Casual Friday is no longer just a “Friday” thing at many organizations today.

In recent years, it has become more and more popular for businesses of all sizes to allow their employees to dress casually. Even companies that have historically been quite formal in their dress code are now allowing casual clothes like jeans and t-shirts. In some cases, casual dress is even listed as a perk in job descriptions! Many workplaces allow or even encourage, jeans as part of the dress code. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

Some people misunderstand the “casual dress code” to mean there is no dress code at all. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you choose what to wear to work:

7 Rules of Casual Dress

  1. The workplace is not the club. Any shirt that you would wear to a club is not appropriate for an office setting, no matter what you pair it with.
  2. Work is not a beach escapade. Dresses and shorts that have been worn as beach coverups are usually too casual, see-through, or short to wear for work. Save these items for when you’re playing in the sand!
  3. The office is not the place to work out. Casual clothing such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, yoga pants, and running sneakers are not typically appropriate for the workplace.
  4. Skirts should be an appropriate length. A skirt that doesn’t extend to your fingertips when you’re standing with your arms at your sides is too short. This age-old rule should not be ignored.
  5. Ripped is never okay, but distressed can be sometimes. A ripped pair of jeans, cutoff shorts, or a thin skirt may be fashion-forward for the weekend, but they are inappropriate for an office setting.
  6. A professional outfit is not made up of just one piece. Although closed-toe pumps, a blazer, or a scarf can make an outfit look more presentable, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the ensemble is now appropriate. More often than not, people end up wanting to remove these items partway through the day anyway. Instead of relying on one item to save an outfit, each piece should work together cohesively.
  7. Grandma knows best. The way you dress at work is impactful, for good or bad. If you feel like you wouldn’t want your grandma to see what you’re wearing, it’s probably not appropriate for the office. That doesn’t mean that your style has to suffer though! My grandmother was a fashionable woman and I’m sure yours is too. You should just be aware of how the clothes you choose make others perceive you while working.

What is the worst penalty you can think of? Do you what can you wear during bad weather?

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