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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Colors. First step to preparing yourself for exciting summer is the choice of colors. That pretty summer dress is no use if it’s black or grey. Let’s leave darker tones to rest until next autumn and winter, and bring in more cheerful guys to the party. Among other great things that summer brings, ripe, fresh, juicy fruit is certainly one of them. You don’t have to look further from this to find the right colors to wear. Orange, lime, watermelon are the tones to seek out in your pre-summer shopping tour. Keep it cheery and bright. For calmer tones try sky blue, pink or coral. It goes without saying that white is a summer essential. You can always pull that white dress out on less imaginative days, not having to worry about looking great. White creates great contrast against tanned skin and it doesn’t attract sun rays as black does which is one more reason to avoid dark colors.

Type of clothes. Now that you’ve learned what colors to place in your wardrobe, let’s take a look at the materials and types of clothes to wear on hot days. As for materials, you should try to pick natural ones because they feel good on your skin when it’s hot outside. Synthetic materials can irritate the skin and make you sweat more. So, try cotton instead. It will help you stay cool in hot weather and feels pleasant on the skin because it’s a very breathable fabric allowing air to flow freely through it. In addition, linen, also a natural one, is one of the best summer fabrics because it’s so very lightweight and thin and you barely feel it when you’re wearing it which is exactly what you need when it’s scorching outside.

As much as you love wearing tight-fitting clothes, it may not be the best choice for summer. In addition to choosing right materials, you should also choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and you won’t sweat as much, because that kind of clothes allows the body to ‘breathe’.

Sun protection. Summer is the season of beaches and swimming pools, which means you’re going to be exposed to the sun in great deal. Too much sun isn’t good for your skin and that’s why you should be prepared by getting the best sunscreen for you. Wear sunscreen on all exposed areas of your body. For the body wear at least SPF 30, and if you have sensitive skin maybe you should consider wearing total sunblock on the face. When choosing a sunscreen look for the one that is waterproof. Put it on several times a day and you should be good to go. Moreover, keep your skin moisturized because hot sunny days will dry it out.

Clothing items to prepare. The first and maybe the most important item for summer is certainly a swimsuit. It’s easy to find affordable and good quality swimwear online. Choose trendy designs and good quality materials. Retro style swimsuits are back in fashion so if you have a thing for retro there’s your solution right there. Jumpsuits are also back in fashion and can bring diversity to your closet. Sleeveless tops, shorts, maxi skirts, palazzo pants are only some of the ideas. Don’t wear closed shoes too much but opt for sandals, flip flops and espadrilles which are a huge hit in fashion world.

Hopefully, we’ve managed to make you feel more confident about the next summer season. Now you know what to do to make this summer one of the best in your life. Whatever you decide to do, just stay relaxed, because that is one of the most important characteristics of summer spirit.

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