Final Thoughts

Dressing for work is not always easy. It requires a good knowledge of your workplace and what is acceptable and unacceptable within it. As mentioned in the previous post, it is always wise to dress in a similar fashion to those colleagues or management you look up to, and to always err on the side of caution. If an outfit seems too casual or risque, don't wear it!
Much of this blog has been dedicated to, as the title mentions, the perils of casual apparel in the workplace. This is not to say that casual dress cannot be a good thing. Many organizations believe that it can make their employees feel more comfortable in the office, and even encourages creativity and boosts morale. As long as a dress code is set into place and is understood by everyone, there is a lot of room for corporations to encourage their employees to indulge in the occasional Casual Friday (or any other day). If you'd like one implemented in your workplace, talk to the management to develop guidelines as to what is acceptable and what is not (visual aides are particularly helpful in these discussions). Find out what your company will allow, and work with that.
There are lots of options for business casual dress, and they can all help you be successful in your business career. Good luck with your future wardrobe endeavors!

Dress Codes and You: Making it Work

Have you ever been reprimanded at work for "dressing down" or not fulfilling the standards of your organization's dress code? For many, this could be your version of a nightmare. As mentioned in previous entries, what you wear to work is a reflection of what you're capable of on the job, and there aren't many people who aim to look incompetent, especially when the boss is watching.
As simple as this all sounds, it's easy to become confused with dress codes. We've covered the basics of Business Casual and Casual Fridays, and what not to wear in the workplace. However, it's still very simple to slip up and make a wrong choice once in awhile, especially when you're first starting out.
My first job was working in a coffee shop. I noticed that many employees (including some of the management team management) wore athletic shoes and yoga pants to work. Although these items of clothing went against the dress code expectations that I had read during my training sessions, I began to wear what they were wearing. As time went on, however, I began to notice that those employees who were earning better wages and moving up in the company were dressed exactly to standard, and they looked much more professional than I did in my contraband gear. From then on I decided that I was going to dress the way that they did, according to the rules. Needless to say, this paid off for me (literally).
How do you feel about this story? Have you ever felt pressure from your colleagues to dress a certain way, even if it was against company standards? Do you think that what you wear to work is directly related to job advancement?

Navigating Casual Fridays

Many experts agree that casual dress in the workplace creates a more relaxed atmosphere in the office, and that ditching the suit and tie can lead to increased morale and creativity among employees. For this reason, many organizations have adopted Casual Fridays as a way to reap these benefits without some of the negatives discussed in the first posting. But how casual is too casual? Here are a few items that you definitely should not wear to the office, even on more relaxed dress code days:

• Too-tight or too-baggy t-shirts. Both convey negative images and should be left for the weekend (or for Goodwill)
• Flip flops or athletic shoes. Even if you've gotten a beautiful pedicure, this kind of footwear definitely doesn't convey professionalism and competence. Save them for the beach or your next gym visit!
• Any garment that could be described as backless, mini, or low cut should never come into the workplace. A good rule of thumb: if you could (and do) wear it to the club or bar, it probably shouldn't come to work.
• Athletic clothing and spandex. Again, leave it at the gym!
• Visors, baseball caps, cowboy hats, etc. Hats are great for the outdoors, but wearing one in the office is a poor choice, as they could offend your colleagues, bosses, or even potential clients.

Have you ever worked somewhere where Casual Fridays were observed? Or had a colleague dress for work in one of the "don't" wardrobe items? Share your stories!

Business Casual: Doing it right

Dress codes for any event can be tricky. Is this dress appropriate for black tie or just a cocktail hour? Is this shirt appropriate for creative formal? In the workplace, they can be even scarier. As I mentioned in my last post, most mid- to large-sized businesses are looking for their employees to dress "business casual". What does that mean? I found a few helpful Youtube videos that outline what's appropriate for men and women.

For the guys:
http://youtube.com/S7yRIEELp8w

And for the ladies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oct67arkYxA

Do you think this is style of dress is appropriate for the workplace? Or would you prefer a more conservative or more relaxed dress code?

What does your work attire say about you?

It's happened to all of us. You step into a business of any kind, and immediately make a judgment about that establishment based entirely on what you see. It may be the kind of couch that they have in the reception room, or the colour that the walls are painted. However, when dealing with employees, your perception of the company will be initially based on their appearance.
This goes far beyond meeting with customers. In fact, many employers insist that personal appearance, clothing in particular, plays a significant role in job performance. Since many companies implemented dress-down policies, they have noticed increases in many unacceptable workplace behaviours, including absenteeism, tardiness, and flirtatious behaviour between colleagues. Many organizations insist that these policies have also reduced productivity and have encouraged lax behaviour. Because of these perceptions, 84 percent of mid- to large-sized businesses have switched to a business casual dress code (Mercer Human Resources Counseling).
Have you ever judged a business based on what their employees were wearing? Do you agree that employee performance is directly linked to what they wear? Sound off on how you
feel!