow peers. Never show too much skin, experts warn. Women, who typically have more fashion choices, should always avoid showing too much cleavage, wearing skirts that are too short and revealing any undergarments. It's also important to avoid see-through garments. While sandals may be acceptable in some environments, employees should make certain they're well-groomed.
 
Finally, while tattoos may express creativity, they may also project a sense of poor professionalism, so experts warn to keep them covered, despite the heat.

http://www.corporate-connection.co.uk/

Article sourced from:
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2011/06/dos-and-do...

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