Summer Wardrobe Tips for Female Advisors

Ever since I have carried a sewing kit with thread, needles and bobby pins and I recommend that all advisors, male or female, do the same. This especially important in the summer time when you have less opportunity to cover rips or snags with a suit jacket.

2. Classic cardigan or scarf?

It’s the best protection from the blasting air conditioning.

Neutral colors are universally applicable for all seasons, but summer is a time to get a bit adventurous with a bolder hue. I once had a fabulous red scarf that I would put around my shoulders and neck when the air conditioning struck. It didn’t match all my outfits but when I was able to wear it, I got a ton of compliments.

I like this open face cardigan from ELOQUII. It’s not too expensive and comes in a variety of colors.

3. Midi skirt

Okay, so you know how brash I am. There’s no better way to say this.

Summer is no excuse to be too revealing with your fashion.

You don’t have to look dowdy, but I would also caution against dressing too provocatively. There’s nothing wrong with looking like a beautiful, feminine woman. But steer clear of the danger zones: slits, sheer shirts, hemlines, necklines.

When in doubt, go with the more conservative option. Hemline should be no higher than knee level – test it out by sitting down to makes sure it covers your thighs. Plunging necklines can work as long as your cleavage is well-concealed, by about an inch of material if you want to play it safe.

You may even want to dust off a relic of the past – midi skirts – a style inspired by Katharine Hepburn.

Midi skirts are a slightly unusual yet sophisticated expression of style. This length of skirt can be awkward if done incorrectly; so make sure, for example, the skirt doesn’t end right at the widest part of your calves. Wear it with a collared shirt and low heels to stay on the HR department’s good side.

I love this MM.LaFleur Harlem Skirt. I’m not completely crazy about the slit but from the picture it seems to be short enough to avoid violating any rules.

4. Insulated cosmetic bag

Some advisors are into makeup, some aren’t. Makeup can be pretty expensive and the last thing you want is for it to get ruined in the extreme heat. Advisors who work in extremely hot climates may find themselves at outdoor meetings or social events which may put their cosmetics through unintended wear and tear.

Ward off the heat with a Cool It Caddy.

5. Pointy toe mules

I remember when I had my first job out of college at J.P. Morgan. One of the interns (the only person in the whole office who read everything HR sent us) quipped at me one summer day, “Wearing open-toed shoes is so against the code of conduct.”

Closed-toe shoes are more conservative than open-toed. But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.

Try some pointy toe mules. Unlike strappy sandals, they’ll elongate your leg line instead of cutting into it horizontally.

Take the Bethenia Mules from Nordstrom, for example. I used to have a pair of leopard print shoes and when paired with the right outfit they were constantly admired. I generally recommend no higher than two-inch heels for work, so I wouldn’t be a buyer of these particular ones.

You get my point about mules, though, right?

6. Deodorant remover pad

Picture this.

You show up to your client’s July 4th barbecue and are greeted with a warm reception from a slew of possible prospects. As you saunter over to the hot dog grill, you ever so elegantly remove your blazer and – there they are – those annoying white scuff marks that your deodorant made when you put on your dress this morning.

Tragic.

Wisk those pests away with deodorant remover sponges. Just like the sewing kit it should be carried in your pursue or bag at all times. You can get them at Walmart.

Be gone, deodorant stains! One example of a brand is Gal Pal.

7. Non-linen (but still breathable) blazers

The Winola draped linen blazer from Theory is to die for, especially if you couple it up with some wide leg pants. However as much as I admire this linen ensemble, my practical sense gets the best of me.

It’s difficult to wear linen. The wrinkling potential is just too high for a low maintenance person like me.

That’s why I ended up on the Brooks Brothers website. I was impressed by their summer collection for professional women. For example, the Supima Cotton Blazer is a way to look professional without sweating to death.

Go linen or go home? Think again!

8. Ballet flats

I recently resolved my career-long battle with my shoe bag by figuring out that I needed a bag big enough to house my “commuting shoes” once I adorned my high heels. Here’s the little key I discovered: your commuting shoes need to be sufficiently compact, enough so that they work with the bag.

Ballet flats are a solution to vasodilation that summer heat can bring.

“But Sara, those will kill my arches!” you say. Au contraire, mon frere. People are raving about the Everlane Day Glove.

Check it out.

Sara’s upshot

As I’ve said before, I recommend that every advisor – male or female– find a good tailor who knows how to make sure the clothes fit. The places likely to require adjustment are the sleeves and waist.

I’ve begun my search for a new business suit and in the future will be reporting on my best suit picks at three different price points (inexpensive, moderately expensive, and expensive.) Stay tuned for more! And by the way, I recently launched my financial advisor marketing podcast that you can download here.

Sara Grillo, CFA, is a top financial writer with a focus on marketing and branding for investment management, financial planning, and RIA firms. Prior to launching her own firm, she was a financial advisor and worked at Lehman Brothers. Sara graduated from Harvard with a degree in English literature and has an MBA from NYU Stern in Quantitative Finance.

Read more articles by Sara Grillo