I love the show "What Not to Wear" on TLC and am often mortified by what others think is acceptable to wear to work. We are all paid professionals. Shouldn't we look like it?
I think there should be a course given to every new employee on what exactly it means to come to work dressed professionally. I know that I'm not alone in this thought.
I understand that it is a very touchy subject in many workplaces, so here's a look at how people dress to go to the office. If you work in a music store, or a coffee shop, I'm not speaking to you. However, if you work in an office or a professional environment (regardless of whether clients can see you or not), I am speaking to you.
The shaggy dog look
When you go to work with your hair wet, you are sending out a very apathetic message. Would you ever go on a date or to an interview with your hair wet? So why would you go to work with wet hair? Get up 15 minutes earlier, or wash your hair the night before, but don't show up at the office with wet hair.
Ponytails
To compound that mistake, some people put their hair in a ponytail (especially if it is wet) and then go to work. A ponytail is what I do to my hair when I don't want to fix it, or when I'm going to the beach; it's not a professional look. If you take the time to make it look nice, use a nice hair accessory, and generally put effort into it, then it can look professional. But if your attitude is "I'll just stick my hair in an elastic because I'm running late," what are you saying about yourself? Nothing good, that's for sure.
Crocs are for swamps
Crocs are a particular favourite of many people. Facebook has a group you can join called, "I don't care how comfortable Crocs are, you still look like a dumba--." They are not professional footwear for the office, period. Not ever. Some hospitals have even banned them because they are not safe or hygienic. I don't even want to think about what some of them must smell like! If you've been wearing Crocs (with or without socks), give yourself a shake.
Raiding the hamper
T-shirts with slogans don't belong in the workplace. Jeans with rips or holes in them don't belong in the office (and really, are jeans professional wear?). Clothes with stains on them, clothes that are faded, clothes that should be pressed but aren't because you didn't have time, shouldn't appear in the office. Clothes that smell need to be washed, not worn to work.
Too much information
Shirts with spaghetti straps don't belong in the office, they belong on the dance floor. Also, I never want to see your bra straps. If I can see your bra straps, go get another shirt. And this goes double for thong underwear - I don't want to know that you wear a thong. That is just too much information. I don't want to be able to see through your shirt and see your bra either. I understand that there is quite a selection of bra styles and colours out there, but you shouldn't be putting that on display at work. If you are wearing a white shirt, a black bra is just so wrong.
So to summarize, here's a checklist that both men and women can follow:
If you would wear it to go to a dance club or a party, you shouldn't be wearing it to the office.
If, when you bought it, it was pressed and clean, that is how the garment is meant to be worn (as opposed to dirty and wrinkled).
Lingerie is for a different profession; in the office, I don't want to see it.
Wet hair and 'beach hair' are inappropriate in the office.
Shoes that are for work do not include running shoes (unless you run in the office), plastic shoes, those dollar-store plastic flip flops or party shoes (rhinestones or really, really high heels). Please keep your footwear in good condition, fix the lifts and soles and polish them occasionally.
Put some effort and thought into what you wear to work. Just because it is "the only thing that you have that is clean" is not enough thought.
You should never have to make excuses for what you are wearing. If you need to go somewhere else after work, bring a change of clothes.
The more cleavage you choose to show, the lower your credibility will sink.
Sexy is not a look you should be going for at work.
While a shirt and tie are not always necessary, shirts with collars are appropriate in virtually every office.
Your shirt should always have sleeves.
Appropriate jewelry usually means limiting the amount you wear. More is not always better.
Have a look at your nails. If you have chipped and chewed-away polish, please take it off, it shouldn't 'grow out' on your hands.
While it is not realistic to go to work dressed "interview appropriate" every day for most people, have a look at your outfit before you leave home. Would you feel comfortable if you were pulled into a last-minute meeting with the senior executive team? Would you be dressed appropriately to meet an unexpected client?
I would love to hear what drives you crazy as far as work wear. Visit my blog to share your thoughts, and to read about what others think. You never know, your co-workers might just be videotaping you for "What Not to Wear."
