No matter how hot it gets this summer, stay cool-headed when choosing outfits for work. Duds that are fine on campus may not pass muster in the office environment for your internship, new job or summer gig.
CollegeJournal spoke to celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch about smart ways young men and women can dress for the office this season. His clients include such Hollywood heavyweights as Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey, John Travolta and Sandra Bullock. An actor himself, he's also contributed articles on fashion to In Style, Elle and Detour magazines, according to his personal Web site.
Mr. Bloch warns young office professionals not to be fooled into thinking that anything trendy is acceptable in the workplace. Examples of unprofessional women's styles in stores now include mini skirts, short shorts and baby-doll dresses, he says.
"Showing too much skin really isn't appropriate," he explains. Besides, most offices are temperature-controlled, which means that wearing skimpy clothes could lead to the sniffles or other health problems, he says.
White is a popular color for women's fashions this season, but "you obviously don't want to do anything that's too see-through," says Mr. Bloch. Khaki and grey are popular colors for menswear, he adds, and recommends that guys choose jackets, shirts and slacks made of lightweight cotton in those hues. "Cotton just breathes better," he says. "You don't want something with synthetic in it."
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Men may be able to get away without a jacket all together if they add cufflinks and a tie to a pressed button-down shirt, adds Mr. Bloch.
"You'll still have that polished look," he says.
For women who like to socialize right after work, a convertible wardrobe can help you beat the heat, says Mr. Bloch. He suggests wearing a camisole underneath a blouse, blazer, cardigan or ultra-thin sweater that you can wrap around your waist on your way out the door. Though men don't have a compatible option, they may be surprised by how much cooler than can feel overall simply by sporting thin socks, he says.
No matter the season, keep accessories to a minimum to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, advises Mr. Bloch. For instance, if you choose large, chunky earrings, wear a thin necklace or none at all, he says.
"Everything should be done in moderation for the office," he says.
"There's no need to scream when you can whisper." |
