I would not wear a linen suit for a photo op. I love linen and wear it a lot but it will wrinkle. I often walk many blocks downtown in summer humidity. I'd look a mess if I'd do it in linen! Tunic & wide leg pants? Sure. Not a suit.

Personally I hate jackets with short sleeves but I have quite a few with bracelet sleeves which I wear all through the summer with tanks.

I like the cut of the Eileen Fischer jacket above, but I would not wear white or even light colors for an event. Murphy's law says that just before the photo op will be when someone spills the ketchup on your shirt.

How about this Lilly Pulitzer dress? This could be dressed up even more with the right accessories.

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This breaks all of Annie's rules, but I thought it was pretty, professional and summery. :)

https://www.tahariasl.com/products/cuffed-belted-stretch-crepe-skirt-suit-missy?color=Chalk&via=58262eaa69702d76b0001dad%2C58262ead69702d76b00028c7

OMG, i love that Pulitzer dress. But I think the OP needed sleeves? And I think if you put anything over it it would not look as good and would also be hot.

I also love love that suit --- cute jacket! Simple w/o being boring.

I have been shopping like crazy because of these threads. But I've been very picky and not kept most of it. Meantime, UPS is opening a branch in my entry hall.

lol, i actually ordered that last suit too, though i may pair the jacket w dark slacks, still not much of a skirt girl.... but at that price who cares

The washable, relaxed (?) linen Funky. I can't think of what it's called. I think as long as you try on something that buttons up the front and see that you don't have the issues Annie mentioned, you'll be fine. I would try on whatever it is you end up wearing and look at yourself from all angles anyway. AND, let us know what hair products you try. I have wavy hair and it doesn't frizz terribly, but humidity definitely affects it. I get big hair, LOL.

Here's more from LP.

Jterri, at first glance I thought that clutch was a pair of boxers, LOL

Ha, now I know where your minds at today Mtn. Extra exercise is good for the challange lol.

ETA: It does look like a folded boxer now that you mention it.

That's just what I thought, Mtn!

I like the suit too! It looks professional, yet not too stuffy.

You live there so I guess you know if you can handle even a 3/4 sleeve.

Tina.. yes, the washable linen. Actually, I am not sure I've even seen a suit in the washable linen-- but I do have plenty of pieces that aren't suits. Great for a casual look but not a suit-level professional look IMO.

I hope the suit works out for you, Rubyclaire.

Thanks smh - I ordered the suit you posted. I really like the look - hopefully the fabric will be light enough. Still looking for additional options. Glad I started early!

Yes, and when you are not in a rush, you have the time to not over spend.

Great ideas here.

LOL, also thought the clutch was some sort of underwear.

Oh my lol!

If I wore a suit in FL, in August, outside, I would keel over. Even more quickly if the jacket was lined and the fabric was a poly blend.

I would concentrate on trying to find a dress that would breathe and skim your shape. Have you ever worn shirt dresses? They have nice structure and good coverage. This one is probably too long for you but if you can find one with the right proportions it can be a very business like look with only one layer.

d_gw - I know...how do men do this in suits and ties?? I'm trying to figure out a way to organize this event to have a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony for this new campus without subjecting everyone to heatstroke. I want to minimize the outdoor portion as best I can because its going to be miserable. I may need to start focusing on the comfort of our guests and look for some alternative ceremony ideas. As much as I hate to admit it, it's not all about me :)!

Rubyclaire, can you arrange to rent a large canopy for some shade and have some cooling fans blowing?

As for what to wear, if you're going to be in photos, I'd stick to something solid color, no prints. Prints stand out too much in photos. I really like the one you've ordered and also the Albert Nipon textured suit with the portrait collar, which I think would be very flattering on you. If you can find a pale blue or pale pink, I think those colors would be nice for August also.

I love linen, but think it is too casual for this event, and you'd be a wrinkled mess after a while. A linen-look blend, if you can find it, would be great. Love the Lily P dresses but you'd need a jacket that exactly matched and not sure you'd find that.

Outside - yes, we will have tents and fans but I still want to minimize the outdoor part of the ceremony if I can.

I totally agree with your suggestion of solid colors and about linen (which I also love). I'm considering the Albert Nipon pink suit but I'm wondering if it reads a little young for me. I think it is very pretty.

I'm 51 and would totally wear the pink. I have a blue/white nubby silk suit with that neckline and it looks great. I wear pearl earrings and tan shoes.

OMG, reading young is good, esp if it is tasteful young! Overly sexy young is when it gets dicey.

Are you thinking more of a certain lack of gravitas? Wear important jewelry.

BTW, FWIW, Banana Republic has a line of summer suits. They look very cool.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5013&kwid=1&sem=false&brandCvoSid=A2YDGVGYFEF7&sop=true&ak_t=AA89F93FC2074742066B27213CBDA789CF56A46D5A1B0000633E285987F3C22A

Is there any way you can do a symbolic ribbon cutting indoors or under a tent, of course explaining your concerns about people being outdoors?

I really like the neckline on the suit - maybe it's the pink that is throwing me. Tan or blue seersucker and I'd be all over it. I have it in my shopping cart so I may go ahead and give it a try.

Thanks for the link on the Banana Republic summer suits. I just looked yesterday and missed them!

Oly - We have our first event meeting next week so this decision will be our first order of business. I'm confident we can figure out a way to minimize or eliminate the outdoor portion of the event. While it will be mid-morning, August in Florida is just a hot, humid mess.

Ruby, This place does custom seersucker, including suits.

http://www.jolieandelizabeth.com/seersucker

Thanks Mtn - what a great find. I love their grey seersucker, too!

Mtn - love that site. I actually had a green seersucker sofa and club chair back in the 90's. I LOVED that furniture.

Popped into my local BR and saw some really cute things and they are having a sale. This suit was a great weight and color but I think the pattern and one-button jacket might be a problem. But it might work for someone else in need of a summer suit.

Hey Ruby,

Did you get the white suit? I did and I really like it. I like the fitted, belted jacket. OTOH I think it would be horrible in August in FL; you need something unlined and a natural fiber and lightweight.

Q though; I cannot figure out hoq to unclasp the belt so I just slipped it over my head; did you figure it out? Don't want to break it. TIA

Mtn - no, I ordered it Thursday and haven't received it. Of course it went on sale Friday 40% off. I'm glad you like it! I think it looks great but the fabric definitely concerned me. If it looks good, I will probably keep it for the price. I'll let you know if i can figure out the belt...:)

So the search goes on...

Ruby!!!!!!! At 40% off, I would call and ask for an adjustment. I do this with Loft all the time. If you buy something within a two week period, they adjust the price. Find out the stipulations.

eld - yes, I did call immediately and rather than adjusting the price, they recommended I reorder and return the full-priced one. I was busy and didn't have time to argue the point so I just reordered. They have free shipping both ways so I'm not sure how this business model works out for them - and it annoys the customer.

Thx, Ruby I just ordered another one too.

Update -

1. Cooler heads (literally) have prevailed and we will be organizing this as an inside ribbon-cutting event. I feel better already.
2. The white suit from Tahari that smh posted came in and I really, really like it. Very flattering with a little stretch. It is polyester so = hot. But seriously, almost everything professional looking is gonna be hot in August in Florida. The look is spot on so maybe with an indoor event I can swing it. i have nude patent pointed-toe heels that are perfect with it and comfy. Please tell me it will be okay and I can stop looking :)
3. Mtn: I figured out the belt. It opens at the big "O" ring - push in.
4. It was only $84 on sale. For the whole suit. I'm amazed. That would leave me $416 to do something about my PITA hair...

Thanks everyone!

Great news. Yes, you will look fabulous -you can do it! $416 is quite a generous salon amount - I'm sure it could be managed for that.

Thanks Oly - one would think I could do something with my hair for $400. I may have spent half that in new product alone this week :)

So glad it worked out for you-- it's a sharp look!

If anyone is looking for a similar style but a little less tailored, I just love this jacket on sale at NM

I like that jacket Funky!

Ruby, love your Smh Tahari pick! You are going to look so nice and fashionable. Plus, people who wear light colored solids always stand out a bit more in photos in a good way.

Ruby, I love your pick and the price surely is right. It looks like a great summer suit. And with shorter sleeves, maybe it won't be too bad. Well, heck, it's August in Florida.

Really appreciate all the input. And special thanks to smh for the great find. I don't think I would have found that on my own.

It would be fun if you take a photo and share. Although I understand if you don't want to.

eld: I'm probably not that brave...we'll see :)

You can blur your face to stay anonymous. (Or put on sunglasses.) We have all done that, but many of us have actually also shared what we look like. It is fun to put a face with the name.

I've posted may pics of me, headless!

Update: The event was yesterday and it was a wonderful success! It was sunny and 90 degrees but we were only outside for a brief time - maybe 10 minutes.

I fully intended to wear the white suit that smh found but I had a wardrobe malfunction at the last minute. The belt broke! I had already ordered the navy blue dress and would have returned it but the return shipping to the UK was high so I ended up keeping it. I wore that dress and it was really flattering and quite nice. I wore simple gold ball earrings and a gold chain link bracelet and it was professional and comfortable.

BTW, I was very impressed with the quality of the Winser London dress - if you find something you like and there is a free shipping promotion, I highly recommend.

Thank you to everyone who helped with ideas and suggestions. I still love the white suit but need to figure out how to fix the belt :(. I can also say that the Oribe hairspray was fabulous! Thanks mimi!

Simple Dress