The Top Five Office Fashion Mistakes

Catherine Willows, CSI Supervisor on “CSI—Crime Scene Investigator, Las Vegas,” goes out on assignment in a sleeveless, low-cut v-neck shirt and painted-on jeans. Kalinda, the Private Investigator on “The Good Wife,” does her sleuthing in short skirts, high boots and a just enough cleavage to coax witnesses to tell all. Joan, the secretary/office manager on “Mad Men” shows off her fetching figure in body-hugging sheath dresses and matching high heels. G. Callen and Sam Hanna, the agents from “NCIS-Los Angeles,” catch the bad guys in jeans and t-shirts. All look great on TV, but using prime time professionals as a guide for dressing for success in your workplace can be a disaster.

Not since the introduction of “casual Friday” has there been a bigger change in what is and is not an acceptable working wardrobe. Just the word “casual” applied to wardrobe can mean pajamas and slippers to one while it means a suit and dress shirt without a tie to another. In one office where I worked, a co-worker showed up on out first “casual Friday” in a pair of white spandex pants and a tube top! While life and the workplace are becoming more casual, here are the top five top fashion mistakes employees make in the workplace:

1. Showing your toes. Unless you are a lifeguard or pool attendant, or work for Google or some other similar company, you will most likely have to wear closed-toed shoes, at least for safety reasons. OSHA requirements, Workers’ Compensation insurance or the nature of the job may require it. If flaunting your toes is acceptable, invest in a regular pedicure to look your best (guys, too).
 

2. Going sleeveless. Fashion requirements differ according to the industry, but bare shoulders and arms are best covered up in a professional office setting. Too much skin, wherever it is, can be distracting. Jackets, for both men and women, are more stylized and less formal, and are always right for the office. Shirts with sleeves for men and women, and sweaters for women will allow you to express your fashion sense.
 

3. Too tight anything. Your $500 Armani Suit or Vera Wang outfit may be the latest thing, but if it resembles a sausage casing on your body, it is a waste of money. Likewise, the $5 bargain that was triple discounted (with a 20% off coupon) is no bargain if it is too short (tight, low cut, etc). Your clothes should make you and the rest of your co-workers comfortable, now worrying if your zipper will pop when you sit down.
 

4. Halloween in July. Dressing as if you are going to a Halloween party, a nightclub, or a Renaissance Fair will make you boss wonder if you have a grip on the present. Save the costumes and “bling” for the weekends. Your clothes shouldn’t be distracting, which can affect productivity and focus for both you and your co-workers.
 

5. Escapees from the Laundry Basket. Whatever you decide to wear, be sure it is clean and fresh, with no stains, rips, tears, missing buttons or broken zippers. Invest in an iron and ironing board—a small investment with a big payoff. The saying, “…the clothes make the man (woman),” is true. How you dress says something about how you feel about yourself. If you treat yourself well, others will, too.

Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a freelance writer, blogger, and consultant. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in "Training" magazine, "Training & Development" magazine, "Supervision," "Pulse" and "The Savannah Morning News." You can read her blogs at www.skirt.com/savannahchick, www.workingsmartworks.blogspot.com/ and on the web at www.mjnhconsulting.com.