Before long, most days will be downright hot. Throw in a dose of humidity, and the word sweltering comes to mind.

Get ready. As the temperatures skyrocket, so do the number of fashion faux pas.

This isn't true for everyone, but how many times do we use summer temps' skimpy dress as an excuse for dressing very casually for work and showing more of our person than our personality?

And let's face it, sometimes "casual" slips into the category of "too sexy," especially for the workplace.

Summer brings on the showing-too-much-skin problem: no sleeves, higher hemlines, lower necklines and even scooped backs.

If you're donning your miniskirt, tank top and flip-flops before clamping your hair in a knot, you should be heading to the mall, not to work.

"We have stepped back from the business casual except on Fridays," said Beverly Beverage, senior vice president for human resources and development director at Fidelity Bank in Wichita. "We tried being business casual on other days, but the dress became more and more casual."

Enter the dress code

As styles have become more and more casual, those in charge of dress codes at some large local corporations say they've had to be very specific and hand out printed guidelines.

At Emprise Bank, Amy Ragland, marketing specialist, says the dress code goes to summer business casual every day of the week starting this week and ending on Labor Day.

"It can be a struggle," she said. "We have to be very specific. We just sent out examples of what is considered business casual."

While some employers are dealing with the dilemma of cropped pants, gauchos and the hosiery issue, others are approaching obvious offenders wearing miniskirts, tops with a lingerie look and sundresses with spaghetti straps.

At Fidelity and Emprise, women are required to wear hosiery year round.

Jessica Johnson, marketing director for the city of Wichita, says department managers are in charge of making sure employees stay with the rules of business casual. If someone attends a meeting or event representing the city, they are to dress professionally. For men, that means a suit and tie.

Cindy Ratzloff, director of administration at Foulston Siefkin law firm, says that once in awhile they have a problem with younger employees who are office assistants.

"It's rare, but sometimes a skirt is too short, or it's something too low cut or skintight, but that's the style these days," Ratzloff said.

Ways to tone it down

Employers say they hear the excuse: "But it's hot outside!"

The important word here is "outside." We leave our air-conditioned homes, get in our air-conditioned cars, drive to our air-conditioned offices until lunchtime, when we go to an air-conditioned restaurant.

In her book "Business Casual Made Easy," image consultant Angie Michael, who lives in a Washington, D.C., suburb, reminds clients that what they wear affects how they are perceived, and "Warm weather doesn't change that fact."

A few tips:

Always have a jacket handy.

A lightweight vest can dress up an outfit.

Before heading to work, look in a full-length mirror. Ask yourself: If the boss calls for a last-minute meeting with me, am I dressed appropriately? If the answer is "no," change clothes.

Editor: Wing