Business Casual 101

This post has been sitting around in my drafts for a long time. It just seems no matter how many things I came up with for the rules of dressing for the workplace, there were always more I was missing. So we'll just consider this installment part 1 and I'll get you more rules as they come to me (or you, as many of you have sent me emails regarding the horrible things you've seen at work).

The rules are aimed for a business casual to casual office workplace. Obviously if you work in say ArdenB, your work attire is going to differ from these rules. But this esquire works in an office, so that's the kind of help I'm going to give.

So to better navigate the fashion pitfalls of the workplace, here is a helpful list of dos and don'ts.

DON'T

1. Wear anything that requires you to go braless. If you can't wear a bra with it, you can't wear it to work. It doesn't matter if you are somehow throwing a cardigan over that dress, your girls need support at all times, especially in a business setting. Strap them in.




2. Wear halters. A tie/strap behind your neck is very unprofessional, and even with a cardigan over it, you can still tell that your top/dress is backless. The office is no place for a halter.




3. Have visible bra straps. This one needs no explanation.




4. Wear flip flops at work, even if your dress code is casual. Take pride in your work and the image you present. There's a line of too casual, and flip flops cross it.







5. Wear anything with a hood.
   
   
6. Wear anything with holes in it. You may not think that people will notice, but people will. Every time.



7. Wear shorts to work. Shorts are too casual for an office environment. If it's really that hot and you need something cooler, then try a skirt.

8. Wear short or tight or low cut clothes. If you wouldn't wear it in front of your mother, you can't wear it to the office.

9. Wear strapless tops/dresses unless covered by a cardigan/sweater in a way you cannot tell the garment underneath is strapless.

10. Confuse going out dressy with going to work dressy. Sequins and plunging necklines have no place at work.

11. Wear tennis shoes at work. See #4 above. Why not try a nice pair of ballet flats instead?

12. Wear sweats. Even in a casual work environment, sweat pants or sweat shirts are too casual (and just unattractive). Try a nice sweater instead.

13. No ankle bracelets. Ankle bracelets are a young and unprofessional look. (Even worse when worn under pantyhose).

DO

1. Try wearing dresses. To some dresses may be intimidating, but try one and you won't regret it. You look so put together with very little effort (it is just one piece of clothing after all).

Banana Republic, $150

2. Try wearing a higher heel. Wearing a non-block, non-low heel makes your legs look better, and adds a little power to your outlook. Get ahead at work by wearing hot shoes.

Nine West, $89

3. Incorporate color into your wardrobe.

Banana Republic, $69

4. Keep the accessories to a minimum and wear tasteful/simple accessories and jewelry

Blue Nile, $60

5. Wear makeup. Makeup is essential to looking great. Keep it to a minimal glow as you don't want to look too glam at the office, but definitely at least do concealer, mascara, and lip gloss at the very minimum.

MAC, $14

6. Iron your clothes. Nothing looks more unprofessional than showing up in rumply clothes. Yes, ironing is boring but if you don't have the time to iron your shirts and pants to perfection, do like I do and drop them all off at the cleaners. Not only do your clothes come out nicely pressed, but they last longer when drycleaned instead of being washed and dried at home. And if you don't want to pony up the money for drycleaning, then for sure pony up the money for an iron.

Black and Decker, $39.99