What is appropriate during hot weather?

• Position: Business Attire

The sizzling temperatures currently spreading across the nation are testing individual career grit and company dress policy boundaries. Summer's dog days naturally create the desire to kick back a bit, but clothing that keeps bodies cool usually is not appropriate attire for the office. Hot-weather fashions inevitably show mere flesh than their businesslike opposites, and that can be distracting. Think of it this way: Can you imagine Donald Trump wearing a sleeveless muscle shirt and flip-flops to seal a deal, or Hillary Clinton in a tank top and cargo shorts to meet with foreign dignitaries?

Highly successful people do not let weather conditions interfere with their business image or what they are trying to accomplish, points out Sherry Maysonave, author of Casual Power. How to Power Up Your Nonverbal Communication & Dress Down for Success. She indicates that people make assumptions and draw conclusions based upon visuals, and negative perceptions affect your opportunities and success potential. Therefore, slacking off on your business image in the summer months places you at risk of being underestimated all year-round.

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Is it even possible to look highly professional and stay cool at the same time? Soaring temperatures create challenges, but you can raise your professionalism--while lowering body temperature--with these beat-the-heat tips from Maysonave:

* Select fabrics such as tropical-weight wool, which is the coolest and most professional-looking cloth for warm-weather business suits or separates; it breathes, is exceptionally lightweight, and is wrinkle resistant. Others are cotton, silk, linen, and rayon. However, tropical-wool pants and skirts will look dressier while keeping you cooler heavy cotton varieties, like khakis. Avoid polyester in all garments and linings; it does not breathe, and will trap and escalate body heat.

* Place a cold water bottle or soda can on the back of your neck for a few minutes; overall body temperature will drop instantly. For men, dress shirts a mere...