Which is better: A short sleeved dress shirt or rolling up your sleeves during the hot summer months?

There is a time and place for short sleeves but there is never either for a short sleeve dress shirt. Think Tom Smykowski or Michael Bolton from Office Space. Pretty sure you can find more stylish role models.

I switch to Lacoste polos and a more casual pair of pants for the summer months (this is acceptable at my work, since I work in Houston with ridiculously humid and hot summers). I generally stay away from anything that might possibly be considered a "short-sleeved dress shirt."

If this is your choice, roll up the long sleeves. If you can just get a polo shirt to wear unless it's cold outside.

I have several Brooks Brothers shirts that are both short sleeve and classy. Having said that, unless the shirt is a fine quality shirt that stands out as a dress shirt in every way, you should avoid short sleeves. In the case of my shirts none are oxfords, they are all very fine broadcloth. most have the classy looking pinstripes. I use both red and blue pinstripes. I have seen a guy at work who also knows how to dress and he pulls off oxford Brooks Brothers short sleeve shirts.

I will agree with the caveat that you must never wear a tie withe a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. If you put a tie on, then never take the jacket off.

A short sleeve shirt without a tie is more casual than a dress shirt. Having said that, my father used to tell me "A man who rolls up his sleeves is telling everyone he can't afford a set of short and long sleeve shirts." He also told me never to remove my jacket unless I was in my office at my desk and alone. When around co-workers and clients, the jacket is on. Also in no circumstance should you wear a tie without a jacket, seater or sportcoat.

I know times have changed a bit, because now many offices don't expect you to wear a jacket at all. I don't think that affects the true worth of proper grooming.

Finally, several people stated that a short sleeve shirt would be fine at a BBQ. I must make it clear that all of the conditions I stated were based on dressing for a much more formal environment. The rules I stated apply when going to work, court, a wedding, funeral, etc. Sporting events, picnics, pool parties, BBQs, etc. all have different rules. They do require proper attire but proper casual is a whole different game and the rules are much more varying.