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By deegee

April 24, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately I think I am preaching to the choir here but workplace dress has for the most part gone hideously bad. I see overweight, middle-aged women coming to work in clothes that are suitable for working in the yard. Sloppy jeans, oversized cotton t-shirts, and tennis shoes are not suitable for the office. If this is really the best you can do, please invest in some undergarments that provide suitable support. And please don’t forget to provide some coverage for the gluteus maximus.

For men, the corporate golf shirt and khaki pant style is so tired. What would be wrong with actually going out and buying something nice instead of wearing something that was given to you by a vendor. Have you forgotten how to button a shirt? Nothing is worse than seeing a golf shirt stretched to the max over a middle-aged, over-sized gut.

I think that after someone thought enough of you to hire you, you should return the favor by coming to work in a way that shows respect for their decision.

By Christine

April 24, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

Workplace attire these days continue to amaze me. I work in a professional office building and I have seen more cleavage, booty, and midriffs than I do at the beach. People do not have any sense any more. In addition to inappropriate attire, I have an issue with customer service workers who carry around a cell phone with them or walk around with a bud in their ear. Do I really think that I am going to get good service from someone who has his/her personal cell phone clipped to their belt? In both cases, it is imperitive that employers crack down on their employees. If someone is dressed inappropriately, they need to be sent home. After all, this person who is taking advantage of the dress code is representing the business to current or potential clients, vendors, customers, and others. Unfortunately in todays day and age adults sometimes need to be treated as children.

By ofcmgr

April 24, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Your question is, “Do you have people in your workplace that wear clothes that do not fit?, Do you want to ask them if they have clothes that fit?”

First of all if they are in the same workplace as I am, they have a supervisor or a boss. It is not the place of another co-worker to challenge someone in their office about their clothes. If you don’t like what they wear don’t look at them. We show professionalism in our mode of dress and our words based on the type of leadership that is in our jobs. If you have bosses that don’t care what you look like, how you act, or how you speak, then you will have employees who do whatever. So, if this is a concern look at the type of Employer you have, they will probably determine alot about how people you work with act.

By Drew

April 24, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

I’m a male who’s fortunate enough to work in an office that has a very relaxed business casual dress code. I worked at UPS HQ for a while and of course, had to wear at least a shirt and tie if not a suit. I can now feel completely office appropriate when I’m wearing jeans and a polo or button down shirt. It makes me much happier in the morning not to worry about dressing up.

By living in fl

April 24, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

It is a mix around here. We are told that because we work in an office (Cubbicles actually) that we are reqired to wear business casual clothes. For me that consists of slacks and skirts, tops (the long fitted tops from Target are perfect), sandals (without socks) and jewlery. It is pretty casual in our office. I mean I work along side people who are wearing jeans and sneakers. I am sitting behind the desk most of the day and when I step out of the office, the only people I see are other employees. I work in the clerical aspect of the office and others who are managers, wear khakis and polo shirts with sneakers. I work with a Program Manager who wears denim skirts with sandals. Very laid back @ Honeyhell. Besides living in sunny Florida is too darn hot for stockings and pumps and suits.

By Wookin' Pnub

April 24, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

Business Casual. I don’t really see much inappropriately dressed people in my office building.

We cannot wear blue jeans on Friday, because there are a couple of people who do not understand the meaning of “casual Friday”, even with a direct, verbatim definition. They will always wear jeans either frayed on the bottom, so baggy, you can see their underwear, so tight, they leave nothing to the imagination…and the shirts coupled with them…we had one guy actually wear a MUSCLE shirt, that was the end of “casual Friday.”

By singlemom

April 24, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

We are a small office of 13 people. We are VERY causal around here, which makes a great working environment. Most of our customers are on the west coast, so we don’t get many visitors. We all wear jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts and fashionable tops and yes sandles in summer. No cleavage, no booty hanging out, only 4 women and the rest are men. I love not having to wear pantyhose (don’t even own a pair), high heels, skirts, slips, etc. There is a lot of shipping/receiving so we get pretty dirty…..

By Fluffy

April 24, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

I’m fortunate here. I work for a man that is blissfully happy when I get to work…no matter what I wear. Three horrible officer managers before me gave me the gift of a lifetime - a boss who appreciates me no matter what. Having said that, it’s business casual and I usually wear what living in fl wears, pants, top, sandals, jewelry (and makeup). As long as I do a good job for him, the bossman doesn’t care what I wear. But I still like to look presentable and not wear clothes that are more appropriate for lounging around the house.

By LHK

April 24, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

I work in a small office, and the project I manage is contracted through a company in New York, so I never have to see clients. We’re a jeans-friendly office, but I try not to take that too far. Plus, I’m on contract, and my project ends this November, so I may be moving on to an office that isn’t so jeans-friendly. I continue to add to my work wardrobe, buying nice pants and tailored shirts and skirts. But it’s nice to have the option to wear something like what I’m wearing today: a polo shirt, nice jeans, and heeled loafers.

I have a couple of co-workers — freelancers, actually — who wear holey jeans, t-shirts with sweat stains (and no deodorant!), and broken shoes. You’d think that if you were a freelancer, and could conceivably be let go at any time, you wouldn’t make a mockery of the casual dress code. But, well, they do.

By kb

April 24, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

We’re losing all of our standards in society. It’s really sad! I like casual day just like anyone else, but it seems that too many are pushing the envelope. Before long, doctors will lose the white coats and walk into your exam room wearing a Motley Crue T-shirt, raggy shorts and flip-flops. Give it about a decade….it’s on its way!

By Renee

April 24, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

I’m a young attractive woman (25) with a nice body and I see nothing at all with wearing what I want. I just about always have cleavage showing and legs exposed (love mini skirts). I have a body and like to show it - if you don’t like it, maybe it’s because you have issues with your own body (your fault, not mine).

My outfits are easy to get into and out of (halter tops are wonderful). The other women I work with dress similarly and it creates a wonderful relaxed atmosphere. When a client comes in, we all come out to meet him and by dressing the way we do, he’s able to more easily decide which one of us he wants for his massage. The right style of clothing does help!

By

April 24, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

One reason for the “sloppy” dress is poverty is increasing in the USA. The other reason is that people just don’t value themselves enough to attempt to dress appropriately. Another reason: people don’t know how to dress because they were never taught how to dress for the public in professional settings. Etiquette has become antiquated; do your own thing is in vogue, even when you look at youth fashions, the model looks like something that landed from another planet: dirty look that is made to look sexy and appealing. The weight crisis in America is going through the roof because of poor nutrition: fat follows and the weight gain becomes a liability when trying to buy decent clothing. I’m sure there are more causes/effects that can be added to this list.

By deegee

April 24, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Good one, Renee! For a minute there I thought you were going to say that you are a pharmaceutical sales rep.

By james Kurek

April 24, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

a dress code should be adhered to. it should be a reason for dismissal. look at the Delta Attendants. That is a good reason their image has gone to pot. The employees do not care about the image of the job they were hired to do. Most employees of most companies look like they have just got up, threw something on and left the house. if you don’t care about yourself, you aren’t going to care what other people think.

By hot_mama

April 24, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

We are business casual with jeans allowed on Friday. Our office is pretty young, lots of women under 25, and they like to wear tank tops and show some belly/cleavage/booty. There is a split in dress between the under 25 and over, with the over 25 crowd being more traditional and the younger group pushing the envelope of ‘business casual’ dress. I truly love it when co-workers wear inappropriate clothes like flip flops, because that lowers the bar for me so I can wear a t-shirt every now and then without worry.

By Hunni

April 24, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

My co-workers and I have been lobbying for years for casual Friday. We’ve been told time and again that jeans were unprofessional. We work in a manufacturing plant! I mean come on. We have very little dealings with the public, but we’re made to dress as if we are in a glass highrise corporate building. We’ve also been told that wearing jeans relaxes employees too much and will make us less productive. Please…I can be lazy whether in a suit or jeans & t-shirt. :) On the extremely rare occasions they decided to let us wear jeans for some charity cause, I’ve been very productive due to comfort. Oh well…That’s my little rant. Happy Monday!

By Marie

April 24, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

We generally wear business casual clothes and no shoes. Unless we’re involved in a messy project, we rarely wear jeans, t-shirts or flip flops. If we know clients are coming in, we all put on our shoes.

By Bobby

April 24, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

I work in a small office with mostly programmers with a very loose dress code. I wear a tshirt (usually from a video game), black jeans (no holes in them because I personally hate wearing stuff with holes,) and tennis shoes. Our clients are all out of town, and we are notified before ome comes into the office. If one comes into the office, we all go to business casual for the day, no questions asked.

We get our work done, which is the point of a job. Do I dress in tshirt and jeans for job interviews? Of course not, but then again I’ve been working at this company for over 5 years and haven’t had the need to go to job interviews. I don’t think a client has ever seen me in my tshirt and jeans attire.

To me, the point of a job is to get work done, not to “dress for success”. I get the same amount of work done if I wear a tshirt and jeans as I do when I wear a suit and tie. Probably more with the tshirt, because I’d always be reminded of this tie choking my neck since I’m not used to wearing one. If a server goes down, I can’t rip my tie off and throw it at the machine and have it be magically fixed, so to me, it’s not an accessory that helps me get my job done.

I am privelaged to have an employer who agrees with this philosophy. I get my work done and I look appropriate for our clients, and that’s all they ask for.

By Cliff

April 24, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

I think that dress is the way folks show how they feel about themselves, their job and the clients. Most folks are painfully in need of friends - it would seem - because they way they dress makes you think they dont have any to tell them their style is not. Casual business is one thing……but some folks look like they just rolled out of bed, or are preparing to roll into it. Maybe there is a shortage of mirrors?

Casual is one thing - sloppy is obvious.

By Cheryl

April 24, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

my question is simple, can the person regardless of how they are dressed do the job? that to me is the most important part.

unfortunately, i work in an environment that requires business attire. i cannot hire anyone with tatoos, body piercings other that ‘normal’ earrings, unusual hair color, etc. and, i find that very sad. a lot of talent is being ignored based on looks.

By Thickness

April 24, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

It truly depends on the setting, if you are going to work at Hooters you dress accordinglin, leather biking shorts with stilleto boots may not work but their orange shorts and t-shirt will. Unfortunately some us do not realize that when at work in a Corporate environment we should try not to draw accessive negative attention to ourselves in the way that we dress. It truly depends on the office environment you work in.

By Jeremy

April 24, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

My office is business causal most days though there are days when standard business attire is required.

I wear standard attire everyday except an occasional Friday because I believe dressing for the job you want is one part (like looking for leadership training in civic organizations, volunteering for projects with visibility, etc.) of doing things to get the job I want.

Also, wearing a suit and tie makes getting dressed much easier since nothing has to be ironed in the morning and I can interview for another position and no one would ever know the difference.

By JLO

April 24, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

It was said to me during my interview that the dress code would be business casual, and on Fridays would be jeans day. No open-toed shoes. That was the speech they gave at my interview and on the day of hire, but after 7 months of being here…

That is not followed or enforced, overall Mon-Thurs we all dress buisness casual you may at times see 1 or 2 people slip in a pair of jeans now and then, but we all for the most part dress very nicely.

I am not a prude and do like to show some clevage (but not too much) I am always dressed very nicely though and in style. Overall I would rate my workplace a 7 out of a 10 on dress code ethics.

More is stressed on the work we do other than how we dress to do it in! Which makes it nice, but since I work very closely with the General Manager I always try to look professional in whatever I wear.

By Ms Attire

April 24, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

My girlfriends grand-mother always told her, dress for the job that you want…not the one you have. She was a hard working “maid”. When she went to work in the 1960’s she would get up at 4AM put on her “Sunday Best” which included hat, gloves dress and shoes that matched her purse. However, once she arrived at work she would put on her maid uniform and perform as a professional. She finally opened her own “Maid Service” in the 1980’s (which was very successful) and her clients were the same people she had worked for. I believe in that saying today. I’m all for the business casual, however we must draw the line when “business casual” becomes “Ghetto-fabulous” and “Trailer Park Pretty”. As women, when we call ourselves professionals and dress like the next act for the “boom-boom room” we’re sending mixed messages to our managers/leaders and even our future young ladies who are interested in future leadership positions. When you are confident and take pride in yourself, your outer appearance is a representation of who you really are.

By G

April 24, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

I am currently a one-man office and wear pretty much what I want. However, I was a teacher for 30 years, and always made it a point to dress decently. I didn’t wear a tie except for when required, but dress shirts or golf shirts, decent slacks, good shoes. Professionalism counts, and how you dress forms an impression as you meet people. If you want to be taken seriously right off the bat,then look serious. If you wan’t people to think you’re a clown, then look like one.

By Bryan

April 24, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

I wear my underwear to work, what’s the problem? Oh, wait, I work from home…

And thank God that I do because this thread just exposes how office gossip and politics work. If you are so board with your job that you care about what your colleague is wearing, well, you apparently have too much time on your hands.

Perhaps this is why studies show that employees who work from home are 30% more productive than those who go into an office and spend their day talking about that episode of American Idol and what Suzy is wearing.

By Karsh

April 24, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

You know, I don’t see anything wrong with the khaki pants and polo shirt. The women in my office complain about having to dress up for work and say it’s easier for men. That’s not necessarily true, but I’ve got a requisite number of khakis and dress slacks with matching short- and long-sleeved shirts. And a tie? Pshaw! I mirror the sentiments of the commenter who said that the point of a job is to get work done.

By Jennifer

April 24, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

I work in a small office of about 30 people here in Atlanta. The style is business casual and on Fridays we can wear jeans and a nice shirt. Oh, yeah, and Fridays are also Einstein’s Bagel days. Gotta love it. I’ve stopped wearing panty hose for the most part but still wear nice, slip on shoes. I hate panty hose!

Love the post about a guy wearing a muscle shirt but too bad he wasn’t singled out as ‘too stupid to understand what casual means’ and forced to be the only one to dress up on Fridays. Instead it ruined it for everyone.

An interview my husband went on a couple of years ago surprised him when the guy interviewing him walked in wearing shorts, a short sleeved shirt, and flip flops. Of course, that’s when the IT boom was going on.

It’s different everywhere but I admit to liking the laid-back feeling of where I work.

By Fluffy

April 24, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

As for all the young thangs that let it all hang out at the workplace…how you dress speaks volumes of the way you feel about yourself. If you dress like a fast-girl, you will get treated like one. Don’t expect respect from others when you don’t have enough respect to cover all the body-parts that should be covered. Save the trashy look for the clubs.

No, I’m not jealous and I have a decent body. but I don’t flaunt what I’ve got. Daddy used to always say a little mystery is far more exciting that seeing it all and not having to wonder. When it comes time to march down the aisle, who do you think they’ll pick? (PS. being able to cook seems to help too!) ; )

By jeffery

April 24, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

i feel that if you care about your job show it. the dress code is there to keep all of us in line to help us feel the other person really is there to do the job and not to be just seen as a object.( a sex thing for others)

By Jim

April 24, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

I think people should be able to wear whatever they want. Basically if customers don’t see you who cares what you wear as long as you can perform your job. Corporate hierarchies should mandate uniforms or buy the employee the clothes their communist stock holders demand they wear. Personally I work in a family business and wear jeans, tennis shoes and a tee shirt to work everyday. Dressing up fake makes you look just that, fake and no one likes a phony no matter how well dressed.

By Jennifer

April 24, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Bryan, I attribute the fact that employees who work from home get more work done because Suzy and Tom can’t poke their noses in the door as easily and ask stupid, time consuming questions such as, “Did you get that email I just sent you?”, which only take up time.

By Stacy

April 24, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

I am a stripper so I don’t have to wear anything to work. You all should try it sometime. Its a liberating experience!!!!

By Maggie

April 24, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

My office is very casual I’m sad to say. When I was first hired here I was told that dress was “business” casual and Fridays were “casual” days with jeans allowed. For the most part, jeans are kept to being worn only on Fridays but during the week—people come in here with moo-moos, denium dresses (which in my opinion should only be worn on Fridays), etc. I have a problem also with my co-workers coming into work with no makeup, unwashed, unkept hair and clothing that shows fat rolls and panty lines. You know you have rolls so please dress accordingly. I work for a private company and we do occasionally have clients coming in our office and to me, this is an embarrassment.

By dated

April 24, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

As a male school teacher who appreciates being able to dress comfortably at work, I am nonetheless shocked at what female teachers today consider appropriate professional attire. Flip-flops, tight tank tops, visible bra straps, sweat suits, dirty-looking denim—I’ve seen it all. I’ve often wondered how these women would react to a man dressed similarly—In fact,I’m thinking about showing up in a sleeveless v-neck t-shirt, capri pants, and flowery flip-flops tomorrow! (Don’t worry—I’ll paint my gruby toenails, too!)

By chris

April 24, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

i wear stained tshirts, jeans with holes and sandals. later this summer i will switch to shorts.

By Put In Your Place

April 24, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

To Renee: I am sure your body is not that fine, so don’t go overboard.As for showing a good bit of cleavage on a daily basis, I am sure you have to do that in your line of work, just to get clients… Just remember it gets cold out there at night though.— Giving massages huh? Is that what it is called now =)

By Jennifer

April 24, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Well, as long as your grubby toenails are painted, I don’t see a problem. I mean, you gotta love flowery flip flops! Heck, I bet your students will perform better after the initial shock is over.

By GiGi

April 24, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

I think as long as what I wear gets the job done, I should be okay. We’ve got a couple of new girls who like gettin all fancied up with lots of clothing. If it works for them, fine - but I shouldn’t have to do it too.

Like, Tina - she’s started wearing this tight little sweater and short skirt combo. I guess they make her look sorta cute, but it’s alot extra that she has to take off once she gets up on the table. Like I only have the bra and g-string and I can operate quickly - and I think that gets me better tips! Bambi has started wearing the short little nun get-up and for some reason, she is making big money - haven’t figured that one out yet. I just want to be able to wear whatever I want to start off in before I take it off.

By Louisa

April 24, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Its great that Renee is proud to wear clothes to work that are easy to get into and out of. Some professions specify that.

By Gigi

April 24, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

I think as long as what I wear gets the job done, I should be okay. We’ve got a couple of new girls who like gettin all fancied up with lots of clothing. If it works for them, fine - but I shouldn’t have to do it too.

Like, Tina - she’s started wearing this tight little sweater and short skirt combo. I guess they make her look sorta cute, but it’s alot extra that she has to take off once she gets up on the table. Like I only have the bra and g-string and I can operate quickly - and I think that gets me better tips! Bambi has started wearing the short little nun get-up and for some reason, she is making big money - haven’t figured that one out yet. I just want to be able to wear whatever I want to start off in before I take it off.

By

April 24, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

I had a good time laughing at the different posts. All are so true. I wore in a corporate office. But some of the attire men and women wear is just plain horriable. and many are attorneys. I wear a tie and shirt daily.many times a suit.i dont dress down on friday if anything i really DRESS UP on fridays. Dressing up is something I did as a child. My mother always saw to it that we were well dressed going to school,church, or visiting relatives or days like Easter, thanksgiving(I dont know why when your stuffing your face you have to be dressed up). well thanks to her..it stuck..now if i underdress..i feel strange :-(

By deegee

April 24, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

Jim, thankfully you are a member of the lucky gene club and don’t have to compete for a job outside of the family business.

A person’s manner of dress is an expression of the individual’s personality. It would be phony for me to come to work every day dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. That is not my personality but if you and your employer are happy with it, more power to you.

By

April 24, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

Sagging Pants This new style of pants sagging is really got to stop..it is totally stupid to have your pants hanging down so far you have to walk holding them up with one hand.underwear exposed, butt cheeks, buttock crack, and this is suppose to be sexy or cool? Girls Walking around with the waist of their paints hanging below exposing their “thong?” skirts so short when they sit..well dont sit! dont bend over! the world knows what color your thong, panties and whether you shaved! I have seen more matarial at the beach! Suggestion for the young Men: Dont wear any pants period. just come out in your boxer shorts and Long T shirt that looks like a dress anyway. leave the pants home since everyone can see your shorts anyway. Young woman: forget about wearing a skirt all together..just a top and your thongs! since the skirt is so short you arent hiding anything anyway. next time..leave the skirt home. wear just the thong and your bra. After all, we can see yOUR complete body anyway. You arent leaving anything for the imagination.its all right in our face!

By Christie Sanders

April 24, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

We are a small firm of 8 people and are business casual. Khaki pants and polos and/or casual shirts are very common. I will wear jeans with a nice shirt on Friday as long as we don’t have clients coming in that day. What amazes me though - we are in the same building as an advertising firm and a web firm and you wouldn’t believe what some of these people wear! It’s all fine and well to encourage creativity by having a relaxed, comfortable, casual atmosphere at work. But, please, no grunge. Your pants should fit over your belly button and not hang from your hip bones; I really don’t want to see your clevage and, please, wash your hair!

By Rena'

April 24, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Since moving to Atlanta I have seen the worst and best dressed. The worst from the guys with their pants hanging to their kneecaps, of course, you know I have seen the same underwear atleast twice the same week and ladies with clear heel shoes. Come on, if they were asked to wear that to make some money they would be offended. But, if you look like trash, you should be dumped. The best I hae seen has been the men with linen attire or two piece suits and ladies with knee length skirts with nice sandals or pumps. Leave something to the imagination.

By

April 24, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

By and large, when I visit an office in the city (the real city), women look professional. Our office is just three miles outside I-285, and the women dress as though they were going to a softball game on Saturday. The boss screams, but nothing is ever done. No one manager really takes action. And letting women were tee shirts is just asking for trouble. Business casual means nice slacks and skirts and shirts and blouses. Not golf shirts. It’s the women who ruin it for the rest of us who try to look professional.

By JohnF

April 24, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

I don’t really care what people wear, but some of these women need to stop wearing skin tight slacks when their rear is the size of a peach basket…and slimming black isn’t working…

By Linda

April 24, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

I think that if you look professional you tend to act more professional and people will treat you as a professional. Customers and employers judge you based on how sharp you look. People notice when you dress for success and when you don’t. I agree that your clothing and general appearance tell people how much you care about yourself — which will extend to others. There is a time and place for casual clothing but it should not be on the job unless you have a job that requires you to get dirty.

By Leslie@fightsfeast.com

April 24, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

I wear chef pants and a tee shirt. Clogs. Socks, optional. I’m a personal chef and work by myself. It sure beats pantyhose.

By CT

April 24, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

You only do better if you know better. Dress is but one of the social graces that has been neglected during recent years. Why? Because those of us with those graces have failed to teach the younger generation. I think ettiquette(SP), how to dress appropriately, etc., should be a high school and college requirement. My father nor his father would dare wear a t-shirt to a job of any kind!

By NParry

April 24, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

If I work out of the house, which is most days when I’m not commuting, I wear nothing to the office…it’s a good break from all that business suits that I’ve to wear when I’m on the road… My girlfriend also comes over to work from home sometimes , so we just go natural while working..Also gives us room for some fun!!!

By Oz

April 24, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

why are open toe shoes for women not considered professional?

By moving ahead

April 24, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

By UGOBOY

April 24, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

enjoy a casual work environment, but a lot of people take it too far no matter how descriptive the dress code is. Things are always too tight, too baggy or too short. People do not realize that they cannot wear at 40 what they used to wear at 20 although they often do.

I totally agree with everything Degree said. One issue it that men have such a limited list of what is acceptable, it is very discouraging. Some ladies can and do wear whatever, no matter how inappropriate it may be. Renee, I love the fact that you have a great body, but since you are working as a masseur there is a difference. The office is not the place to flaunt it dear. That is what happy hour is for. Your remark is exactly what divides women in the office and keeps men from not being focused. Perhaps when you get a little older and there are a new breed of 25 yr olds you’ll understand a lot better.

Some people have a problem because they can no longer wear the “form fitting” clothes and criticize anyone who does. If a guy works out, there is nothing wrong with a muscle shirt. But the beer belly guy-yuch!! Now, how do you put that in a dress code to address everyone fairly?

Marie, I’d be concerned with foot fungus in your office. Walk around barefoot?! Yuch!!

Bryan, walking around in your underwear is not making you more productive. It is the fact that you did not have to commute in Atlanta’s rush hour traffic! You remember 6am-9am and 3pm-7pm with Friday hours from 2pm-8pm!

One thing about a strict dress code, everyone looked nice everyday and the work still got done. I am almost 30 and was told that an adult should be as comfortable in a suit and tie (dress and heels for ladies) as shorts and a t-shirt. Whatever happened to being appropriate? When did clothes become so “uncomfortable”?

By living in fl

April 24, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

It is wonderful to dress down. It all depends on where you work. I think that women should be conservative in the workplace. What do people think about wearing a hat or head scarf on casual Friday? I worked in a place where I wore my head wrapped. It always matched my outfits and was tastefully done. No one ever said anything to me. I worked in Human Resources at a major university. I think they thought it was for religious reasons.

I doubt anyone would wear their head wrapped in these times. The best thing that could happen would be to loose your job.

By Ms. Walker

April 24, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

I am a student and I work part time for a local police department. Our dress code is EXTREMELY casual. In fact, the only rules are no flip flops and no shorts. Other than that, everything is permissible. Come to our office anyday and you can be treated to visible “thong” underwear and thousands of dimples from the butts of middle aged overweight women. How I love my job!

By Maria

April 24, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

At a previous job everyone was given a list of what was appropriate and inappropriate to wear to work. Included on the list was, “If you would wear it to the beach, don’t wear it to work” and “If a professional wrestler would wear it, don’t wear it to work.”

By MoreBizThanCasual

April 24, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

It goes both ways. Men and women need to step it up. I’ve been in work situations where both men and women took the biz casual thing too far.

Guys - lay off the washed out polo shirts, faded khakis, and run over shoes.

Ladies - lay off the cleavage exposure, middrift-baring, tight capris and sandals that show expose too much bare feet

By Jane

April 24, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

I have worked in an office of about 25 people and the dress code was alwasy casual. In Atlanta, we could wear shorts in the summer. No one took advantage of it. We had an event where we had a day where we all dressed up with suits and ties for men and dresses, suits for women. It was really fun to do! If we had customers come in, we would all switch to business casual. Never a problem! Only Fun!!!

By Aisha

April 24, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

I work in a small insurance agency and casual is the word around here. My boss is in khakis and a company golf shirt everyday. Right now I am wearing a pair of semi tight jeans (cant really help the tightness since my booty is so large!) and a cute little polo top from Rainbow. However the girl next to me is wearing a full office ensamble complete with matching earings and purse. Tomorrow I might wear a pair of slacks, high heels and a blouse and she might have on jeans and flip flops. Its like that around here. The more comfortable we are, the better we work. I think our attitude and work ethic far outshadow our wardrobe so even if we had on burlap sacks, our customers and our boss would be impressed.

By Jennifer

April 24, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the entertaining stories. They have certainly helped pass the time today in a most boring office setting.

As a woman, I would be happier if the price of business casual office dress didn’t cost so darn much. And where can I get comfortable shoes that won’t crunch my toes together to make me look like I have one huge toe. Those shoes look silly, ladies. Really.

By Jo

April 24, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

We’re pretty casual here. I don’t dress FANCY but make it a point of looking feminine, at least. I have a decent bustline but I wouldn’t walk around with my entire bosom exposed, I AM after all, a lady & not a sleaze-bag like some others on this blog

By Torraine Walker

April 25, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

You’re absolutely right about the sloppiness of workplace dress. A lot of people come to work either dressed for the nightclub, the Gentlemen’s Club, or to work on their engine block. I think it’s a holdover from the looseness of the dot.com craze and the general sloppiness of this culture in general. If you go to Europe, workers there have an amazing sense of how to be stylish and work-appropriate. I’m a young guy, but I beleive in coming to work dressed for work (I’m a PK, it’s in my DNA, I guess.) I’m totally in favor of seeing companies develop a dress code or even lessons in style. I volunteer to help!

By sauceda

April 26, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

It’s getting disgusting in the workplace. But i feel that salary has alot to do with clothing choices. Most dont have enough income to have separate wardrobes so they just wear all it for work and play.