Office appropriate attire
September 5th, 2008Some jobs have a strict dress code (e.g. formal wear in the legal profession), require a uniform (e.g. the military), or involve special clothing (e.g. the crocs and scrubs worn by hospital staff). These work environments definitely simplify the daily dressing routine. Dress codes in other professions are often more lenient. This is especially true in creative industries like advertizing, fashion and interior design.
I’ve spent my career in these more flexible office environments, and I’m still often taken aback by some of the outfit choices that I see. While I can appreciate daring looks in the evening and on weekends, my belief is that modesty is the best policy in most work environments. Here are my guidelines on what is inappropriate at work:
- Strappy and strapless tops: But sleeveless tops with built-up shoulders are fine. If you’re going to wear something strappy or strapless to work, keep it covered with a jacket or cardigan so that it acts as a layering piece instead of the focal point.
- Mini-skirts and short-shorts: Anything shorter than two to three inches above the kneecap is too short. Remember that skirts ride up when you sit down so do the “sit down test” before you commit to a shorter hemline. In some situations, you’ll get away with a shorter skirt if you pair it with leggings or opaque tights, especially if you’re petite.
- Super low necklines: Camisoles usually solve the cleavage issue, but not always. Bustier gals can’t help but sport a bit of cleavage with camisoles and that’s perfectly fine. Well endowed ladies look best in lower necklines which makes a spot of cleavage unavoidable.
- Overly tight clothing: Tailoring is superb but excessive clinging is not.
- See-through items: Wearing something sheer to work requires a bra and camisole. If you can’t make a see-through item opaque for work purposes, don’t wear it.
Unless your dress code enforces “the hose and closed-toe shoe rule”, I’m all for bare legs and pretty open-toed sandals in professional settings. In my mind there’s nothing immodest about revealing the lower leg and part of the foot. There’s a lot of subjectivity here though, and norms vary by industry, culture and geography. What are your views on modesty in the workplace and office appropriate attire?
September 5th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I wish I could print this post and lay on the desks of my firms offenders. Thanks Angie for this post.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:03 am
I couldn’t agree more. This also reminds me of interview appropriate attire. I remember once my company had sent me to a women’s college campus. I had 18 interviews back to back. Unfortunately the candidate who stood out most in my mind (in an undesireable way) was the women who wore a mini skirt suit and no blouse under her jacket. I was so distracted by half her boobs spilling out that I didn’t know where to look. It took away from my focus. I can’t even imagine how a guy interviewer would have felt.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Great Post. I think this is a great one to just forward to all female employees in a work place that requires a more conservative dress code. Sometimes woman need reminders or a little nudge and that is perfectly okay.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I totally agree! Sorry to say but some of the worst offenders are often new college grads & sometimes I think they just don’t know any better. I think alot of it has to do with youth and making that transition from teenager/twenty-something into working adult.
I remember reading once that you should dress not like your boss but your boss’s boss. Since I worked in mostly lab environments, the office attire was VERY casual - jeans and t-shirts for the most part. But I always dressed a bit nicer - nicer slacks, knit tops with cardigans or even blazers, and I had a pair of comfy lap appropriate shoes in my office that I would slip into out of my heels or nicer shoes. And when high level execs were visiting, guess who was invited to visit with them or go out to lunch from the engineering side? I honestly think it even made a difference when it came time to promotions - I was promoted to a management position despite there being several others with better credentials (phd etc).
I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but the fact of the matter is that we are judged by our outward appearance - women more so than men, sadly. Anyone remember Melanie Griffith in Working Girl?
September 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I completely agree with you Angie. My workplace is a lab, so we have no rules (other than safety ones). I see some students coming in tank tops, frayed denim minis and flip-flops. It’d completely inappropriate in my opinion, yet that’s what a lot of them wear along the campus anyway. I guess it’s though to decide whether the lab should be treated like work place or not. I do, but I guess a student who’s only doing a three month internship may not.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I agree with your rules. I am a former teacher and you would be surprised what I saw. The one thing I would add to your list is no flip flops. I don’t mean thong sandals, I am talking about the foamy kind you wear everyday for errands and to the beach. I just thing they should remain out of the workplace.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:30 am
thanks for posting this! I start my office job on the 15th. The dress code is “business casual” and i’ve been going a bit batty deciding on new outfits “what is too casual” and “just casual enough”. I thought skirts & dresses should be to the knee but after reading this maybe it’s ok for a bit of knee to show?
September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Ah HAH! My favorite topic. I am an attorney, and I always thought that bare legs with suits looked bad. However, since I’m in LA, it’s the norm, so I’m used to it–Suits without hose only looks bad on me, with my blotchy white-pink legs with spider veins, so I am stuck wearing hose every day without fail. The no-hose look with suits is FANTASTIC on my slim 26 year old Latina associate, who regularly sports a suit with strappy orange sandals or peep-toes. Fantastic! I envy her smooth brown skin.
So, let me tell you what looks really bad to me as far as lawyer-clothes go… When you’re wearing a pants-suit in COURT, or any other place where you are standing in front of a bunch of people who are sitting looking at your butt, jackets MUST cover the rear if the bottom of the suit. It looks somewhat juvenile, in a way I can’t put my finger on, to sport a short jacket over pants. I want to tell these women to go get some grown-up clothing. I don’t want to look at the outline of their buttocks. Skirts solve this problem nicely. So, I say, suit with short jacket means you must wear a skirt. Suit with longer jacket, skirt or pants is OK.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Fran, I’ve never heard of this being a problem. (the pants/buttocks/jacket thing). Is this a personal peeve or is it something others in your field agree with?
I have nothing against a “just above the knee” skirt, or a V-neck top–but I don’t want to see more than an inch or two of thigh, and no cleavage. I think it’s unprofessional. On the other hand, I don’t want to see young women dressed dowdy and matronly either. There is nothing wrong with showcasing yourself. But you don’t want to look like you’re heading out on a hot date after work.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I agree with Angie’s rules. I work in a business casual office (a combination architecture & interior design firm) so we have quite a bit of leeway in what we can wear. One hard & fast rule we have is no jeans except on Fridays. On the whole I haven’t seen very many inappropriate outfits among my coworkers. The worst I have seen was probably from a student intern we had one summer who came to work in a cami top and silky skirt that looked like a slip with lace hem. This was the year when the latest thing was to wear clothes that looked like underwear. I am so glad that this trend has gone. She went to the restroom for a few minutes and when someone came looking for her, my boss commented that she probably went home to put some clothes on. The worst offense I consistently see is low rise trousers with too short tops. When the person bends over, they expose several inches of lower back plus some butt cleavage. So it’s probably a good idea to do a sit test for top-and-pants combinations as well as for skirt lengths.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I definitely agree with all your rules. I work in the IT department of a telecom company. The dress code at my office is very casual, but people sometimes take it to the extreme. I try to wear non-jeans and dressier clothes Mon-Wed and jeans on Thursday and Friday, although many people wear jeans throughout the week.
I enjoy wearing skirts and pretty sandals in the summer, and luckily at my work place, it is acceptable to go bare-legged in the summer. I have seen both men wearing shorts in the summer, but I think that is just too casual.
Since I’m in the IT department, most of my colleagues are men. I see a lot of flip-flops, sneakers and Hawaiin print shirts. A lot of people at my workplace are contractors from India, so I will see women sometimes wearing salwar kammez to work. A lot of the women are beautiful, but they just do not dress very complimentary. I wish I could send them all a link to this website!
In my building two floors are occupied by a health insurance company and the way they dress is in stark contrast to my workplace. It seems like it is part of their dress code for women to wear high heels. Both men and women, are always dressed well. I am fascinated by that, because I am so used to the majority of people at my workplace dressing poorly. When we had a fire drill and the entire building was standing in the parking lot, you could clearly see who worked for each company!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I agree with every point Angie. I’d even argue that a lot of those pieces aren’t even desirable outside of the office (sheer tops with nothing underneath, micro minis, too tight clothing).
I never understood how wearing hose equates to modesty, especially if it’s sheer or nude hose. Isn’t the point of sheer hose that you don’t see it? Then what is the difference?
Finally, I’m glad someone understands that we busty girls can’t help it. Even with a cami, I still get the occasional cleavage flash. It seems like a lot of people assume that when you have a large chest and you wear a lower neckline, you’re doing it purposely to get attention. I had a friend complain about a classmate who did this the other day, and I had to explain to her that wearing a higher neckline would just make her chest look even bigger.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:05 am
i really wish necklines weren’t so low in most clothing, even at banana republic and ann taylor. even camisoles are low cut. it can look chic of a flat-chested woman but on women with breasts it attracts too much looking.
the mod look that’s been in has has also had scandalously high hems.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I worked in a male dominated environment. I was the only woman in a room most of the times. So I hated to show any cleavages or legs. I wouldn’t mind wearing bright colors, bold accessories or fancy peep toes but I didn’t want to look sexy in any way. I wanted to feel comfortable and confident when talking with others.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:25 am
T, what’s stopping you?
Sihaya, my word. I can scarcely believe what faced you in that interview. The mind boggles.
Real Style Real people, I think it goes it without saying that flip-flops are unacceptable in the work place ( and many other settings). I had sort of hoped that was blatantly obvious. If it isn’t, next thing you know, we’ll be reminding people to wear underwear to work!
Nicoleb, it depends on the rest of the ensemble and your body type. I would stay on the modest end on the spectrum if you are unsure.
Interesting point Fran. I’m going to take special notice of that from now on. For what it’s worth, I’m lily white the whole year and have loads of spider veins. It does not stop me from wearing skirts without hose in the Summer time. It is what it is. I don’t feel I’m offending anyone.
Good point Joelle!
Ha Violet! Nice story. Don’t get me started on blokes who wear shorts to work.
Maya, I’m thrilled you were able to point out that bustier gals look best in lower necklines. Also, I’m extremely modest with my clothing on all occasions. It’s actually a style choice. I do not have an alluring or sexy style at all. But I do have friends and clients that are a lot more risqué than I am and in some instances a less voluptuous body type pulls off the look with style (nothing see through though).
The Nordstrom head office is downtown Seattle right above the flagship. I am appalled at times with what I see go in and out of that head office. These are often beautifully dressed woman in highly inappropriate outfits. Micro-minis with bare legs and stiletto heels is not a good look for a professional work setting.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am
When I taught at a private school we were required to wear skirts/dresses and closed-toe shoes withe backs. Also hose or tights if the hem length was at the knee. At first I thought this was too restrictive, but came to appreciate the polished appearance. It was practical when monitoring the play ground to be able to run in a solid shoe. It commanded respect from the students and parents. Angie, your guidelines are excellent.
PS. Camisoles with shelf bras often expose more cleavage as the day wears on. I’ve learned that plain camis are much better.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I think your guidelines are spot on. The only things I’d add pertain to casual wear: No politically-themed tees, shorts of any kind, or flip flops. Actually, no flip flops ever if you ask me.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Fran has a good point for anyone who stands in front of seated people to be aware of the part of their body at the group’s eye level and how it is displayed…especially teachers.
I am seeing too many women in pants which cling into the butt crack; even women with flat bottoms. What causes this? Thong or no underwear? Wearing Angie’s proper top length with pants would be one solution. I’m sure many of these women would be appalled at how they look from the rear.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I am a full-time telecommuter now, for the past 5 years, and only go into our office(s) on occasion. I never got with the whole “business casual” program and while I did eventually give up wearing suits, I have never worn jeans to work (if you don’t count my jean jacket blazer worn with dress slacks). I spent years being told I looked overdressed, and didn’t care. The reality is, I’m short and I have a baby face. Overdressing makes me look my age and gets me more respect.
Anyway, in our company I have seen a very interesting trend: over the past 6 years, we’ve gone from very relaxed casual (flip-flops, shorts, jeans) to smart casual and even to suits!!! There are no company policies, but somehow, many many people have started to swing the opposite direction. There are still holdouts, of course.
Regarding pantyhose in LA: I have heard people rave about some product called “spray on hose” or something like that. I think it’s like a spray-on tanner. It apparently gives you the look of pantyhose. I know someone who’s required to wear hose but has been getting away with spray-on “hose” for years… and nobody’s been the wiser!
Shoewear: I tend to go for a modest heel when I am in the office (again, gives me some much-needed height). In warmer months, I will show off some well-manicured toes, but not too much. Peep toe is my limit. A sling-back with covered toes works too.
Cleavage: I agree with Maya. I have always worn V and scoop necks to work, and they can fall a bit low. But as long as they aren’t both clingy AND low, I think you can get away with it. It also helps to have a necklace or earrings or lipstick that draw the eye up and away from the cleavage.
However, in recent years, as the skin around that area has aged, so I am more and more opting for higher necklines.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I’ve been a SAHM for 9 years and just went back to work part-time (at a library, so dress is pretty conservative there). However, I am often appalled at the casual attire of teachers these days. In one week, I saw one twenty-something teacher wearing a green cotton mini-skirt (mid-thigh) one day and platform shoes that had a portion of the heal cut out the next. Capris and flip flops are also the norm at school.
I have the utmost appreciation for the work of teachers, but it is hard to respect someone who is dressed for either the beach or a nightclub.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Interesting thread. I work in a very casual environment and see plenty of violations. The sight that made me shudder most a few years back was a male/female couple standing at the espresso cart in matching white sweatsuits. Ick.
I agree with most points others made, except:
- I don’t really get the “no jeans” rule. Jeans can look super polished and smart with the right outfit, and are often so much more stylish and pulled together than the outfits I see women wearing in offices or workplaces where they have to avoid jeans (e.g. choosing bland ill-fitting chinos instead, which I see way too many of here in the Pacific Northwest. I have no idea what makes them more appropriate than a dark bootcut jeans worn with a jacket….) I understand why workplaces do it, since jeans can be interpreted so casually, but somehow I find it leads to a lot of bad dress choices.
- The jacket/butt issue in court is interesting, I had never thought about this. I can see how many women wear ill-fitting pants that are unflattering and draw attention to their butts in a bad way. However, this doesn’t lead me to the recommendation that everyone should wear a jacket that’s long enough to cover the butt. If the pants fit well (not too tight, no VPL etc.), then by all means wear a short jacket. I don’t think we want to tell women to hide all their natural curves.
- I don’t get so put off by guys in shorts. If the shorts are on the long side, not baggy, not washed out, I think they can look alright. It’s a hard look to pull off, though.
Spray on hose? I don’t get it!
September 5th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I work at home so I’m a bit more casual in my dress, but I still like to get pulled together because I believe it affects my demeanor when working with clients, albeit it’s mostly via the telephone. I wear dark bottoms…either jeans, pants, skirts paired with a feminine top and great jewelry and makeup. My footwear at home is well barefoot LOL, but if I go out, I put on some ballet flats or something pretty
I really like the Isaac Mizarah clothing at Target. It’s feminine, polished, inexpensive, fits well, and is fun
If I had a J.O.B., I’d buy all my clothes that way for work.
I’ve politely observed women walking into my husband’s office. It’s a male dominated field, btw and technological. I’m impressed by the women who wear heels and get all decked out. Wow, that is amazing and inspiring
Girl Power! Yes! 
You’ll never find me in panty-hose…not even at my own funeral!
*apologies for the humor*
September 5th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Angie, what is your take on tailored shorts in the workplace? I have a tweedy pair that look like they were made to go with a suit, and have been on the fence as to whether or not I can wear them to work. I’m leaning towards the notion that it’s okay as long as I wear opaque tights underneath, and a jacket or some other tailored item on top so that the whole effect is more like a suit. Your thoughts?
I’d also add overly-glitzy shoes to the list of inappropriate work wear. I’ve seen a few women around here wearing stilettos that look like they belong in a nightclub rather than in the office.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I agree with you 100%, however… all summer long I broke the rules. I work in the office of a company in the construction industry. Most of the people here are walking around in dirty, ragged clothing and there is absolutely no dress code. The worst that would happen if I decided to wear a bikini to work is that A, I would be cold and uncomfortable and B, I would have way too much attention from the men. I could roll out of bed and come to work in my pajamas if I felt like it, so I take advantage of the lack of dress code here and wear whatever I feel like.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I work in government relations. The challenge is to look professional, in style but not trendy, and not loose your personality.
Something that I ponder: the most “formal” suit is a matched top and bottom; this is what the gents wear all the time. If a lady wears a patterned jacket with solid bottoms or a solid jacket with matched-but-patterned skirt, how much less “formal” does she look? If the dress code is “formal” should ladies always wear solid tops and matched, solid bottoms? (Or matched pinstripes, I suppose.)
September 5th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I completely agree with your rules, Angie! I’ve run the gamut with my workplace attire (from business professional at a financial co. to the grubbies for a job canning fish in Alaska!), but there are some pieces that just don’t work in a work environment.
My current office is casual most days (except when we have visitors), but for me, that means “smart casual” — jackets, jeans, cute shoes.
(And yes, flip flops on hot summer Fridays!)
September 6th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Nicole, thepants/buttocks/jacket thing is a personal peeve. I haven’t got anything against wearing pants-suits at all. It’s just that, when you’re sitting in court and can’t really read and have nothing else to do, you start pondering those things. I haven’t heard anyone else complain.
Angie, I also go “hoseless” on weekends, spider veins blotches, puffs and all. Just not for work. I’m not so insane that I put on pantyhose on Saturdays!
I also agree with your rules for the workplace. I don’t really have rules in my office, but I’ve never had to have rules. Everyone (all 3 of us!) dresses appropriately. We also don’t have corporate clients (only people), so we don’t have to get all snazzed up to make an impression. Business casual it is, unless we have to go to court.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I used to work in a very casual environment too…in fact the casual-ness of the culture is part of the lore of the company now. Two stories from the old days…I was at a company meeting where a new Sr. VP who came from a more formal company, stated that he wasn’t going to change the company dress policy, but he did feel shoes were at least required as a health issue. Around the same time, I walked into a co-worker’s office who had returned from her lunch workout and didn’t bother to change out of her volleyball bikini. I’m pretty tolerant myself, but this crossed a line for me.
As usual, great post, Angie!
September 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Joelle - I’m an occupational therapist and spend a lot of time bending over/down to help patients or get weights off the floor of the gym. We wear pretty casual clothing (no jeans) but even with slacks I have a hard time finding pants that meet the “sit-test”. If anyone knows where to get inexpensive pants that sit higher on the waist I would love to know!
Antje - I agree that jeans are sometimes tricky. I have a pair of dressier jeans (wide leg with cuffs, no pockets) but I was never confident that I could wear them any day but casual Friday. But then on casual Friday they look to dressy!
I used to work in a hospital and the worst offense I saw was first year women medical interns. You would think the only clothes they had were scrubs or club clothes! Someone must say something to them somewhere along the line because thankfully they dress more appropriately in the second year.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Carrie,
If you can’t find affordable higher rise pants the solution may be just to wear your low rise pants with longer tops. Since I’ve been following Angie’s guidelines on proper top lengths to wear with pants (tops should end just a few inches above crotch point). I have had no back exposure problems with the pants/jeans I have, which now sit lower than they used to due to recent weight loss.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Joelle - and congrats on the weight loss! (assuming it was intended)
September 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Great Post! I also would like to hear your take on the question Swirl poses about formal/informal suits. I am always amazed at what people will wear to work. Once I was shopping for shoes and the clerk work awful very worn, torn jeans and flip flops and a strappy cami. I wanted to ask for the manager and tell them how inappropriate that was. Makes me not want to shop there…You feel no respect for someone dressed like that as a store clerk.
When my girls were young I was a SAHM too. I found that when I dressed up I felt better about myself (more confident and positive) than when I didn’t. You get to where you need adult conversation and to get out of the house and it helps to dress up occasionally. The nice thing there is you can do whatever you like.
I have started wearing skirts and dresses more often now (thanks to Angie & my sister). It feels great! Makes you feel happy, and fun and pretty. I haven’t got a big closet of clothes to wear but have fun with what I have. I have really used your posts to try to purchase clothes that are flattering to my body type and what works and what doesn’t.
Thanks!
September 15th, 2008 at 5:55 am
I volunteer at the high school where my husband teaches, and I have been dismayed at times, to see what student teachers were wearing. I don’t know how anyone thinks they can get the respect they need as a teacher when their midriff is showing! And if the teacher is a young, attractive 22 year old, who is trying to teach testosterone laden, 18 year old boys, well, good luck with that! I wonder what kind of education young teachers are getting, if it doesn’t include some strong words on the relationship between respect and credibility and what you choose to wear in the classroom.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I work with domestic animals, wild animals, and livestock that have been neglected, abused, or are simply lost or unwanted. At our staff meetings, dogs chase each other around the table. In my office, I usually have a dog visiting, most times it is a large dog that drools when he rests his head on my lap. I bottle-feed orphaned kittens and often get their formula on me. We are required to wear khaki pants, company-issued polos, and sneakers. Thank goodness, because I couldn’t see myself walking a Great Dane while wearing heels! Of course we ladies wear dress pants, blouses, and heels for company events; however I prefer the khakis with the dog drool on them for the day to day stuff!
September 25th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Great list Angie! I totally agree.
Joy, I think the problem with the pants that cling in the butt crack is just the way the pants are made. I have tired on a few pairs of pants lately that do that. Some are baggy everywhere else and cling in the butt crack. Needless to say, I haven’t bought any pants like that.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I am a 38D so it is hard not to show any cleavage. Honestly, there is discrimination in the work place regarding body type. I keep hearing that cleavage and knees are “unprofessional”. You know what? I think that those people who say unprofessional actually mean feminine. This is enforcing that the only way to get anywhere in the business world is to cover up any curves and dress like a man. It is time that business people accept a woman’s body. My friend quit her job because she was scolded about her cleavage in a certain shirt. Her co-worker, who is flat chested, was wearing the same exact shirt and had nothing said to her about it. Not sure why, but somehow breasts incriminate women.