Dos and don’ts for summer PR workwear

Summer is in full swing, which means that the fashionable PR pro has officially switched over her (or his) wardrobe from warm and cozy to cool and comfortable.

With the warmer weather comes a slight shift in PR workplace dress code. As a rule of thumb, summer dress code is more casual, but there is a fine line between workplace appropriate and too casual.

Follow the tips below to be comfortable—yet polished—this summer.

1. First and foremost, if you’re questioning whether what you’re wearing is appropriate for the office, your colleagues (and, worse, your boss) will, too. Bag the outfit and save it for a weekend trip to Central Park.

2. Use the fingertip rule. Dresses and skirts should reach the bottom of your fingertips when your arms are placed down at your side. At the risk of sounding like my high school principal, there are no exceptions.

3. Wear flip-flops with discretion. In some offices they’re allowed, and in others they aren’t. Typically, women can get away with flip-flops if the rest of their outfit is a bit dressier (a sundress or a skirt and blouse), though wearing flip-flops with jeans can look sloppy. The same rule applies for Sperry’s boat shoes.