Last Friday, the human resources director sent out an email informing us of the dress code. The main reason she did that was because there has been quite a few new employees lately.
Now, let me explain: last year, the same thing happened. The previous human resources director sent out an email emphasizing what can be worn and what can’t.
I don’t know about you, but this is a publishing company and the majority of the work is done behind closed doors, at my desk on the computer. Who’s going to see me? I really could care less about the dress code, just as long as I dress “cleanly” and don’t reveal too much skin. I think that’s more than enough to ask for.
There are a few rules that I’m in direct violation of–
No leather sandals. What do you mean, no leather sandals? Hey, I spent a good $40 on these sandals. They’re comfortable, don’t look sloppy, and I can walk all day in these sandals without getting a single blister (I really love these sandals). I understand the no beach sandals rule (those are crappy…I can’t stand those) But leather? Come on. Not even the fancy sequinned (no, I don’t wear those) are even allowed except on Fridays.
I feel for the guys though–they have to wear dress shoes or just nice shoes. NO sandals, sneakers, or tennis shoes. OUCH. I think tennis shoes should be allowed.
Jeans, including jean skirts should only be worn on Fridays. Oh, I wear jeans and jean skirts any day of the week. Jeans are my favorite piece of clothing. Especially in the winter time. I’m not gonna wait all week to wear keans on Fridays?! The whole jean skirt thing, I don’t get that. Mainly because some jean skirts are considered to be dressy, yeah. Sure.
Tank tops: not at all. I wear tank tops–lots of them. I usually layer them, and they’re all mostly ribbed tanks, which means they’re long and I love that. To ask me to not wear my tank tops is just wrong. They emphasized on not wearing spaghetti straps, which I do understand. But tank tops with wider straps don’t reveal much skin. Come on.
So yes, every day this week I’ve been in direct violation of the dress code. It doesn’t bother my boss (she’s the coolest boss ever!). I’m being smart about what I’m wearing this week, but I just find it hard to change my style because that’s not me.
I will tell you that I can dress up when I have to. I have the capability of doing that. I just don’t own a lot of that kind of stuff because it’s never been necessary. Now, if i ever work for a company that has a business dress code, I’m probably going to have to ask my younger sister for help. But the way I dress is usually colorful shirts with my own style to it. I don’t look like a slob. I look good because it’s what I wear and how I wear it.
What would you do if your company decided to change the dress code from casual to business suits?
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I am currently interning at a place where it is teensy more than just business casual. I just follow what their code is. You work for that place, therefore you follow the codes even if it doesnt fit who you are. I love casual clothes myself but I adjust myself and find interesting pieces to allow myself to be more creative in this kind of dress code I am assigned to so I can develop a better future for myself in the workforce. Everyone should, too.
I agree with Osceola. I hate being told what to wear and I view clothes as a means of individual expression, so I really can empathize with Erin. But Osceola’s right - they can dictate what to wear. The leather sandals bit sounds silly, and Erin might want to ask why. Otherwise, I’d follow it. I do at my workplace, even though its too rigid for my personal taste. That’s life, in my opinion.
Leather sandals, weird. Because they’re nice…so why ban ‘em? What other kinds of sandals are there besides the leather ones and the beach ones?
And why can’t guys wear sandals (the really nice leather ones)? Come on. What’s wrong with man-dals? Guys look great in ‘em. Sexism all the way.
i know… i always feel like working REALLY HARD when I see a nice ankle… :)
First impressions count. A professional who doesn’t take the time to maintain a professional appearance presents the image of not being able to perform adequately on the job.
Past experience has also taught me that if one is impeccably groomed in the workplace, he/she gets brownie points - and extra points to compensate for those that are sometimes uncontrollably lost due to workplace situations or even misperceptions concerning one’s deafness.
With that said, we’re pretty casual here at the BayFirst/DeafDC.com office and even have a dog running around on most days - but when we’re working with our clients, we look and dress our very best.
I agree with you, Rob. I work at a school and there is supposedly a dress code, but not everyone follows it, and as far as I can see, it’s not enforced. We get that annual memo too. Like Erin, I spend the majority of my work day at a desk and not many staff or the general public see me. But I also have a position of authority, and wearing business attire really reinforces that. You just never know when you’re going to need that professional image on the job. Also, I wonder if the “leather sandals” are Birkenstock or Teva types? Because they do have a sort of hippie connotation. Nothing wrong with being a hippie, of course, but mainstreamed types may judge you on it. The bottom line is that your appearance has an effect on the perception of competence.
I ahhh-bsolutely agree, Rob. Clothes are a means of individual expression for me. Frankly, if I could, I’d wear shorts and cute tops and go barefoot 24/7. But I gotta maintain food and shelter, and in exchange, I give up the privilege of going barefoot part of the time.
The key to making a dress code work for you is to find out just where the line is and find things that work well within that code. For example, I want shorts but can’t? OK, sleeveless slightly-above-the-knee dresses that are cut so that the shoulders are covered by very thick straps or the dress is cut with more coverage than straps in the shoulder area are acceptable. Great. I’ll go for those in nice fabrics and nice cuts. Barefoot ixnay? Okay, nice, cute, strappy Birks that are downright feminine are acceptable? Perfect alternative. That kind of thing… I get compliments on my sense of style, so it is possible to retain your individuality within corporate constraints. In fact, Erin, that could work for you. You like tanks and denim skirts? Go for comfortable sundresses that look neat and have structure to them, yet have unique prints that showcase your individuality.
Rob, you are so right - first impressions count for much more than we know sometimes. I work in a school that is considered a model and because of this, I never know who could drop in. I’ve had prospective families drop in without warning, bigwigs from the state (who are one step removed from the governor) drop in, as well as the usual colleagues, administrators, and families. I’m often chosen when the administrators need to showcase the program and for prospective families. I have been told repeatedly that it is because: 1. I can be counted on to be in the middle of a high-quality lesson. 2. My classroom can be counted on to look neat, attractive, and productive. 3. I can be counted on to look neat and professional.
I understand your disappointment, Erin, but a workplace dress code is part of life. It pays to comply - big time - even in workplaces that are not as highly visible as mine. Brownie points pay off in the long run because you will be viewed as more competent and professional. You can be creative, retain your individuality, and have fun with your corporate dress code.
Beautifully put, Jen!
I am all for the comfy footwears and clothes at the workplace which could encourage creativity and non-repressive environment.
Let’s suppose that someone come in the workplace with leather sandal and toenail fungus. That would be very unpleasant sight of toenail fungus at the meeting with client. Some people really have no common sense or consideration for others or not give any f*** what others think of their body parts.
Many people complain about the noises or appearance of “flip-flop” sandals at the workplace. Such an ongoing arguments what is really the workplace apperal!
I am much for the liberal workplace dress codes as everybody ought to use some common sense how to dress for work. I always miss the 70s decade (”Me Decade”) which everyone could be hirself, not submit to the societal conformity.
I love watching the leggy gals with tight skirts. I ever am gay myself! Tight blouses, too. Or guys open their shirt collars revealing the manly (hairy) chest. Woof!
The leather sandals reveal much about someone than second-guessing what kind of person she or he is all about. If this person is really clean or take good care of hirself. Simply look at someone’s feets as the one of Chinese proverb always telling us to take real good care of our feets. Without feets, we will be greatly suffering.
How sad for Bush’s America lately undergo the prudish attitudes in many ways. Look at the FCC’s recent heavy-hands with the network televisions. Conservatives always blame liberals for many things. I just do the reverse turns like taking jabs at social conservatives and hapless Republicans for leading our beloved country into ground so far. I have no problems with fiscal conservatives and liberal Republicans!
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
breathe, robert….
If you take the top performers here in my office and compare with the “average” group, it becomes clear which is the better-dressed group.
Allow me to be cliche for a moment here - Dress for Success! Rah rah!
I’m fortunate to work in a company that allows a “smart casual” dress code.. meaning we can wear jeans every day, providing they are clean, appropriate, no frays or holes. After all, this is a company where everyone pretty much works at their computer in cubicles. They alert us to wear “business casual” when we have bigwig visitors (meaning no jeans- strictly dress-up). I certainly see no problem with the type of clothing Erin describes herself as wearing.. I love the layered tanks too..
I’m no fashion icon myself (oh, that I could be Carrie Bradshaw for a day), but I try to look clean and presentable. Certainly there’ve been times where I’ve blantantly broken the fashion rules– in the winter, I’ve been known to show up at work in plaid flannel shirts, longjohn tops layered underneath, jeans, and boots with lumberjack socks.. Hey, this is Minnesota after all.. gotta shovel my driveway, don’t I? And I’m ashamed to admit, *drum roll here* leather clogs with FROG-PATTERNED socks– something guaranteed to warrant a host of bitchy comments from Stacy London and Clinton Kelly themselves from TLC’s “What Not To Wear”.
But back to the point… here’s what I feel should be no-no’s in the work place-
Shorts (even on fridays)- Unless you work at Hooters
Birkenstocks with socks. Especially Birkenstocks with Frog-patterned socks AND shorts.
Going Bra-less– really… even if you are small enough to get away with it, nobody needs to see NHO or National Geographic type boobage all day long.
Camel Toe. Enough said.
Turbo-slut style low-rider jeans. I’ve seen blantant violations of this to the point where you can almost tell where the gal has got a yeast infection.
Muffin-top. Just plain gross. I’m all for plump or even overweight people embracing their bodies and self-image, but I just don’t wanna see cottage cheese love handles.
Oh, and comb your hair. Or, at least wash it, for god’s sake, and last but not least, wear deodorant and brush your teeth.
>;0p
:)
Where I work (The University of Florida) I can wear jeans and t-shirts. The only thing we cannot wear is offensive type of shirts like political, religious and sexual kinds.
We are an Information Technology shop and a lot of coders are wild they dress like hippies. The university itself is liberal and open-minded.
Here’s some more that should be banned by the fashion police, especially in the workplace:
Zubaz- Guys, need I say more?
Midriff baring tops- especially midriff baring tops paired with Turbo-slut low-riders while sporting muffin-top AND Camel Toe.
Thong underwear that is worn purposely visible above previously said Turbo-slut jeans.
DeafLinux, you’re lucky your workplace is casual. I do, however, believe there is some degree of decorum that should be followed on campuses, even by students. I have taught at three different universities and have had students show up to class wearing pajama bottoms and fuzzy slippers. In the middle of winter. Likewise pajama bottoms with flip flops, no socks, and bra-less spaghetti-strap tops IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. In Minnesota, for god’s sake. Now geez, students, I know that your nice cozy dorm room is probably only a few hallways away and you probably just rolled outta bed.. can’t you at least put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt?
Last but not least, makeup. I once had a student who wore such horrifying, thick, and heavy black eyeliner that she looked uncannily like the imagined ghouls in the movie “The Excorcism of Emily Rose”– Ya know, the ones that gape evilly and their eyes run black goo. Creepy and horribly distracting while trying to teach.
No idea if anyone sees this elsewhere but the grad school at where I’m a student there are some faculty members who are really established as professionals… and invariably they seem to be the most casually dressed. Not sure why that is, but a guess is that they already know they’re respected and don’t have to further impress upon us. One day, true story, one of them showed up looking right out of “Fame” (wide-necked sweater, exposed shoulder).
Then again, it’s 115 degrees outside today. : )
Also, no idea if anyone else agrees, but it irks me to see Bill Clinton always in a suit. I know he’s an int’l spokesperson of sorts (a la Kissinger) and the husband of a presidential nominee contender, but being bedecked in a three-piece at the World Cup final threw me off. Not that I thought he should have worn a green & yellow Brasil jersey…
I would think that if he were wearing anything else but a suit, people would be reminded of his lackadaisical, Monica days? But you’re right, a suit at a sporting match is overkill.
If Bill Clinton is more slimmer. He would wear casual clothes in the public eye. He probably is self-conscious about his body flabs. Clinton recently lose pretty handful of weights.
Some people would dress anything to cover up their obsese bodies. I sometimes tell this person how great he or she looks. I often get the “pssst” comments from those individuals that they really do not slimmin’ down at all. Those individuals just dress to make sure that they would not look real fat. What an illusion!
I could not wear tank tops because I have hairy back. Some guys would go woofy over me for my hairy back. I somewhat feel conscious about my hairy back.
I am not really that “ape” man. If not for the gray and white hair, I probably do not give any “f***” what people think of me.
I could understand how Clinton struggle with his own weight for many years. He once called “Bubba”.
Bill Clinton is not really sexy without his shirt and pant. The vacation pic of Bill and Hillary from last six years ago still imprint in my memory.
I would love to see GWB without his shirt or pant. I speak of his swimsuit or his shirt. That’s what I miss most is Ronald Reagan. He was very gutsy for taking off his shirt for the general public during his presidency.
Bill Clinton seems trying too hard to be a statesman. I would love to see the real Clinton which he frequently lose his temper. Clinton is no Nixon without using any excessive profanity.
Nixon knew how to express himself very well. *chuckles* That’s what many historians always find him to be real fascinating and interesting.
Yes, the infamous photo of Richard Milous Nixon wore the three-piece suit and black dress shoes at his Califorina beachhouse. What a guy!
Nixon was well-known for wearing his pant over his belly. I don’t know why!
That would be really nice if we have the collection of the modern presidents without their shirts or pants including the future female or transexual or extraterrastial (who knows??) president.
Jimmy Carter knew how to dress himself very well. He wore knit shirts many times.
Robert L. Mason
Those of you who have a less restrictive dress code are lucky. But what struck me about Erin’s post was how shocked and outraged she sounded at the possibility that her company would dare to tell its employees how to dress. Employers have every right to decide what is appropriate attire and to expect its employees to comply. Period. Since there are places out there with more liberal dress codes, Erin can always leave, or she can find clothes that suit her while staying in compliance with the dress code. She could buy nice rayon or woven cotton tanks instead of ribbed tanks, maybe, and buy skirts in nice fabrics. But if one wants to be taken seriously at one’s job, one should abide by the dress code, whatever that may be.
Daphene, I would do the same thing like Erin. You or others would accustomed to the dress codes til everything suddenly change without any advance notice. You would say some groans and bitc*es what a life could be unfair for some people.
Women of the past got peeved and annoyed with the fashion industry for making their clothes outdated pretty fast. So they had to buy trendy clothes over and over.
That’s why women finally felt real liberated with the introduction of blue jean into the mainstream American life. They don’t have to be slave to the fashion trends at all.
I used to be the clothes horse myself til I realize about more to life than trendy clothes. I begin to dress more like a dreary burb (suburban) after living in Northern Virgina for a year.
Yes, there are studies about the indue influence on people’s clothes where they reside. Ever the metropolitian DC region of various areas, people still tend to dress regionally.
Rob always have a zesty taste in his clothes. I admire his clothes in many ways. He really know how to dress very well without being tacky or out of proporation.
I once seen the bunch of teenagers in the Metrorail car. They were one of worst dressers ever I seen in my entire life. Guess what? Those kids were from Minneapolis. Very surprising!
I notice that people coming from the liberal background tend to dress shabbily. I probably am wrong about putting the labels on regional people.
I never forgot about wearing rope as “belt” around my pant as part of the parody of hillbilly people in my elementary school’s “Parent Day” play. I grew up never seeing anyone wearing rope or living in the shack during my West Virginia childhood.
I am not really a native West Virginian at all. I born in another state.
I always enjoy seeing hillbilly clothes in historical pictures. Ever my WV School of the Deaf yearbook had the pics of alumnus wearing hillbilly clothes as a homage to the 100th anniversary of the formation of the deaf school.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
Um, RLM, the change of dress code is beside the point in Daphne’s comment. Of course if a dress code is changed on us, who wouldn’t grumble? Her point is that if your boss tells you to dress a certain way, you follow it, like it or not. The rest of your comments regarding historical trends, etc, were interesting. Thanks for sharing.