Today's workplace is not one of the past. Now more than ever,company cultureis shifting to allow employees greater flexibility in terms of when they work, where they work, and what they wear to the office. In some ways, this is a perk. Forget the stuffy suits, the dry cleaning appointments, the high heels, and tight collars.
However, more freedom can also make it more difficult to get dressed in the morning. When there's no company dress code, you may be unsure of how to dress for work. In this case, you will need to set your own rules in terms of appropriate work attire. Your appearance says a lot about who you are, and you want to be sure to give the correct impression, especially to those in the workplace. The following tips can help you determine appropriate work attire for your situation.
Wear What Makes You Feel Confident
A modern office, without a dress code, affords you the option to wear clothes that make you feel confident while allowing you to express your personal style. Take inspiration from the employees in the picture. Their styles vary significantly, from the refined but rugged look of the man in the red pants to the dressy athletic style of his coworker in the blue crew neck and sneakers.
Though each person has a very individualized look, there is one common denominator. Each appears polished and put together. Although there are jeans and sneakers in the mix, if one of them had to make a presentation on the spot, they at least wouldn't have to worry about a wrinkled shirt or stained pants.
That's really the key. Put the effort into making casual clothes look office-ready, and you're good to go, as long as you look and feel the part.
Think Casual Restaurant
If a workplace has no dress code, most likely it hasan informalcasualdress code. You can wear what you want, though keep in mind some aspects of your appearance are assumed, such as a neat, clean look.
Consider what you would wear to a Sunday brunch or casual dinnerwith friends. You'dprobably want to look nice, but still feelcomfortable. This could be a helpful guideline when dressing for work.
Polish Your Look With Easy Accessories
If you're accustomedto a more formal office style and don't feel comfortable in a basic t-shirt and jeans, but still want to fit into the company culture, consider dressing up a basic outfit with simple accessories.
Wear a scarf, or add a statement necklace or pair of earrings. Put on a casual blazer over your t-shirt. There are many ways to refine a casual look without resorting to button-down shirts or dress pants.
Choose a Nice Shoe Over a Dress Shoe
In a no-dress-code office, dress shoes may feel too formal for the environment. If you are uncertain about wearing certain shoes, such as sandals or sneakers, check with your supervisor. Just because another worker is wearing flip flops, doesn't mean that it's acceptable work attire. As a rule, make sure that whatever shoes you wear to work are neat and clean.
Play Prints and Colors for a Fun but Professional Look
In a casual work environment, you shouldn't feel bound to wearing all black or grey. Incorporate prints, textures,and patterns into your look to add some brightness to a casual outfit.
Swap out your everyday denim for a pair of jeans in a subdued floral print. Or, opt for khakis in a salmon color rather than beige.
Adding an unexpected but still workplace-appropriate touch can be a good way to strike that balance between "too casual" and business casual.
Wear Workplace-Appropriate Workout Clothes
Thanks to a variety of brands who are designing refined athletic apparel, it is now possible to wear certain styles of exercise clothing to the office. Clothing may include stretchy work slacks with pockets, casual jackets, and long-sleeve t-shirts. If you style your outfit tactfully, you can make it work for the office.
First Impressions Are Still First Impressions
If you are preparing for an interview and need to decide what to wear, it's always a good rule to dress up, as you want to make a good first impression.This is important even if you are told the company doesn't have a formal dress code.
Note that even in a low-key environment,first impressions are still first impressions, and you should go the extra step to make sure you look and feel your best in an interview.
The Bottom Line
If you work for a company that does not have a formal dress code, it's a good idea to determine what is acceptable casual work attire based on the work environment as well as your career goals. While formal work clothes may not be necessary, it is a good rule to always appear well-groomed, wearing clothes that are neat and clean. By following some personal guidelines, your clothes can make you feel confident about yourself and your job.
FAQs
A no dress code office lets you match brighter hues, bold patterns, and unique textures with black, gray, or brown. Feel free to wear fun prints and patterns, but make sure they don't have offensive symbols or language. The final look should still be professional and appropriate to the workplace.
What is appropriate workplace attire? ›
Examples of business professional attire: When dressing business professional, you can wear tidy dresses, slacks, skirts, slacks, dark-colored suits and ties. Business professional tops include neat button-down shirts or blouses with a blazer. Business professional shoes include heels, loafers or flats.
How do you ask what attire to wear? ›
One way to ask about the dress code is to be direct. If you spoke with a recruiter or hiring manager on the phone, you can simply ask them what the dress code is ahead of your interview or the first day of work. If you have already been hired, they might forget to mention the dress code to you.
What is unprofessional work attire? ›
Clothing should never be ill-fitting, ragged or revealing. Any item that creates a distraction or impairs the ability to carry out job functions is inappropriate. Inappropriately dressed employees may be asked to change clothing, and all time spent doing so must be accounted for as time away from work.
How do you tell an employee they are not following dress code? ›
Say that this person's attire is unacceptable and that you need to discuss what can be done to fix it. Relate your points back to the company's written dress code, which can help prevent it from feeling like a personal attack. Have a copy of your employee handbook with you so you can review it with the employee.
What does business casual look like? ›
What Does Business Casual Mean? Business casual is basically a dress code that involves wearing traditional business attire with a couple of relaxed tweaks here and there. For example, wearing khaki pants or slacks with a blouse/polo, but without a tie would be considered typically business casual.
Can jeans be business casual? ›
Jeans are usually considered business casual, with some exceptions. Business casual jeans should be clean and in good condition, free of any tears, fading or fraying. Avoid bright-colored jeans or styles that have flashy details, in favor of classic styles that you can pair with accessories or layers as needed.
How do I tell my staff to dress appropriately? ›
“Please remember to dress in a manner that is respectful and appropriate for the office.” “Let's make sure our outfits are professional and don't contain any offensive language or imagery.” “It's important that everyone follows the dress code policy so that we can maintain a professional workplace.”
How do you tell someone to wear formal attire? ›
USE THE CORRECT DRESS CODE WORDING
Gentlemen know what to wear if the invitation states “white tie,” “black tie,” or “black tie optional.” Ladies take their cue from the level of formality the “tie” code defines. “White tie” is the most formal category.
How do you remind employees about dress code? ›
Send an Email
They must clearly understand why some clothing styles aren't acceptable in the office. That said, if you see someone violate the dress, it's best to nip it in the bud and send them an email reminder. Addressing the breach may be challenging, yet it can prevent further violations in the future.
Provocative or Improper attire means inappropriate and unsuitable office attire.
What is the most common workplace dress code? ›
One of the most common dress codes out there is business casual. Think of it as a blend of business professional and casual wear.
Can you be fired for not following dress code? ›
In California, employers may fire you for not adhering to the company dress code. However, they are not allowed to infringe upon your right protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Most California employees are aware that their employer can make them follow a company-mandated dress code.
Is it OK to ask about dress code for work? ›
Ask! There's nothing wrong with an email to or conversation with your supervisor asking what the company's dress code policy is and what people usually wear to work. Not every company will have a documented dress code or it may be outdated.
Is dress code a form of discrimination? ›
Dress codes can be a legitimate part of an employer's terms and conditions of service. There are different ways of achieving a professional “look” among employees, but it is important that a dress code does not discriminate, for example, by allowing both men and women to wear trousers in the workplace.
How do you ask for attire on a wedding invitation? ›
Wedding invitation etiquette dictates that the dress code—if you're including it on the invitation—is in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation. If you don't include a note on attire, the invitation itself will indicate the dress code.
How do you ask about dress code before interview? ›
If you're not sure what to wear to an interview, you can actually do some research in advance and look on social media, the company's website. You can also call their HR department and ask them what people typically wear and what their dress code is like. Then you can base your outfit on that.
What is an example of a dress code policy? ›
All employees are expected to dress professionally, anything that is revealing or inappropriate will not be tolerated. All attire should be clean and in good shape, any attire with rips, tears or holes will not be tolerated. All employees are required to avoid attire with offensive or inappropriate drawings or sayings.
