Before
long, most days will be downright hot. Throw in a dose of humidity, and the word
sweltering comes to mind.
Get ready. As the temperatures skyrocket, so do the number of fashion faux
pas.
This isn't true for everyone, but how many times do we use summer temps'
skimpy dress as an excuse for dressing very casually for work and showing more
of our person than our personality?
And let's face it, sometimes "casual" slips into the category of "too sexy,"
especially for the workplace.
Summer brings on the showing-too-much-skin problem: no sleeves, higher
hemlines, lower necklines and even scooped backs.
If you're donning your miniskirt, tank top and flip-flops before clamping
your hair in a knot, you should be heading to the mall, not to work.
"We have stepped back from the business casual except on Fridays," said
Beverly Beverage, senior vice president for human resources and development
director at Fidelity Bank in Wichita. "We tried being business casual on other
days, but the dress became more and more casual."
Enter the dress code
As styles have become more and more casual, those in charge of dress codes at
some large local corporations say they've had to be very specific and hand out
printed guidelines.
At Emprise Bank, Amy Ragland, marketing specialist, says the dress code goes
to summer business casual every day of the week starting this week and ending on
Labor Day.
"It can be a struggle," she said. "We have to be very specific. We just sent
out examples of what is considered business casual."
While some employers are dealing with the dilemma of cropped pants, gauchos
and the hosiery issue, others are approaching obvious offenders wearing
miniskirts, tops with a lingerie look and sundresses with spaghetti straps.
At Fidelity and Emprise, women are required to wear hosiery year round.
Jessica Johnson, marketing director for the city of Wichita, says department
managers are in charge of making sure employees stay with the rules of business
casual. If someone attends a meeting or event representing the city, they are to
dress professionally. For men, that means a suit and tie.
Cindy Ratzloff, director of administration at Foulston Siefkin law firm, says
that once in awhile they have a problem with younger employees who are office
assistants.
"It's rare, but sometimes a skirt is too short, or it's something too low cut
or skintight, but that's the style these days," Ratzloff said.
Ways to tone it down
Employers say they hear the excuse: "But it's hot outside!"
The important word here is "outside." We leave our air-conditioned homes, get
in our air-conditioned cars, drive to our air-conditioned offices until
lunchtime, when we go to an air-conditioned restaurant.
In her book "Business Casual Made Easy," image consultant Angie Michael, who
lives in a Washington, D.C., suburb, reminds clients that what they wear affects
how they are perceived, and "Warm weather doesn't change that fact."
A few tips:
Always have a jacket handy.
A lightweight vest can dress up an outfit.
Before heading to work, look in a full-length mirror. Ask yourself: If the
boss calls for a last-minute meeting with me, am I dressed appropriately? If the
answer is "no," change clothes.
