Good morning, Casual Workers!
Welcome back to another edition of The Casual Work Week! Today, we're venturing into the sometimes-treacherous waters of office fashion. While we believe in expressing your personal style, there are certain sartorial choices that are best left outside the workplace. Unless you are going for an interview at a fashion magazine, then maybe these do not apply.
Why Dress Code Matters (Even When It's Casual)
Even in casual offices, your attire sends a message about your professionalism and respect for the workplace. While you don't need to wear a three-piece suit every day, avoiding major fashion faux pas will help you project a positive image and be taken seriously.
The Casual Work Week's Guide to Office Fashion Don'ts
Here's a humorous look at some of the most common office fashion faux pas and why you should avoid them:
The "I Just Rolled Out of Bed" Look: Wrinkled clothes, stained shirts, and bedhead are never a good look, even on casual Fridays.
Why it's a no-no: It suggests a lack of care and attention to detail.
The "Club Hopper": Anything you'd wear to a nightclub is probably not appropriate for the office. This includes excessively revealing clothing, sky-high heels, and anything with excessive glitter or sequins (unless it's the office holiday party, and even then, proceed with caution).
Why it's a no-no: It can be distracting and unprofessional.
The "Gym Rat": Workout clothes are for the gym, not the office. This includes leggings as pants (unless you work in a very casual environment), sweatpants, and athletic shoes with every outfit.
Why it's a no-no: It can make you appear sloppy and unprepared.
The "Overly Casual": Even on casual Fridays, there's a limit. Ripped jeans, flip-flops, and graphic tees with offensive slogans are generally best avoided.
Why it's a no-no: It can make you appear unprofessional and disrespectful of the workplace.
The "Loud and Proud": While we encourage self-expression, neon colors, and distracting patterns can be a bit much for the office.
Why it's a no-no: It can be visually jarring and distracting to your coworkers.
The "What Should I Wear?" Question
If you're unsure about your office's dress code, err on the side of caution. Observe what your colleagues and superiors are wearing, and when in doubt, ask HR for clarification. Also a good rule of thumb is if you would not wear it to your grandmas, then you probably should not wear it to work.
To summarize:
Office fashion is about finding a balance between comfort, style, and professionalism. While you don't have to sacrifice your personal style entirely, avoiding major faux pas will help you project a positive image and be taken seriously in the workplace.
What are your biggest office fashion pet peeves? Share your stories and thoughts with us!
See you next week and have a great weekend everyone!
The Casual Work Week