Now its getting hotter.... appropriate office wear

[smokinaces]

We had a whole discussion today about appropriate wear in the heat at work, and wondered what you guys on here thought.

I work in a school, with lots of office and support staff as well as teachers. Teachers are expected to be Business wear, support staff also smart/business (though questionable whether its smart/business or smart/casual for support staff).

Obviously it is hot. I have been wearing palazzo pants, chino trousers, smart cardigans over vest tops (never a vest top without a top covering) sheer blouses etc, and sandals with straps or ballet style shoes.

Several other things worn in the last few days by staff include:

strapless maxi dresses (some with, some without cardigans)
halterneck dresses
vest tops
flip flops
clog sandals
cropped smart trousers
linen skirts/trousers
patterned t-shirts

I have always had the opinion that work = smart dress and wondered if this is an outdated view now? One lady did ask what the offence was with bare shoulders and I had no idea, just that IMO its better suited to the beach not a work environment.

What are you guys wearing in the heat to work?

Smart dresses wiht sleeves, heels and tights - yes those cooling bare leg tights from M&S.

I am VERY old fashioned and also work in a fairly conservative type of work.

I think bare shoulders are inappropriate in a work environment. And quite unnecessary in air conditioned offices

My work has a set uniform, so we wear that year round. We also have to agree 'as a team' when it is hot enough to remove jackets, which we have to all do together (when front of house).

IMO, strapless, halterneck, spagetti strap tops / dresses are inappropriate for work. Especially when half of the workforce are expected to wear business attire. SImilarly, anything other than a full shoe is not smart enough for work. Trousers in anything other than 'business colours' (black, grey, beige) are not smart enough for work either.

I work in a school.
This week I have one summer dresses. Some were long with wider straps, some shorter (knee length) with thin straps.l latter worn with a thin white cardi. On my feet I have worn either gold sandals (flat with straps), ballet pump style shoes or Birkinstocks.

I don't wear formal business type wear as I spend a lot of time on small chairs, sat on the floor, on my knees, etc. And the activities can include things like painting, chalk drawings in the playground, and other more messy activities. Infact today I spent an hour or so this afternoon in the role play area painting the city skyline and it was hot, so my cardi came off and I was barefoot to allow me to get into more awkward places!

Agree that bare shoulders, spaghetti straps and halternecks are not appropriate for work. Our dress code bans flip flops. Out of respect to others and to show you take your work seriously I think you should demonstrate that you have made some effort, and differentiate between what you would wear to work and what you would wear on your time off/to the beach.

Some people where I work turn up in clothes that I think I would be embarrassed to be seen in at home if someone came unexpectedly to my door! In the induction for new staff we used to say - when you leave the house in the morning stand in front of the mirror and bend forwards, then turn round and bend backwards - if you can see anything you shouldn't then you need to change. Still can't believe we used to have to tell people this.

I work in a place that is probably smart casual but there are lots of people with different jobs working there. Some are allowed to work in jeans if they are doing work with young people etc. I think bare shoulders is ok if it's a knee length dress for example. I tend to stick to chinos or slim cropped trousers and a smartish top, tshirt or cotton blouse. Sometimes wear skirts but not shorter than knee length and have trouble with dresses being too short on me.

Having said that, I have seen some right sights over the last few days.

I think bare shoulders are ok if the top/dress is smart work wear. I've jusy bought a few sleeveless blouses for work as I'm travelling quite a bit and tend to overheat. No cleavage though and wearing them with trousers/knee length skirt.

Short skirts is the one thing that drives me potty at work!

I work in a corporate environment so dresses with capped sleeves and smart court shoes or black trousers and loose sleevless top are (not so summery) staples. To be fair the office is air conditioned so there is no real reason to wear summer clothes as such unless I have to leave the office.

In my environment I don't think halter neck dresses, spaghetti straps and short skirts are appropriate in the summer.

Work in a corporate environment. I wear dresses (sleveless) but always with a jacket. Dresses tend to be flattering shift dresses but do also wear some stuff from Coast to mix it up. I wear peep toe heels but not wedges.

I'm a lawyer and we have a very conservative dress code which is relaxed a bit to business/casual in the summer (that dress code hasn't come in yet but I am confident it will be announced for next week when it gets cold/rainy again). There are quite strict rules - definitely no strapless/spaghetti straps/off the shoulder/halterneck/mini skirts/shorts/flipflops.

I wear sleeveless shift dresses most of the time, or occasionally separates. Peep toes and slingbacks are fine, other types of sandals are not. It's a pain tbh - if it isn't warm I end up wearing suits as it's easier.