Before you begin considering your summer wardrobe, its important to think about your office dress codes. Some offices are stricter than others, requiring only the most formal of office attire, while some allow for more casual looks. Keeping that in mind, here are some suggestions that will work well in most offices.

Fabrics: Before talking style, let’s talk fabrics. Because you will be wearing clothing that offers a bit more coverage, its best to opt for the lightweight fabrics. Great fabrics for the summer include:

• Cotton: Cotton will always help you stay cool and chic.
• Linen: This lightweight fabric can help you keep cool.
• Rayon: Rayon is always light and comfy.
• Silk: This luxury fabric is always soft and cool to the touch.
• Georgette: Similar to chiffon, georgette is sheer and airy.
• Jersey: Blended, lightweight and stretchy, a jersey dress can be cool, sexy and professional in the summer.
• Chambray: This fabric is like an imitation denim…but it’s a lot lighter in weight!
• Seersucker: This is a woven type of common that is guaranteed to keep you cool.

Tops: There are many tops that can make for great summer office looks, but if you suffer from the heat like I do, your best option will be a sleeveless blouse. These blouses button up the front and have a sleeve that ends at the top of the shoulder. They are often light weight and can come in a variety of summery colors ranging from bold to pastel to neutral as well as a variety of prints. The tops are professional and guaranteed to keep you cool on a hot summer day.

Both, tee shirts and blouses can work as the foundation of your outfit, pairing well with skirts, lightweight pants and even shorts.

Shorts: That’s right, we said shorts! Not all offices will allow you to wear shorts, but if you are lucky enough to work in one that does, this can be a great professional choice. Of course, you don’t want to wear Daisy Dukes or any shorts that are too revealing, but ones that hit anywhere from mid thigh to knee length should be fine.

And knee length shorts don’t have to be those clunky, khaki Bermudas your grandparents wear. You can get great styles in pinstripes, florals, solids and more.

Skirts: When it comes to summer work clothes, a skirt can be a great choice. When thinking of lengths and styles of skirts, there is a variety to choose from. To stay work appropriate, you can choose from mid calf skirts to a few inches above the knee. Midi skirts are ideal while pencil skirts can also make a professional office look. If you opt for a pencil skirt, go for one that is lightweight and not too clingy.

Pants: While pants can be too much to bear in the heat of a summer day for some, others can find them a great option. In fact, a wide legged pair in a light color and material will not only be a cool option, it will provide much needed protection from the sun. Pants can look stylish in the office when paired with a tee shirt, blouse or button front sleeveless.

Dresses: A dress can be another great option when talking about the summer work clothes. However, it is important to avoid extremely short dresses. Avoid wearing anything that would be considered an all out sundress. If opting for a sleeveless style, straps should be wider and necklines a bit higher. In most offices, lengths can range from a few inches above the knee to mid calf. Dresses can be worn in a variety of colors and prints and brights, pastels neutrals and florals will suit the season perfectly.

Shoes: Most of the body’s heat is stored in the feet and ankles and wearing an open toe shoe can be a great way to stay cool, no matter what you are wearing. Sandals can be flat or high heeled and most styles will come off as chic and professional, complementing your summer work look perfectly. To avoid looking too casual, stay away from thongs, jellies or anything else that makes it seem as if your are dressing for a day at the beach.

Undies: Because you are more likely to wear shirts that don’t offer a lot of coverage in the upper arm area, it is important to wear a bra that does not show from under your work clothes. This can give off an unprofessional vibe no matter where you are working. To ensure this doesn’t happen, opt for a strapless bra or one with clear straps that won’t be as noticeable.

Buying summer work clothes is necessary for those who want to stay cool and look professional. However, buying a new wardrobe for the season can also be expensive. Try checking out online stores, they normally get new stocks of wholesale clothing each season, so you will probably be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

It can be hard to find summer work clothes that will work to keep you cool while helping you maintain a professional appearance. However, by following these guidelines, you should be able to get together a wardrobe that works for you and your office.

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Should you rent a tuxedo or buy one? Here are some tips to help you decide what to do about your formal wear.

If you attend just a few events each year, buying a tux can be a waste of money. However, if you know that you will need to attend several functions regularly, buying a tux can help you save a lot of money.

If you are renting a tux, make sure to check the suit properly for any tear. They have been worn by a lot of people before and just might have some issues. Check it thoroughly before renting it. Most rental shops ensure that the tux are very well maintained so this should not be much of a problem. Make sure the tux is clean before you use it. If the shop does not dry wash it after a customer has used it, you can do the same before you use it. Once you have decided to rent a tuxedo you would want to book it as early as possible to save all the rushing and perspiring at the last moment.

You must keep in mind that men’s fashion change over time and if you wish to wear your tux after a couple of years, it might no longer be in style and if you have undergone a change in weight, it might not fit you well either. The choice of buying or renting is a personal decision, and will depend on several factors including your social circle and budget. Picking the right size is the secret of looking great in one.

Rental stores such as Friar Tux Shop stock tuxes that are available in a wide range of sizes so every man irrespective of his weight and height can find a well-fitting tuxedo to wear. It is important that you rent from a reliable shop only. Most good stores stock a wide range of styles and you are sure to find the design that would look best on you.

Before going to the shop spend some few minutes to figure out what exactly are you looking for in your attire. This will help you immensely when you visit the store as you will be able to put forth your requirements even better. The professionals at the store can also help you pick the one that would best suit you.

If you are hiring for a wedding and if the groom and the groomsmen hire from the same shop, you can even get a discount. Finally, make sure to inquire about the terms of returning the tuxedo. Often there are charges for not returning it by the next day of the event so be careful and make sure to return on the date as discussed with the store.

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Undoubtedly, the city of Paris deserves the title ‘Mecca of Fashion’. Stylishly looking people wearing all ranges of clothes in a cosmopolitan city full of fashion inspiration. That’s what Paris stands for. Style is everywhere – women who masterfully walk in stiletto heels and men proudly wearing power suits; even people strolling around in jeans and boots have combined them quite aptly. It’s a matter of taste that seems to come naturally to Parisians, having in mind that fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dior and Chanel who dictate trends for decades are located there.

Parisians are also known for their fashion forwardness, and the city itself is where ‘haute couture’ has started. Other than that, low-cost versions of trendy clothes turn up in stores like Carroll and Naf Naf immediately after the originals become public. This is why even an average Parisian can dress according to the latest designer trends.

If you’re going to Paris on vacation, you have to look presentable. The casual clothes you’re used to wear when going on a walk at your home country won’t work. If you don’t want to stand out but in a bad way, you should be prepared with fashionable outfits and suitable accessories to match them. After all, you don’t want to be stared at because you went out in a hoody and sweatpants. A photo shot in front of the Eiffel Tower deserves more. You have to be in all your splendor.

Keep It Neutral

Just keep it neutral and you won’t be mistaken. Replace your floral prints and bright colors with black – you can never go wrong with that since it makes you look slimmer, it never goes out of style and it’s just versatile. A black blazer over a basic shirt, skinny jeans, flats for the day or high heels for the night paired with matching jewelry can make a complete look suitable for wearing in Paris. Other than black, you can go for neutrals like creams, beiges and browns.

Jeans Are Acceptable

Jeans weren’t always OK to wear in Paris, but denim became popular a few years back. Even high-class restaurants now allow jeans as part of the dress code. Not every kind of jeans will fit in the picture, though. Stylistic elements should inevitably be present. Dark and elegant skinny or slight flare jeans are fine.

Accessories Are the Right Statement Pieces

Scarves are what you definitely have to bring with you when going on a visit to Paris. They are go-to accessories that every Parisian woman respects as a must item in her closet. An outfit can always be pulled together with a single scarf; same goes for jewelry. That’s why when you pack for a trip to this city, focus on accessories rather than clothes. Take only some basic clothing items that can be mixed and matches in different ways. Leave the rest to accessories – they know how to spice an outfit.

No Leisure Wear Outside

Hoodies, sweatpants and tennis shoes are a huge no-no in Parisian street fashion. While in other countries only young people follow trends and pick their clothes carefully, in Paris even older women and men dress stylish and with taste. Always look neat and decent while being there, no matter what! After all, people who don’t know you judge you by your looks, and dressing nicely will guarantee you better treatment.

Comfortable Shoes but Not Running Shoes

Walking is what you have to do a lot in order to enjoy all the landmarks of Paris – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Montmartre, etc. Tennis shoes should be immediately replaced with a more elegant alternative. Flats, loafers or comfortable boots will do the job just fine, and they surely look way better.

No or Minimal Make-up

If you want to blend in well with Parisian women, the ‘all natural’ look is the right direction to go. The emphasis is put on a healthy and glowy skin. All is subtle, natural beauty is hold in esteem. As for the hair, the same rule applies. Air dried and unstructured hairstyles are the look you should be aiming for.

Submited by Angela H., a travel blogger and adventurer. Plan your magical holiday in Paris.

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