Summer means vacation for school children and certainly a time to spend lazing around the house or the beach in shorts and cool and comfortable summer tees and tank tops to counter the rising temperature.  But for those in their business suits, you wonder whether you will ever feel as cool as these kids and if it’s possible to make your business casual as casual as can be.

Some may think that it’s okay to take a vacation from professionalism just like these kids take time off their school uniforms. Wrong! No matter how warm the weather is, there is no reason to take time off your business clothes and despite feeling like you are wearing a suit of armor instead of a business suit, you can still make a strong statement in the workplace. Taking a vacation from professionalism by coming to the office in shorts or tank tops sends a message to your boss and clients that you are not fully engaged with your job. It would seem to others that you would rather be lounging at home than doing your job, especially if you are the only one wearing it. According to the experts, 82% of human resources professionals believe that the way you dress affects your place at work.

Even if your office practices the “casual Friday” policy for the summer, it is important to know what constitutes summer business casual. It is everybody’s responsibility to know what she or he can and cannot wear even when their office relaxes their dress code over the summer. If you are just starting your career it would be important to understand the company’s policy for summer office attire. If it is not discussed with you then learn to ask about it rather make the mistake due to ignorance.

People make the mistake when talking about business casual. "You don't want the emphasis placed on the word 'casual' instead of the word 'business’,’” says Sherry Maysonave, author of Casual Power. “Casual could be jeans, sneakers, T-shirts and shorts, whereas business casual is a relaxed version of business dress. It’s how you might dress to go out to a nice dinner on the weekend, not how you would go to the grocery store.” If it’s something that you wear everyday when going to your friends house then that is not business casual.

Women have a bigger problem or challenge in this case because a woman’s business attire is different from social attire and what we often see in fashion are good for social events or parties but not for the workplace. On the other hand, what men wears in a social event or party could also be worn in the office. But certain rules stay the same and that is the less skin showed in a workplace the better it is. Showing off your well-toned bodies in tight-fitting dresses, short-shorts and uber-tight tank tops no matter how trendy, is more appropriate for your free time and not during work hours, no matter what kind of workplace you are in. 

[RH-RH61] - Red House Ladies 3/4-Sleeve Dobby Non-Iron Button-Down Shirt

Each office might have specifics but one cannot go rule with a rule of thumb which is that business casual may include chino trousers; pencil skirts; relaxed button-down shirts; and linen, polo or knitted shirts. And each company has their own rules but there are some fashion statements that both men and women (especially those just starting their careers) should avoid even during summer:

• Revealing attire – mini skirt and plunging necklines or midriff top or sheer dress without the appropriate undergarments.
• Shorts or Capri pants or denim cutoffs (no short-shorts ot super-baggy shorts)
• Sleeveless shirts or tank tops 
• Halter tops, strapless or spaghetti straps
• Sweatpants, jogging suits or any workout attire
• T-shirts with offensive, derogatory or racist slogans or logos
• Flip-flops