10 Crimes of Work Fashion

<strong>10</strong> <strong>Crimes</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Work</strong> <strong>Fashion</strong><br />

By Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com<br />

Fair or not, appearance matters in the workplace. Just ask Desiree Goodwin. The Harvard<br />

assistant librarian sued the university in 2005, claiming she was rejected for jobs or passed<br />

over for promotions 16 times because her supervisors viewed her as just as "pretty girl"<br />

who "wore sexy outfits," according to media reports.<br />

When it comes to pr<strong>of</strong>essional perception, clothes make a difference. According to a survey<br />

by Office Team, an administrative staffing firm, 80 percent <strong>of</strong> workers say a person's work<br />

wardrobe affects his or her pr<strong>of</strong>essional image.<br />

This means that dressing appropriately is a must if you want to be taken seriously at work.<br />

But knowing what's acceptable attire isn't easy in today's workplace. Business-casual dress<br />

codes vary widely between companies, and even between departments. The following items,<br />

however, are almost never acceptable to wear to work:<br />

1. The Crime: Poor-fitting clothing.<br />

Too-tight clothing is never flattering and usually too revealing, but too-baggy clothes make<br />

you look sloppy and unpr<strong>of</strong>essional. Pant length also matters -- if you're showing too much<br />

sock or leg, expect to be teased all day about an upcoming flood.<br />

Redemption: Find a good tailor. It's a rare person who actually looks good in clothes<br />

directly <strong>of</strong>f the rack. Buy an item to fit the fullest parts <strong>of</strong> your body, and the tailor can nip<br />

in the rest.<br />

2. The Crime: Too much perfume or cologne.<br />

You never want your co-workers or clients to smell you before they see you, and a<br />

colleague could be severely allergic to your favorite scent.<br />

Redemption: Apply perfume or cologne with an extremely light hand. If you spritz too<br />

much, put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and dab <strong>of</strong>f the excess.<br />

3. The Crime: Shorts or too-short skirts.<br />

Showing too much leg is never a good pr<strong>of</strong>essional move -- for women or men. Revealing a<br />

little leg makes men appear overly casual or sloppy, and makes women look more sexy<br />

than serious.<br />

Redemption: Men should stick with long pants, and women should wear skirts that hit<br />

within an inch-and-a-half <strong>of</strong> the knee.<br />

4. The Crime: Out-<strong>of</strong>-control hair.<br />

Whether it's frizzy coifs or bushy beards, wild hair just doesn't look pr<strong>of</strong>essional.<br />

Redemption: Women and men should invest in a good haircut and some styling products<br />

that can reduce poufiness and make hair easier to manage. Men should keep their facial<br />

hair well-trimmed, or better yet, go clean-shaven.<br />

5. The Crime: Dirty, ripped or torn jeans.<br />

Even on casual Fridays, ripped jeans look too dirty and messy for the workplace.

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Redemption: When you do choose to wear jeans to work, make sure they are well-fitting<br />

and in extremely good condition.<br />

6. The Crime: Cleavage<br />

There are very few legitimate jobs where showing <strong>of</strong>f your chest, belly or rear-end cleavage<br />

is a good career move. Remember, your best or fanciest dress isn’t necessarily appropriate<br />

for work.<br />

Redemption: Cover up. Whenever possible, avoid wearing anything low-cut or low slung to<br />

the <strong>of</strong>fice. If you can't part with your V-neck shirts, simply buy a few camisole shirts to wear<br />

underneath them. And bare middles or plumber butts? JUST SAY NO! Do a bend-over test to<br />

be sure exactly how you look in your clothes as you move and sit.<br />

7. The Crime: Tank tops.<br />

Showing too much skin in the <strong>of</strong>fice is never a good idea in the <strong>of</strong>fice, and tank tops are<br />

especially inappropriate for men. Be sure your midsection is fully covered too!<br />

Redemption: If it's hot outside and you're going out with friends after work, simply keep a<br />

cardigan or jacket at your desk to cover up. That way, you'll stay comfortable in frigid air<br />

conditioning and look pr<strong>of</strong>essional when your boss stops by.<br />

8. The Crime: Noisy jewelry and Body Art.<br />

An armload <strong>of</strong> bangles or long, dangling earrings are perfect choices for a bar, but<br />

downright distracting in the <strong>of</strong>fice. Don’t pierce anything that makes other people cringe. .<br />

And tattoos – think very carefully about the message you are sending.<br />

Redemption: Keep your <strong>of</strong>fice jewelry simple. A small pendant, stud earrings and a<br />

delicate bracelet look much more pr<strong>of</strong>essional than trendy pieces. Save your flashier jewelry<br />

for happy hour. Save the eyebrow, nose and belly rings for <strong>of</strong>f-hours. Cover the tattoos.<br />

9. The Crime: Gym attire.<br />

Even in the most casual workplaces, flip flops, yoga pants, shorts, T-shirts and running<br />

shoes make you look sloppy and apathetic.<br />

Redemption: If you're going to the gym or catching a flight after work, change into your<br />

comfortable clothes in the bathroom on the way out.<br />

<strong>10</strong>. The Crime: Extremely high heels.<br />

Extremely high heels are too sexy for the workplace -- not to mention impractical. Few<br />

things would be more embarrassing than wobbling or tripping over your extreme footwear<br />

in front <strong>of</strong> the boss.<br />

Redemption: The highest heels you should wear to the <strong>of</strong>fice are 2 inches. That way, you'll<br />

actually be able to walk in them, and they'll be comfortable enough to wear all day. You<br />

might feel shorter, but you'll no longer fear grates or sidewalk cracks or sprained ankles.<br />

Laura Morsch is a writer for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search<br />

strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.