Summer in the city

Picking an outfit for an interview, while sometimes stressful, is usually easy; you are only dressing for one situation, you can wear the same outfit to most interviews, and you're only wearing those clothes for a couple of hours. Dressing for every day work, however, can be tricky, as individual companies and departments have their own dress codes. Summertime wardrobes are especially challenging for work, as the temptation to wear less becomes greater in the stifling heat. Here are a few tips to ensure that your wardrobe stays office and summer-friendly.

You Won't Be Outside All Day

It may be 30 degrees outside, but remember how long you will actually be outside. Most people are only outside for their commute and maybe lunch. Most of your day will be inside, probably in frigid air conditioning. Wearing an outfit that can be layered, like a short-sleeved dress and a cardigan or a t-shirt under a buttoned-up shirt, and can easily transition between locations will help you stay cool outside and appropriate inside.

Corporate Culture Never Sleeps

Just because the weather outside begs for a sleeveless top doesn't mean a company's image and corporate culture notice. Your duties and who you see and deal with every day remain the same whether it's July or November, and employers expect you to maintain a certain image year-round. Some firms have a separate summer dress code, but if there are no formal guidelines ask a manager or someone in HR what is appropriate for the office in summer.

Common Clothes to Consider

Sandals are definitely cooler to wear in the summer months, but find out your company's stance on open-toed footwear before sporting them to the office. And if you do wear sandals, remember that people notice bare feet and make sure yours are clean. For women, if you are unsure if your skirt (or shorts) is the right length and there are no set regulations, use the finger-tip test: if your fingertips don't reach your hem when your arms are straight down at your sides you're fine. If you do wear a sleeveless top ensure you have a nice sweater or blazer. For men, play it safe by not wearing shorts. Ask a manager or HR whether short-sleeve buttoned shirts are acceptable and if it is ok to forego the tie if you normally wear one. However, it is a good idea to bring a blazer and an extra shirt.

Individual companies have different dress codes and expectations for how employees dress. Some companies have uniforms, others require strict business attire no matter what, and others are incredibly lenient in what constitutes acceptable dress. Whatever the expectations are at your place of employment, it is tempting to embrace the hot weather at work and dress too casually, but following these tips will help you stay cool and comfortable in the office.