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Jul. 23--Malisa Mast's job as a pharmaceutical sales representative requires her to look professional even on days when flip-flops and shorts would be preferable.
"I typically wear a jacket every day," said Mast, who works for AstraZeneca. "This week, there's no way."
Professional women such as Mast face employer dress code requirements that don't ease much when temperatures soar in July and August. Pharmaceutical sales representatives are supposed to wear pantyhose, close-toed shoes and a suit or a skirt or pants with a coordinating sweater set. On summer days when the thermometer hits the 90s, it's hard to look professional and pulled together. "I don't know anyone who had on hose on days like this," Mast said Wednesday afternoon when the high was 95.
Mast relies on linen sleeveless shift dresses or cotton print skirts and shirts to get her through the hot part of summer. Rather than strappy sandals, she wears slingback style shoes on really warm days.
Paducah Bank employees are expected to dress professionally, but sleeveless shirts, open-toed shoes and skirts without pantyhose are now acceptable, said Maurie McGarvey, human resources director. But don't think the rules are completely relaxed for summer. Denim and flip-flops are not allowed.
"Clothing has to be professional," she said.
McGarvey says she's fortunate because her job doesn't take her out of the office much.
Carla Berry still wears suits most days as a private banker for Paducah Bank. On the hottest days this week, the suits were replaced by dresses topped with jackets and skirts with short-sleeved sweaters. "If I'm in the car, I'll take off the jacket and then put it back on when I go inside" a business on a call, she said. "Still, I feel like the suit looks best."
Paducah real estate agent Roxie Jarvis tries to keep her look simple for summer with solid color pants and a coordinating top.
On Wednesday, she opted for a cotton sleeveless shift dress and sandals because she had been at Kentucky Lake earlier in the day.
Her job finds her in and out of the car several times a day as she shows houses and attends closings. She says her customers expect a certain level of professional dress.
Look your best
Here are tips on dressing your best when it's 103 outside, from Talbot's of Paducah and Gayle Kaler, owner of Chantilly's salon:
Fashion
Fabric should be cool and lightweight such as cotton, rayon, polyester, spandex or matte jersey. Machine washable fabrics are preferable.
Fluted skirts offer a cool but professional look. Pleated skirts also are a cool option.
Opt for wrinkle-resistant cotton. Shirts made from this material can be worn under jackets. Remember, you can still have a professional look without tucking in your skirt.
Accessorize with silk scarves around your waist. When it's really hot, the scarf can be used as a head band or tie for a ponytail to sweep hair off the face.
Hair
Protect your hair color with a UV-formulated shampoo and conditioner.
Scalp-energizing shampoos will help people with flat hair. Root lift and thickening products also will wake up flat hair. Spray the roots with a thermal styling product when using a curling iron or rollers for extra volume.
Frizzy hair can be cured with an anti-humectant product. Flat irons also can smooth the frizzies.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Paducah Sun, Ky.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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