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Random Queries > What Not To Wear To Work/How Many Have You Worn?

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message 1: by RandomAnthony (last edited Mar 01, 2010 07:44PM) (new)

RandomAnthony | 14536 comments http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/...

I have broken three of these rules. I will not reveal, yet, which ones. You?

1. Underwear as outerwear. Camisoles or visible bra straps and lingerie scream "eek!" not "chic!"

2. Workout gear. Save your muscle shirts and spandex for the gym.

3. Soiled, stained or rumpled clothing. Neatness counts. Better to wear less expensive clothing that is immaculately cleaned and pressed than to sport designer grunge.

4. Shorts. Whether of the Bermuda or Daisy Duke variety, wearing shorts to work is just plain wrong.

5. Tattoos. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie have made tattoos seem almost mainstream, but many people are still put off by them. Best to keep yours under wraps or disguised with a heavy spray-on makeup made expressly to conceal tattoos.

6. Extreme hair color. Natural looking highlights are fine, but never dye your hair blue, magenta or other colors not found in nature.

7. Too much cologne. A strong scent is a turnoff to most people. Best to forgo fragrance and opt for the clean smell of soap.

8. Long, fake or wild-colored nails. Keep your nails short and neat. Avoid nail decals, black polish or "Elvira" length nails.

9. Grungy beards. In general, most companies prefer clean-shaven men to, say, ZZ Top. If you just can't part with your facial hair, at least keep it neatly trimmed. (And for gosh-sakes check in the mirror after eating that powder-sugared doughnut!)

10. Micro-miniskirts. Make sure there is no more than three or four inches between knee and hem. You want to be able to sit without giving a peep show.

11. Overly revealing attire. Too little is too much. Breasts, back and arms should be covered. Avoid overly snug fits by making sure there is at least one inch of room between body and fabric.

12. Athletic socks with street shoes. Men, the devil's in the details. People notice these things!

13. Body piercings. Studies show that most people view body jewelry as unprofessional and that people with multiple piercings are less likely to be hired or promoted.

14. Bare midriff. Make sure there is at least one inch of room between body and fabric and that your shirt is long enough to conceal your midriff. Let your clothes show off your good taste -- not your six-pack abs.

15. Low-rise pants. "Plumber's crack" is not acceptable anywhere. Period. Finally, as a rule of thumb: If you have any doubt whether something you have on is appropriate -- go back and change.



message 2: by Kevin (new)

Kevin  (ksprink) | 11469 comments 2 broken rules for me. #3 and #9. i do wear athletic socks but i wear boots and my tat is covered. i do however usually have some sort of odd facial hair thing working and i occasionally wear grubby clothes when working at a project site and have to be in my office for a bit


message 3: by Lori (new)

Lori Huh! I've worked in very casual places but I don't think I've broken one of those rules, amazing. I could have worn shorts, but never did because of the a/c. I'd just wear a skirt. Altho, not sure about #14. I don't think I've followed that 1" rule.


message 4: by Lori (new)

Lori Oh wait, I've definitely worn sneakers.


message 5: by Heidi (new)

Heidi (heidihooo) | 10826 comments Do crocs count? I've worn crocs with scrubs before... and white socks.

If not, then I haven't broken any rules (that I know of)... well, except #3. I'm a messy-magnet.


Jackie "the Librarian" | 8993 comments I've worn shorts to work, and I've had blue fingernail polish. Because, when you're the blue fairy, that's what color your fingernails ARE!

And I should iron more, I must admit. But you can iron linen until the cows come home, and it's still going to wrinkle just about immediately.


message 7: by Cosmic Sher (new)

Cosmic Sher (sherart) | 2234 comments What's wrong with designer grunge, I ask you? It was all the rage in the 90's. Sheesh.

I think the biggest rule I've broken, aside from wearing grungies when working on computer hardware (a must!), is #13. My nose stud is small & tasteful and just a little hint of rebel peaking out. If they can't handle it, then they can suck my sock! :)


message 8: by [deleted user] (new)

I really like nose studs & navel rings. I just missed the cut off date to get them.

(In a very small voice) I have to confess that I haven't broken any of these rules.

In my very first job, I got dragged into my boss's office & was told that "Female professional staff DO NOT WEAR TROUSERS!". What joy, I've been wearing trousers for the last 10 years.


message 9: by RandomAnthony (new)

RandomAnthony | 14536 comments Yep, 3, 4, and 9 for me, sometimes all at the same time. During the summer we get very mellow/informal here, and there's no way I'm wearing a tie to teach a four hour class on a Monday in July.

A university official once gave me a wrinkled-nose look about my clothes in the summer. I have tenure. That person no longer works here. I win.

That said, I usually get dressed up to teach these days. But like the librarian, I don't worry much about ironing...everything I own comes out of the dryer more or less ready, except for the suits, which have to be dry-cleaned.


message 10: by Sally, la reina (new)

Sally (mrsnolte) | 17360 comments Mod
I'm wearing black nail polish right now.


message 11: by Kevin (new)

Kevin  (ksprink) | 11469 comments i am sometimes called kevin wrinkle instead of kevin sprinkle


message 12: by Mary (new)

Mary (madamefifi) I wear white crew socks and running shoes with my scrubs. Also my current nail polish is a lovely shade of lavender. We're not supposed to have fake nails because of the whole bacteria-harboring thing but some nurses still do it (not me though, I hate fake nails).

I also defy authority by wearing a small crystal stud in my nose piercing.


message 13: by [deleted user] (new)

#3 & #4 for me, maybe on the same day. I've only worn shorts on days that I am only working half a day, or have a golf outing to attend.


message 14: by Phil (new)

Phil | 11720 comments Kevin "El Liso Grande" wrote: "i am sometimes called kevin wrinkle instead of kevin sprinkle"

A good shake would take care of that sprinkle thing.

I work as a stay-at-home dad, so I'll wear whatever the hell I want.


message 15: by Gus (new)

Gus Sanchez (gussanchez) Honestly, I haven't broken a single one of those rules. Although I am contemplating growing a grungy beard, because that seems to be the in-thing to do lately. Plus, I've always wanted to grow one.

Even in places where casual attire is almost mandatory, I've refrained from wearing shorts and flip flops. Above all, one should always maintain a level of professionalism at work, and those things - all of those things listed above - violate that professionalism. Mind you, I'm all for tattoos and body piercings, but there's a restraint that should be adhered to.


message 16: by Phil (new)

Phil | 11720 comments Gus wrote: "Above all, one should always maintain a level of professionalism at work, and those things - all of those things listed above - violate that professionalism."

In the software development world, anyone NOT breaking at least two of those "rules" would stick out like a sore thumb. They would be a distraction in the workplace.


message 17: by Gus (new)

Gus Sanchez (gussanchez) Agreed, Phil. Which is why I, despite working in IT, have chosen to never work for a software development company for those same reasons.


message 18: by janine (new)

janine | 7715 comments i don't have much work experience, so i haven't broken many rules. most of the places where i worked didn't have that many rules. for my first job not breaking rule #3 would mean you weren't doing your job. no, it wasn't mud wrestling but the effect on my clothes was very similar. i also worked in a store, but i never ironed my uniform. i always tell myself my washing and drying strategies eliminate the need for ironing. i also wore the wrong color shoes. as a student i feel i have the right to wear any clothes i want. i exercise that right on a daily basis.


message 19: by smetchie (new)

smetchie | 4034 comments I TRY not to wear shorts to work even though we have a casual dress code because I agree with what Gus said. At one point I tried to tell my self I was going to stop wearing flip flops to work but it just won't stick. I do it anyway. It just makes me too f*cking happy.


message 20: by Vanessa (new)

Vanessa (buckythecat) I try to keep my beard neat.


message 21: by Heidi (new)

Heidi (heidihooo) | 10826 comments I loved the work attire when I taught martial arts - NO SHOES!!! :)


message 22: by Jaime (new)

Jaime | 158 comments #3 and #5 for me. I just pull my clothes from the dryer...I have maybe ironed 4 or 5 times in my life.

And I have a tattoo on my foot...in the summer I won't wear boots to work and w/ some shoes you can see it. Its business casual here and the people don't care so I don't worry about it.


message 23: by Kevin (new)

Kevin  (ksprink) | 11469 comments tats are way more accepted than before. about 15 yrs ago i had a shaved head, a tat and a pierced ear in rural indiana. that equaled convict for most people

i never iron anything. i send some shirts to the dry cleaners but most of my wardrobe is def wash n wear


message 24: by Youndyc (new)

Youndyc | 1255 comments Can't say that I've broken any of those rules. Then again, I work in a stodgy profession and wear suits almost every day to work. I'd like to dye my hair some crazy color just once, though.


message 25: by Tim (Mole) The Gunslinger (last edited Mar 05, 2010 07:23AM) (new)

Tim (Mole) The Gunslinger (Mole) 5&6 But I think them are the 2 lesser evils the others are just wrong in many ways rule 5 I think is absurd anyway as LONG AS THERE NOT SHITTY LOOKING JAILHOUSE tats! lol If I have to deal with other peoples ideas of fashion art and there thoughts on coolness then my tattoos are going to be seen Thtas what there for. And this is America still!

And Kevin I have been stereotyped forever growing up In small town Illinois Tattoos long hair! It was amazing how differently people treated me after a haircut but sad also that my looks made me a bad person without the benefit of knowing me I was even taken to the police station and questioned about a stolen check and they remembered me at the bank just because I looked like there idea of a criminal

so much for innocent till proven guilty I was thre cashing my paycheck that I worked hard and honest for and I was badgerd and putdown called a liar for hours till I could prove my innocence!

Its strange how a cop can make you feel guilty even when your not they twist your words and I kinda froze cause I was a alittle scared I couldnt remember what check Id ben there to cash at first Id never been in trouble before so I the long haired tattooed mostly law abiding citizen was scared pissed and hurt what a joke are rights are when they want you to be guilty you are until you can prove them different!
And 6 was a stupid phase thing which everyone is guilty of in some form or another.

And does 1 count if Im just relaxing at home alone or with the wife Its not outerwear i guess as long as Im not going out.

And where did these etiquite no no's originate?


message 26: by Félix (new)

Félix (habitseven) Vanessa wrote: "I try to keep my beard neat."

That's admirable.


message 27: by Knarik (last edited Mar 06, 2010 07:25PM) (new)

Knarik I agree with Gus. If you go to work or to class you must wear the right clothes, look professional, so you will feel and act professionally. I will never be able to go to work or to college in mini skirts, or shorts or flip-flops, or not ironed shirts. it is because my family raised me like that, and in my country people would have stared at you if you wear any of the above mantioned. Especially in universities and schools, teachers always dress with great care, the same do students- very often they even overdress. By the way, do you accept when people come to work or to school in their pajamas? I will never get used to that (particularly when they are dirty)!


message 28: by Sally, la reina (new)

Sally (mrsnolte) | 17360 comments Mod
Gas! lollolololoollolo


message 29: by Knarik (new)

Knarik (: Sorry (:


message 30: by Sally, la reina (new)

Sally (mrsnolte) | 17360 comments Mod
hahah.


message 31: by Félix (new)

Félix (habitseven) Well done, K. :)


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