Phew! What a scorcher! (As The Sun might say.) After a dodgy start to May the sun (no, the other one) has finally come out, but the hot weather has brought with it a personal brand conundrum: how can you stay cool and still look professional?
As one friend* emailed me the other day: “My personal brand has just come into scrutiny here in the office where I’ve been told that I look overdressed for the hot weather. All the women in the office look like they’re heading to a beach party and it’s not just the tropical prints that have come out but a very mixed bag of, dare I say it, cleavages**. You also realise that more people have tattoos than expected, and I’m tempted to have the following inked across my chest: If you can read this, I’ve probably got my shirt unbuttoned too far.”
I’ve written before about how people gather clues to your personal brand – especially from what you wear (or don’t in this case). So think about what others’ perceptions might be as you stand in front of the wardrobe, in those sagging, grey pants that could do with going in the bin but are just too comfy, deciding what to wear.
- Bare legs might be coolest, but is the fact they’re pale, hairy and/or bruised too far removed from the brand you want to convey?
- Your tattoo may be a work of art, but does a butterfly perched on a rainbow deliver the gravitas you need?
- Hairy armpits might be Mother Nature’s way of delivering pheromones to attract a mate, but did she ever have to sit opposite you when you leaned back and put your hands behind your head?
- Flip flops might be the answer to letting your feet breathe, but does that weird little toe you have that’s longer than all the rest put your best foot forward?
- A shorter skirt might aid the circulation of air around your hoo-ha, but do you want it to be known that after work you’ll be going to your part-time job as a hooker?
- White trousers might be a great way to reflect the sun, but how do they reflect on you when we can all see that natty G-string you’re wearing?
The bottom line: just because you are hot doesn’t mean you look hot – dress for business not for the beach. There’s a balance between keeping cool and losing your credibility, so take the time to get it right. There’s no point making the effort to deliver a professional brand when it all goes out the window the minute the mercury rises.
I’d love to hear your office no-nos for the hot weather and what you think they say about people’s personal brands - there’s a comment box below!
*I’ve kept his identity anonymous for obvious reasons in case a colleague realised it was her cleavage he was referring to!
**Just to clarify: that’s not a self-portrait I’ve used to illustrate this blog (though my other half wishes it was)!
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What a timely blog!
After years of working in places where flip flops were either specifically banned or just not the done thing, today I am wearing them to work for (I think) the first time ever.
Last week a couple of collegues remarked that I wasn’t working for the upmarket retailer that I used to, and flip flops were the done thing in the office when it was hot. I have back up shoes with me in case I feel too exposed, which I certainly do so far!
The clash between personal brand, habit and the office culture rears it’s head, and the winner will dictate what is on my feet at the end of the day.
Thanks for your comment Nikki. Flip flops are definitely more comfortable but I think even then you can get some that look a lot smarter than others. And if you do go for this more casual footwear, if you’re still wearing something smart up top it’s possible to pull off a professional brand.
I’m working in sweltering Central London today, and I’m wearing a dark coloured dress in a lightweight stretch fabric, with sleeves to the elbow. Matched with some bright jewellery, peep toe slingbacks and fishnet tights (my concession to the weather!), I feel dressed for work but still comfortable. It is possible!
Nicola
Hi Nicola – fishnet tights are a definite help, especially if you go for the nude coloured ones!
Really enjoying your personal branding blogs Jen. The main thing for me is “how would I feel if a client came into the office unexpectedly”. Today, for example, I am not expecting any clients and am wearing white jeans, a smart blue t-shirt and white wedged sandals – definitely no thong! Tomorrow will be business skirt and blouse as we have clients in. A few weeks ago I had to rush home to get changed when ITV Calendar phoned to say they were coming round to interview me. Doing an interview about a serious subject is just “not right” wearing jeans – in my humble opinion.
Hi Yvonne – How right you are about dressing so you feel confident for your client (or any passing TV crew…you’ll have paparazzi on your doorstep soon!)
Hi girls (quick check for other men!) Good post, Jennifer! My regime is the usual suit (I buy lightweight anyway because a) I’m smaller and b) I’m in the car or in a coat in winter so I don’t need a heavy duty one), and the usual shirts. Tend to go for shoes rather than boots though and more likely to be tieless. So much easier for men then! No one comments even though I do take a lot of care
Hi Bill – I think you look smashing! Let’s just ignore the fact I’ve never met you and we only ever get together on Twitter
Time for a male perspective. Women have it easy – just avoid too much cleavage (surely you don’t want to make your male colleagues even sweatier) and bare midriffs. It is we males that have the problem as few if any of us have summer suits in our wardrobes. The sight of a shiny red face above a heavy woollen pinstripe with tie dangling from a half unbuttoned shirt is certainly not a cool look. Some basic rules that have always worked for me are no short sleeved shirts with suits or ties, no black shoes with linen trousers or chinos, no structured jacket with unstructured shirt and no sandals in any circumstances
Thanks for the male perspective Denis – and the excellent fashion tips (should I call Gok and tell him he’s got competition?) You’re right that men have less choice for the hot weather but then again, that can mean they have less chance of getting it wrong.
Love these blogs and you’re so right its difficult to get the blend! I find no tights are ok as long as its a smarter dress and knee length at the least. I also do wear sandalls but again this depends on the hem line! – no cleavage ever, no see through white trousers and no tattoos on show in the work place!
Hi Helen – Sounds like you’ve got it about right and I think the hemline with the bare legs is something that needs to be considered.
The trouble can be that we Brits copy our weather and go to extremes with our dressing to match the heat, so excited are we to feel the sun on our bare limbs! I am always impressed with how Continentals manage to look both chic and cool at the same time. A tan rather than sunburn helps when exposing skin!
Great article and very timely, although we have just had a thunderstorm in Wiltshire.
P.S. how about reviving the Shorts Suit for men, saw a chap in one looking very dapper, with long socks! And it can be a smart style for women too.
Hi Suzy – I like the idea of the shorts suit if only for the comedy factor!