We've had some sweltering days in New York recently, so naturally our thoughts turn to shallower things—like what to wear to work in the yucky heat. Here's the issue: How much can you bare in the office without jeopardizing your professional credibility?

I don't know if this is a burning issue at your office, but a recent survey of over 400 managers finds that 50 percent of them "have experienced obstacles or discomfort when dealing with employees sporting overly revealing/casual summer clothing." (Seyfarth Shaw's compliance and consulting arm conducted the survey. And yes, Seyfarth had its share of problems recently, but that's a topic for another day.)

Here are managers' top gripes about the way underlings dress, according to the survey:

- 54 percent: overly revealing attire.

- 51 percent: overly casual attire (flip flops, no shoes, ripped clothes).

- 25 percent: overly distracting tattoos or piercings.

- 17 percent: obnoxious logos/decals.

Most lawyers I know are pleasantly uptight—about most everything—so could risqué dress be an issue in law firms?

You bet, says Philippe Weiss, managing director of Seyfarth's consulting group, who advises clients about dress codes, among other matters. Newbie lawyers, he says, sometimes require "an apparel adjustment period," and have to be weaned out of some bad fashion habits, like flip flops in the office.

I can understand the temptation to wear flip flops in the office (hey, if Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan lawyers wear them with impunity, why not the rest of us?), but I'm not sure I'm ready for big tattoos in Big Law. Weiss says, however, they're increasingly popping out: "Usually, though not always, the tattoo is a relic of an earlier pre-law school life and/or lifestyle." He cautions, however, that firms need to address tattoos carefully, because they "can raise religious and other risks."

Tattoos, flip flops, shorts, spaghetti strap tops, bare midriffs: Are these really the things that drive firm managers batty during the long, hot summer?

"Not at our firm," insist the folks I talked to at several big firms, adding that their associate dress appropriately. "If anything, the summer associates tend to be super conservative," says a partner.

That said, firms are increasingly casual. I have certainly seen a gradation of what's considered acceptable. Though "traditional" casual still means polo shirt paired with pressed khakis (snore), ripped jeans (as opposed to jeans with holes, which are merely old) and t-shirts are not uncommon in firms.

Is all this a slippery slope toward  sloppiness?

Maybe yes. But those who get uptight by this trend tend to be older lawyers. "Just how casual attorneys dress is very much dependent on each firm's culture," says Weiss, adding, "we do see a certain generational butting-of-the-heads in law firms with respect to what is deemed overly casual."

Indeed, a mid-level associate at a big firm doesn't see what the big deal is with wearing tank tops or shorts during the summer. "I don't think anyone notices," she says, adding, "my firm is casual all-year round. If you're working like a dog, who's going to call you out for being comfortable?"

 In other words, it's your hangup, not theirs.

Contact Vivia Chen at [email protected]. On Twitter: @lawcareerist