Summer is here again and the mercury is soaring, but the temperature inside your office is still a cool 70°F. How can you dress appropriately in your business-casual office environment while staying in season? What articles cross the line from “cool and summery” to “hot and trashy”?

The first thing to do is consult your company's dress policy. These policies are often made up of vague guidelines that aren't of much help in determining specifics, but they're a place to start. The most important thing is to be sure that you're not violating any company policies, regardless of the season.

Let's start with the feet. Everyone wears flip-flops, especially in the summertime, but unless you're an editor for WakeBoarding magazine, leave them at home when you head to the office. Many offices also have a policy against open-toed shoes; if you're lucky enough to work in an office that doesn't have such a policy, then the rules of fashion absolutely require clean, well-pedicured toenails. It wouldn't hurt to take a pumice stone to your little piggies and heels as well, as your other fashionable shoes have no doubt left your feet in less-than-ideal condition.

Even though the heat is on outside, you can bet the air conditioning is humming inside, so it will be smart to leave the mini skirts at home. You can look cool and tasteful with bright, mid-length summery dresses and skirts paired with silk shells or modest camisoles. The fashion this season is knee-length tailored shorts, and as long as they are paired with the right shoes, they can certainly make a professional statement and keep you cool. (Be sure to check your company policy on shorts in the workplace, though.) Stay away from spaghetti-strapped sun dresses with billowy skirts – they don't project a professional image.

Stay away from sheer fabrics unless you pair them with a tasteful tank top or slip underneath. Excessive skin and bosom-baring is definitely not professional. The best advice for summer office fashion is layer, layer, layer! The walk from the car to the office can be warm, but you can bet that the office thermostat has been bumped down to frosty levels. You don't want to be comfortable outside and shivering outside; conversely you don't want to be warm enough inside and then start pouring sweat as soon as you walk out the door.

Menswear is very basic in the summer. Forgo the cargo shorts and docksiders for comfortable khaki slacks and, if company policy allows, polo-style shirts. Save the T-shirts and flip-flops for your weekend barbecues. If ties are not required, choose a stylish button-down shirt in a breathable natural fabric such as cotton, linen or a summer-weight blend. Stylish loafers or lighter-weight leather oxfords still make a professional statement when combined with your summer wear.

The bottom line is that you can dress fashionably and comfortably, even in the summer months, when you go to work. Use common sense and professional judgment. If you look at an article of clothing and question whether or not it is appropriate for the office, be on the safe side and save it for the weekend. When in doubt, take a look around the office. What are your co-workers wearing? What is your boss wearing? If you're still in doubt about what's appropriate, simply ask your human resources manager.