What You Should and Should Not Wear To Work In The Summer

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

When the weather gets hot outside, it can be hard to dress appropriately while still being comfortable.

 

And as the workplace becomes more casual, should the dress code also be more lenient? To get some perspective, we caught up with Tiffiny Dixon, the founder of MEO, a fashion consultancy.

 

"As a general rule, don't overdo it with the perfume or fragrances," she says. "And don't overexpose."  Above all, "you want to wear something empowering," she says. "When you look empowered, you feel empowered, and you'll perform better in your job."

 

But there are some basic rules to follow, no matter if you work on Wall Street or at a startup.  To convey Dixon's tips, we've asked some of our colleagues at Business Insider to model for

us.

 

Assistant features editor Dina Spector poses in a white summer dress. "White is a big trend that's going on right now," says Dixon.

It's easy to dress comfortably during the summer, but don't always rely on a T-shirt and hoodie, like our platform architect Dave Hauenstein.



Vivian Giang / Business Insider

 

 



The Life reporter Meredith Galante is wearing flip flops — something you should avoid in every office, says Dixon. "Flip flops aren't appropriate even while commuting. You don't know who you're going to see on the train, or while stopping to get your coffee."

 

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

William Wei, multimedia producer, wears shorts. "Shorts are OK for small startups, if kept on the looser end," says Dixon.



Vivian Giang / Business Insider



 

  

Senior editor Julie Zeveloff wears a long dress. "In the summer, women like to wear long dresses," says Dixon. Adding a cardigan makes it more work appropriate.

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

Sports reporter Tony Manfred is on an interview call, but can't concentrate because his clothes are too tight. "You can wear a T-shirt," Dixon says. "But you always want to maintain a 'business casual' feel. There's a difference between tight and something that's fitted. Make sure it's not overtight."

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

 

Advertising reporter Laura Stampler wears bright colors. "In the advertising industry, strong color blocking is popular," says Dixon. "It shows that you're on top of things. If you're in more of a serious, mainstream industry like finance or law, more toned-down traditional colors are better."

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

Deputy editor Gus Lubin wears some interesting socks. "There's a shift moving out of the bold color blocking," says Dixon. "Not everyone can wear such bold colors."

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

 

Your Money reporter Mandi Woodruff bikes to work. "If you're completely in workout gear when you walk into the office," says Dixon, "it's OK as long as it's nice gear. Biking has become a trendy, healthy lifestyle thing."

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

Money Game reporter Mamta Badkar looks stylish and cool in a pencil skirt. "First invest in the business basics for your wardrobe," says Dixon. "This includes two suits in a neutral color, two pencil skirts (for women), and two to three pairs of slacks."

 

  

Contributors intern Rylan Miller models pastels. "I also see a lot of pastels that are coming in," says Dixon. "They mix and match well and are monochromatic."

 

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

 

 

 

Aimee Groth, our War Room and Careers editor, models a J. Crew shirt. "J. Crew is good for basics," says Dixon. "Uniqlo is also amazing for basics at a great price point."

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

 

This suit coat is way too big for Main Page reporter Ashley Lutz. But she's actually on the right track: "With regards to the quality and the fit, I'd suggest buying a suit coat one to two sizes too big and then bringing it into a tailor," says Dixon.

Vivian Giang / Business Insider

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-should-wear-to-work-in-the-summer-2012-6?op=1#ixzz2PEF6kHWt

Look Good in Unpredictable (Hello, April Showers!) Weather

An animal-print trench goes great over any rainy day attire.
Betsey Johnson Double-Breasted Animal Print Trench, $180, Macy's

The Rain Coat Spring showers don't mean drowning yourself in baggy, shapeless rainwear. Look for a lightweight, belted, ultra figure-flattering trench in a stylish animal print instead. Animal prints are the new neutral-and something that can easily layer over any look. Or try a trench in a vibrant cobalt or emerald color to brighten up your next rainy day.

 

 

The Blazer
From drab to fab-a blazer transforms the plainest outfit (jeans and a tee) into a polished look. A bright color, such as coral-a major shade for spring-is chic and unexpected. And something with contrasting, color-blocked panels along the sides will help create an Hourglass figure, no matter what shape you are! Rag & Bone Jefferson Blazer, $535, Barney's

For a more affordable option, try Nine & Co.'s Button-Notch Collar Jacket, $45, JC Penney

The Candy-Colored Cardigan
Curvier on the bottom? (We're talking to you, Triangle types.) Draw all eyes upwards and away from a fuller bottom half with a brightly colored, fine-knit cardigan. It's also the perfect way to maximize your wardrobe: Throw one on over your summer sundress to keep warm on those not-quite-yet-summer days. JCrew Tippi Cardigan, $85

 

The Military Jacket
A classic military-inspired camo jacket instantly creates a cool, vintage vibe to any outfit. The best part? It's perfect for layering, there's no wrong way to wear it and it works with any body shape. Styling tip: Cinch in the ties at the waist for a slimmer silhouette (great for creating a smaller middle for Circle shapes). Gibson Military Jacket, $98, Nordstrom

The Wildly Cute Rain Boots
I'm obsessed with these lace-printed (on trend!) rain boots. Keep away from cropped booties and go for a taller boot that will slim the look of your calves and help make your legs look longer and leaner.

Bootsi Tootsi Lace Print Rain Boots, $39.50, QVC

- by Jacqui Stafford

Are Florals Old Lady?

You can’t say the words “spring” and “fashion” without mentioning florals. Whether they’re the focal point on a dress or splashed all over a pair of pants, florals are a romantic staple of the season. Can you wear them over 40 and not look old lady?? ….Heck, yes! This year’s florals are bold, bright and sophisticated and will make you look modern and updated. Here’s a few ideas for how to put together a floral outfit that looks fab.

1. Choose a Deep Floral
Those soft pastel florals you may have hanging in your closet from seasons before just won’t cut it. This spring bold hues rule. If hot pink and orange florals seem too loud, then go for deeper, richer shades like purple, emerald, Monaco blue, or even black and white which act as anchors to tone down the girliness of florals.

Poppy red is a popular color and this Diane Von Furstenebrg’s wrap dress would be a great choice. The pattern is bold but not too overpowering and the color -poppy red is vibrant, but not too much because of the black and white florals which tame it. Worn with large simple elegant black earring and black shoes and a clutch we have created a modern, very wearable look for most women.

Floral by fabafter40 featuring kendra scott earrings

2. Pair a Floral with a Solid
Love the floral jeans that all so popular right now, but worry they might be too much? Then pair them with a solid top in a single color to pull your look together. Make sure you pick a color that is one you’d find in the floral print of your pants so there is unity and you get a nice long, lean line.

Kim Cattrall in a  pretty print dress and leather jacket. You could easily substitute the print for a floral and it would look great. You get the idea.

 

3.Keep it Unpredictable
The way you may be used to wearing pretty florals is to keep your whole look pretty and delicate. For example, a pink, purple and cream floral dress with a matching purple cashmere cardigan and pretty sandals. That’s old lady. To look modern you need a little edginess to your look. Try a leather jacket over top of your dress or wear a pair of bold, sexy, strappy gladiator heels to make the look slightly more daring.

4. Dont’ Go Overboard with Accessories
The Florals this year are bold and busy. Having some great accessoreis that match the personality of your print can add to you look but don’t overdo it or you will look like one mixed up mess. A fab pair of earrings, a chunky bracelet or a single necklace is probably enough. And stay away from very tiny, dainty, dangly jewelry which would be swallowed up by these more modern florals.

What to Wear Over 40 – Casual Business Meeting

A classic, conservative leather jacket can be the perfect thing to help create a Business Casual outfit.

Today our guest writer is Lisa Taylor Richey.

Have you ever had to dress for a meeting with someone who is casual when you usually dress more formal? Last week I had a meeting at a country club with a tennis coach. Standing in my closet pondering over what to wear when you are over 40 and need to look professional yet not over dressed I felt overwhelmed.The problem:

• Needed to look business like (after all I am a businesswoman)
• Wanted to “fit in” and to be approachable.
• What could I wear that was going to let me be both of these things?

The solution:

• A conservative, classic leather jacket
• A striped casual, fitted top

Since I work with corporations and assist business people with their personal brands, people often ask me, “What is business casual and what are the guidelines to follow?”

First, let me tell you what business casual is not. Business casual is not weekend attire. If you want to keep your bar raised and attain a certain level of professionalism, do not wear your weekend outfits to the office. This includes sweat pants, wrinkled clothing, t-shirts with logos of your favorite band, yoga pants, athletic shoes etc. Funny, how we see this mistake being made all the time but it’s also time to raise the bar of casual style.

 

Nowadays, when getting ready to purchase a new item for my wardrobe, I ask myself the question ” Can I wear this to a meeting and will it work for my casual outings….out to dinner with friends or my husband”? If so, then I am willing to spend on the investment piece. My leather jacket is perfect for business and casual events. It has become my “go to” piece. If you don’t wear leather, high quality faux leather is a good option too.

Here is what I wore for the casual meeting with the coaches:

 Leather Jacket (Elie Tahari similar here and here)

Cream Colored JCrew pencil skirt (similar here and here)

Striped top (similar here)

Etro Scarf (similar here)

 

Here is the same outfit but with straight legged, dark wash jeans and some classic tall leather boots. This is perfect for going to a movie with friends or out to dinner with my husband. If you have some updated staples like these jeans and boots in your closet you can always walk out the door feeling fabulous after 40!

I really have gotten a great deal of mileage out of my leather jacket. It gets better with age and I am so happy with the investment I made and will have it for years to come. In the spring, I will wear it with white jeans and a navy top.

 

 

With just a few high quality basics in your closet you can mix and match them and always walk out the door looking sharp!

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Taylor Richey is a business etiquette trainer and speaker and the founder of The American Academy of Etiquette.