What should you wear — and not wear — to look professional (and stay cool) when it's hot outside? Which summer work clothes are the best? We've recently gotten two reader questions on the question of how to look professional when it's hot. 

First up, Reader M wonders:

Hi. I'm 30 years old. I am a rock and roller. Meaning that I work in the music industry. In the past my job was to chaperone the concert site. I was very good at my job. Got a new job in Orlando, FL, that has me now working at a desk. I am now a supervisor. I came into this job in the fall so I had some leftover black wool slacks, nice dark wash denim, and black sweaters to get me through.

It's now almost spring (feels like summer) and I don't know how to do professional for summer. I work in a business casual environment, which helps. I like to keep all of my color in accents like purses, shoes, scarves, etc. I wear monochromatic. It's my signature and super versatile when starting a new wardrobe.

Can you advise cuts, fabrics, etc. of office appropriate summer wear for a newly professional, young lady like myself that's trying to beat the heat without looking like a concertgoer?

Reader T also wonders:

I am heading to D.C. from California this summer for a legal externship, and am in need of advice on the dress code in the legal world when it's 95 degrees. I worked on the Hill for several years and (sadly) recall a lot of flip flops and sundresses during the hotter months.

I imagine that this won't be the case in a legal setting/government agency, but I would love some basic outfit formulas, fabric suggestions (is tweed taboo?), and other ideas for a 30 yr. old to look like a lawyer while fighting the humidity and sticking to a budget.

The Best Summer Work Clothes for Women

In terms of outfit formulations, my go-to looks are boring, but they're classic for a reason: think sheath dresses plus a blazer (to be added once you're inside), and nice, lightweight trousers (look for cotton or cotton blends) with a nice tee and a classic pair of pumps (and ideally a matching blazer). 

As we've noted before, natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen are going to breathe a lot more than non-natural fabrics, so do pay attention to that when buying new pieces. 

(Also: pay attention to the laundry instructions. That $20 pair of pants starts to look less appealing — and less of a deal — when they start to smell to high heaven after two wears and the only way to launder them is to get them drycleaned.)

Our Favorite Lightweight Summer Pants for Work

Some of our favorite summer work pants for women as of 2024 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Ministry of Supply, Uniqlo — and Banana Republic Factory sometimes has pants in their AirStretch line, also!

Fitted, Elegant T-Shirts

Fitted T-shirts can be great because they layer so well under blazers and sweaters, but in the summertime they're also easy to wash and polished enough with the right accessories.

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nic + Zoe, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2024, we'd suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)

As of 2024, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria's Secret also has a bunch!

The Best Lightweight Blazers

Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer in linen and other fabrics? As of 2024, J.Crew's Helena blazer in stretch linen is a bestseller, as is this super affordable Quince blazer and Old Navy (regular, tall, and petite up to 4X). Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo's Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell's Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers' seersucker line (lightweight and cooling). You can find silk/linen blazers at Ann Taylor and Hobbs; Ann Taylor also has a number of cotton pique options.

White Blazers

White blazers are another great summer work outfit basic because they make everything seem more sunny and fresh.

As of April 2024, some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, Liverpool, and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop). If you're looking to splurge, try Smythe or L'Agence.

Lightweight Sweaters for Summer

You don't always want or need a sweater for summer, but these can be great both for navigating the cold air conditioning inside, as well as adding a third piece if you want to look more polished or more covered up…

Our latest favorite lightweight sweaters for work include this Nic + Zoe cardigan and this M.M.LaFleur jardigan. We've also rounded up 100% cotton sweaters, as well as the classic summer sweater, the twinset.

100% silk sweaters are incredibly hard to find at the moment, but Nordstrom has a very limited collection, and J.Crew has a short-sleeve silk sweater.

Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.

As of 2024, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at Quince, L.L.Bean, and Reformation. You can also sometimes find them from brands like Nordstrom Signature.

Another lightweight but luxe option: cashmere-linen sweaters, such as this option from Vineyard Vines.

Hunting for cotton-merino blends? Everlane has a bunch as of Feb. 2024.

Side Note: Our Favorite Sunscreens

Don't forget sun protection (especially face, hands, and chest)! Sunscreens readers have loved over the years are pictured above: Elta MD, Supergoop!, and this $17 sunscreen (Kat's favorite). Sephora's 2024 Sun Safety Kit is also out and a huge hit with readers. If you're hunting for cute rash guards, check out J.Crew, Boden, Coolibar, and Athleta.

What Not to Wear as Summer Work Clothes

We've talked about what not to wear as a summer associate, what not to wear to work in general, and how to stay cool during a heatwave — but not in many moons. So let's revisit!

A caveat: As we've noted in previous discussions, this is very much a “know your office” situation. If you're working at a NEW office, though, or are still learning your office, you should wait until you see someone significantly more senior than you break these rules before you consider it “office culture.”

(For example: if you're a summer associate at a law firm and see a first-year associate wearing sandals, that doesn't necessarily mean it's ok for everyone to wear sandals.)  It's a bit of a spectrum, but here's my list:

Probably Not OK For Summer Work Clothes (But Know Your Office!)

• Sandals of any kind (shoes that expose at least three toes per foot)
• Shorts (and yes, despite our April Fool's shorts suit roundup a few years ago, we do include short suits on the list of NO)
• Completely wrinkled clothes (linen has its own challenges, but it shouldn't look like you balled it up, packed it in a suitcase, and then decided to wear it)
• Short skirts — there is a spectrum here, but for business it really should be as close to your knee as possible!
• Spaghetti-strap tank or other top that makes no effort to hide bra straps (or worse, requires you to wear a strapless bra)
• Off-season items such as heavy tweed, boucle knits, thick wool trousers (but the thin, light seasonless wool is, you know, seasonless).
• Tights are probably not ok… but pantyhose may be required.
• Cleavage of any kind. If at any point you look down during the day and see your bra, you need a camisole. (You may want to check out some of the newer demi camisoles if the idea of another layer makes you swelter).

Probably OK For Summer Work Clothes

These are probably OK for all but the most conservative of workplaces, but KNOW YOUR OFFICE (and your situation — I wouldn't wear any of the below on my first day or a day with a big meeting)…

• Peep toe pumps (a bit of toe exposed)
• Bare arms (i.e., sheath dress or nice top with bra straps fully covered)
• Bare legs. This varies HUGELY by office and by region — in most places, I'd guess, it's a “of course you don't have to wear pantyhose every day!” situation — but on Big Days in a lot of places (court appearances, client meetings), they may be expected or preferred.

Ok in all places, I'd guess (but know your office!):

• Sleeveless dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn with a blazer or cardigan
• Sleeved dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn by themselves

We've also talked more about how to build your wardrobe for a summer internship, with what I think is still a solid list of the minimum pieces you should buy.

How to Cool Down Quickly After Your Commute

We've talked about how to stay cool during a heatwave, but here are a few fast tips for cooling down quickly (or to stay cool enough to avoid completely wrecking your clothes):

• a simple fan, carried in your purse or bag — yes, you're expending more energy as you fan yourself, but the bit of a breeze can be amazing if you're stuck on a hot subway platform
• an ice-cold can of soda, held against the inside of your wrist, the back of your neck, or even the back of your knees
• convenient ice packs — there are even necklaces designed to be iced and worn!

These are some interesting products to help you cool down or stay cool on your commute… see more clever products like this in our Amazon shop!

Readers, what are your go-to outfits for the summer? What fabrics and styles do you avoid? 

Picture below via Stencil.

This post was originally written in 2014, but substantially updated as noted.

The post Summer Work Clothes: How to Look Professional When It’s Hot appeared first on Corporette.com.

You may have missed it, but there was some outcry this weekend over the outfit Dr. Jill Biden was wearing when Air Force One landed in D.C. on April 1. We haven't talked about whether patterned tights are appropriate for work in almost a decade — it felt like we've come so far with matters of hosiery choices! — but as the debate has come up again I thought hey, maybe I'm just a crazy liberal and we should discuss this.

Here are some of the choice comments people had about the First Lady's outfit:

(Technically, I think Dr. Biden was wearing patterned tights instead of fishnets! Possibly these Wolford tights.)

When we last polled the readers on patterned tights, only 5% of readers thought “anything goes,” while 33% thought any pattern would work, but only in a neutral color, and 36% thought people should stick with neutral colors in the patterns men have historically worn — pinstripe, windowpane, etc.

Interestingly, when we last discussed whether fishnets could be worn at a conservative job, 58% thought NO, 23% thought they were OK only as trouser socks, and 15% thought they'd be OK “if the skirt is demure enough.” So there s a difference, even though nude-for-you fishnets have been gaining in popularity lately, in stores at least.

Readers, what are your thoughts? Do you wear patterned tights often yourself? Would you raise an eyebrow if a coworker wore patterned tights to work? Are patterned tights appropriate for work, and if so, where should the line be drawn?

Stock photo at top via Deposit Photos / Voyagerix.

The post Are Patterned Tights Appropriate for Work? appeared first on Corporette.com.

With only a few weeks to go until summer officially begins, it's a great time to discuss how to wear pantyhose in the summer — because even if your office is freezing, your commute won't be.

We've said it before, we'll say it again: This is very much a “know your office” situation. If you're new, assume that pantyhose are required and wear them at least the first day and all significant events to follow after that (big meetings, court appearances, etc.) — change that assumption if you see mid-levels going barelegged at big events.

Big work events aside, though, there are some women who love pantyhose — including many Corporette readers.

(In fact, last time we talked about pantyhose in the summertime, readers seemed split on the topic, with only about half of them being on Team Bare Legs!)

We also had a debate on underwear with pantyhose — to wear or skip? (One reader said she thought of them “panties with legs” — an interesting take.)

If you do wear underwear with them, 100% cotton is best (although increasingly hard to find!), and even those who wear pantyhose sans underwear suggested making sure your stockings have a cotton gusset.

By the way, make sure to check out our Guide to Pantyhose for Work, as well as some of our favorite brands of hose!

For those of you whose office dress codes mandate pantyhose year-round, and for those who just like wearing them to work, we've gathered a few tips from readers on staying comfortable if you have to wear pantyhose in the summer:

Tips on Surviving Pantyhose in the Summer

If you dread wearing pantyhose when it's hot out, put them in the freezer for a few minutes when you're getting dressed — at least you'll get a brief respite before your commute.

Alternately, just don't put them on until you're at work. One reader says she carries hers in her work bag so she doesn't have to wear them during her hot commute, then stops in the ladies' room before she goes into her office.

Another option is to skip full pantyhose altogether and just wear thigh-highs. We talked about wearing them at work in a previous post, so check there for Kat's brand recommendations and some tips from readers.

Hack your hose — literally. One reader swears by this tip shared by a friend: She cuts off about half an inch at the top of control-top or regular stockings (making sure to leave some elastic) to make her pantyhose less itchy and more comfortable. Of course, as she notes, this trick is best for cheaper brands that won't last long anyway. (Have any of you tried this?)

Keep dryer sheets in your desk. A couple of swipes with a dryer sheet will stop the static electricity that makes your skirt stick to your pantyhose — and won't it be nice to walk without constantly stopping to peel it off your legs?

Benefits of Pantyhose (Stay on the Sunny Side!)

If you're still cursing your office dress code for making you wear pantyhose in the summer, check out these reasons that some readers prefer wearing them instead of going to work with bare legs. Pantyhose can:

• Stop your shoes from giving you blisters.
• Keep your feet from getting sweaty — which protects your shoes, too.
• Protect your pedicure.
• Make your outfit seem more professional and “pulled together.”
• Cover bruises, scrapes, and scars — and anything else you'd rather hide.
• Even out the skin tone on your legs.
• Allow you to go a few days longer without shaving.
• Provide shaping and control.
• Keep you from sticking to chairs/seats when it's hot.
• Prevent friction from your thighs rubbing together. (Alternately, you can use this.)

Readers: Which are your favorite brands of pantyhose? Do you wear them in the summer because of dress code rules or just because you like to? Or, do you just not wear them — or use them in certain situations?

Psst: looking for comfortable heels to wear with your pantyhose?

These are some of our favorite heels as of 2024, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!

Photo credit at top: Shutterstock. Photo on pin (woman walking): Deposit Photos / fizkes.

The post How to Wear Pantyhose In the Summer appeared first on Corporette.com.

Which are the best tights for work, and where can you find them? What about half-slips for underneath workwear? Reader K wonders…

I work in a very casual office, but with winter upon us, I would like to change up my typical pants/sweater wardrobe to add more tights. Can you do a post on the best tights out there? The best opaque, the best durability, the best for patterns/textures, and best quality for price. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the offerings, and without knowing which brand seems to have the greatest appeal, it's hard to invest $20 (or more) for what amounts to a pair of tall socks. Along with that, where on earth do we find half-slips anymore?

Great question, Reader K. We haven't talked about tights in a while (and it's been eons since we talked slips!), so let's discuss.

A note about durability and price: a lot of durability comes down to how you care for your tights. If you wash them in a lingerie bag, hang them to dry, and be very careful when putting them on, you're going to get a lot of wears out of even more affordable tights. It may be a personal preference, but I've always found that control-top tights are extremely durable — the fabric is thicker where you're fussing with it most days (both when you put the tights on as well use the restroom).

I'm curious to hear what readers say about price. In my opinion the $30 range — Commando, Spanx, Plush — gives you the best value for your money, but then I've only owned a few fancier pairs, most bought at sample sale sites like Rue La La or as lucky finds at stores like TJ Maxx. Readers, which do you think is the best value for tights — the $15 and under range? the $30 range? or beyond (e.g., Wolford, Falke)? One brand that I have had luck with at the lower end is the Assets brand by Spanx, which you can get at Target.

The Best Opaque Tights

The most opaque tights I've ever owned have been Commando's tights — and if you're looking for a thin, non-shaping tight, that is likely going to be your best bet. (Ooh, but they do now have a control-top version.) But it's worth noting that reversible tights can also be very opaque (since they have to have a whole color on the other side); and the proliferation of fleece tights has also made for more opaque tights.

You can find cheaper versions of fleece tights at your corner drugstore, but I still like my pair of Plush fleece tights from Shopbop. Some of our favorite tights for work are these:

Patterned Tights for Work

We've talked about the propriety of colorful tights for work before, as well as patterned tights, and my opinions haven't changed too much. I'd stick with small, regular patterns — rib knits, teeny tiny polka dots, chevron patterns, sweater-like cable knits — and note that these will make any outfit more casual.

Half-Slips

Psst: As of 2022, some of our favorite foundational garments include this line of waist-shapers, these comfy shorts to prevent chafing while wearing skirts without hose, this full slip for wrap dresses and shirt dresses, this half-slip to prevent clinging, these pantyhose, and this bra.

I've always been fine with the more affordable Vanity Fair slips I've bought at discount stores; Amazon has a number of styles for sale. (I would also take a look at your local Kohl's or Target type of shop.)

If you want to get a bit fancier, Nordstrom has a ton of beautiful half-slips. I feel like I've had at least three conversations over the years with women who were thrilled to discover a very old-fashioned slip, the pettipant, for comfort and wearability; the more modern version of this is everyone's summertime favorite, the Jockey Skimmies Slipshort, which gets mixed reviews for wear with tights.

Psst: how to care for your tights, and the best shoes to wear with tights. 

2022 Update: Here are some cute colored tights for work! If you're looking for something high quality check out Falke's opaque tights in sedate colors; if you want affordability, these $17 Amazon tights have 7700+ great ratings and tons of colors.

The post The Best Tights and Half-Slips for Work appeared first on Corporette.com.

Dec. 2020 Update: These reader-favorite pantyhose are STILL available, with prices as low as $8 during the 2020 Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale.

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

In every discussion we've had on this site about pantyhose, including polls on your favorite lingerie brands for work, one brand is repeated over and over again: The Nudes.

I mentioned it in my Nordstrom sale roundup for workwear yesterday, but it's really deserving of a post in its own right. It comes in regular and plus sizes, in seven different shades of “nude” — the brand has control top, toeless, sheer to waist, and “toner” hosiery, which apparently is somewhere between control top and sheer to waist.

A package is normally $20, but during the sale they're marked to $14.90 — you can also get 3 packs for $39, bringing the price-per-package down to $13. Nice. Donna Karan ‘The Nudes' Control Top Hosiery

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.

2016 Update: These have been such a hit over the years that they're now in our Workwear Hall of Fame!

Some of our other favorite pantyhose for work include:

Sales of note for 7.19.24

• Nordstrom – The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to everybody! Here are all of our picks, and here are reader favorites.
• Ann Taylor – Semi-annual sale, extra 50% off markdowns + 20% off everything!
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, take an extra 20% off your purchase
• Eloquii – 50% off select styles
• Everlane – Up to 70% off
• J.Crew – End of Season Sale, extra 50% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything
• Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off
• Madewell – End of season sale, up to 70% off with code.
• M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the biggest sitewide discount I've ever seen…)
• Rothy's – Lots of great finds in the “final few” section
• Talbots – Semi-annual red door sale, extra 40% off markdowns

The post Workwear Hall of Fame: The Nudes appeared first on Corporette.com.

If you were to write someone a guide to pantyhose for work, what would you say?

Reader H wonders, and since pantyhose is one of the biggest topics we've talked about through the years, I thought I'd give it a go.

Here's H's question:

Hi! I know you write a lot about pantyhose/tights/stockings–sorry to bring it up again–but I am so confused about them. I grew up in Southern California where no one wears pantyhose, ever, and tights only as a fashion statement or on very rare cold days.

I know you're supposed to wear nude pantyhose to an interview and in very formal situations like court, but on a regular day in the office, is it okay to wear sheer or opaque black tights in the office? How about with a suit in the office? Or with a pencil skirt? Are there color rules e.g. no black tights with a black suit?

I suppose what I really need is a Dummy's Guide to Wearing Stockings.

Thanks so much for any sort of information that could help sort me out

We have talked about this a lot, but I still see a lot of confusion about it. So let's get into it — I'm curious to hear what readers say.

Wear nude pantyhose when:

You're interviewing, you're in a formal situation (like court), or it's a big day where you'll see lots of big wigs.

Another good time to wear nude pantyhose: when your legs don't have any color yet (from sun or fake tan) and you want them to have a more even consistency.

 Also: wear them whenever you want to. (Here's our last big guide to wearing pantyhose in the summer.)

Wear bare legs when:

It is not a big day, AND you have seen a superior or mid-level do it at your office so you know it's acceptable in your office. (See our general breakdown of workwear don'ts for the summer.)  

If you commute in flip-flops or other sandals, it's good to get in the habit of changing into traditional pumps or flats as soon as you get to work.

(If chafing is a concern, note that readers have loved both Jockey Slipshorts in the summer, or anti-chafing cream like Monistat or Bodyglide.)

Psst: if you're looking for body makeup, these are some of our favorites as of 2022…

Wear bare legs with body makeup when:

Honestly, when you want to! If you've got bug bites or tattoos to cover, these could be good options for big days (interviews, weddings). If you have veins or whatnot that you're sensitive about, this is another option.

Wear tights when:

it's the dead of winter and you need/want the warmth, or it's a more casual day at the office.

Yes, you can wear them with suits — however, know your office; note this is usually more of an “everyday” look, not an “I'm going to court today” look.

(The most formal look is always going to be nude-for-you pantyhose plus a skirt suit.)

Fleece-lined tights do exist. (So do translucent fleece tights that look like pantyhose!)

Do not wear dark tights when it is hot outside.

Wear sheer tights or pantyhose:

When you want to, but particularly during spring/fall where opaque tights are too dark.

Back when I started this blog, I always wore off-black hose when interviewing — and I did just fine in terms of callbacks and offers.

Still, a lot of people equate this either as a more casual look, or a nighttime, almost sexy look — so know your office.

Color rules for pantyhose for work:

I was going to say “there aren't any!” and then I realized I meant “wear black, gray, or nude-for-you.” Some general rules of thumb beyond that:

• skip white stockings unless you are under 12
• skip colorful stockings unless it is the weekend (or you can do this monochromatic look, which I still think is awesome)
• note that tights with patterns (swiss dots, ribbed knits, fishnets, lace, etc) are always going to be more casual
• we had a whole post on what tights to wear with navy skirts

2022 Update: Here are some cute colored tights for work! If you're looking for something high quality check out Falke's opaque tights in sedate colors; if you want affordability, these $17 Amazon tights have 7700+ great ratings and tons of colors.

Ladies, would you agree with these guidelines on pantyhose for work? 

This all varies widely by region and office, of course, so while commenting, please leave a general, broad note about where you're located and what type of office you work in. Thank you!

Social media picture credit: Shutterstock / ludmilafoto. 

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