Mimi Martinez, 25, said the key to looking appropriate on the job in the summer is balancing style with professionalism
"We try to keep it still in style, not too old," the assistant store manager at Pearle Vision in the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster said. "Keep it cute, but professional."
With summer bearing down on Massachusetts, the local workforce has to figure out how to look like they belong at their job while still being comfortable in the sweltering heat.
Amanda Gano, 20, of Rindge, N.H. sported black capris and strappy heels at Pearle Vision Wednesday.
"We still wear open-toed shoes," she said. "But no flip-flops."
Gano said sandals and heels are fine, but even the most embellished flip-flop isn't appropriate for her workplace.
Skirts are a great way to beat the heat in the office, Gano said, but length is a factor.
"You can't wear short skirts or jeans," she said.
At Pearle Vision, employees are supposed to stick to a muted palate, with navy, cream, beige and black as go-to colors.
But Martinez said they are more suggestions than rules.
"As long as you look professional, they're OK with that," she said.
Joyce Haley, 24, of Lunenburg, works at the Gap at the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster.
"We're selling a lot of dresses right now," she said. "A lot of the chino capris and khakis."
Haley said comfort is the big draw for summer.
Longer shirts, particularly with T-shirts and tank tops, are also a big trend for the season.
Mannequins at the Gap are all sporting loose-fitting white tops.
"White is definitely the big color this year," Haley said. "Tops, bottom, all of it."
Shelby Robichaud, who works in Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella's office, said employees are allowed to be more relaxed, but only on certain days.
"We have casual days on Wednesday and Friday," she said.
Town employees can purchase polo shirts with the town seal and their office on it.
Robichaud wore a sleeveless teal polo on Thursday, and they're available in an array of colors, she said.
Most days employees try to stay business casual, Robichaud said, with slacks and button-down shirts, but summer does raise some hem lines.
"I know a lot of us wear capris," she said.
Robichaud said her black sandals are a staple, but flip flops are a little too casual.
"I think (the other town employees) do try and stay away from that," she said.
Across the parking lot at Shear Concepts, owner Lauren Pompei, said open-toe shoes are a must in the summer.
"As soon as it's possible, the close-toed shoes go back in the closet," she said. "I love sandals.
Pompei said sleeveless tops, such as camisoles and tanks and lighter weight clothes help with the summer swelter.
But she noted people are ready to shed their bulky winter clothes when the heat hits.
"Summer clothes are just so much fun," Pompei said. "It's a short-lived season."
Susan Charette, owner of Chelsea's on Main Street in Leominster, said embellished camisoles are a popular item at her store.
"You could wear that to the office with a jacket and take it off and wear it out at night," she said.
Pants that show just a little ankle are a big-selling item, Charette said.
"I sell a lot of capris," she said. "They're nice for summer."
Charette also noted she's seen a lot of white this year.
"White has been a big color this season, more than usual," she said.
Daniela Ciccolini, 19, of Leominster, who works at the Lancome counter in Filenes at the Mall at Whitney Field, doesn't get to sport the season's hottest color to her job.
"I have to wear black," she said.
Even though nylons are required in the summer, Ciccolini finds a way around the rule.
"I wear capris," she said. "I just bought a pair from the Gap."
Ciccolini said open-toed heels, particularly from Nine West, are a favorite.
"I wear heels a lot," she said.
At HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster, employees have to take the health of the patients into consideration when they dress.
"In a hospital setting, we do have a strict dress code," said Sally Boutin, employee relations manager at the hospital.
Even though bare legs are forbidden, Boutin said layering can make up for it.
"Jackets that you can throw on if you go to a meeting, and take off if you're at your desk," she said.
Boutin also said fabrics are important, sticking with natural fibers such as cotton and linen.
"People have a more relaxed idea of what you're going to wear in the heat," she said.
