Armpits in the office: Is sleeveless cool?
Let's talk about armpits!
Ok, the three of you who are still here, let's talk about armpits! It's eight billion degrees outside, but we still have to go to work. What to wear? On a five minute walk to the bank today in a cardigan, I felt like Jabba the Hut.
I work in a fairly casual environment and I'm not a conservative dresser, but I still have weirdness with underarm exposure at work. It just seems so... personal. If a guy came to the office in a sleeveless shirt, we'd vomit into our chai lattes and tell him to go back to Wrestlemania. But women, perhaps for our level of general hairlessness, get a pass. And these days, I see lots of lovely women sporting sleeveless blouses that are totally appropriate. I'm coming around.
I'm not suggesting tiny tank tops. Bra straps should remain a mystery during the budget meeting. There's a happy land between Cancun weekend and dress rehearsal for Nunsense.
I like this knit top from Gianni Bini, $38 at Dillards, because the little flutter caps offer a bit of coverage without the restrictive, hot fabric.
This pretty top, $34.95 from New York and Company, looks expensive thanks to the floral print and the fabric. Paired with tailored slacks, I think this flies in the right office.
Our headless friend here sports a ruffle top, $24.99 from Gap. Dark colors help make summer clothes more sophisticated. And this would look great with jeans for the weekend. Now if only she had a scalp.
This top, $44 from Torrid, nails it. The fabric, the shape, the belting, the flutter. She looks ready to make some heads roll all while still staying refreshingly cool. Applause.
Deal Diva Stephanie
Photos: Dillards, New York and Company, Gap, Torrid
Loading...
Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
0
Comments