Work dress code opinions?

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions to pose about work dress codes and what is and is not appropriate.  My work is "business casual," which is very vague. My questions for you are:

1. How short is too short for a skirt?  Our policy says only that it needs to be appropriate for work and no mini skirts.  A lot of skirts/dresses fall mid-thigh on me because I am 5'11, and I am not sure if that is okay for work.  I still have the same length of leg covered, I just have a few more inches below the hem than most women.

2. How low is too low-cut for a top?  Our policy says "no cleavage."  Well, I am very small-chested and never have cleavage, so how low is too low for someone like me?

What are your thoughts on this?  I'd love to hear from employees AND managers your opinions!  Thanks!!

IMHO Skirts should be just above or just below the knee...   Mid-thigh when you're standing up will be too short when sitting down and that's not a good look for business (unless you're in Sex and the City or a Carry On movie).   Too low for a top.... even if you don't have a chest you don't want to be showing off a lot of breastbone.  Scoop-neck, V-neck, two buttons undone on a shirt....   The worst offense is showing off underwear!!!  Thongs riding above trouser waistbands or colourful bra-straps on display are just tacky & mean you won't get taken seriously.

I've been an employer and employee, so here's my opinions.  On skirt length, I'm a firm believer in just above the knee.  I'm never going to have to worry about a skirt being too short because at 5'6" my legs are no longer than my sister's and she's 5'0".  On the other hand, shirts are a little harder to judge IMO.  I am very large busted and what may be a normal top on someone with a normal chest is usually inappropriate for work on me.  I agree that regardless the size of the chest, no cleavage and no huge amount of breast bone either.  And super tight slacks/trousers are just gross...I do not need to see your cellulite bounce every step you make.

Mid thigh is too short for a dress/skirt for the office.  If you want to be taken seriously, then keep it to just above the knee. 

As for low cut blouses....same theory...if you want to be taken seriously then dont wear them. 

I work for an incredibly conservative company.  During work hours I dress like a nun (practically).  But on my own time....as far from nun as possible.

Here's a good rule of thumb I have learned over the years.  If you question your outfit for even a split second, then it is the wrong thing to wear.

I agree with Patsy 100%. My company is business casual and there are a lot of folks who take advantage and dress completely inappropriately. And it's very much frowned upon by the higher ups.

It's more professional to dress without showing too much skin. It doesn't mean you can't look nice or attractive at work. Just use your judgement. You can dress in revealing clothes after work hours if that's your taste and preference. It's not professional to do so during the day. Unless you work at Hooters or something (but I'm pretty sure that's not what you meant by "business casual" ;).

I have to agree that mid-thigh is too short for work, and more so because of your height, sorry.  Same with wearing too tight of pants.  On the low-cut tops, uh, at work any "low-cut" top is probably too low...

We didn't have much of a dress code at my old job, but my boss was adamant on one thing -- no fishnet tights!  ha ha ha

I hate the term business casual.  I like the full business look!  I deplore the relaxed standard that comes with business casual, particularly on men.  Come on guys, throw on a suit and tie.  I work in financial services, and my present boss dresses like he's ready to step out on the golf course.  Blech!

I have a few skirts that land about 2-3 inches above the knee, so they are mid thigh when I sit down.

My solution? Black opaque tights. They cannot see any skin, and it's basically like I'm wearing leggings, but not as hot or suffocating.

I pair that with nice flats, or 1 inch heels and I'm not slutty, I'm cute.

I agree about the shirt thing....Bend over in front of a mirror as well. Can you see cleavage? Then you have some, it's just not as obvious as others. I try to avoid wearing shirts that could show cleavage even if I'm just sitting down and someone is standing behind me. Just not professional.

I second GI-Jane.

For work I'd go with skirts to the knee or maybe just above, and tops that just don't show cleavage. I can't think too hard about dress codes or---I should go back to that pet peeve thread!

Original Post by devilish_patsy:

If you want to be taken seriously, then keep it to just above the knee. 

 

 While I recognize this is absolutely true - it makes me very angry, indeed. But then I guess a man wouldn't be taken seriously if he showed up in a Hawai'in shirt and cargo shorts. :)

I hear ya.  Welcome to the world of double standard.  Sad but true as I am sure you have experienced in some form yourself.  Women tend to work harder just to get noticed professionally.

I agree with what everyone else has said but wanted to add that you can make a low-cut top acceptable by adding a nice tank underneath.  Not a tank that looks like it's your underwear/camisole or that you are going out clubbing after work, but that looks like a nice tank top.  I have some that have a little bow in the center or a touch of lace trim, and I wear them under tops that I found were a tiny bit too low cut.  They fill in the little triangle to cover up the cleave.  That way I am comfortable, look professional and don't have to worry about my clothing all day and whether anything is showing, looking down or tugging on my top all the time.  I work in a very conservative industry so I don't want to flash anyone. :O

Original Post by joyhorvath:

I agree with what everyone else has said but wanted to add that you can make a low-cut top acceptable by adding a nice tank underneath.  Not a tank that looks like it's your underwear/camisole or that you are going out clubbing after work, but that looks like a nice tank top.  I have some that have a little bow in the center or a touch of lace trim, and I wear them under tops that I found were a tiny bit too low cut.  They fill in the little triangle to cover up the cleave.  That way I am comfortable, look professional and don't have to worry about my clothing all day and whether anything is showing, looking down or tugging on my top all the time.  I work in a very conservative industry so I don't want to flash anyone. :O

I second this, like I said above, rather large busted, so 90% of the tops I wear have to have some sort of nice tank/cami to cover the boobage.

Original Post by lbh:

Original Post by joyhorvath:

I agree with what everyone else has said but wanted to add that you can make a low-cut top acceptable by adding a nice tank underneath.  Not a tank that looks like it's your underwear/camisole or that you are going out clubbing after work, but that looks like a nice tank top.  I have some that have a little bow in the center or a touch of lace trim, and I wear them under tops that I found were a tiny bit too low cut.  They fill in the little triangle to cover up the cleave.  That way I am comfortable, look professional and don't have to worry about my clothing all day and whether anything is showing, looking down or tugging on my top all the time.  I work in a very conservative industry so I don't want to flash anyone. :O

I second this, like I said above, rather large busted, so 90% of the tops I wear have to have some sort of nice tank/cami to cover the boobage.

 Yes - I do this often as well. With tops that I wouldn't worry about on weekends or evenings out with my boyfriend. To make them work wearable I add a simple tank underneath.

And I agree about the double standard. Unfortunately I think it's just reality. I'd rather play the game than be looked down upon because of how I am dressing at work. I am also very top heavy. Even when I wear very conservative clothing, I get ogled. It happened today actually with a senior person at my company. It just makes me feel uncomfortable (and I feel it's unprofessional on the part of the ogler). While I dislike it and I don't feel it's my fault, I do try to minimize this by dressing accordingly. I want to be taken seriously at work and if there is something I can do to help that along, I'll do it.

You should hear some of the comments and looks I have had to 'endure' from other professionals and seniors at my community.  In general, it doesnt bother me, but at times, I feel like the proverbial blond who is not supposed to have a brain.  We all know that isnt true!

If a dress code requires men to dress professionally (blazers, slacks, etc) then why should a woman be allowed to come in with her cleavage hanging out and a skirt that is mid-thigh or higher?

Original Post by kathygator:

 While I recognize this is absolutely true - it makes me very angry, indeed. But then I guess a man wouldn't be taken seriously if he showed up in a Hawai'in shirt and cargo shorts. :)

Depends on the field. For my grad school professors (environmental field) - khaki shorts, hawaiian shirt, and black sports coat was their business casual (typically seen at conferences, etc).

Good afternoon everyone.

I work in a "business casual" enviroment. I know from over-hearing the uppity-ups that you should always lean to the conservative side.  Just above the knee is short enough.  A nice cami to cover the cleavage is a good idea and you can go from work straight out if you want.  Heals should be easy to walk in (and not something you would see next to a stripper pole)pants should never pull or pinch across the belly, thighs or butt and the pockets should never gap.  Button Up shirts should not gap across the fullest part of the chest, that means it is too small.

To me business casual means a suit jacket is not required. Trousers + blouse/sweater or Skirt + blouse/sweater. Pumps or  boots and simple accessories.

Ok, sorry to vent, but I sit next to the "black socks & birkenstocks, polyester pants and cotton pullover shirt" woman all day.

this is my fav website.. the weigh in on women's work clothes daily...

http://corporette.com/

it's always better to overdress than underdress..

Original Post by whatever07:

it's always better to overdress than underdress..

 100% agree. I've been a manager for a long time and it makes a big difference in how seriously both men and women are taken. The whole 'business casual' thing is one of my pet peeves ... unless there is a practical reason not to dress professionally, then if you want to be seen as a professional - dress like one. If you want to be seen as a bum, dress like one. 

From an ettiquete stand point business casual for men is a business suit without the tie. For women it would be the same class of outfit - preferably a suit. Unfortunately, reality is that for women if you want to get ahead you should always wear a suit jacket. Especially if you deal with the public. If you are a professional and I walk into your office and you aren't dressed in professional attire, the first thing I think is that I'd rather deal with someone who is more committed to their work.