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.

The post Summer Work Clothes to Rock at the Office appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Color

You can repurpose your summer brights by mixing with neutrals and darker tones for a sophisticated fall look. Black opaque tights, a winter staple for the fashion forward, pair nicely with a bright red pump or magenta ballet flat. A textured tight in cocoa or ecru can set off summer’s bright coral skirts, and neon handbags add a strong pop to a winter look, providing a nice contrast against neutral coats and jackets. Black and white continues to make a bold statement on the fashion runways, an appealing contrast look that works well in the fall and winter months.

Pattern

Floral prints were all the rage during the summer months, and you can keep their feminine allure alive in your winter wardrobe by pairing floral blouses with jackets, blazers and coats in the same or contrasting hues. A grey wool blazer comes alive when layered with the soft, colorful appeal of a tie-neck floral blouse; a printed skirt goes well with a solid cardigan, belted for a finished workday look. Playful geometric prints move easily into fall, under sweaters or paired with leather skirts and slacks, and stripes adapt easily under winter coats and shawls.

Texture & Line

The timeless texture of lace, so popular in this year’s summer casual dresses, works well with an edgy leather jacket or suede topper. A nubby wool blazer in cranberry can be worn over the one-shoulder dress you wore in July, paired with tights and pumps for pulled-together fall appeal. Peplum dresses can be worn under smart cropped jackets, and asymmetrical hemlines shine with textured hose, pulling together your winter look.

Accessories

The belt is everywhere this fall, adding a chic, polished look over sweaters, blouses and even coats. Scarves are a cold-winter must, and summer cottons can be intertwined with winter wools for a pop of color to brighten the season. Mufflers in bold colors remain strongly on trend, delivering impact in jade, aquamarine and blueberry. Animal prints are a durable staple, now popular in smaller, more delicate workings, be they leopard, snakeskin or crocodile. Metallics play a role in the winter wardrobe, adding shine with gold, silver or bronze accents to brighten shoes, bags and belts.

Make a strong fashion statement this fall by blending your cold weather wardrobe with chic summer favorites for a look that stays on trend and moves seamlessly from season to season.

Helen Hoefele is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow her @For_You_To_Know

The post Sizzling Summer Trends that Fall Can’t Flee appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Summer Dresses

The one item of clothing that should be found in every woman’s wardrobe around the country is a summer dress. This season summer dresses are just above the knee, halter necks or shoestring straps. Don’t worry, the maxi dress is still in, these are elegant and sophisticated and make you feel beautiful when you wear them as the flow when you walk, keep you cool on a hot day and simply look amazing.

Summer dresses are perfect for any occasion whether you are walking the dog in the park or heading off to a barbeque party, with the right shoes and bag, this dress can be a masterpiece.

Playsuits

Playsuits are an essential item of clothing for every woman this summer. These all in one short suits are available in bright colours, floral designs and plain patterns. Dress then up with a belt or where them as is.

These are comfortable and will become your favourite piece of clothing that you own this summer.  Made from lightweight material, these suits are guaranteed to keep you cool on a hot summer’s day. Wear them with strappy sandals when heading out for the day or dress then up with a nice pair of high heel sandals if you are going to an evening party.

Shorts

Shorts are and always will be an essential part of any wardrobe for both men and women. This year the women’s shorts are half length, this means they are half way up the thigh; they come in some bright colours with mint green being the firm favourite. Made from cotton, they keep you cool on warmer days and are the ideal choice for most occasions whether heading to the beach or walking the dog in the park.

Kaftans

Your kaftan will become an essential piece of clothing for the hotter days. These lightweight and cool items of clothing can be thrown on over a swimsuit when at the beach or combined with shorts to make a stunning outfit when heading to a friend’s house for the afternoon.

Kaftans are available in bright colours, bold patterns and offer a style of elegance and comfort.

Sandals

Every wardrobe needs a pair of sandals whether they are platforms, wedged, heeled or flats. Strappy sandals are very in this season, available in a wide assortment of colours and styles. You can choose one pair to compliment all your summer clothing, or you can buy a couple of pairs to wear with each particular outfit.

Sunglasses

Big is still in this year, large framed sunglasses offer you a sophisticated style. You can remember the older movies with the woman sitting in a little convertible car with her scarf blowing in the wind and her large sunglasses framing her face. These are the sunglasses that have become so fashionable for this year.

Hat

For the summer months a hat is a must have, there are some great choices available from straw hats to cotton, large brims to caps. Always ensure you keep a hat at hand, you never know when you will need it. You need to protect your face from the harmful UV rays and combining a great hat with sunscreen; you can ensure your skins safety.

Your Bag

There are two things that most women love, these are shoes and bags. Handbags this year are big, bright and bold. The bigger the bag the better, the more you can fit into it. Think carefully when selecting your bag for the summer to ensure you can fit all your essentials into it, it compliments your summer wardrobe and offers you the practicality you need.

Don’t forget to always have playsuits in your wardrobe. Lightweight, comfortable and stylish, these can be worn for most occasions and will soon become your favourite item of clothing.

The post Summer Fashion Must Haves appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.