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Dress Code: Do's and Don'ts
May 14, 2008

As standards of dress become more relaxed and the definitions of appropriate work attire become increasingly blurred, it’s anyone’s guess what fashion faux pas will walk into the workplace this summer.  Most likely, as in years past, we’ll see some doozies.

I have found that the most common problems occur when companies only address what their dress code is, but neglect to say what it isn’t.  So for example, naming acceptable articles such as khakis, jeans and even T-shirts is fine.  But failing to eliminate clothing options that expose bellies, backs, breasts and butts, is likely to render an otherwise well-intended dress code useless. 

That’s for starters.  It is also a good idea to decide where your company falls on the sloppy-to-neat continuum.  This means setting expectations on fit, wrinkles, hems, grooming and anything that the exposure rules don’t cover.  

Keep in mind, there is no “right’ dress code.  It depends on the company, its image, culture, products and personality.  For instance, MTV will have a very different set of standards than those enforced by IBM. 


To make it easy, I like to tell employees, “If you would wear it to a disco, beach or at a slumber party, rethink putting it on for work.”

Posted by Donna Flagg on May 14, 2008 | Comments (0)