Out here in LA, jeans have been de rigueur in the workplace for some time—other than a select group of film/tv agents, almost nobody in L.A. is required to wear a suit and tie. Even the Wall Streeters here can get away with business casual most days. A lot of businesses out here that have business casual mon-thur, have extremely casual Fridays, which is supposed to mean jeans that haven’t been distressed and a nice pair of shoes but that doesn’t stop some from wearing inappropriately short skirts and Uggs.
I’m not sure how you all feel about Uggs in the workplace, but I can tell you, they certainly wouldn’t have been tolerated even 20 years ago. A cursory look at the last 10 decades of office attire history reveals the following:
Early 1900s: Men were all about frock coats, vests, watch fobs, and, of course, the old top hat.
1920s: Wristwatches were issued to men in the army during World War I. When the soldiers came back from the war, they went on wearing those wristwatches, doing away with fobs, but, more interestingly, vests, too. Why wear an uncomfortable vest if you don’t have to put your fob in it? Also, the stiff, starched detachable collar was still popular around this time, but softer ones that—look out!—attached to the shirt were gaining in popularity.
1930s: While The Depression forced many into unemployment, it also allowed more women to enter the workplace because in some households, if the wife could find work, one income was better than none. Suits were ubiquitous at the office; so working women adopted their own versions, which they complemented with matching hats, gloves, bags, and shoes.
1940s: Here’s an interesting fact from work attire history: Before the war, double-breasted suits made up almost 50% of all suits made; by the end of the 40s they accounted for only 12%. Why? Simple: Wartime cloth restrictions squeezed the second breast right out of the suit.
1950s: Two things happened after the war: women celebrated the end of restrictions by opting for small-waisted, billowing skirts (One of Dior’s used 20 yards of fabric!). Chanel’s knit suits also became popular during this time. For their part, men continued wearing the same old drab Brooks Brothers suits, but, hey, at least the suits were getting smaller with each passing decade.
1960s: JFK, trendsetter that he was, shook office wear up by appearing in a two-button suit on a televised debate with Richard Nixon. From that day on, three buttons were for old people.
1970s: My favorite fact about this earthshaking decade: In 1970 about 80% of shirts sold by Arrow (the largest shirtmaker at the time) were anything but white. Six years earlier the reverse had been true.
1980s: Wall Street and Trump took over in the 80s, bringing with them suspenders and contrasting collars. Maybe it was because men thought women should look like men, or because MTV-influenced fashion spread to the workplace, but women’s suits all had large shoulder pads stuffed in them by the mid-80s.
1990s: the decade can be summed up in one word: Dockers. The suit finally gave way, first to khakis and then to jeans. Blame it on all those Gap ads, or just the culmination of changes started in the 60s, but all forward-thinking tech-geeks hung up their suits for good in the 90s and many others followed.
2000s: Ahh, the decade that turned t-shirts into currency. Thanks to technology, every blogger can now print, stock and sell t-shirts. They have become like temporary tattoos, allowing us to express our personalities, humor and style. As casual has become more and more accepted in the workplace, t-shirts are becoming more common. Though it’s fiction, the boys on The Big Bang Theory epitomize the new dress code, wearing cool tees over top stylish long-sleeve shirts. (Oh, and incidentally, the mental_floss tee you see this lovely model wearing is available right here in our store!)
What about you all? What does your office let you wear and, more importantly, what do you WISH you could wear to work?
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that I actually kind of *wish* people would dress up a little nicer for some jobs. Only because there’s so few reasons to dress up anymore, y’know? And I love dressing up. I also think that depending on your line of work you’ll command more respect by at least switching out those Uggs for heels, or that T-shirt for a button-down.
But it has to be comfortable. Definitely no “you must wear a double-breasted suit and vest and twill pants and a hat” when it’s something like 80 degrees outside.
But then again, nearly all American businesses have high-powered air-conditioning, don’t we…
posted by Ashley on 3-8-2010 at 10:07 am
Kennedy actually did wear a hat to his inaugural. Sadly, though, the hat has gone by the wayside…
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/jfkhat.asp
posted by JJ on 3-8-2010 at 10:09 am
i wear a suit daily and absolutely love it. play clothes are for play time, work clothes are for work.
i cannot imagine being in denim and expecting a client to take me seriously.
posted by firecracker on 3-8-2010 at 10:15 am
I have worked in engineering since 2000 and there is a uniform, summer is khakis and a polo/golf shirt, winter is khakis and sweater/long sleeve casual button down.
posted by Brian on 3-8-2010 at 10:17 am
In Japan, suits are still the rule. I have to wear a jacket, button up shirt, and dress pants to work, even though I just teach English.
I wish I could wear clothes that don’t have to be ironed.
posted by BlueAloe on 3-8-2010 at 10:20 am
I work as a secretary in a church and standard dress for me is jeans and a nice blouse. I only wear a dress or skirt if there’s something big going on, like a funeral. However, absolutely no t-shirts unless we’re cleaning or leaving early for the weekend.
Inappropriate work wear for anyone unless you’re a life guard: Uggs, flip flops, and shorts. They don’t belong at work.
posted by tinkerschnitzel on 3-8-2010 at 10:33 am
I work in a business casual atmosphere (nice slacks/khaki’s and golf shirts) but I have been amazed by younger staff here and the gall they have. Im 29 and work with a few others in the early 20′s and have actually seen guys wearing crocs and sandals to work. Freakin’ amazing. On a side note I always thought it was pretty cool that people used to really really dress up to go to baseballs games and the such way back in the day. I couldn’t imagine going to a day game in the middle of July wearing a suit.
posted by Michael on 3-8-2010 at 10:33 am
Where I work it’s business casual during the week – khakis, polos, trousers. Friday’s we get to wear jeans and sneakers, t-shirts only if they’re corporate logo’d.
But we’re a call center and no one sees us, so I really don’t get why we can’t wear jeans all week as long as they’re “nice” (no holes, fades, etc)
posted by Jill @ Liv'nGood Jewelry on 3-8-2010 at 10:46 am
I was jsut having this conversation last week with our banker that in visiting us. He told us that he had to wear his suit coat at his desk back 10 to 15 years ago. Things have relaxed though even for bankers.
My boss the country club type always wears at least a tie and probably has his suit coat in the car.
When I started here I had to go back to wearing a tie, but have since given that up about 15 months ago. Just started wearing golf shirts.
To me only people seeing customers need to wear nice clothes. Salespeople that see customers should dress one level above the customers, which is for the most part a tie.
I never see customers, so I feel I should be able to wear whatever I want to work.
posted by Bill on 3-8-2010 at 10:53 am
I currently work for a tech firm where jeans-even shorts are not frowned upon but I’ve also worked in environments where I had to wear suits. Myself, I wear jeans often enough but never shorts and seldom a t-shirt unless it’s for a specific reason like an event shirt.
I get a little wistful for the suit & tie days. I was taught by my father who was in sales, that dressing well is a way of showing respect for the people you interact with; that the time they give you is important and appreciated.
There is also something to the old saw that if you look sharp, you’ll act sharp and be sharp.
Not enough people realize the difference between casual and sloppy and if they do and don’t care, I think that circles back to the notion of respect for those you work around.
posted by AdamtheIA on 3-8-2010 at 11:16 am
@ firecracker….I agree work clothes are for work, play clothes for play…and I can’t imagine any of my clients taking me seriously if I was dressed up any more than a t-shirt and jeans! But then I work with young teens alot! Dress up clothes for me are for play!!! I guess what constitues good work gear depends on the profession!
posted by Sandie on 3-8-2010 at 11:20 am
I am a high school English teacher, and I can pretty much wear what I want as long as it is not obscene, illegal, or shorts. I often wear my mental_floss shirts with jeans. In fact, today I am wearing the “Cliche” shirt with a faded pair of jeans.
posted by Walter on 3-8-2010 at 11:40 am
I wish we would go back to a more formal wardrobe.
At my office job last year, the dress code was “boots and jeans” (I worked in the cattle industry in Texas.) and I often felt “overdressed” in skirts and light sweaters.
I feel more comfortable, I feel more put-together and professional in a suit (specifically a skirt suit) than in jeans. I take myself more seriously and I think people take me more seriously the more professionally dressed.
I’m overdressed at school because I don’t wear sweats and running clothes to class. I hate it.
Okay, rant over.
posted by throwingpens on 3-8-2010 at 11:42 am
I work for a software company in Florida and we’re casual wear here, although there are still some no-nos. Flip-flops (even the dressy ones), crocs, and t-shirts are out. Jeans and polo seems to be the norm around here for the guys, the ladies do seem to dress up a bit more.
posted by meli on 3-8-2010 at 11:58 am
I can’t believe people need to dress up to take themselves seriously. That’s a little odd to me.
I never see clients, so I can’t imagine why I shouldn’t be comfortable, and I’m not a formal enough person for suits to be comfortable.
posted by Nicole on 3-8-2010 at 12:17 pm
Whenever I watch Mad Men I get a little down about today’s casual trends. I wear a lot of 50′s and 60′s style clothing and usually have to dress down at work. If I wear my “normal” clothing I get the old lady kiss of death statement, “That’s Funky”.
FYI Funky is not a compliment, I can tell what you really mean is “That’s weird and I don’t get it”.
posted by Sarah in Canada on 3-8-2010 at 12:46 pm
While I wear jeans and tees and such at my job, it’s a really laid back job. I’m the boss and I have the same set of standards for my employees. When I explain to new staff how they should dress for work my response is usually “Basically, Don’t look like a hobo or a hooker.”. People get it and it works fine for us. The only specific things I’ve ever had to ask anyone to stop wearing were flip flops (aside from feet being unsightly, they’re not really too safe for working here) and pajama pants (apparently, with some college girls, pajama pants are in style for regular wear if you wear them with a tee shirt and tennis shoes.)
My husband is an engineer. His workplace is a khakis and casual collared shirts kind of place. On Fridays, they all tend to wear nice jeans with their casual collared shirts. No one would considered wearing a tee shirt period. For days with an agenda filled only with meetings with special clients or company bosses, they wear dressier shirts and maybe even a tie occasionally, but fairly well never a full suit. While the dress code there isn’t written down or mandatory or anything, everyone just conforms to that standard pattern for the most part. It’s just the expected level of professionalism.
I think dress code should be situational. It strikes me as ridiculous for people with jobs that require manual labor, obviously don’t require higher education, or are relatively low salary jobs, to have to dress up. I’ve seen grocery store stock boys and taco bell over-night shift leaders who have to wear shirts and ties and bank cashiers who have to wear full scale dress attire (including required high heel dress shoes for ladies). If you have to wear a name tag, you shouldn’t have to wear anything fancier than jeans and a polo.
posted by Melissa on 3-8-2010 at 1:23 pm
Whenever I look at old pictures of people on campus at my university I feel a little sad that they all dressed so much nicer than my generation. Pictures from the 50s and 60s show young men in ties and slacks, the ladies in adorable skirts with their hair done…none of these sweat pants and ratty t-shirts everyone wears these days.
posted by Ashley on 3-8-2010 at 1:27 pm
Wish my office had a ‘no flip flops’ rule. Ugly feet, and they walk around to get coffee etc, and all you hear is slap slap. Unprofessional.
posted by DD on 3-8-2010 at 1:55 pm
We’re business casual, too, with casual Friday. Dress pants and shirts with heels or classy flats during the week, jeans and sneakers on Friday, unless of course we have a meeting.
I wish we had lighter rules on sandals during the summer. I agree that cheapy flip flops are unprofessional, but the rule pretty much applies to any backless sandal, regardless of class. During the week it’s fine, I come to work in sandals and then change, but it kind of sucks on Fridays. It’s surprisingly difficult to find flat non-flip-flop sandals that don’t look like they were made in ancient Rome, so I usually wear sneakers. Really, my feet just don’t like to be in socks when it’s 80 degrees outside. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but since you asked….
posted by Kate on 3-8-2010 at 2:19 pm
I used to work in a construction company office, and was able to wear pretty much anything to work, though I tried not to get too casual (ie, flip flops, ratty t-shirts). When I became pregnant I stayed fairly casual but also dressed for comfort too. When my ankles started swelling after sitting all day I did resort to my Birkenstocks. They saved my life! However I was just commenting to my 20 year old the other day that I remember taking my first airplane trip as a 9 year old in the mid-70s and wearing the skirt and blouse that my mom picked out for me…that’s just the way it was!
posted by shirleyfeeney on 3-8-2010 at 3:06 pm
We’re “business casual” here, which has evolved into pretty much anything except jeans and shorts, as long as it’s not indecent. The upper-management types, and people over the age of 40, tend to be dressier than others. As a person in my late twenties, I find I actually dress up more than most of my friends that work at other companies. It seems more and more places are “come as you are”, which is how it should be I think. Your work is your work – it shouldn’t matter what you’re wearing.
posted by Sara on 3-8-2010 at 3:16 pm
@Sarah in Canada,
I love Mad Men as well, and I use it as a means to inspire my wardrobe.
I currently work as a Auditing Assistant, while I work my way through Business School. I generally wear a collared shirt, and sometimes a full suit or sportcoat combination. I find it more comfortable that my everyday clothes, not sure why. It will suit me much better when I earn my MBA by this time next year.
I think that I always wanted to be able to wear a suit everyday. I currently have over 120 neckties. So why wouldn’t I wear them?
I also wear cuff links when I feel like being a little more fancy. I started with just a couple, but thanks to Mad Men, I have over 60 different pairs now (new ones and some that are decades old).
I just like the feel of a suit. Plus, it makes me the sharpest dressed person in the office.
posted by Joshua on 3-8-2010 at 3:16 pm
I get to wear a button down shirt, untucked. shorts and Nike’s to work everyday. That is one of my favorite things about this job. When I started here we wore slacks and golf shirts everyday.
posted by JOHN THE THIRD on 3-8-2010 at 3:16 pm
As a teacher, my district does not have a mandated dress code, but it must be “school appropriate.” I don’t wear a tie anymore, but feel really funny if I come to work wearing something that does not have a collar on it. Guess I am just old school (ha ha) like that.
posted by Marty on 3-8-2010 at 3:16 pm
i work for a rental car company and we have a pretty strict dress code. until recently, ladies had to wear pantyhose and closed-toed shoes. the guys still have to wear white shirts (and only white) and ties. even when washing the cars.
i wish that people dressed up a bit more at work but i wish that it was kept in perspective….washing cars in heels and expensive suits isn’t cool. especially when the majority of your staff is just out of college and can’t afford to keep replacing work attire.
posted by sarah on 3-8-2010 at 3:22 pm
I work in the office of a major manufacturer and we run from full suit and tie to business dress casual – which I would say is a step above dress casual. And if we do get the opportunity to wear jeans they must have no holes and you can not wear a tshirt and gym shoes are frowned upon. On the manufacturing floor anything goes as long as its clean with no holes.
The only problems typically are with the new college recruites. The ladies need to learn how to limit what they show and how short they go.
You can tell the age of some people by what they wear. Some of the engineers look like they stepped right out of the 70′s and have never updated their wardrobe since! There is definetly a wide range of fashion.
posted by beth on 3-8-2010 at 4:02 pm
i aim to overdress each day.
the old adage “dress for the job you want, not for the job you have” definitely applies. and people very much notice it, especially these days. i always get asked why i’m “dressed up” when i’m in dress pants and a blouse. sometimes i’ll say “oh, i’m giving a briefing” and they say, “ok, but why are you dressed up??” and it frustrates me to no end. etiquitte much?
posted by Nicole on 3-8-2010 at 4:21 pm
I’m a scientist but I don’t work with anything dangerous so I’m not decked out in personal protective gear all day. Anything goes here as far as dress code.
Honestly, when my coworkers come in dressed like they are going to church or dinner, I feel like they aren’t working very hard.
We spend our days hunched over microscopes and dealing with blood and animals and bleach. Heels and skirts just don’t say “hard at work” to me.
posted by Nicole on 3-8-2010 at 4:30 pm
As a vet, I really have a fine line to walk. When you deal in doggie poop, blood, and vomit all day, it’s just dumb to wear your best clothes. That said, we were always required to dress better than business casual at school because, “Anyone should be able to walk into your clinic at any time and immediately know which of you is the doctor.” I try to hit a happy medium with khakis/ dress pants, decent shoes, and a cute top. If I wore a skirt, I’d flash a client the moment I sat down in the floor with their animal;)
posted by Dara on 3-8-2010 at 5:13 pm
As a veterinarian, I am simply of the scrubs variety. I found the dressing up tedious. I do wear my coat (of which I keep 3 in the office, immaculately bleached and starched) when I greet clients.
posted by K. on 3-8-2010 at 5:57 pm
I work on the floor in a unit of a hospital and my uniform consists of a pair of scrub bottoms, a plain t shirt, and crocs.
posted by Thomas on 3-8-2010 at 6:34 pm
I love getting dressed up for work. I like wearing high heels and nice sweaters and slacks. I don’t wear a full suit very much at my current job, but I do like the confidence I get when I put one on. I am 26, and probably in the minority of my peers when I say that Casual Friday should go away and flip flops shouldn’t be worn at work. I don’t think it is appropriate. Also ladies out there a word of advice- If you wear something to work that you would also wear to go out to the clubs after work, it is probably inappropriate. I have seen some pretty bad things worn by girls my age to work.
posted by K on 3-8-2010 at 6:41 pm
I am a librarian at a non-profit organization. We do not have a specific dress code, but if I had to say, I’d guess it was business casual. Some employees regularly wear jeans.
Personally, I like dressing up, so I always try to dress well. When I am going to be presenting/speaking in front of a group, I will wear a skirt suit. Othwerwise, I am in a nice skirt/slacks and a blouse or sweater.
In the summer, I practically live in skirts and dresses. I don’t get it when people say that jeans are more comfortable than a dress. For me, a well-fitting dress is extremely comfortable, moreso than any kind of pants are – especially now that it’s acceptable to go without pantyhose. In fact, during summer, even on the weekends I will often wear a skirt and sandals.
posted by Jaclyn on 3-8-2010 at 6:53 pm
I work in a community center. There’s no way on this side of creation you’d see me in high heels all day because the kids would kick them out from underneath me and run away if I’m trying to catch up to them. I used to work in the ‘hood and I ran after a guy who robbed us down the icy winter streets in boots, and almost died trying to be a hero.
That having been said, no one wants to see your hobbit feet flappin’ around the workplace. And the high schoolers that come in here will just strip in the halls getting ready for games. Hey kids, NO ONE wants to see your J.J. Evans bird chest. Be a decent human being and use the bathroom!
posted by PiedrasPR on 3-8-2010 at 7:28 pm
Suits and business attires do look nice but wearing one in this country, especially when commuting, is a punishment, given the often hot and humid weather.
I work for an American company and dress code isn’t strict. Many of us come to work in jeans and pair it up with a collared shirt or blouse for the ladies, but otherwise, everyday is pretty laid back.
posted by Gian on 3-8-2010 at 9:05 pm
I am a teacher and our school district does not have a specific dress code but when I started this year I was told it was business casual. However, some people in my building lean a little toward that casual side…wearing those velour track suits with tennis shoes. I personally like to get dressed up, to me it makes me feel/look more adult. It’s no fun being mistaken for a middle school student when you are 24 years old(literally I was told to stop running in the halls by a teacher’s aid who couldn’t see my name badge)
posted by Sara on 3-8-2010 at 10:17 pm
Like BlueAloe, I work in Japan teaching English, and I can wear slacks, khakis, or a skirt to work. I can wear a collared shirt or a blouse. Some of my (female) managers wear black slacks with a t-shirt and suit jacket over it.
At my part time job, a tattoo apprenticeship, my coworkers wear a black long-sleeved uniform made of cotton that’s like a polo shirt and slacks.
Personally I like kimono, so I wish I could work in a ryoukan (Japanese inn) or a tea house or some place I could wear kimono every day. ;)
posted by EmptyLighter on 3-8-2010 at 10:21 pm
at least there is not a “NEKKID” day !!
posted by doop on 3-8-2010 at 10:27 pm
quoting Barney from how I met your mother: “SUIT UP!”
posted by gaby on 3-9-2010 at 1:47 am
This comment is for Melissa:
According to your rationale, police officers, firefighters, doctors, and the like all lack higher education since they all wear nametags to work. Is that what you meant? You can’t generalize like that-the same way you can’t assume that just because someone does manual labor they don’t have an education. Especially in this economy where people are having to take jobs outside their chosen fields in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
Also, in some cases, the people working the jobs you mentioned aren’t necessarily poor. That person serving you your food at Taco Bell or stocking groceries at your local supermarket might be working there because it’s second source of much needed income. You might also be surprised at how much bank tellers can make if they’re good at their jobs.
Please don’t make generalizations like the ones you made. With the economy the way it is it shouldn’t be surprising to find people with masters and doctorates working “menial” jobs. Consider yourself blessed that as a small business owner you’ve been able to keep your business afloat and that you’ve been able to provide others with jobs. Most people haven’t been so lucky.
posted by KillerQueen11 on 3-9-2010 at 6:44 am
I’m single handily responsible for raising the dress code at my office. Before I move out to the field office, only the Director wore a suit or at least a blazer w/or w/out a tie. I come along wearing a suit once a month, and a blazer and slacks daily and other non field people start to grudgingly follow.
posted by Andy on 3-9-2010 at 9:25 am
On another note, I also only own a single pair of jeans. I loved working for the Fish and Wildlife Service, we had a nice uniform :)
posted by Andy on 3-9-2010 at 9:32 am
Killerqueen,
I certainly didn’t mean anything insulting about jobs where you wear a name tag. I worked in those kinds of jobs for years and have lots of friends who still do. I absolutely don’t mean that people in those jobs aren’t smart or aren’t good at what they do or don’t sometimes make good money doing them. I’m not saying that there aren’t brilliant people or people with tons of education or skill that are in a job with manual labor or that requires a name tag. I’m not saying that none of those are good jobs. An honest days work is no shame no matter what kind of work it is.
I’m just saying that employers at workplaces that require physical labor or are low paying or are unskilled labor jobs shouldn’t force their employees into being uncomfortably and impractically dressed and made to pay to maintain a fancy wardrobe. If an employee chooses to wear a tie while they stock shelves or high heels while they check groceries and can do it with the same efficiency as someone in jeans and a sneakers, more power to them. However, the boss shouldn’t require them to.
As for your mention of firefighters and police, yes, I would absolutely not recommend that police and firefighters start wearing dress clothes instead of their uniforms. If my house were to catch fire, I want a firefighter in a big yellow jacket and tee shirt and tactical pants and boots showing up to battle the blaze rather than a firefighter in slacks, sport coat, and tie or a dress and high heels. It would be dangerously impractical for them to wear that kind of clothing. It’s not that they shouldn’t be highly respected,just that it wouldn’t make any sense for them to be required to dress up to go to work. (And maybe it’s different in different areas, but here doctors and firefighters don’t typically wear name tags, so I wasn’t originally discussing them in the first place.)
As for the rough economy, what I said seems to make good sense now more than ever. It seems to me that these hard times should lead employers to be extra lax in their dress codes as much as is realistically possible. In general, lots of people are really struggling to make ends meet at all pay grades, and it’s especially tough for the lower paying jobs. That’s a big part of why I don’t believe that employees should have to dress up unless you’re going to pay them well. If a person is having to take lower wage job outside of their real chosen field, or take a second job to supplement their income, they most definitely shouldn’t also be forced to shoulder the added burden of maintaining a dressy wardrobe for it.
posted by Melissa on 3-9-2010 at 3:19 pm
I work in a government office, and the dress code really varies by age. Those under 40 are expected to dress in business attire (no flats except on Fridays for women) and those over 40 can pretty much wear whatever they want. (homemade mother/daughter tie dye shirts, 60+ year old women in sleeveless shirts)
It Gets really frustrating not to be held to the same standard.
posted by Amy on 3-10-2010 at 12:46 pm
No flats except Fridays for women? Yikes…that’ll be nice when they have to pay out for the foot and leg damage.
I work in IT, as well as on a very large board. Meeting days are full suit and heels, in-office days with no client meetings are jeans and a dress shirt, possibly a suit jacket as well. I love my heels, sadly though I am looking at having to give them up soon due to foot problems.
All of the rest of the shop (I am the only woman) are suits for client meetings, jeans and dress shirts with nice shoes for day to day, no client meetings. Honestly, if you are crawling around replacing a full network from the ground up, you are going to ruin your suit. Unfortunately most places do not keep their servers and equipment in a sterile room in an organized manner…..would be nice though……
posted by Eden on 3-13-2010 at 2:56 pm
Retail management, current employer jeans Monday through Friday, khakis/dress pants on weekends, pretty much anything above a t-shirt goes, but I prefer golf shirts. Have worked in stores ranging from actual uniforms to true business attire ( blouses and dress pants). Since the job can be quite physical, jeans are great.
Never understood how someone can spend 9 hours on their feet in a pair of heals!
posted by Liz on 3-13-2010 at 9:31 pm
At my job they made a huge change to the dress code last year. Women were allowed to wear trouser socks instead of knee-high pantyhose under their pants. I did get in trouble once for wearing striped socks. Also we have to use the company approved sippy cups at our desks. This is a true story. I am expecting a new policy requiring us to be tethered to our desks with child leashes any day now.
posted by Tambp on 3-14-2010 at 3:03 am
I agree with Nicole.
I work in a lab as well, and I’m hunched over all kinds of chemicals and biological, um, substances all day. We can wear whatever as long as our legs are covered (no skirts above the ankle or you have to change into scrub pants). Even open-toed shoes are ok (we change into special shoes that cover our feet in the lab). We have to be able to move around and perform procedures, as well as not get too broken up if we get something on our clothes (especially our pants, since we wear lab coats or scrub tops that protect our shirts). This makes jeans what most people wear to work, even the higher-ups. I will say, however, that us women tend to dress up a little more (nice blouses or knit shirts, but never sweaters…too hot under the lab coat) while the men seem to be fine with t-shirts.
When my coworkers wear their “nice” clothes to work, it tells me that they don’t plan on doing any work in the lab that day…and that makes everyone’s day harder.
posted by Katie on 3-14-2010 at 8:43 am
I’m a west-coast academic — just about anything goes, but you’d get a funny look if you wore anything close to a suit.
posted by mellieup on 3-15-2010 at 2:01 am
I work at a bank and the branch that I am in is hopelessly casual. We have had jeans day for about 3 months now. I prefer to dress in nice slacks or kahkis most days. I do participate in casual Fridays but a bank seems to be the one place that you definitely expect a professional environment on a daily basis. Nice clothes are not that uncomfortable! Conversely the last branch I was working in had a strict no jeans policy, even on corporate sponsored charity jeans day. Theres got to be some middle ground!
posted by Shawn on 3-15-2010 at 9:25 am
I work in a bank also and I LOVE to dress up. Skirts and heels pretty much every day for me. My boss on the other hand is a t-shirt and stretchy pants kinda girl :( I think there is something to be said for maintaining a professional work enviroment. Maybe I am just an old fashioned kinda girl.
posted by ~Geek Girl~ on 3-15-2010 at 4:18 pm
I love love love dressing up. I work in a corporate office building and when I showed up, I was shocked at what everyone was wearing! It varies from suits to ripped “khaki” pants, polos, and sneakers. Obviously the younger associates stretch this rule more so than others. Our dress standard is business formal, with “casual” on Fridays. This, however, consists of jeans, heels, and a blazer for the ladies and jeans/khakis, polos, and dress shoes for men.
I love to sit in my office and look out the windows at the people walking in / out. It always amazes me what I see coming in masked as “business wear.”
posted by traci on 3-15-2010 at 4:22 pm
i can vividly recall getting on a city bus, going home, in a time when nearly all young men wore anything slumpy and frumpy. it got so that it was not noticed (a statement once became an everyday thing). now, onto the bus came a young gent, dressed in tan slacks, lobster red shirt, a tan tie , socks with clean slip-on shoes and all eyes turned to this good-looking, well-dressed man. he and his clean attire was a sight for all eyes. i was one of those who looked up from reading my magazine to admire he and his apparel. casual dress is ok and fine but want to stand out? want to be special? (like who doesn’t), then do and be something others aren’t. dress for success still works in my book. oh, this kid (i think he was around 16, maybe 17) might’ve been a student, might’ve been whatever, but i can tell you this that if this kid followed that path of ‘image is everything’, he is probably everything today. this event was in the mid-80s. see? over 20 years ago and i still remember. what an impression he made.
posted by dm walsh on 3-22-2010 at 7:58 am
I miss looking nice at work and wearing a decent suit. Jeans have no place in the office or professional setting. Warehouses, yes; offices, no. As our outfits become more casual so does our attitude about our work. Time to take pride again in our appearance and our work. Return the suit to office place.
posted by Andrea Sitler PhD on 3-25-2010 at 12:25 am