What kind of outfits are inappropriate at work if the dress code is business casual?

9 comments

1. Depends on the location, industry, and specific workplace. Business casual varies a great deal. When in doubt, check with your employee handbook or HR for details on what’s actually ok in your specific workplace.

   Some things are very likely inappropriate like short shorts, bikinis, dirty/disheveled clothing, flip-flops, etc, but it’s always safest to check if unsure.

2. Every workplace varies a little bit in their definition of business casual, but these items will typically always be no-nos: short shorts, crop tops with exposed midriff, underwear showing, offensive imagery or language on shirts, flip flops, unclean or clothing in bad shape, micro mini skirts and dresses, snuggies, and pyjamas. Basically, if you would wear it to the club, or on laundry day, it’s probably not appropriate for work.

3. Anything that can be mistakened for underwear, gym clothes, club clothes, pajamas all inappropriate for work. Basic rule: if you cannot wear it around your strictest elder relative, do not wear it to work.

4. short skirts, too much neckline and colorful clothes. specifically at my job these things are prohibited

5. I used to work at a sex shop that had a business-casual dress code, and a friend of mine got sent home for wearing pants that were entirely made of see-through red lace.

6. Graphic tees, ripped jeans/pants, beanies/baseball hats, flip flops, some sandals, ratty sneakers/most sneakers

7. My work is business casual and currently looking at 3 men in jeans and a dress shirt (one has a hoodie on), and 2 women in black pants and a sweater and 1 woman in a dress.

   So it depends on the company you work for.

8. I feel anything as long as it doesn’t show off cleavage or too much of your legs (4 finger skirt rule). Don’t get me wrong, I like looking good but would hate male colleagues to give me unwanted attention

9. Anything that makes other people uncomfortable. If you are new, start off with dress slacks and a button down shirt, no tie or jacket until you can observe what others are wearing. Rarely mimic the sloppiness dresser.

   If you are wanting to test the limits because you are *that guy*: stay away from revealing clothes, shorts, flip-flops, torn or stained clothes, racy or political commentary, caps, t-shirts.