Q:What is it about summer that makes people lose all sense of decorum?

We have a comprehensive dress code in our office, but as soon as the weather warms up, employees start taking liberties. The violations range from flip-flops, jeans and T-shirts to short skirts, plunging necklines and see-through fabrics. We do allow "business-casual" dress, but that does not mean denim, sandals, T-shirts or revealing attire. Legally, do we have the right to set and enforce a dress code? And if so, how do we enforce it without appearing judgmental or discriminatory?

Answer: Requiring employees to wear covered-up business attire is reasonable.

It is also legal, said David Young, an attorney with Fisher & Phillips in Orlando, Fla., and a specialist in employment and labor law.

Most dress codes, if spelled out and equally applied, are generally enforceable, Young said. "A business can set grooming standards, so long as they are not enforced in a discriminatory way based on race, sex or religion."

However, enforcement can be difficult because terms such as "business-casual" are subject to interpretation, Young said. What one employee considers casual but businesslike, another might find distractingly risqué or offensively bare. This is especially true of women's short skirts and low necklines.

The solution is a dress code that is specific and detailed, easily accessible to all employees and consistently enforced, he said. If an employee is inappropriately dressed, a manager should meet with the employee in private, produce the code, point out the violation and ask the employee not to wear that item or outfit in the future. If the violation is especially blatant, the employee could be asked to go home and change.

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Q:My lovely daughter is wild to be a model. As her father, I might be prejudiced, but I think she has what it takes. She just turned 16, but is almost 6 feet tall and very slim, with long, dark hair and a beautiful face. How does she break into the business without spending a fortune? Her friends have told her she will need at least $1,000 for wardrobe, photographs, makeup, coaching and so on. That seems excessive to me.

Answer: Your daughter might spend pocket change, but certainly not a fortune, to make the initial move into modeling. Once she has signed with an agency, there will be some expenses. But not before.

To get started, all she needs are a few simple, nonprofessional photographs to send to the agencies of her choice. Photos should include three head shots (smiling, nonsmiling and profile) and a couple of full-length shots in a plain swimsuit and bare feet, taken against a plain background.

She should wear little or no makeup, a natural hairstyle and a simple, fitted outfit. The agency wants to see the real person, not a made-up model.

If the agency likes her look and decides to sign her, they will assign a photographer to take more pictures. This could cost anywhere from $150 to about $500, depending on the photographic charges, and whether hair and makeup services are involved. Tip: Do not pay the photographer until after you have seen the pictures.

And forget spending money on coaching or classes. A good agency will make sure its models are properly prepared for their shoots.

A new book full of helpful hints for would-be models is "Break into Modeling for Under $20" by Judy Goss (St. Martin's Griffin, $14.50). Goss is a former high-fashion model, modeling agent and manager, who now is castings editor for More magazine in New York.

Modeling can be an exciting, rewarding business, but it's easy to make missteps. Read up on the subject, ask a lot of questions and stay close to your daughter if her career takes off.

Fashion writer Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: Orlando Sentinel, MP-218, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802-2833. E-mail: jpattesonorlandosentinel.com.