1. I have been shocked at the type of outfits some of my colleagues wear to work. Some of these "ensembles" would be better off NEVER being worn because they are way too tight or simply not work appropriate. I am not saying you have to spend a lot of money on work attire but I do think people need to be a little more discerning about what they wear to work. What's the saying - dress for success? How can you succeed in clothing that cuts off all circulation to your upper body and/or extremities????

Posted at 10:19AM on Aug 21st 2008 by Tamra

2. I find that in the professional world, it is getting very tacky. It is also getting so tacky everywhere one goes these days.
Crocs are designed for the medical profession, in hospitals speicifically and according to the article in a chef's kitchen. Maybe if you wear them gardening, or in the yard, that is fine, but they look stupid..
What is it with men wearing suit jackets/coats, blue jeans, flip flops or tennis shoes and top it off with a baseball cap??? Talk about stupid. I see this every week when I fly in first class on airplanes. These guys call themselves professional? I certainly do not take them seriously. My first impression is that they obviously have bad taste and poor judgement, that how can one take them seriously in the work place? I won't.

Posted at 2:10PM on Aug 21st 2008 by kmatt

3. I totally agree with this! We have a lead person at work that absolutley drenches herself. A co-worker swears that she buys the "good stuff" but I tell you the good stuff in that quantity is not so good.

Posted at 2:20PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kathy

4. I dont like those crocs anywhere, I dont care how comfortable they are, they are ridiculous looking! That is a definite fashion DONT!
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Posted at 2:23PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kathy

5. I completely agree with Tamra! She said it best, "dress for success". I have to admit, because of the lax guidelines around business-casual attire, I've had a few office malfunctions myself.. usually in the tight jeans department. I've always been told that you should dress like the person in the position you'd like to see yourself in one day... can only imagine what a halter-top in the office says about you and your line of business... good rule of thumb when getting dressed in the morning. ~B

Posted at 2:56PM on Aug 21st 2008 by brandimichelles

6. Ditto to all above then add piercings and tattoos. They are so distracting and tasteless especially if they deal with the public.

Posted at 2:36PM on Aug 21st 2008 by M Thornton

7. I think people should mind their own business. If someone wants to wear something that has an expression on it then let them. As far as I know we still have the right to free speech.

Posted at 2:51PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Ed

8. Used to work with a woman who was generouly endowed on the lower half of her body. She wore skin tight polyester stretch pants in a capuccino color and you could actually see every bump and dimple of her cellulite. NOT ATTRACTIVE.
As for Crocs, I do not own any. However, if you look at the Crocs website you may note that they have different levels of Crocs for professionals who are on their feet all day, i.e. medical personnel and chefs which provide support for the feet and legs. That's okay but I never want to see dayglo inexpensive Crocs in any other workplace. Very tacky!

Posted at 2:56PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Mamalu

9. I have a friend who is diabetic and CANNOT wear anything but Crocs- she has all colors and styles.
To say no one should wear these to work ignores the
facts- diabetic feet cannot wear flip-flops, heels or
most other "stylish" shoes, whether from Nordstroms or
not! As for wearing whatever you want- that's never
going to fly- when you are working you need to look
like a grown up not a teenager hanging at the beach,
or someone at the gym. Wearing tight, short and skimpy
always looks tacky in the workplace. If you want to
"dress however I want to" own your own business.

Posted at 2:55PM on Aug 21st 2008 by ceegee

10. I do not wear any of the things mentioned, but it behooves me to read things in a newspaper or see something on tv that is telling you what a fashion do or don't is. To suggest someone get something from Nordstrum is even more ridiculous unless your last name happens to be Rockafeller or Trump. Go to your locwal KMart or Walgreens. In environments where people can dress down or be casual, it is ok to wear what ever YOUR EMPLOYER says is ok, not some unheard of person from a magazine or somewhere.

Posted at 3:01PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kralice

11. I agree with the crocs and flip flops; however, nice heels in my opinion are a staple on the office attire. It does not matter if they are low or high heels. I think a woman in the professional arena needs to be able to wear heels to show that she is ready for anything and not one of those meak and mild flat type ladies. I work in a porfessional office and I wear what ever heels that I choose and pull them off with stylish skirts (knee length) as well as dresses and on Friday's a business pant suit. I have never had anyone, male or female, say anything but wow that looks great. I do leave the 6" heels at the house.

Posted at 3:05PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Rebecca

12. I have a co-worker who DOUSES herself with perfume - EVERY DAY - when she walks in the office - late daily too!! - I start sneezing. I have mentioned it to her - nicely - but she still showers in the stuff. Any suggestions out there how I can nicely but politely let her know that a little goes a long way?!?!

Posted at 3:24PM on Aug 21st 2008 by pg0619

13. I was a partner in a growning fashion business, started by my grandfather and now being run by what ends up to 10 brothers/cousins. One of my duties included operating our corporate hq, which had grown from about 12 employees when i started to about 35 people.

This goes back to about 1980 in Woobridge, NJ we had a big variety of etnicities, melded together well, as I was brought up to value our employees, whom actually add value for the corporation. We had many employees with us 20, 30, even 40 years having worked for my grandfather. Our reputation was very good, with no disgruntled employees, we treated them as family, in good times we shared profits, in bad times they understood when we had to cut back.

I remember stories of some of the old times recalling when they started working for the family when they were just down and in tough situations, and without even asking, one of my uncles would reach into his own pocket and say, 'here is $400, take care of your family situation and you pay me back as you can', that employee worked from the company 50 years, retiring at age 67....

The move to Woodbridge was in 1976, we had always been in NYC where the caliber and expectation of how to dress to work was just inherint in people, even though we always had a mix of all kinds of people, it would be rare for my father or one of my uncles to pull someone aside and suggest 'that they not wear inapproriate' clothing as such to the office'.

Well now with a different mix, we had many employees travel from the shore, from urban areas, from suburbia, and was radically different in attitude.

So I had to implement for the first time a 'dress code'. Many of the items you list were my PET PEEVES. Budweiser tshirts - and by the way 3 sizes too small, flip flops, hot shorts, very short skirts, etc. So slacks and shirt for men and women was fine, and Friday was dress down, with Jeans and polo shirt acceptable, tshirts with no sayings.

Well I gathered the staff into the conference room and announced our intention to implement this new policy, printed copies and distributed it to all that attended, and then included it in the company handbook. At the end of the meeting there was a q & a, and this sweet little older woman, couldn't be 5' tall, soft spoken, well dressed and groomed always, definitely not one the code was actually aiming at asked the following question trying to be very sarcastic:'Are brazeeres required?'

My mouth dropped open, all eyes were on me, i felt sweaty in the palms, this totally caught me by surprise, and needed an answer which i gave: 'No', but really wanted to say: 'depends if your YOUNG n HOT', uugghhh.

The policy went in, and was pretty much adhered to, rarely having to pull anyone aside and mention anything to them. I didnt realy give anybody warnings and threats, but, just mentioned that it was not appropriate, please have respect for yourself, and your fellow employees.

I was required one day to tell a 250lb woman that her 'COORS' thirt was inappropriate, I couldn't bring up that it was like soooo tight, with the stretch creases just sooo anoying for anyone to look at. What are some of these people thinking?

Posted at 3:17PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Dave Namiye

14. If people wear things like the ones on the list then they are stupid. The clothes shouldnt even be thought of to wear to work expecially if you work in an office. They look tacky and wrong. Mini skirts and slogan shirts I mean come on why would you wear it to begin with! Unless you work at a store in the mall or some fast food place you should wear something presentable. I dont care if you people agree with me or not. The only suggestion I liked was the one about the over powering prefume. Come on people no one wants to smell you but if you put to much people could think your trying to cover up.

Posted at 3:31PM on Aug 21st 2008 by boycraza0610

15. The advent of "Casual Friday" seems to have opened the flood gate of bad taste in office dress. It is never a good idea to show too much skin or wear anything that is too snug as to hamper circulation. A little common sense goes a long way. You can be fashionable and tasteful all at the same time. Comfortable shoes ranging from flats to heels are available but crocs are a crock in any business setting. There are so many options and so many price points to choose from, from Target to Neiman Marcus. Just remember, "The mirror is your friend." ;-)

Posted at 3:35PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Janice

16. I am a nurse who worked in an ER for 27 years..I got my sister a job as a receptionist and she used to dress so inapropriatly.One day she came to work on Easter morning wearing a shiny blue mini dress that poofed at the hem and four inch heels.The head nurse and the doctor in charge askd me to speak with her about her atire and she told me " was just jealous because I had to wear a nurses uniform .hahaha :-) Thought the readers might like that story.

Posted at 3:51PM on Aug 21st 2008 by maureen hallett

17. Plunging necklines and/or push-up bras!!!
Cleavage is never appropriate!

Posted at 3:36PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Paula

18. I have to agree in priciple. But let's not forget that for some us it's a difficult line to walk. I always try to look professional. But there are body shapes that lend themselves to certain outfits more than others.

Posted at 5:49PM on Aug 27th 2008 by Marie

19. Maybe along with parenting classes, we need a class on how to dress in the office. I don't currently work in an office, but I agree with all of the ideas. Especially the one about cologne and after shave. I an allergic to musk. Most cologne's etc., contain it today, so I really have a problem. And when you get caught in a elevator with a couple of these, well... Need I say more?

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 23rd 2008 by Diane

20. pg0619 Tell the offeding party politly that the next time she bathes herselve in the toxic mixure you will have to tell her superviser since I am sure that like all work places you have a policy against wearing tons of perfume especially if it bothers another person and you have tried to tell her that....may be that will waker her up....you have a right to a work place free of toxins to your health!!

Posted at 4:01PM on Aug 21st 2008 by maureen hallett