Select simple, loose-fitting, easy-to-move-in styles that cover your body without clinging or binding. Anything that's snug or tight against your body, including a belt, will make you feel warmer. Larger, loose necklines, wrist lines, waistlines, and ankles offer a kind of built-in air conditioning, allowing air to circulate and cool you.

Avoid close-fitting necklines and collars. A high-button Victorian blouse may look charming in a climate controlled dressing room but will only make you feel hot and claustrophobic outdoors. Open-collar shirts, V-necklines, scoop, and boat necklines are more comfortable choices.

Armholes should be cut wide and full. Look for styles with extended shoulder lines and deep-set or drop-shoulder sleeves. Cap, short, butterfly, or bell-style sleeves are smart summer choices. If sleeveless or capped only, check your mirror for peek-a-boo straps and bra bands that ruin even the best of looks.

Skirts should stand away from the body slightly, preferably in fabrics that don't require a slip to prevent seeing through or sticking to your skin. Rely on straight-hanging dirndl skirts, A-line skirts with an inverted center-front pleat, flared skirts, and free-flowing split-skirts. Skirt and pant waistbands will feel better in the heat if not too wide or snugly fitted. For a terrific evening look, try wearing palazzo pants or billowy harem pants.

A few dresses are good choices, ready for the hottest days of summer. They can look complete and polished worn alone. Drawstring waistlines are cooler than fitted or elasticized waistlines because they can be loosened as the temperature rises. Better yet, the coolest dress is the one with lines that fall from the shoulders — without a waist at all. Shift and chemise style dresses do nicely in summer.

For businesswomen, an open-collar shirtwaist dress or a lightweight coatdress can have the clout of a suit. A well-designed short-sleeve dress with a notched collar can look professional, yet feel several degrees cooler.

Carry a jacket or keep one at the office for important meetings or business lunches. Choose a loose-fitting, unconstructed, unlined jacket — possibly with drop-shouldered, dolman- or kimono-styled sleeves. A cotton-knit cardigan knit sweater can be an alternate choice.

Sleeveless, cap, or short-sleeved tops, vests, and dresses will be coolest worn under your jacket. You could also choose a halter top if it's not too bare-cut from the shoulder. Wear your jacket at the office, removing it for a special evening occasion after work. If necessary, carry your jacket while commuting and put it on at the office. Fold it inside out to prevent soiling and reduce wrinkling.

Beware of overexposure at the office. It can strain the seams of good taste and cause an image problem. Camisole tops are seldom appropriate during business hours. Top a halter, V-back, or backless dress with a crisp looking jacket.

And it's not lower necklines that are risky; it's visible cleavage that's distracting. The higher the cleavage, the higher the neckline needs to be.

Wear lightweight jewelry with simple lines — possibly in mesh, frosted glass, silver, pale woods, and ivory. They tend to look and feel cooler than heavy, fussy jewelry.

If you need a belt, think about a fabric, cord, or narrow leather belt. A wide plastic belt, pulled tight at the waist, only increases perspiration under the belt. A leather belt might absorb and give off moisture a little better, but heat and body moisture can cause the leather's dye to crack or bleed onto the garment. Try a longer, narrow belt wrapped loosely at the hip or buckled slightly loose at the waist.

Bare feet and legs in sandals are coolest, but are appropriate only for casual occasions or the most casual of business offices. Hosiery is essential for a dressy or professional look, and heat is seldom an excuse because most public and office buildings are air-conditioned. On those occasions when you feel the need for stockings, longer-length skirts and pants allow you to switch from pantyhose to knee-high stockings — they can make all the difference.

If necessary, commute bare-legged and put on stockings as soon as you arrive at your destination. Take them off again before you head for home. Seek out summer-weight or mesh sandal-foot hosiery and wear them with open-toe pumps or sling-back shoes that allow the air to circulate.

Judith Rasband is Director of the Conselle Institute of Image Management and author of numerous publications on dress and image. Contact her at 801/224-1207 or judith@conselle.com. For related image information, visit www.conselle.com and www.LDSImageIntegrity.info .