The business-casual trend has created a monster that has not been slain yet. It used to be that professionals knew what to wear when going to their workplace. They knew that business apparel meant formal and conservative, professional dress for those with company dress codes. Since the high-tech and dot-com companies have been cropping up the Silicon Valley, the casual dress trend has invaded. Unfortunately, what makes up the casual trend is a little bit fuzzy. Three-piece suits and wingtips have morphed into creative versions of casual, but then business casual should not be equated to weekend casual. There is a big difference between these two. The problem is recognizing the difference and knowing when casual is too casual.
Some are confused by what is appropriate to wear, especially because each company or office has their own set of rules or dress codes. It would have been so much easier if the company has their own professional dress or uniforms. Too often, people make the mistake in their choices simply because of this confusion. While it may be okay to wear denim in a dot-com company (Steve Jobs does it ), some dress codes ban denims. On the other hand, people wear sweats because the denim is banned in the office. Some companies are also leery about open-toed sandals while some others allow it. Some rules still exist, but then they are so subtle that sometimes people have a hard time recognizing them.
These mixed sets of rules or varying dress codes create confusion, especially in new members of a company. And being new means you would rather blend in rather than stand out, fashion-wise. If that is the case, then the general rules should apply. Let us always remember that one’s appearance influences people’s perceptions and how one dress affects one’s appearance. Hence, how you dress up can send impressions and messages that can affect how your boss and colleagues perceives you. In case you are confused about what is appropriate or not, here are some simple guidelines.
- No skin showing in cleavage, midriff, or between socks and pant legs. Remember that any moment a client can come in and see you or your boss might have to speak with you. Showing your skin might show your attributes, but those that have nothing to do with how good you are in the business. In the case of the women, you might not be intentionally sending the message, but showing skin, especially in cleavage, might send a different message to the men in the office.
- No flip-flops or running shoes. Just because it’s H. Stern Brazilian Beach Sandals or Peche Platinum or Havaianas it doesn’t mean it is okay to wear it to the office. These may be expensive and branded slippers, perhaps more expensive than business apparel; still, they are slippers that belong to your apartment of in the beach.
- No wrinkles, creases, stains, or smell. Proper grooming is very important in making a lasting impression. Clothes that look like it hasn’t seen the end of the flat iron is so unbecoming. It creates an impression that the person is either lazy or just got out of the bed wearing the same clothes they had on the day before.
- No visible underwear, ever. People think it is okay to wear a tank top that shows their bra strap just because their bra is from C. Gilson and bought at $2684 or Victoria’s Secret. Your bra—straps and all—and your thongs or briefs or whatever that is under your skirt should be completely covered. It should in no way peek under your skirts, pants or tops.
- No shorts. Even if they are fashionable tailored dress shorts, they are still shorts. And shorts are too casual for the office. If it is hot then wear a skirt, it is more formal than the most formal shorts.
