NEW YORK - Fashion was so much easier in the 1950s. Suits, white shirts and ties for the gents. Skirt suits, stockings with girdles and closed-toe pumps for the ladies.
Now we're "business casual," and what that means isn't clear. Throw in summer heat, and things get even more confusing. Are capri pants OK? What about ties with short-sleeved shirts? Can men wear sandals to work?
"It's a tough time of year," says Bobbie Thomas, co-host of Style Network's "Fashion Police." "You are trying to balance comfort with being professional."
While dress codes vary from place to place, some general guidelines can keep you cool and professional in the office:
SHORTS
In a more casual office environment, knee-length polished and tailored shorts are fine for women, says Thomas.
But fashion experts are split on whether men should wear them.
Executive coach Pamela J. Holland, co-author of "Help! Was That A Career Limiting Move?," says shorts for men are a no-no, unless the president of the company is wearing them and encouraging it.
Thomas says she would prefer the same fashion rules apply to men and women although she acknowledges that it is harder for men to pull off shorts. Most men's shorts are cotton and work best with a more casual top and shoe, she says.
"Now he is worried about not wearing a tie, losing the socks and sporting loafers," says Thomas. "Otherwise, guys run the risk of feeling like an English schoolboy."
She suggests men wear a short suit or pair "smart shorts" with a matching blazer - if they are comfortable the boss won't mind and have some fashion-forward nerve.
CAPRI PANTS:
Capri pants are fine for women, says Holland.
"Men in capris?" she asks. "I shudder at the thought."
SHIRTS
For men, wearing a tie with a short-sleeved shirt is generally a no-no, says Holland.
"I know often people in car sales, they're going in and out, and it is considered acceptable for their industry," she says. "But if you are working where people are more conservative and more fashion savvy, the fashion rule is if you wear a short-sleeved shirt, keep it under a jacket."
If the workplace is a bit more casual, men can't go wrong with a polo shirt, she says. But T-shirts with expressions and tank tops are no-nos.
For women, a plain T-shirt is fine in a casual office, says Laird Borrelli, senior features editor for Style.com. But it should be clean, thick and worn neatly, such as tucked into a pair of white denim jeans with a blazer.
SUMMER DRESSES/TOPS
Sleeveless for women is OK, but some employers enforce a three-finger rule, which means straps have to be as wide as three fingers, says Holland.
As a general rule, women should avoid showing too much shoulder or cleavage.
"The more flesh that's exposed, the more distracting you could potentially be," says Holland.
To make a summer dress or top more office-friendly, throw on a shrug, cardigan or jacket. Most offices are freezing in the summer anyway.
PANTYHOSE
Ah, the great hosiery debate continues. Diane Sawyer challenging men to wear them for a day. Michelle Obama's recent confession on "The View" that she doesn't.
