HR Soapbox Blog

The Confusion Over Casual Clothing

(Published April 6, 2009)

When it comes to workplace dress codes, the word "casual" has been causing confusion for decades now, and I don't think the confusion is going to stop anytime soon. That's because generic fashion terms — like "jeans," "sandals," and "tank tops" — mean such vastly different things to different people.

To my dad, for instance, jeans are a pair of five-pocket, straight-leg pants constructed of blue denim. My dad doesn't even call them jeans; he refers to them as "dungarees." He would never dream of buying, let alone wearing, a pair of jeans so distressed the material was either frayed or ripped.

I, on the other hand, have purchased several such distressed pairs of jeans. And, yes, I've worn them to work. In fact, I'm wearing a pair as I write this! Admittedly, they are only slightly distressed. In fact, when I told a co-worker that I was writing about wearing frayed jeans to work, she commented, "People probably won't realize how 'put together' you look." I'm not talking old, ratty jeans with holes that are the result of wear. I'm talking new jeans purposefully distressed in certain "appropriate" areas for a stylish look.

Distressed jeans aren't the only type of denim known to ruffle workplace feathers. One employee saw nothing wrong with wearing skin-tight jeans. Unfortunately for him, his employer did and allegedly fired him for it. The employee has since fired back with a complaint to the state human rights division, arguing that the alleged reason for termination was just a pretext for discrimination; the real reason he was fired was because of his sexual orientation.

It's no wonder why then that when a dress code states that jeans are permitted on Fridays, you're bound to get at least one employee wearing a pair of jeans someone at the company thinks is inappropriate.

In an effort to prevent this from happening, some companies get specific and state in their dress code: "Jeans are permissible as long as they are not distressed or ripped in any way." The problem is that such a policy statement, in and of itself, gives off the impression that it's okay to wear jeans that are super baggy, are skin-tight, have an ultra low-rise, or are rhinestone studded, when that isn't necessarily the case.

So what's HR to do? Go crazy defining the fashion terms used in the company's dress code? Give employees pictures of what to wear and what not to wear? Host a fashion show highlighting work-appropriate gear? Trust that employees will use their best judgment? You tell me. What's worked at your organization?

Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor

Posted by Editorial at 4/3/2009 11:44 AM

This article was great. What I eventually decided to do was send an email to all our office workers showing them pictures of what's acceptable vs some examples of unacceptable jeans. I also labeled the pictures to explain why they weren't acceptable. I got laughs from most of the workers. It was meant to be funny to help them remember the examples better. This week is a short week, so I won't know if anyone breaks the rules until next week.
Posted by: Stephanie at 4/6/2009 12:40 PM

We have generally trusted that employees will use their best judgment, and so far that's worked in all but a few cases. In those cases, the supervisors have generally only needed to explain to the offenders once and they get the idea. We allow our direct supervisors to be the ones who dictate what's acceptable and not acceptable in their own department, which saves me, as HR Manager, from having to act as "dress code police" most of the time!
Posted by: Cynthia at 4/6/2009 2:23 PM

We have a dress code with definitions of what is appropriate and what isn't. Any gray areas are addressed with the leaders - judgement is needed, as no policy will cover all situations.
Posted by: Brian at 4/7/2009 11:37 AM

I recall some 15 years ago while working in Washington, DC. A work team was put together to define "business casual", based on the company new policy to allow a deviation from the "suit and tie" mindset. Needless to say, after several meetings, we never arrived to a concensus as to what was an appropriate, suitable, acceptable business casual attire. By the time I left DC, some six years later, everyone was still wearing the "suit and tie uniform."
Posted by: Rafael Martorell at 4/7/2009 11:53 AM

I seriously admire anyone who can get so specifc in this area that it addresses all the issues. Our staff seems to find loopholes all the time. I have started using the following for appearance issues. "Your appearance should never serve as a distraction from the excellent customer service we provide our customers. If we determine that your appearance is a distraction we will ask you to make the appropriate adjustments."
Posted by: Chris Davis at 4/7/2009 11:55 AM

How are companies addressing piercings and tattoos?
Posted by: mauras at 4/7/2009 1:01 PM

Would it not be wonderful if jeans were the only issue! What about clothes that are way too tight, too short, too worn out, too wrinkled, etc. Or worse - too much exposed skin or exposed underwear (as in thongs and bras)--Add footwear such as raggedy sneakers, or flip flops and beach wear shoes vs nice sandals or walking shoes....
A written description with some of caveat in it that leaves room for interpretation by a top level supervisor might be needed!
* Years ago I was in personnel at a "highfalutin" department store in OKC and we had a very strict dress code which included only closed toes dress shoes with socks or stockings (i.e. no bare feet or legs) -- and one gal repeatedly refused to wear stockings or sox - and I had to fire her over that!! It was a written policy - and she broke it.
She didn't fit the image!!
I am sure I ruined her entire life! (LOL)
Posted by: Carol Gill at 4/7/2009 1:08 PM

We have had to re-write our policy to literally spell out what is appropriate and was is not appropriate. For example: "do not wear clothing that may potentially show skin (if you are reaching for file and your midriff or undergarments will be exposed). And "do not wear anything that you would wear to a beach or to a club such as flip flops, casual sandals, shorts, or flashy, rhinestoned, or decorative clothing, etc." It's truly ridiculous that we have to go to these lengths to explain to professionals what is appropriate and what is not appropriate to wear to the workplace. They have trouble separating professional and personal lives. Haven't had to fire anyone yet!
Posted by: Jennifer( Visit ) at 4/7/2009 1:46 PM

I once told an employee (who showed up to work in a dressy but backless halter top) that this was not a bar, and backless attire was not allowed. Oops -- she was angry AND offended.
Posted by: Joyce at 4/8/2009 11:35 AM

My favorite dress code was the one I "wrote" at my last job. We were a small company, business casual, jeans okay on Fridays. I phrased our policy this way:

You are an adult. You should know by now how to dress in a professional, yet casual, manner. If you don't, we hired the wrong person. If you aren't sure if an item of clothing is appropriate, it isn't.

In fact, our entire handbook boiled down to seven words - You are an adult. Act like it.
Posted by: Dragon Lady at 4/8/2009 11:36 AM

At my company we can only wear jeans/denim if specifically told it's allowed on a particular day or for a particular situation. We can wear "business casual" on Fridays but to me it's a little unfair b/c the men are more restricted than the women under that description. Most of the women look pretty darn casual to me and maybe more casual than if they were wearing jeans. We are a corporate office and stick strictly to business attire all other days of the week.
Posted by: Mary at 4/8/2009 11:45 AM

We have one employee who is still getting away with wearing jeans on Friday and that person's boss is to much of a wimp to tell them not to do it. I makes many very upset that they continue to get away with it. HR doesn't seem to be good enough, "Ah, we haven't had a jeans Friday in over a year. Please refrain from wearing jeans to work." And last Friday, there they were again, in jeans. Errrrr.
Posted by: Tracy at 4/8/2009 11:48 AM

We have implemented a "Jeans Optional Policy" Jeans can be worn at anytime so long as they are clean, appropriate length, and not frayed and holey. Every other piece of attire must adhere to our normal guidelines.
We got participation by putting up posters of acceptable and unacceptable dress and had everyone give their input. Then we posted only acceptable as a result. Then the policy was written and implemented. It has been very successful and morale boosting. My biggest challenge is low cut tops.
Posted by: Carol at 4/8/2009 12:24 PM

It isn't just casual attire that is the issue. I've run into problems with rumpled suits, too short skirts, shoes that looked like they were tracked through mud and offensive ties in professional environments as well.

I think overly detailed policies are asking for trouble. Someone is always going to find something that isn't in the extensive list yet not appropriate. I think back to my HS prom dress code which was one of those extensive ones. Guys had to wear a button up shirt with a collar, tie, full length pants (no shorts)and shoes that covered their feet and were not tennis shoes. Two jokesters arrived in flannel PJs with clown sized bow ties and bunny slippers. Technically they were in compliance but that was not what the administration had in mind.
Posted by: Elle at 4/8/2009 1:15 PM

I LOVE the "handbook" by Dragon Lady! I wish we could say that at my company, but alas, no. We are allowed business casual (no jeans) every day, but the gray area is with colored jeans. Many of our female associates wear denim jeans frequently that are not the traditional "blue." Associates seem to think that if the policy doesn't say "regardless of color" then it is only blue jeans that are off limits.
Posted by: Ann at 4/8/2009 1:51 PM

Our policy states "We reserve the right to inform employees should they deviate from this policy and employees may be sent home to change if necessary." I did send one fellow home during a "Business Casual" day when he came in with a t-shirt on that had a big dragon on it, after I had already let the staff know we had important clients in that day. He came back with a shirt and tie and was quite well dressed after that day.
Posted by: Addy at 4/8/2009 2:19 PM

What about tatoos and piercings?
Posted by: jacky at 4/8/2009 2:29 PM

We do not allow tatoos to show and only pierced ears as long as they only have two on each ear lobe. We have a dress code that every one adheres to and we allow no jeans whatsoever. All is good!
Posted by: Kathy at 4/8/2009 2:41 PM

More on "What about tatoos and piercings?" Our HR policies do not address this, and we now have many associates with exposed tatoos all over their legs and arms. Even in appropriate business attire, these associates look totally unprofessional. Jeans - heck, even shorts - are perceived in a more positive light than are tatoos - especially when an associate is covered with them.
Posted by: Kathy at 4/9/2009 10:19 AM

When I was boss, I started a Casual Friday (reserving the right to recall it as necessary), allowing jeans as long as they were full-length, clean, not holey in any way and covered all of the trunk from neck to the ankle(ie-no bellies showing). I would send them home to change if needed. After the first couple of home trips, most got the idea. The one that didn't - doesn't work there anymore. The one problem I could not resolve was the issue of tops too low on ladies who were well endowed. They loved wearing them and complained they could not find any tops in any stores that didn't cut low on their figures.
Posted by: Vickie at 4/9/2009 11:22 AM

I once worked for an organization that had a very reasonable policy regarding tattoos and piercings. They said both were allowed in the workplace to the extent that they were acceptable and common "in the community." It so happened that nose piercings were very commonplace for women in that community but with diamond studs as opposed to rings or bars.
Posted by: Mary( Visit ) at 4/21/2009 12:08 PM

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The Confusion Over Casual Clothing