What to Wear!?!

[lidiagriffin]

Good afternoon!

I have a presentation coming up this week to a realtor (in their place of business). Ideally I would wear a suit, but we are in Georgia and it is literally blazing down here. What would you suggest that I wear? Do I really have to wear a suit?

[Office Goddess]

Do you have any summer suits? I would dress like you are going to church (for a wedding or funeral )

[Cheryl R]

Dress for church is good advice especially here in GA. Unless of course you do have a summer suit. But I really think upper end business casual is probably good enough ..again, here in GA where the livin is easy in the summer.

[Jorren Co.]

I have to agree with Lily, and Cheryl. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to wear, so it usually depends on who I'm meeting, and where. Since the weather is not in your favor for a suit, do you have a skirt (just below the knees) and dress shirt?

[Administrative Partners]

it won't be so hot will it. Most places of business are FREEZING with the air conditioning on full blast.. Just throw the jacket on as you are walking from your car to the office.

[va4eva]

I would dress in a suit with a light blouse under the jacket. Figure you are only going from the car (air conditioned) to the office (also air conditioned) and the first impression is important. After formalities are completed, I would browse what others are wearing and if they have shed their jackets, I'd do the same. If not, I'd open the jacket for the presentation and keep it on. After you leave the office, do as I do in the brutal heat, pull off the jacket for the ride home. I live in the deep South part of the year (the hot part of the year), and I still believe the presentation and/or the interview should show you care about making a professional impression and that is always with a suit. I have a similar presentation to make this week and I'll still wear a suit in the 95 degree weather (a light weight suit with a colorful, short sleeve sheer blouse). It's my summer presentation outfit.

[lidiagriffin]

Thank you all so much for your replies - great advice. I think I shall wear a suit with a blouse under the jacket - that way I can pull the jacket off if I am hot.

Thanks for the responses again everyone!

[lanelt]

This thread is a great reminder to dress for where you live and who you are meeting. Where I live if I showed up to a business meeting in a suit they'd probably think I was a freak, then assume I was too expensive, then talk about how I definitely wasn't a local after I left (or while I was still there).

[Monique]

Here is my 2 cent:

Dress the way you want to be treated. If you want them to see you as a serious business owner who is professional then dress the part. I know weather can be an issue but the most important issue is how will this potential client respond when he/she sees you for the first time.

Rememeber, you only get one shot at first impressions.

I say go big (wear the suit) or stay home!

[vainparadise]

Living in Florida I know what you are saying with it being to hot to wear a suit. Regardless of going from the air in the car and then into the establishment with air as well, it will possibly be too warm for a typical business suit. Keep in mind as well that you do tend to perspire more when feeling a bit nervous.

You need to dress in a way that you feel comfortable yet still professional. There are a lot of nice pant suits that are short sleeve, you can possibly even purchase a nice shell with a linen skirt as well.