Summer Business Casual Blunders

Here we go again. It’s the time of year when the weather is warm, the days are long and business casual becomes “what are you thinking?” casual. And women are the prime offenders.

“Anything goes” is what some of you believe. Have you forgotten that you’re still going to work? Employers report seeing it all. Literally. A too tight tee shirt with a plunging neckline. Exposed bra straps. Armpits with a week’s growth. Tight slacks with visible panty line. Spandex Capri pants worn with spike sandals. And you want to be taken seriously? It’s not going to happen as long as you continue to dress like your going on a picnic.

What you choose to wear says who you want to be. Consider your choice of clothing a costume or uniform. Put on a white dress, white cap and white shoes and you’re a nurse; a brown uniform with a UPS logo and you deliver packages; a good wool suit, silk tie and conservative leather shoes and you’re a businessman. Who do you want to be when you go to the office?

Do you want to be the employee who’s chosen to go out to lunch with the new client? Or the one slated for the manager position that’s opening? Do you want to be invited by your boss to the corporate headquarters? You won’t be if you dress like you’re about to clean out the garage.

When you give no thought to your business attire you say you’re indifferent to your business and it’s not worth making the effort. Your business attire is your visual resume. It can instill or diminish the confidence others have in your work. It establishes your credibility.

Condoleezza Rice, one of the most powerful women in the United States, oozes credibility because of her image. Hers is a position in which the President and the American People must have absolute faith. Would we have faith in her ability if she wore spandex? Would she have gotten where she is revealing her bust line? Take note of her image during her next press conference. She is feminine yet tailored and classic. Her jewelry is simple, elegant and of high quality.

You don’t have to have Ms. Rice’s budget to look professional. But you do have to give your wardrobe the same amount of thought. Here are some guidelines:

1. Look like a businesswoman. Wear tailored clothing, hosiery and closed toe leather shoes. Air your toes on the weekend. 2. Be modest. You can be feminine without revealing cleavage. 3. Cover your armpits and upper arms. Wear a jacket over a sleeveless blouse. 4. If you don’t have to change your clothes when you get home from work, then you’ve worn the wrong outfit.

We’ve worked hard to be taken seriously at work. Don’t blow it because of poor clothing choices.