Summer is a long-awaited season in Canada. Most people look forward to long hours of sunshine and warm temperatures. After the long, cold, dark winter, it’s the prize Canadians have won for putting up with the weather from November through April.
You may be tempted to break out unprofessional clothing to beat the heat at your summer job, especially if your office doesn’t have air conditioning. Leave those wardrobe items at home for the weekends, or pack them when you head to the beach on vacation. Even if the office A/C is broken or acting up again, you’ll still need to dress like a professional. Luckily, these tips can help you keep your cool even in 40+ degree weather.
1. Ask About the Dress Code
The first thing you should do is ask about the office dress code. Workplaces vary widely in what’s considered acceptable. If you are working on a temporary assignment with Liberty Staffing, contact us about what is appropriate to wear. We would be happy to assist.
You might also consult the employee handbook to get some tips. The rules will be laid out very clearly. If you’re unsure, consult with Liberty Staffing, or a manager or supervisor. All should be able to give you some guidance on what’s appropriate and what’s not.
You can also take a look at how your colleagues are dressed. If your coworkers are wearing collared shirts, or dresses, you can assume that it’s okay to wear something similar.
2. Keep It Professional
Although you want to stay cool at the office, keeping your wardrobe professional is a must.
The dress code may lay out the rules more clearly, but generally speaking, you’ll want to stay relatively covered up. Golf shirts and sleeveless blouses are usually acceptable, as well as pants or dresses/skirts that are knee length.
You should also check the material fabric of the clothing that you’re wearing. Select clothing that is generally cooler to wear (like light coloured clothing, or sheer fabrics) may be troublesome to wear at the office. If the clothing appears to be sheer, you may have to wear another layer underneath.
3. Respect Hemlines
Generally speaking, you’ll want skirt hemlines to be knee length. Anything shorter could be considered unprofessional for the office.
If it’s acceptable to wear shorts at the office, they should be on the longer side. Usually ones that land around the knee are appropriate.
Again, every workplace is different, so check in with Liberty Staffing and consult the employee handbook before you plan your wardrobe for the week.
4. Bring a Jacket or Sweater
Office air conditioning can be troublesome. In some offices, it doesn’t work correctly and the place is too warm. In others, the air conditioning causes icy air to blow at all hours of the day.
Bring a jacket or a sweater with you. This way, if you get cold, you’ll be able to warm up quickly. It can also allow you to cover up something that may be considered a violation of the dress code in the workplace.
Use these tips to plan your office wardrobe this summer, and stay cool all summer long. If you’re still not sure about what would be appropriate to wear at your office job, contact Liberty Staffing today.
