If the ladies could help me with this question, it would be very appreciated. I'm a 40-year old professional lady going to Houston in August and will be meeting with oil people "in the field". I'm also going to a few business receptions and lunches and will also have free time for shopping and site seeing. Any suggestions for my wardrobe to deal with the famous Houston humidity and cold air conditioning? Any web pages you can suggest to show wardrobe suggestions for ultra heat areas? Thanks so much.

I'm from Houston and live in WA State now. When I lived there I were the following: A cotton pantsuit/dress, or dockers. While shopping wear shorts/polo shirts. Some women wear lightweight hose. I do not.What area will you be staying? Please let me know and I'll tell you some good places to eat, things to see. Where are you visiting from?

Linen and cotton are ideal!

cotton. Thanks for the info on the hose, as I didn't know if women wore them at all in the Houston summer! One final question: is it okay to wear bare feet in stylish sandals for the office? Thanks so much for your help in helping this overseas visitor have a great time.

Sorry, my whole message didn't get posted. Here's the whole thing: Thanks, G.S. I'm only used to a damp coastal summer and have few clothes for a scorching summer heat. What I've come up with would be 2 short-sleeved jackets with matching skirt/ pants/shorts/sleeveless tops; two summer dresses and one pair of "Dockers" all in wrinkle-resistant . Thanks for the info on the hose, as I didn't know if women wore them at all in the Houston summer! One final question: is it okay to wear bare feet in stylish sandals for the office? Thanks so much for your help in getting this overseas visitor climatized.

take along a nice long-sleeved jacket as well, one you can put on and take off easily. Oil people aren't known for their energy conservation attitude and the air conditioning is usually turned up HIGH. On my last trip to Houston, I was freezing inside, even with the temp near 100 outside.

Lady Bug:

Yes, as xxx said, the airconditioners in Houston make it quite chilly indoors in the summer.

Regarding the sandals, I personally would advise against them. I used to work in an office in the oil indsutry in Houston and I never saw women with sandals on bare feet. I would see sandals with sandalfoot stockings occassionally, though.

I'm also thinking that due to safety regulations, you won't be permited to wear open toe shoes when you go out in the field. You'll also more than likely be required to wear a hardhat in the field, so bring along a brush to fix the "hat hair" when you're finished.

Otherwise, I always saw visitors and clients wearing typical office attire when visiting our office. Women would usually opt for nice pants when doing field visits, though.

I'd say linen and silk over cotton because they dry quicker. Cotton breathes but stays wetter longer when you sweat.

Thank you kindly for all the great responses. In view of the information, I think I also might consider a long-sleeved jacket. I hope I haven't bored people with my exchanges, but I had no one else to ask. You're the best!

Lady Bud
Our son lives in Houston so I know of the intense heat there in August. I thought at one time that it might be cooler if I went braless. Wrong. The sweat just pours down your body. Just thought I would include that in case you were tempted....Have a good trip!

Most people also bring a stylish respirator with them to Houston year-round...

www.ghasp.org

I suggest mid-heel closed shoes with hose for your professional meetings, especially in a non-artsy field. If it's anything like Miami, you go from AC car to offices so you only sweat in between, hence the jacket over sleeveless or short sleeve cotton or linen blouse. Switch into some khaki pants during free time to go site seeing. I wouldn't go braless unless you're trying to get attention for your anatomy. Where are you coming from?

Nix on the pantyhose! If you are meeting "in the field" definetly closed toed shoes. linen/cotten COOL MAX (look up www.travelsmith.com for ideas!)
Houston is 100 percent humidity morning and night. Dress up while shopping. I have never seen people get dressed up like they do in Houston to shop.

I used to shop at the Galleria..don't know if that is still the place to go or not..Nieman's has an overstock store in Memorial City...OLD TOWN SPRING if you have time.

I have worked in the legal field in Houston for the past 16 years. No one wears stockings in August (or June, July, or September for that matter). You can consider a lightweight cotten or silk sweater set. I usually wear this to work, so when I'm outside the cardigan comes off and ties around my waist and I put it back on in air conditioning. Also, keep in mind that Houstonians dress casually compared to other big cities. In the past few years, I have noticed a lot more professional women wearing nice sandals to work. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. There are lots of great restaurants and shops here.

Something else to think about--cotton bra and panties. No, they don't look like your grandmother's anymore.

If you can't find them where you are, you will be able to when you get here.

Cotton is all I wear underneath in the summer.

I'm also going to Houston for a business trip but in the mental health field. I'm still planning on wear a suit with hose and pumps one day and a sleeveless dress with cardigan over shoulders and hose and pumps the second day....I'm there as a professional and that's how I would dress in Miami for something like a seminar. If I was attending I would wear nice jeans and sweater but not if I'm "on". Now I don't dress up to shop at all and usually feel a little embarrassed, not enough to put on make-up or anything other than shorts, t-shirts and sneakers to go most other places.