Does Your Office Have a Strict Dress Code?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
May 10, 2009 1:42pm CST
I wouldn't say our dress code is very strict where I work. We don't have to wear a suit and tie. Just a nice usually button down shirt and some slacks. Some of the girls seem to be able to wear anything for a top and get away with it.
However, for casual Friday it seems like everyone is out to get everyone else. Instead of just enjoying having a casual day, the older people like to try to ruin it for everyone else. It's like they just can't stand to see people in jeans, it's really amusing to me. If you wear anything other than standard fit jeans and a nice top, you're in trouble. And you must have either nice tennis shoes or high heels it seems, anything else isn't allowed. Open toed shoes aren't allowed, but if you wear open toed high heels and a low cut top it seems like the rules get bent. And if you wear close toed athletic shoes you can forget it, those are just way too casual for them.
Dress codes in the work place kind of make me laugh really. Especially for places where the public is never allowed in. When I worked in retail I understood that we needed to all wear the same colors so that people knew who was an employee and who wasn't. But for an office it just seems so silly that even on casual days your clothing is subject to the whims of the elders.
3 people like this
26 responses
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
10 May 09
I own my own business and work from home so many days I sit working in my pajamas. The last job I had, had casual Fridays, and then they just pretty much decided to go to casual all the time unless we had customers coming in, then we had to wear business attire, however, the casual clothing still had to be more a dress casual. No torn jeans or anything like that. It was a lot easier to work in jeans and tennis shoes, then high heals.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 May 09
That sounds like fun to work in pajamas.
We can't wear torn jeans either on casual Friday. We can't even wear light colored jeans, they must be the dark dressy jeans.
But yeah, I've gotta say it is easier to work in comfortable clothing. When my feet don't hurt I am happy and work faster.
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@maeras (107)
• United Arab Emirates
10 May 09
At work we have a certain dress code to follow...usually it ranges from semi formal to formal. We can get away with jeans and sandals on weekends when we have to go back for extra work. We do fieldwork and visit client places so at least we have to look professional and presentable. Sometimes, if the clients are not strict and they are wearing jeans, we go along with them so as not to stand out.
Our boss though never leaves his coat and tie - even on weekends. There was one time when I saw that he was wearing a "sporty" leather brown shoes with his gray coat and tie..hehehe. Looks weird but I think he feels more in command if he is dressed that way. I never see him in anything else.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 May 09
Our boss is always dressed up too, even on casual days. It is hard to even imagine him not wearing a tie!
So it was funny when he said he actually liked my shoes and wanted to get some to wear on the weekends when he goes out hiking and kayaking and stuff. And I'm trying to imagine this guy in a kayak, because I can only imagine him our there in dress shoes and wearing a tie, LOL.
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
11 May 09
I used to work in a government statutory board. I was a manager then. There is no strict dress code, although staff are expected to dress decently. So guys could come in a shirt and pants, while ladies either come in a working dress or a blouse and pants. For me, since I was a manager, I used to wear a long sleeved shirt and office pants, but no tie since it is not required. Friday was our dress down day, and some staff choose to come more casually on that day and wear collared T-shirts instead of shirts, and sometimes even jeans. In general, staff should dress according to the dress code dictated by the company, since they work for the company.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
I don't mind following a dress code, as long as our company would make everyone follow it. Instead they just randomly pick people to single out. Yet if some girl wants to wear a low cut top and the managers like looking at her in that, no one will say anything to her. She could even wear open toed shoes and there would be no problem.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
12 May 09
Definitely. :) Too bad our company didn't think so. I don't really want to start anything though so I guess I'll wait until someone else gets in trouble. I'll just make sure that anything I wear from now on cannot be considered against the rules, and then sit and wait for the next person to get busted (or maybe bust someone myself if I can get someone who snitched on me).
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
11 May 09
I don't work in the office anymore but, when I used to it was smart dress code except on Saturdays where it was then casual. There wasn't a strict code as such but, it was frowned upon to wear trainers or hoodies and that kind of thing!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
15 May 09
Oh ok! That is cool, I like learning new words!
Yeah, here they're called sneakers or tennis shoes, depending what region you're in. They're usually for walking/running or some type of sport (sometimes they give them specific names too like basketball shoes if they're very specialized).
Good to know. In our office we have people from so many different countries I am constantly learning new words. I think it's kind of fun to see what people call things in other countries.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
13 May 09
Sorry forgot that some words are slightly different for our US friends! Trainers are what you call sneakers I think? For running in? x
@rakesh284 (1472)
• India
11 May 09
Well I am not working somewhere now but when I was working we used to have strict dress code.
Because when we are working we were only allowed to enter wearing formals.
I don't know why but at some places there was one day in a week when they used to wear jeans also.
@rakesh284 (1472)
• India
12 May 09
I think even though at some places casual are used but I think still formals will be used at many places and that's the way professional looks!!
@gcorp09 (940)
• Singapore
11 May 09
I will say that the dress code for my company is currently quite relaxed. Usually, we will be able to wear jeans and sneakers to work for all days. However, if we will need to go out to meet our suppliers or customers,, or we have meetings in office, then we will have to wear formal wear.
However, I notice that some of my co-workers do wear office wear at all days, except for Fridays where they may then dress down. My boss usually do not say anything about our dress code.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
Yeah, I know what you mean about the inconvenience of change. At least with this office I've known all along I can only buy clothing that is allowed. But back when I went to middle school I remember we had to have uniforms and before that I never had to get them. Uniforms were so much more expensive than regular clothing that it was a huge inconvenience. And despite me trying very hard to rotate the clothes around, I still couldn't make it seem like I had more than 3 outfits, so it was very embarrassing. At least at work I've finally accumulated quite a few appropriate clothes.
@gcorp09 (940)
• Singapore
11 May 09
Yes, I do agree that not many companies do that. However, this is a informal "company culture" for these few years (I'm with them for around 5 years). The company that bought over us recently has a strict dress code. Although they had yet to comment anything on the dress code at this moment, I guess we will never know if this will change in the near future.
I do hope that they do not change as it will bring a lot of inconvenience to us...
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
19 May 09
Thankfully where I work I can wear a t-shirts and jeans. I couldn't work at a place where I had to wear a dress for too long. I never wanted a job where yu sit at a desk in yur Sunday best. Thankfully some companies get it. If the workers can be comfortable in their clothes, they will work longer and better.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
19 May 09
Seriously, we would all be so happy if our feet weren't in constant pain!
One of the guys at work even found some shoes that have tennis shoe soles but dress shoe top. Well, technically that isn't allowed so I don't want to get any because I'm sure someone would snitch. But we should be able to work in shoes that don't kill your feet. And you know it's bad when most of the time you just sit at a desk but your feet still always hurt.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
19 May 09
Bummer. It sounds like there needs to be a Mutiny. see, I'm dangerous.
@weepinwillow (107)
• Philippines
11 May 09
At work, we don't have a dress code. It's really nice because you can come in any attire. Of course, you have to be decent but at least we don't have to wear corporate attires. Jeans are allowed, slippers and shorts, or formal clothing. As long as you're comfortable and you do your best in your job and they get the results that the clients and learners want.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
Now that is smart. I think people do work more if they can wear what they want and be comfortable.
If I just think back to middle school and high school I can even see the difference in my work habits. In middle school we had to wear uncomfortable uniforms. And in high school we could wear almost anything as long as it was appropriate. I got much higher grades when I wasn't constantly in detention for dress code violations.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
12 May 09
no we dont have a uniform but we have dress codes. we can wear anything as long as we're not showing too much skin. we're not allowed to wear rubber slippers as well but sandals is okay.
before anything is allowed as long as you're not wearing two-piece in the office but some people would put some malice and some people were too much and would make a fuzz inside the workplace. and so they change it a bit..
@Mikaela_taz25 (1842)
• Philippines
11 May 09
Yes, we are always in a strict dress when ever we go to work. it's a very strict policy that when ever some one wears somethign different is being called by the boss and immediately either suspended or send home as a punishment. or even get a letter of warning, then an hour of endless scold.i had my mistakes and took me 5 times and a final letter of warning before i could grow up and follow the rules.@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
LOL, you sound like a rebel there! They send people home sometimes where I work, but to me that is just ridiculous, especially if we have a lot of work. Unless it was extremely offensive or something. I guess someone got sent home once for wearing a 4:20 shirt, which the managers thought was Hitler's birthday but really it is the smoking time for pot. Sometimes I don't know how these managers survive in the real world.
@neerajpandey_13 (1765)
• India
11 May 09
No, my office don't have code . But overall I even don't like the dress code because I think it can damage our freedom. It is way of binding expression as well.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
If they didn't bind our expressions a little bit, I think our office would end up looking like a brothel because apparently a lot of the girls seem to have that type of personality style. But I do think they should have reasons for what we can and cannot wear. I can understand open toed shoes might hurt your feet, but on a casual day I don't see the need to torture my feet with high heels just because other shoes are viewed as being too athletic.
@kherasakshi (391)
• India
12 May 09
Neither strict nor flexible,we don't have any dress code at office.but it doesn't mean that you can wear whatever you want.As the clothes you wear predict your personality & attitude.People themselves know what they are expected to wear.being a girl I wear suits & jeans.as far as guys are concerned they mostly wear formal shirt & trousers,some of them wear a T-shirt & jeans.But when someone (specially boss)from corporate office visits they also wear shirt instead of t-shirt.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
12 May 09
It seems like in any office the dress code is less strict for women than men.
For example, in our office women can wear short skirts. But men cannot wear shorts. Women can wear a blouse instead of a button-up shirt, but for men there is no equivalent to the blouse so they only wear button-up shirts.
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
11 May 09
There are strict dress codes where I work. It isnt suits or anything like that. We dont even deal with anyone outside of the building most of the time. I do think they make a lot of sense, though. I work in a research lab, so we are required to make sure we have long pants or skirt. We also have to wear shoes that completely cover our feet. Our clothes arent supposed to baggy or super loose. Some of it is subjective. Overall, though, it makes sense. It is to protect you in case of chemical spills or fire.
I love our dress code. I get to wear jeans and a tshirt with my sneakers everyday. So even though they are strict about what you can or cannot wear, it is very easy to follow!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
Oh that sounds like a cool job!
I think dress codes that make sense are good. Obviously you don't want to spill anything on your feet and you don't want to wear reactive clothing that would easily catch fire. In our office we have no such dangers, we just have to wear slacks, painful shoes, and dress shirts, lol.
Sounds like you get to wear my favorite type of clothing to work.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
Yeah, seriously! If only they could realize we get so much more work done on casual Friday. The office shoes have actually given me foot problems I think. Because I can't remember having these horrible foot spasms before I started wearing office shoes. I used to wear men's shoes which are a bit more comfortable than the women's shoes, but still any dress shoes are pretty bad. At least I'm trying to be nicer to my feet now when I am not at work.
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
11 May 09
Being able to wear jeans and a tshirt to work is definitely one of the biggest perks to my job! I used to have to wear dress clothes everyday. It got old really quickly! Especially the shoes!
Hopefully you can convince them to let you wear something more comfortable! If you are comfortable, it will be easier for you to get your work done. Now only if you could convince the bosses of that... 
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
11 May 09
yes we have dress codes. All mini skirts and sleeveless clothes are not allowed. Shorts and slippers are not allowed too. Wearing tubes are banned also. The only allowable clothes are slack and skirt and shirts and if it is Friday we can wear maong pants and shirts.
@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
11 May 09
My office does not have a strict dress code. We can pretty much wear what we want as long as it is not offensive to anyone and it is clean. Every now and than, not very often, when an important client comes to visit, we are told to dress up a little, but most days, we can wear what we want!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
It seems like in our office people are easily offended by anything. But that is cool that you only have to dress up when it is actually necessary. We are told to dress up more for Christmas parties and such, but other than that we're almost always in dress clothes.
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
11 May 09
Nope. WEre pretty laxed where I work. WE just have to wear black pants and a kahki coloured collared shirt or kahki pants with a black collared shirt. We have to wear an apron and and name tag as well.
The pants can't be sweats or jeans.
@zzyw87 (1254)
• Philippines
11 May 09
Yes I agree with you that it really is silly if we have a dress code and should be in smart business attire even if we are not interacting with clients/customers and even if they or the public cannot see us. For example, in my job, I don't interact with clients. I just do office work in my cubicle. But we are required to dress up in business attire everyday. We need to wear slacks and a collared blouse everyday.
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
11 May 09
We don't have a dress code here in the office because we don't usually talk face to face with clients. We only dress formally when our clients visit us or when the big boss is here. I just use my common sense in deciding what to wear. I mean, even if there's no dress code I wouldn't wear sweatpants or PJs.
@queennee (186)
• Philippines
11 May 09
when u work in an office its not good to see when the employess are wearing casual dress,it should be formal,that is why we have the word office attire.so, in my opinion,there soulh be a strict policy that the employess shoul wear an office attire.in an office where i work,its very strict,specially when it comes to your attire.proper dress code should be followed strictly."you will be dealing a lot of people everydaY,so its informal if ur not wearing a proper attire everynow and then",thats what my boss told us about wearing an office attire.well,he has the point,isnt it good to see when were all uniform inside the office? so, its very acceptable that if your working in an office there should be strict dress code... :)
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 May 09
But why is it not good to see people in casual clothes? Is there some law that says if you work in an office you have to be sweaty in polyester clothing and have aching feet?
We don't deal with the public at all. If we did, I would say it is good to dress nicely to give a good impression.
By the way, when you type a response on MyLot it is good to use some capital letters so that you don't confuse my screen reader which blasted through your paragraph like one giant run on sentence! LOL, thanks!
