Dress as you please or dress to conform?
By snookumsnort
@snookumsnort (313)
Philippines
October 6, 2007 10:00am CST
I recently started working again and before I went in, I did observe how people dressed and also asked what the dress code was. I was told that it was "business casual". I really love dressing up and rotate between skirts and slacks. It's just that after I went to work in a blouse and KNEE-length business skirt, the following day one of my co-workers whispered that maybe I should stop wearing skirts unless they were REALLY long! She said that being fair-skinned, our legs were really white and it didn't look appropriate. I don't understand how knee-length could be considered inappropriate. I did notice though that all the women wear slacks and the only one wearing skirts do wear them ankle-length. I don't wear those types because it makes me look short & stocky. But does that mean that I have to conform to what they are all wearing? There is no strict corporate policy about the dress code except that it should be business casual.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Lifeless (2635)
• India
11 Oct 07
In my first job I was given the choice of whatever I cud wear, but there shud be some amount of dignity.. The boss there was a very casual one, he was the most casually dressed among us all.. But I left that job, and went for another.. Here the work environment is better than the former one, but the dress code is stricter than the 1st one, only formals... But I am not complaining...
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
6 Oct 07
Frankly I would tell them that if they wanted that kind of control, they should come up with a more precise dress code. "Business casual" could be defined in a lot of different ways. And I don't see how a knee-length skirt could ever be inappropriate. Not only that, but if your coworker is saying that your fair skin is the problem, that's really discriminatory.
I think I would continue wearing whatever I wanted until my actual boss said something. Your coworkers can say whatever they want, but they don't really have any authority over you.
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I thought that sounded a bit discriminatory as well Lecanis. I really couldnt imagine a co-worker telling me that what Im wearing is innapropriate. My BOSS perhaps, but not a co-worker.
This co-worker sounds like a little miss bizzy body and feels she has more authority than she actually does! lol
Bay xx
1 person likes this
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
7 Oct 07
conform or stick out like a sore thumb. as the saying goes, "a nail that sticks out will be hammered in".
IF, however its a single person's opinion that you are not "in dress" then to hell with them. i am sure company have their policy regarding proper attire (check with the HR)
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
6 Oct 07
That sounds a bit like discrimination honey. Your "fair skinned legs" dont look that good in a knee length skirt?
I know your just starting out at this company and probably dont want to make a big deal of it, but I would say something to the supervisor of the co-worker who said this to you. Thats very innapropriate. Was the co-worker white?
I think if your NOT breaking any corporate guidlines under the dress code, and your BOSS didnt say anything to you, continue wearing your knee length skirts if that is what you feel comfortable in. I think being comfortable in your clothing while working makes for a happy more productive employee.
Bay xx
@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
7 Oct 07
You know what I would do? I would tell that "lady" who commented on your skirt to #%$# off and mind her own business and I would wear whatever I want to work. There is nothing wrong with a knee lenght skirt even if no one else is wearing them. Maybe the rest them are not confident to wear them. If your confident enough, wear what you want, not what they want.
