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We all love Fridays, especially if our employer allows us to dress down. Some people, however, take Casual Friday a bit too far. Here’s some tips to appropriate dress on Casual Friday.
- Casual doesn’t mean unprofessional. Avoid wearing clothing with advertising or messages that are inappropriate for the workplace. In doubt whether it is appropriate or not? Just don’t wear it.
- Clothing should be clean and in good repair. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle free (preferably pressed), and free from tears, missing buttons, hanging hems, etc.
- Always check your company’s policy on what is appropriate for Casual Friday. Jeans are allowed at some offices, but not at others.
- Don’t show any more skin than you would do on a normal workday. Bare midriff’s and sleeveless shirts are just as taboo on Casual Friday as they are the rest of the week.
- Flipflops are never appropriate office wear unless you’re having a beach party at work. Appropriate shoes and socks/hosiery should still be worn to the office.
Does your office have a Casual Friday? What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve seen on casual dress days?
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Hi Jodith – Great post. I haven’t worked for a company that had casual Fridays but I’ve seen many who do. My greatest concern is when I go to the bank on a Friday and not only have they dressed down, but some of the employees appear to be ultra relaxed. I don’t like the thought of someone being “casual” about my money.
*laughs* It’s always a jar when I see people dressed down at the bank. It’s an industry where you expect everyone to be dressed to the nines. Still, it’s nice for their employees to have a day away from the spit and polish.
For some companies like Google everyday is casual Friday. I saw a news article about it and apparently Google’s employees not only have the option of wearing basically what ever they want but also have a chef on duty 24/7, massage parlors and completely customizable offices. Sounds pretty nice. Regards!
I worked for a company like that back in Houston (BMC Software – if anyone’s looking for a job, they’re a great place to work). I loved working there. Still, even if the environment is very casual, if you want to be on the career track, it’s a good idea to be a bit more professional in your casual dress.
In many more companies these days its like casual friday everyday. I know its like that where I work.
Yes, many companies have gone for casual work attire, so essentially these tips would apply every day in those companies *laughs*. The company I currently work for is a casual dress company, which makes me ecstatically happy.
I hate to sound petty, but I hate when you people use the word “appropriate” or it’s other version “inappropriate.” That word is so irratating. I hear it too much from formal settings, career centers, human resources, corporate environments, consulting firms, etc. Enough is enough. I remember one time when I went to a class on job interviews, when the topic of choice of clothers came up, that word was used between 20-30 times. Wow.
Ok,many companies have gone for casual work attire, so essentially these tips would apply every day in those companies *laughs*.The company Icurrently work for is acasual business company,which makes me ecstaticaly happy.
I love companies that permit their employees’ to dress casually, everyday or fridays and i also love companies that permit their employees’ to dress on suit, it nice, i love the both of them its just that i prefer dressing on suit to the office to casual wears although i dress caually to the office.
Supervisor here! Here at work…Friday’s have become so casual and its employees so unpredictable (Not just our employees…the staff from sister companies) that business management hesitates doing business on Fridays for the sake of presenting an unprofessional look to customers. Overall customers impression of a company and its employees makes or breaks a sale or a contract. That’s why we have created rules in the Employee Handbook, and yes I am in full agreement with your Casual Fridays Dressing Tips! Thanks Much for that article, as I have posted it at the water fountain! On a side note…on the first Friday of the month our office has a THEME CASUAL FRIDAY…Hawaiian, 1920, 50’s, Western, etc. Top leaguers usually dont do anything too extreme so they still look presentable and can make a quick change to handle customer care.
I failed to discover when employers became sponsors of the fashion industry. Employees should be comfortable and neat. Jeans are acceptable if clean and in good repair. Productivity has never been improved because an employee is wearing a coat and tie or lovely dress and hose. I think the fashion industry has pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes for too long. We aren’t in high school anymore.
In the article above, you say that you should not go “sleeveless”????? Can someone please explain this to me. What could possibly be wrong with exposing your ARMS???? Michelle Obama does and people praise her — they rant and rave about how nice her arms look. So again, can someone please explain this — sounds absolutely ludicrous to me!!
Wow…look at all these comments on an old post *laughs*. Let me take these one at a time:
Joseph: Yes, the word gets annoying with it’s repetition, but it is, after all, the appropriate word choice.
Symon: Many companies have gone to a casual dress environment. I love it when I can dress down. However, casual dress doesn’t mean no dress code.
MCarol: Thanks for the kudos! As you say, employee dress can be quite unpredictable without good guidelines in place. I’m glad your company has set some standards. I love the idea of a theme Friday. What a great way to boost morale.
Richard: Unfortunately, whether or not dress standards at work affect productivity, they do affect the image of the company to visitors. The Supreme Court has long upheld the right of a company to set dress standards in the workplace. So, like it or not, we have to meet those standards.
Susie: Perhaps I should clarify. I was talking more about shirts that have a deep cut in from the shoulder. A normal, conservative sleeveless blouse or shirt should be acceptable. Unless, of course, your company dress code forbids it. Some do. Always follow company dress guidelines.
During the week I wear slacks or a comfy dress. On friday i usually wear a nice shirt with jeans and no heels!
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