Ever find it hard dressing for work in the summer? It can be challenging finding outfits professional enough, yet true to your style. Now, there are new rules for an old game. Boring is out; patterns and pops of color are in. Shop these looks from your neighborhood boutiques. You’ll be sure to turn heads in the office—for all the right reasons.
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Pineapple clutch, Plum Bottom, $120 / Chartruese loafers, Plum Bottom, $148 / Orange wedge sneaks, Plum Bottom, $345 / Floral clutch, Maggie Adams, $175
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Invest in staple pieces and change the look by adding bold accessories.
Customizable dress, Arthur & Daughters, $249 / Jungle print mules, Plum Bottom, $180 / Red tassel earrings, Maggie Adams, $95
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You don’t have to reservethe palms for the beach;daydream of island timeon yourlunch break.
Long statement necklace, Filling’s, $88 / Green sweater, Filling’s, $118 / Palm print skirt, Filling’s, $120 / Silver sandals, Plum Bottom, $80
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Business doesn’t have to mean boring.
Patterned dress, Filling’s, $130 / Earrings, Filling’s, $50 / Nude espadrilles, Plum Bottom, $130
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Professional with pops of pink.
Clutch, Clementines, $65 / Floral skirt, Fillings, $140 / Pink sweater, Fillings, $135 / Colorful necklace, Fillings, $75 / Tan mules, Maggie Adams, $258
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Boho yet business appropriate.
Yellow floral dress, Elizabeth & West, $48 / Gray clutch, Clemintines, $34 / Sage suede sandals, Plum Bottom, $225
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Pop-of- pattern loafers add flare to a basic look.
Denim tank, Nicole Taylor, $60 / Gold necklace, Nicole Taylor, $50 / Tan pants, Nicole Taylor, $45 / Palm loafers, Plum Bottom, $190 / Yellow purse, Plum Bottom, $90
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Layer for the day.
Blue and purple dress shirt, Filling’s, $128 / Purple sweater, Filling’s, $128 / Tan pants, Filling’s, $148
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Kimonos are cool—in a chilly office or for an evening out after work.
Olive lace kimono, Clemintines, $78 / Black dress, Sonnie’s Secret, $97 / Long necklace, Clemintines, $62
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A work dress and late night outing outfit all in one. Reveal the detailed back after hours.
Peach kimono, Elizabeth & West, $42 / Peach dress, Elizabeth & West, $48 / Blush tassel mules, Plum Bottom, $140
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Don’t just save the shorts for the office golf outing. Dress them up with a casual denim blazer for a day atthe office.
Denim blazer, Maggie Adams, $298 / Plaid shorts, Maggie Adams, $198 / White sweater tank, Maggie Adams, $145 / White and tan loafers, Plum Bottom, $130
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One of summer’s most popular patterns, gingham can be dressed upor down.
Navy keyhole sweater, Maggie Adams, $265 / Gingham cropped pants, Maggie Adams, $258 / Pom sandals, Maggie Adams, $298
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Pop-of- pattern loafers add flare to a basic look.
Denim tank, Nicole Taylor, $60 / Gold necklace, Nicole Taylor, $50 / Tan pants, Nicole Taylor, $45 / Palm loafers, Plum Bottom, $190 / Yellow purse, Plum Bottom, $90
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Tassels are “totes” in style.
Yellow tassel tote, Plum Bottom, $120 / Peach mules, Maggie Adams, $195 / Pink sweater, Sonnie’s Secret, $148 / Black pants, Clementines, $74
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Casual Fridays are in full bloom.
Jeans, Nicole Taylor, $90 / Floral top, Nicole Taylor, $70 / Yellow gladiator sandals, Plum Bottom, $160 / Green purse, Plum Bottom, $328
RESOURCES: Arthur & Daughters, arthuranddaughters.com / Clemintines, clemintineslititz.com / Elizabeth & West, elizabethandwestfashion.com / Filling’s, fillingsclothing.com / Maggie Adams, maggieadams.com / Nicole Taylor Boutique, nicoletaylorboutique.com / Plum Bottom, plumbottom.net / Sonnie’s Secret, 717-627-7663
For the woman in high gear. Anne is wearing a silk floral jacket, $368; Eileen Fisher stretch silk tank, $98; linen wide crop pant, $198; wicker handbag, $65; and a signature pearl necklace, $260; all from Maggie Adams.
Boss summer style. Wool hopsack sport coat, $695; cotton twill shirt, $148; cotton twill five-pocket pant, $198; stretch cotton multi color woven belt, $98; Robert Talbott silk pocket square, $75; all from Filling’s.
Anne Deeter Gallaher
owner of Deeter Gallaher Group, a public relations firm in Camp Hill specializing in corporate communications
What’s summer business casual look like at your office? A perfect casual day at DGG is white jeans, a navy tee shirt, pearls, and a lightweight navy blazer. We are always ready with a blazer or cardigan to complete our look in case a client stops into the office.
Your preference for summer work style? A dress with wedges, an A-line skirt with a blouse, or lightweight linen pants and a bright three-quarter sleeve sweater for a pop of color.
How do you feel about flip flops at work? Flip-flops are okay if you're at the beach or an island, but not in the office.
Are there certain industries you think can be a little more lenient as far as work wear in general? The music industry has its own set of work and office protocols and fashion vibe. [Anne’s son Ben Gallaher is a country rockstar!] The typical work wear for a music industry CEO is Vans, jeans, and a polo shirt. For musicians, it's jeans and a leather jacket. The advertising industry, graphic designers, and freelancers in the gig economy have their own dress codes.
What would you say is the most exciting news right now in terms of business? I think the overall sense of business optimism and consumer confidence is exciting, and it's convincing CEOs and CMOs to expand their marketing/advertising/PR budgets. From video to events to experimenting with ephemeral content (Snapchat and Instagram stories), companies are eager to differentiate themselves and stay relevant.
George Nahodil
president and CEO, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Mechanicsburg
What’s summer business casual look like at your office? Summer business casual can be fairly versatile at Members 1st. Because we have a regional footprint, there is a lot happening in the community, and our associates will “dress the part” accordingly. While our headquarters maintains more of a business professional sense of style, associates at one of our more than 60 branches may be dressing business casual for a community event, a dress down day for charity, or an event after work. We are business casual in the summer to allow associates to be comfortable and maintain a business professional dress code for the remainder of the year.
Your preference for summer work style? I tend to wear suits year-round because I feel it is important to project a professional image. I realize that the business dress code is getting less formal, but there is something to be said for dressing for success. I do believe there are instances where business casual, if done correctly, looks very professional, but I guess I am old school!
How do you feel about flip flops at work? Being in the banking industry, we tend to be a little more conservative, so we do not permit associates to wear flip flops to work. I think it works if you are not interfacing directly with customers every day like we do. Especially given we are dealing with something very important to people—their money.
Are there certain industries you think can be a little more lenient as far as work wear in general? I have heard the thought process in creative service industries is that employees are in more of a think-tank type atmosphere and the ability to be comfortable allows for creative freedom and expression to thrive. At Members 1st we are very member-facing, and I do think there is a certain amount of respect we want to convey in those interactions since we are responsible for the hard-earned money people entrust us with. We do have a very fun and unique culture at Members 1st, and we regularly find ways to have dress down days that benefit various community organizations.
What would you say is the most exciting business news right now? It is an exciting time in the economy. Industry is booming and consumer confidence is up. The real estate market is doing well and our attractive products and services are being offered accordingly. Our commercial loans and our wealth management divisions are thriving and our new home equity Freedom Line of Credit meets the needs of an evolving trend in home ownership that no longer forces consumers to choose between flexibility or fixed rate. The end result is a positive economic impact across the board in the community and that is, perhaps, the greatest thing to be in style right now.