NEW YORK — Fashion was so much easier in the 1950s. Suits, white shirts and ties for the gents. Skirt suits, stockings with girdles and closed-toe pumps for the ladies.

Now we’re “business casual,” and what that means isn’t clear.

Throw in summer, and things get even more confusing. Are capri pants OK? What about ties with short-sleeved shirts? Can we wear sandals to work?

While dress codes vary from place to place, some general guidelines can keep you cool and professional in the office:

Shorts: In a more casual office environment, knee-length polished and tailored shorts are fine for women, says Thomas.

Executive coach Pamela J. Holland, co-author of “Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?” says shorts for men are a no-no, unless the president of the company is wearing them and encouraging it.

Capri pants: Capri pants are fine for women, says Holland.

“Men in capris?” she asks. “I shudder at the thought.”

Shirts: For men, wearing a tie with a short-sleeved shirt is generally a no-no, says Holland.

“I know often people in car sales, they’re going in and out, and it is considered acceptable for their industry,” she says. “But if you are working where people are more conservative and more fashion-savvy, the fashion rule is if you wear a short-sleeved shirt, keep it under a jacket.”

If the workplace is a bit more casual, men can’t go wrong with a polo shirt, says Holland. But T-shirts with expressions and tank tops are no-nos.

For women, a plain T-shirt is fine in a casual office, says Laird Borrelli, senior features editor for Style.com. But it should be clean, thick and worn neatly, such as tucked into a pair of white jeans with a blazer.

Summer dresses/tops: To make a summer dress or top more office-friendly, throw on a shrug, cardigan or jacket. Most offices are freezing in the summer anyway.

Shoes: In general, male sandals are a no-no, says Holland. But in a casual environment, if senior executives are wearing them, go ahead.

For women, the closed-toe-shoe rule still applies in conservative environments, she says, though peep-toes may be acceptable.

Sandals are fine in a more casual work environment, but toes should be pedicured, says Borrelli. Mules can be a bit distracting if they make a lot of noise and Keds may only be appropriate on a casual Friday.

Flip-flops? Not unless the entire office is hitting the beach.