Dark suit, shiny Italian shoes, French cuffs; one look in the mirrored elevator doors tells you that, once again, you have perfected a look that announces "I am in control."

At least until you hit the street.

It is only March and the mercury is already sliding through the 80s. It is only a matter of time before the temperature hits triple digits.

Those who are new to Las Vegas can have no real conception of the grooming conundrum they are about to enter. Hair gel melts, scalps burn, starched collars wilt and makeup runs during a brief walk from the office to the courthouse. Chances are good that at least once in the next six months you are going to look frightful in front of someone important.

But what is an attorney to do? It's not like you can waltz into court wearing sandals and a polo shirt, frozen daiquiri in hand. People expect a certain level of decorum from lawyers, and you have an obligation to meet those expectations. That generally means suits or skirt suits, close-toed shoes, and panty-hose.

"I don't know that this profession gives you any choice but to dress professionally," said Suzanne Martin, an associate of Lionel Sawyer and Collins. "If you're going to meet with clients or be before the court, it's important to look professional - to look like a lawyer.

"There is some loosening of the rules, but in my day-to-day, it's not a lot," she said.

As the heat rises, looking put together becomes increasingly difficult.

And it all starts with the clothes.

There are many options this season for professionals who want to beat the heat, according to Nancy Marcellus, director of marketing at the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas (located in Primm). Women can get away with sleeveless blouses under suit jackets and cropped pantsuits when they are not expected in court. And it is always a good idea to keep a clean blouse made of wrinkle free fabric (like jersey) in your briefcase or desk in case you sweat through the one you are wearing.

The fashion trends this season for women are also more forgiving than in some years, featuring fuller skirts and lighter cotton fabrics that breathe well in the hot climate.

Marcellus said combining the trendier, lighter tops from stores like Forever 21 with sophisticated suits from Jones New York or Neiman Marcus is a great way to move a suit from winter to spring.

For men, switching over to cotton shirts and lightweight socks are a good move, and again, keeping a fresh shirt in the car or the office is a good idea. It might also be worth looking at a new pair of shoes that breathe better than your wingtips but still look nice.

"For the professionals, fashion has evolved into a more conservative look," Marcellus said. "But you get the long tops and the full skirts and bright patterns and bold colors. That's what we're seeing in shops right now. You can spruce up the suits and earth tones with eye-popping shirts that are lightweight for the summertime or a bright vibrant tie."

And because fashion in general is more conservative than it has been in recent years, mixing and matching items, or taking an item from day to night, has become much easier.

There are some hard and fast rules, though, as to what to keep in the closet and what to pack away. Wool, tweed, silk and polyester have got to go. Lighter cashmeres work in some summer climates, but if you are going to keep it in your line-up here, make sure it is incorporated in layers. This is the time of year for linen (just watch out for wrinkles) and cotton clothes and a looser fit than winter.

Clothes are not the only things that change with the weather. If you are not careful, you can end up burned, chapped and sweaty. Skin care in the desert can be tricky and dangerous if done wrong. It is important to keep your skin protected and nourished if you are going to spend any time outside, although the arid climate makes moisturizers a must-have item for anyone.

Barbra Jo Batterman , a freelance makeup artist and skin cancer survivor, said that how you take care of your skin, even at night, can have a serious impact on how it looks during the day. She said it is often a good idea for people to start using some kind of moisturizer or face cream at night, followed up with a strong moisturizer or foundation makeup with at least SPF 15 for the day. There are many products out there that can be customized to your specific skin care needs.

And for all those ChapStick addicts out there, she has a better solution: water-based lip balm. Petroleum-based products tend to dry out the lips, so look for a product that is not petroleum based for better protection.

And if your lips are dry, do not pick at them. Instead, take a baby toothbrush, dip it into a lip conditioner and brush the lips so it takes off the dead skin.

And speaking of flaky, summer makeup can be tricky. It tends to get either flaky or gloppy in the heat if you do not know what you are doing. Batterman suggested switching over to a liquid-based makeup regimen for summer, including cream blush, and switching to lighter products such as tinted moisturizers. If you must use powder makeup to touch up an oily T-zone, look for one with talc as a main ingredient and keep blotting pads in your briefcase for quick absorption without the cakey mess.

And for a sun-kissed look, turn to the bottle or the brush. Frying your skin in Las Vegas' strong rays is dangerous and can quickly lead to the "walking lobster" effect.

"You're looking for a healthy glow versus a heavy, matte, 'can't touch you' kind of skin," she said.

Like makeup, hair in the summer should generally be lighter, both in weight and color. Now is not the time to experiment with the Goth look. Most people find going shorter and getting it cut more often helps keep the heat off and for women with longer locks, consider a cut performed with a razor instead of just scissors to take some weight off without sacrificing length.

Keep these tips in mind and you should survive your first spring and summer just fine.