Q: I work in a bank with a business dress code. I wear pantyhose, skirts and dresses every day, but when I look around, I’m the only one. My co-workers and even my boss wear slacks, open collar shirts and sneakers. And some of the younger staff really push it with the low cut shirts and blouses! I’m very frustrated! If I say something, and management gets involved, everyone will be mad at me. Do I dress down and join everyone or keep my more formal dress code?

A: That depends on how you see yourself within the organization and your goals for yourself professionally. If you plan on staying in banking and want to be seen as professional, a leader, I would recommend you continue with your professional business attire in spite of what’s going on around you. If you want to become a bank manager, look like a bank manager. At least you are setting a good example and probably impressing customers. (Someone in management may be impressed as well!) If you are comfortable in your current position and are not concerned with promotions, I would follow the lead of your supervisor. If you still look pulled together and still “feel” professional dressing down, why not be more comfortable?

Keep in mind that many businesses have a more relaxed dress code in the summertime for coolness and comfort. For example, men and women may forgo the sports jacket or blazer with slacks in the hot months. Also, casual Fridays are a common practice in many organizations. You might consider giving yourself Fridays off from your usual business attire. This might help you feel less frustrated without compromising your overall values.

Dress codes can be controversial. For example, many women and men assume “business attire” means women wear make-up and style their hair. Other men and women don’t see it this way. Is it all right to require female employees to wear make-up? Does it depend on the business? This is just one example of where appearance mandates can get sticky and even be experienced as discriminatory.

For this reason, most organizational policy includes appearance “guidelines,” only getting involved with infractions that present health issues (e.g. glue-on nails, poor hygiene) safety issues (e.g. jewelry, facial hair that interferes with protective gear sealing) or are offensive to customers or co-workers (e.g. tattoos, piercing; stomachs or cleavage showing).

The best advice would be to dress in a manner that is consistent with how you feel about yourself on your best days and that reflects respect for the organization for which you work. If you do this, it won’t be your appearance that keeps you from moving forward in your career!

Q: I’m confused! Are sandals or any open-toed shoe considered appropriate business attire? In my professional magazines, the ads always show women wearing high-heeled sandals.

A: Footwear without socks or hosiery is not seen as hygienic. So if you work in the medical field or the food service industry, chances are you can’t wear open-toed shoes. In standard business organizations, it varies. For some, open-toed shoes are acceptable if they look “professional” and don’t have a heel higher than 2 inches. For more conservative, formal businesses, any open-toed shoe is not acceptable and hosiery or socks are always required. You should check your company dress code policy just to be safe.

Look below for a general review of business attire for those of us who don’t know or need a review!

Appropriate Business Attire Includes:

Men’s Clothing Options (all items listed together MUST coordinate):

• Business suit, dress shirt (tucked-in), tie, belt, AND dress socks
• Sport coat, dress slacks with dress shirt (button-down) and long or short sleeve and tucked-in), belt, tie, AND dress socks
• Slacks with dress shirt (tucked-in), tie, belt, AND dress socks
• Slacks, banded collar shirt (tucked-in), belt, tie AND dress socks
• Women’s Clothing Options (all items listed together MUST coordinate):
• Business suit (slacks), blouse, AND nylons, tights or trouser socks
• Business suit (skirt), blouse, AND nylons or tights
• Business dress with sleeves AND nylons or tights
• Business dress WITH blazer or sweater AND nylons or tights
• Slacks with blouse (tucked-in) AND sweater AND nylons, tights, or trouser socks
• Slacks with blouse (tucked-in) AND jacket AND nylons, tights, or trouser socks
• Slacks with business blouse (tucked-in) AND nylons, tights, or trouser socks
• Skirt with blouse (tucked-in) AND sweater AND nylons or tights
• Skirt with blouse (tucked-in) AND jacket AND nylons or tights
• Skirt with business blouse (tucked-in) AND nylons or tights

Men’s Shoes:

• Coordinating dress shoes
• Coordinating dress boots

Women’s Shoes:

• Dress heels with heel NO higher than 2”
• Professional open-toed with or without a back strap with heels NO higher than 2”
• Knee-length dress boots with heel NO higher than 2”

Men’s Clothing NOT allowed:

• Any casual clothing or shorts
• Cargo pants, or pants with lettering or symbols of any kind
• Denim (in any color)
• Tank tops, T-shirts, polo shirts, Hawaiian shirts
• Letterman’s jackets or any other athletic gear
• Any tattered or stained clothing
• Undergarments showing
• Hats or caps of any kind
• Sunglasses
• Bolo ties
• Athletic or casual socks
• Construction, industrial, military, or cowboy boots

Women’s Clothing NOT allowed:

• Skirts more than 2” above the knee
• Any casual clothing or shorts
• Cargo pants or pants with lettering or symbols of any kind
• Denim (in any color)
• Tank tops, T-shirts, shirts with spaghetti straps, polo shirts, Hawaiian shirts, or shirts showing midriffs or cleavage, or see-through clothing
• Dresses with spaghetti straps WITHOUT a jacket
• Mini-skirts or skorts
• Capri pants or cropped pants
• Spandex
• Undergarments showing
• Lettermen’s jacket or any other athletic gear
• Tattered or stained clothing
• Hats or caps of any kind
• Sunglasses
• Athletic or casual socks
• Construction, industrial, military, or cowboy boots

Accessories, Piercings, and Tattoos:

• All accessories such as belts, shoes, jewelry, and scarves MUST coordinate with the business attire – no flashy or large jewelry pieces
• NO visible body piercings other than ears
• NO visible tattoos
• Maximum of one visible piercing per ear

Hair:

• Hair must present a natural color and style

By Rebecca R. Mild-Williams
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
INTEGRIS Corporate Assistance Program