Genevieve
Marquette
Clare
Jodi
Victoria
Michael
O
ffice attire can be tricky business. Nowadays most work environments are pretty casual, which can be good and bad. With the freedom of being able to dress casual, comes the responsibility of being able to maintain a professional work environment.
I am a true believer that everything is not for everybody and that certain things are best left at home. Do your coworkers really need to see all of your non work related "business" in a mini skirt, plunging neckline, or pants that are too tight? Not only does it look unprofessional it borders on inappropriate. Wearing a t-shirt that says "Baby Mama" or "I Love Beer" is not only immature it is tacky and shouldnt be worn at all in public, much less your job.
Have you seen one of your office mates wear something that you felt would be better suited for the athletic or night club? Or are you guilty of one of our office malfunctions? Let us know what you think.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
21. reply to kmatt.When my husband travels by air, he always wears casual on the lower half, nothing says "don't take me seriously' more than pants that look like you've slept in them! He asks flight attendants to hang his pants up until landing time, them changes in the bathroom before he disembarks.
Posted at 4:03PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Annette Olsen
22. I agree with not over doing on the perfume I have never worked in an office but I can imagine that working with a heavily perfumed person is just as distracting as sitting through a class with them and if anyone hear was a nurse they might know that you cant weaR crocs becouse they have holes in them unless they have came out with ones that dont
Posted at 4:20PM on Aug 21st 2008 by gayle tice
23. I agree with Kralice. Not everyone can shop without a budget. You can buy stylish business clothes without breaking the bank. I think it's great that whomever created the slideshow with commentary offered alternatives, but it would have been nice to see a more reasonable selection of departments stores.
Posted at 4:24PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Steph
24. I work in an office at a major university and find that our student workers don't know how to dress for an office. Some of them come in wearing jeans/pants that are too short/too tight and also wear tops that expose their mid-section. This is inappropriate dress for any office...university or not.
Posted at 4:25PM on Aug 21st 2008 by M. Chetkof
25. I WORKED IN AN OFFICE WHERE THE MANGEMENT WOMEN WORE HIGH PRICED DESIGNER PERFUMES.
IT WAS SO STRONG IT WOULD MAKE MY NOSTRILS BURN AND I'D END UP SNEEZING.
I SWEAR THEY HAD THE AROMA OF INSECT REPELLANT!
THEY NOT ONLY WORE THE PERFUME BUT SHAMPOOED THEIR HAIR WITH IT, USED SCENTED HAIRSPRAY, ALONG WITH THE BODY LOTION, DEODERANT, TALC, ETC., AND IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH.
Posted at 4:42PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Tight Scotswoman
26. I personally cannot afford the $89 sandles from Nordstroms...and I know I need to find something a little more professional. I usually wear flip flops from Old Navy that cost $2.50. I work as a library aide..any suggustions??
Posted at 4:45PM on Aug 21st 2008 by christy
27. to kmatt......
Crocs were "invented" for boaters because the company founders were avid boat enthusiasts. They were non slip and lightweight and, if knocked off the boat, they would float. They were first introduced at a boat lovers trade show in Florida.
Crocs were later "discovered" by medical professionals who, like some of us, do work on their feet all day. The popularity spread. Soon other workers like kitchen workers discovered how wonderful they were.
I worked all my life in retail management. I still wear Crocs to work and at home EVERYDAY. When I worked for Crocs as a manager, I bought close to 30 pairs, both flip flops and the common beach clog.
I don't care what the idiots in this article say. CROCS are appropriate EVERYWHERE.
The next time you visit a major amusement park or anywhere you need to stand in line for a long time, wear your Crocs and see the difference.
The people who claim they are ugly are the idiots wearing the stilletto heels which definately belong on this list.
Those fools who refuse to wear Crocs will be the ones with serious vericose veins when they are older from looking stylish in their high heel shoes.
And I will be the one who is laughing. :D
Bottom line ladies, WEAR WHAT YOU LIKE, but be prepared for what lies ahead.
Enjoy ~
Posted at 4:59PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kitty
28. I have to agree about the perfume/cologne. I suffered for years working in small spaces with people who bathed in fragrances. One woman, unfortunately, used cologne as an alternative to bathing. If anyone is doing that, let me assure you, it DOES NOT WORK!!! Actually, I think it makes it worse! She once commented on how much I coughed and blamed it on my smoking (which I no longer do), but it wasn't my smoking; it was her cologne. It also gives me an instant headache. It is horrible. And trips to the mall are bad, too, as young people don't seem to know how much is too much. Smoking has been banned almost everywhere. I wish they would do the same with perfume. Please, people, have some consideration for people with whom you come in contact!
Posted at 5:21PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Nancy DeSimone
29. TOTALLY AGREE 100%,I HOPE EVERYONE READS THE ARTICLE,
I WOULD SAY SHOW THAT U HAVE CLASS, DONT DRESS LIKE A 'SKETEL' AS THEY WOULD SAY IN MY COUNTRY.
In response to Ed, do not take 'freedom of speech' out of context,there is a time and place for everything.Some people uses 'freedom of speech' to their own detriment.
Posted at 5:37PM on Aug 21st 2008 by jagirl
30. Yes, this article should have came out way before the spring got started. I work at the Pentagon and lord ham mercy on some of the outfits women are wearing. All of the articles should be seen on headline news or in their daily papers.
Posted at 5:23PM on Aug 21st 2008 by goliver00
31. The correct attire seems to be a challenge on many levels for lots of people. When is casual too casual? I was in the elevator with the Corporate Secretary and Vice President of the company at our Corp. Hdqtrs when she asked me if I thought she was too casually dressed. She had on cowboy boots, ripped jeans, a beautifully distressed leather jacket and a white poplin shirt. I told her I thought the shirt worked. We laughed. She shared with me she used a casual approach to making her decision....too casual.
Posted at 5:27PM on Aug 21st 2008 by mnwmn
32. I think someof your recommendations are not applcable in the 21st century. I think as long as the dress is clean, it does not matter if its tight or short. We need to change the neo-conservative ideas and let people dress if they feel comfortable. They will not wear it after a certain period of time if they will feel uncomfortable.
Posted at 5:30PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Tom Leblanc
33. Get real.. this is America... land of the free and home of the brave....Crocks are a medical find for people with neuropathy...they releave pain for those of us who have to deal with it on a daily basis...and they're cool looking....and as for the political Tees.... Duh???? what better way of expressing ourselves....ROLL TIDE !!!!!!!
Posted at 6:05PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Joan
34. The last time I checked I lived in the United States of America where freedom of expression USED to be alright. I, for one, am really REALLY beyond tired of being told what I should and shouldn't do/wear/eat/drive/buy and listen to by people who have nothing better to do with their lives. What's right and wrong in the workplace is between a worker and their boss ~ period. Oh wait that's something else we're losing, the ability to correct/help a person, without them screaming discrimination. And no I am NOT 20 years old and I do dress appropriately for my job.
Posted at 8:18PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by madhtr38
35. I don't think it's only a matter of poor judgement. Some of the blame should fall on the clothes designers and the retail stores. After spending $75 a week on gas, I can't afford to shop in the higher priced stores. Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target don't carry fashions suitable for work.
Posted at 6:15PM on Aug 21st 2008 by KHannaTx
36. I get it! It doesn't matter what you wear, so long as it comes from Nordstrom's, right?
Most people have no fashion sense anyway, so what difference does it make. If you wear flip-flops, screen printed T shirts, raggedy jeans, or some gownless evening strap, odds are you don't have a career-type job anyway.
Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 21st 2008 by lea
37. People who wear strong perfumes should be concientious of those who have auto immune diseases and become ill when faced with those scents. I myself am one of them. I can handle a small amount, but when a person pours it on, and the smell lingers long after they have left the room, I am ill.
Haven't you noticed signs at doctor's offices asking you to refrain from wearing them to appointments? There are a lot of people that are chemically sensitive!
Thanks
Posted at 6:23PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Cathy
38. When I go to work I just shake my head when I see all of the wardrobe NO-NOs!
Cleavage
Barney Wear (Bright Purple Spandex Hankerchief dress)
Daisy Duke Skirts
Eff Me Pumps
....it never ends.....
Posted at 6:23PM on Aug 21st 2008 by skankpatrol
39. Teaching is also one of those professions where you have to dress neatly and comfortably. I just bought a pair of Crocs knock-offs, and I think they'll probably end up in school as my "boot day" shoes. If the weather is snowy, I always wear boots and bring something lighter to scuff around school in. BTW - they're black, not day-glo pink!
Posted at 6:31PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kay
40. The overpowering cologne really struck a cord with me. People need to be aware that there are astmatics and people who are allergic to colognes and strong odors. I bypass department stores that are spraying or selling colognes due to my asthma so as not to cut my shopping time short. As a nurse, most nurses are very considerate and do not wear colognes and lotions that might interfere with their co-workers and patients health.
Posted at 8:03PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Patty