Warm weather is rolling in, you’re just starting to get a handle on what your company’s casual Friday policy is all about, and then you get the dreaded email that your boss is hosting a barbecue at his/her house.  And your first thought is, this sounds like a trap.

Whether it’s a get-together at your boss’s house or a company picnic, dressing for these types of extracurricular professional events during the spring and summer can be tricky.  You’ll look stuffy and out of place if you wear office attire, but you also want to dress with your boss’s presence in mind.  Before you freak out, let me give you the easiest rule of thumb: Stick with necklines and hemlines that are office appropriate, but within those bounds, have fun with summery prints, colors and fabrics.

This look is a perfect example of what I’m talking about: The dress has an office-appropriate length and neckline, but has a summer-ready picnic vibe with its gingham print and light cotton fabric.  You won’t look like an uptight freak over backyard burgers, but you also won’t feel overexposed in front of the weird man-child from bookkeeping that likes to talk nonstop about his collection of action figures.

As you may recall, this look is featured in my Spring / Summer 2016 Dress Memo that was published here last week.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, definitely hit it up!  It’s my complete guide to dressing for every possible spring and summer occasion — whether you’re in need of some guidance on dressing for a company picnic, a summer interview, a summer date night or a black-tie wedding!  Whatever the warm-weather occasion, I’ve got you covered right there with all of my tips and suggestions!

DRESS: Eliza J similar HERE and HERE  |  SHOES: old, similar HERE, HERE and HERE  |  BAG: Oliveve similar HERE and HERE |  WATCH: Tory Burch  |  EARRINGS: Sphera Milano  |  LIPS: Nars (Balboa)

More dresses perfect for a company picnic here:

Have a great weekend, guys!!