7 Things You Should Never Wear in the Workplace (2024)

Appearance matters. It's not everything, and it certainly isn't as important as our performance at work, but people do judge us based on how we look. Don't become known as the guy who looks like he rolled out of the hamper or the woman whose skirts are too short. Get noticed at work for your performance rather than your appearance.

Don't Wear Dirty or Wrinkled Clothes to Work

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You should always lookput together when you go to work. Your clothes should be clean and unwrinkled. Avoid wearing stained items. Some people even keep a change of clothes in the office in case of a mishap.

In addition, your hair and nails should be neat and clean and your shoes must be in good condition. If you look unkempt your boss and coworkers may perceive you as someone who is careless and doesn't pay much attention to detail.

Don't Wear Tight or Revealing Clothing to Work

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Plunging necklines, midriff-revealing crop tops, sheer fabrics,mini skirts, and dresses don't belong in the workplace. A man's unbuttoned shirt shouldn't show off his chest hair.

When you wear revealing attire people may not respect your professionalism. You can debate the fairness of that, and you may not be wrong, but it, unfortunately, might not change people's perceptions.

Don't Wear Work Clothing That Is Too Casual

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If you think having to dress up for work every day is a pain, try working someplace where casual or business casual attire is allowed. While wearing a business suit isn't what you'd call comfortable, at least there is no mistaking what the boss expects of you.

When casual attire is allowed you have to figure out exactly what that means. How casual is too casual? Generally speaking, t-shirts and shorts are definitely out. Jeans may also be out, but some offices allow them, especially if they are colored dark blue or black denim.

Ripped clothing, while trendy, doesn't belong in the office. Neither do flip-flops—definitely, NO FLIP-FLOPS!

Don't Wear T-Shirts With Offensive Messages to Work

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You probably shouldn't wear a t-shirt to work anyway, but if you work somewhere where it is allowed, you should never wear one with something offensive printed on it.

So, if you have a shirt that has a message, either in words or depicted graphically that has even the slightest chance of insulting or offending people, wear it elsewhere. Some offensive images can even be considered harassment.

Don't Wear Club Clothes to Work

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If you wear an outfit that looks like it's better suited for a night out at a club, it may look like that's how you spent the previous evening, and never made it home.

Stay away from shirts that don't cover your shoulders, leather, or glittery attire unless the holiday party is that evening. Save that for social events.

Don't Wear Clothes That Make It Difficult to Work

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Don't wear any article of clothing that makes it hard to do your job. Those beautiful four-inch stilettos may look great on your feet but if it takes you too long to get from your desk to the copy machine because they're too hard to walk in, save them for another occasion.

Likewise, avoid wearing overly tight skirts or dresses. Aside from being a distraction to your coworkers, you don't want it to seem like being fashionable is more important than being productive.

Don't Wear Too Much Aftershave or Perfume to Work

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Go light on the perfume or aftershave. You don't want people to be able to smell you before they can see you.

Additionally, many people are very sensitive to fragrance. If you work with someone who has a severe reaction to it, you may want to refrain from wearing aftershave or perfume altogether.

7 Things You Should Never Wear in the Workplace (2024)

FAQs

What clothes are not appropriate for work? ›

Workers consider crop tops, flip-flops and cycling gear to be unacceptable in the office – while dungarees are also a no-go. A study of 2,000 employees found gym gear, Crocs and hotpants are also not appropriate. Other items believed to be something to avoid workplaces were vests, trainers and jeans.

What are the 5 don'ts in dressing professionally? ›

Do not choose a suit in a fabric that's bold or attention-grabbing, such as a large pinstripe or pattern; avoid flashy patterns and colors. Do not choose a skirt that goes above knee-length, sitting or standing. Do not wear a shirt with a button down collar; these are considered casual.

What clothes are considered inappropriate? ›

What clothes are considered inappropriate? Dirty or wrinkled clothing. Tight-fitting or revealing clothing. Too casual, such as yoga pants, overalls, flip flops or shorts.

What not to wear for business casual? ›

Jeans, sweat pants, athletic pants, or shorts are not acceptable business casual attire. As with full professional dress, make sure that your socks and shoes are a color fit for your slacks. Shoes/Belt - Be sure to wear a belt and shoes that are in good condition.

What is inappropriate office wear? ›

The top items employees believe should be avoided in the office include dungarees, jeans, trainers and vest tops - despite the summer heat. Casual or tailored shorts are a big no-no when it comes to office attire ( Image: Richard Baker/In Pictures/Getty Images)

What is inappropriate for the workplace? ›

Examples of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace include: harassment - offensive, belittling or threatening behaviour that is unsolicited, and may be repeated. bullying - repeated abusive and offensive behaviour, which in some circ*mstances may involve inappropriate physical behaviour. aggression and violence.

What is the 2/3 rule in dressing? ›

But it can be helpful to follow the “Rule” of Thirds when putting together outfits. Apparently, clothing ensembles look more well-proportioned when the top takes up one-third of the outfit and the bottom occupies two-thirds of the overall look.

What are the 4 basic types of workplace attire? ›

If you ask someone what the dress code at their office is, they'll generally give you one of four dress codes: business professional, business casual, smart casual or casual.

What are the 3 categories of dress in the workplace? ›

There are three common levels of professional dress: Business professional, business casual and smart casual.

What clothes are intimidating? ›

There's lots of research on color theory, but here's the bottom line: dark colors are more intimidating than light colors, and black's the most intimidating of all.

What clothes make you look trustworthy? ›

According to the survey, 56 percent said neutral colors—white, beige, gray, black, brown, khaki, and navy—make someone appear more “authentic” vs. 30 percent who said bright colors do and 14 percent who said patterns (like plaids and stripes) do.

What is toxic fashion? ›

The term “toxic clothing” refers to clothing made of synthetic materials. Such substances are heavily treated with chemicals that have a potentially harmful effect on consumers and the environment.

What colors should you not wear for business casual? ›

Wear pants that are black, brown, grey, khaki, or dark colors like blue or green. Avoid pants in loud colors like red, yellow, or purple. No white or camouflage either.

What is business casual dress code for ladies? ›

Common business casual clothing for women can include a collared or non-collared blouse, dress or skirt (at or below the knee), slacks, high heels, dress boots, flats, and modest jewelry and accessories.

Can a woman wear jeans for business casual? ›

When the dress code states business casual, you're good to go with jeans. Any person who sets a business casual dress code – for an office or an event – is expecting to see jeans.

What is toxic culture in office? ›

A toxic work culture is a company environment dominated by practices, policies and management styles that perpetuate unhealthy habits and conflicts among team members. It can be harmful to employees, preventing them from being productive and growing professionally.

What are 3 examples of inappropriate behavior in the workplace? ›

The Most Common Types of Inappropriate Workplace Behavior
  • Sexual Misconduct. If an employee is mistreated regarding his sexual life or appearance, such behaviors fall under this category. ...
  • Bullying. ...
  • Undiversified Environment. ...
  • Inappropriate behavior.

What do female office workers wear? ›

Suits are always a safe bet when dressing for a business professional environment. Pant suits or skirt suits are both acceptable. Well-tailored suits in conservative colors/prints are best (black, navy blue, and brown).

What are the 3 things one should not do at workplace? ›

The 12 Worst Things You Can Do at Work
  • Never take credit for someone else's work. ...
  • Strive to never be late. ...
  • Do not show up for work when you have a contagious illness. ...
  • Conversely, never call in sick if you are healthy. ...
  • Never gossip about a coworker, especially with other coworkers. ...
  • Do not be a martyr.

What are toxic behaviors at work? ›

Toxic employees are typically overconfident, have self-centered attitudes, and are rule breakers. They tend not to cooperate with others or respect their co-workers because they're always looking out for number one, which can make them difficult people in the workplace environment where teamwork is needed most often.

What is the 30 wear rule? ›

What is the 30 Wear challenge? The 30 wear challenge is a commitment to wearing a new item of clothing at least 30 times. It forces you to pause before clicking buy and ask yourself, 'will I actually wear this 30 times?” If the answer is not 100% yes, then you don't make the purchase.

What is the 333 rule for clothes? ›

The idea behind Project 333 is simple: Wear only 33 articles of clothing for the next 3 months. All clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear, and shoes count towards your number. Exceptions include wedding rings, underwear, sleepwear, in-home loungewear, and workout clothing.

What is the seven time rule in fashion? ›

Fast fashion itself was actually designed to be worn less than seven times,” Brydges said. “It has this short lifespan built into it. “It encourages the obsolescence of those garments because it's constantly creating consumer demand for those new items.

What is smart professional dress code? ›

The key components of business smart are dark and neutral colours with well made and tailored pieces. Suits, Blazers, Trousers and Dresses can be worn in a variety of cuts however all need to be conservative in style and worn with appropriate footwear and accessories.

What are three 3 tips for business casual dress? ›

5 Tips for Dressing in Business Casual Attire
  • Always look polished. You should always look professional and polished when you're dressing in business casual attire. ...
  • Avoid revealing clothing. ...
  • Build a capsule wardrobe. ...
  • Avoid baggy clothing. ...
  • Stick to a muted color palette.
Jun 21, 2021

How to dress professionally female? ›

Tips for dressing professionally
  1. Always opt for longer rather than shorter dresses and skirts.
  2. Cover any visible tattoos if possible.
  3. Do not wear body or facial piercings.
  4. Choose jewelry and accessories that work with your outfit rather than those that are distracting.
  5. Always wear clothing that is pressed and clean.
Jun 29, 2021

What are the three R's of fashion? ›

The 3 R's For The Fashion Savvy: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

What is the fashion rule of three? ›

So as you put future outfits together, think in terms of dividing the overall look into thirds rather than halves or quarters. There are lots of ways to do this, but basically, you want to look for a long and a shorter garment to put together instead of two items that are the same length.

What is smart casual dress code for ladies? ›

What is a smart casual dress code for women? A smart casual dress code is an attire that combines well-fitting, polished business wear with elements of casual attire like blouses, shirts, button-downs, dress pants, dark-wash jeans, and polished, practical footwear.

What color makes you look friendly? ›

Yellow. Yellow symbolizes happiness and warmth in almost all cultures. It's the color that grabs users' attention more than any other color. McDonald's and IKEA both use yellow in their branding to give off the feeling of friendliness and positivity.

What color makes you the most approachable? ›

Light colors make the wearer appear more friendly and approachable, while dark colors are perceived as more formal, dominant and authoritative. High contrasts such as black and white also create a more powerful image.

What makes people look tough? ›

Take slightly larger steps than usual, and puff out your chest just a tiny bit, rolling your shoulders back. Keep your head up. Do this very slightly because if you exaggerate too much, it may look ridiculous. Walk at a constant speed, not looking like you're worried about being in people's way.

What color makes people trust more? ›

As seen in Table 2, blue was perceived as most trustworthy across all contexts. Within the financial and medical contexts, the second most trustworthy color was green, and within the legal context it was the color black.

What color makes people trust you the most? ›

According to the study, the color blue, followed by blue-purple, were seen as the most trustworthy. "Those who wear blue and purple clothes get higher trust evaluations," the researchers wrote.

What do you call a person who looks good in everything they wear? ›

Definitions of dapper. adjective. marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners. “a dapper young man” synonyms: dashing, jaunty, natty, raffish, rakish, snappy, spiffy, spruce fashionable, stylish.

Are H&M clothes toxic? ›

Is H&M more sustainable than it is ethical? The brand has made great progress in eliminating harmful chemicals, like PFCs, phthalates, and APs/APEOs from its products. It also has a textile recycling program, but only 35% of clothing gets recycled.

What is fashion anxiety? ›

Fashion anxiety is common. We want to look and feel our best at all times, and that means we can put too much pressure on ourselves. Some of us may also feel nervous about stepping out in bold items, but that should never be a concern. As long as you feel good in what you're wearing, we know you'll look good.

How do you spot a fashion victim? ›

So what are some telltale signs of a fashion victim? Wearing clothing and accessories that don't work on one's body is the single biggest giveaway that you've encountered a fashion lemming. Fashion victims will snap up the latest trends and wear them proudly, showing everyone that they know what's in style.

What are forbidden colors? ›

Red-green and yellow-blue are the so-called "forbidden colors." Composed of pairs of hues whose light frequencies automatically cancel each other out in the human eye, they're supposed to be impossible to see simultaneously.

What is the most attractive color for business? ›

Red is the color of power. It gets people's attention and it holds it, which is why it's the most popular color for marketing. The word SALE is always red, and you'll often find red a common tie color for professionals.

What color is attractive to employers? ›

If you're applying for a job in a more traditional industry, avoid using bright colors on your resume. In more buttoned-up professions, having a colorful resume is considered distracting and unprofessional. However, using darker colors like navy blue, burgundy, or dark green on a simple resume template is acceptable.

What color jeans are business casual? ›

They can be pale jeans, dark jeans, black, gray, or even colorful jeans. But choose one, well-dyed solid color. Rich blue jeans can look extremely classy in the right ensemble. Light acid washing can look good, but use your judgment on acid wash style.

Are leggings considered business casual attire? ›

A business casual setting can be leggings-friendly as long as you wear them with an elegant shirt and ballet flats or boots; sneakers are a no-no. If your office has a formal or corporate dress code, you'll have to leave the leggings for the weekend, though.

Can I wear sneakers for business casual? ›

The typical lace-up sneaker can be a great fit for a business casual workplace. As lace-up sneakers have a more casual look than a slip-on, a neutral color and leather material will help provide a clean look suitable for the office.

What does business casual look like in 2022? ›

Tops: Blouses, smart shirts, and button-downs, sweaters, twinsets, and cardigans. Bottoms: Knee-length skirts, pencil-cut skirts, and dress pants, including khaki, twill, or cotton slacks. Dresses: Maxi or knee-length dresses.

What are examples of what not to wear? ›

Avoid: plunging necklines, flip flops or casual sneakers, low-slung pants, sheer or revealing details, miniskirts or supershort shorts, bra straps or visible lingerie, distracting jewelry, and in most cases, denim. Instead, try: An outfit you love that you've worn before and feel confident in.

What is one kind of clothing that might not be well suited for work outs? ›

Avoid fabrics that don't breathe.

Never wear clothing made out of rubber-based or plastic-based materials, which keep sweat from evaporating and keep your body temperature too high during a workout.

What is professional dress for a woman? ›

Suits and Dresses

A suit or tailored dress is the most professional attire. Choosing a conservative, classic style is usually a good rule because it is versatile (appropriate in an interview and in many professional settings) and a good investment.

What clothes do not protect us from? ›

Clothes do not protect us from blood pressure. We need medicines or low sodium diet to protect us from blood pressure. Clothes protect us from heat, cold, dust and germs.

What not to wear in casual dress code? ›

T-shirts, jeans and trainers: all are allowed under a casual dress code. The key principle is that you should only wear clean clothing without any ragged or visibly damaged areas. Flip-flops, shorts or baggy clothing such as sweatpants or hoodies are not entirely welcome.

What clothing is appropriate for work? ›

Shirts are collared and buttoned, and blouses should be conservative and professional. Slacks should be free from wrinkles and be in office-appropriate colors. Knee-length, simple dresses and skirts are appropriate for business professional. Flats including oxfords, loafers, and small heels 3 inches are ideal.

What is considered appropriate clothing for work? ›

If your firm allows business casual clothing, you can usually wear slacks or khakis, capris and wool or flannel pants. An informal dress or skirt is acceptable, so long as it is an appropriate length. Polo shirts, button-downs, blouses and sweater sets all work well. Shoes should be closed-toed.

Can you wear a regular bra when working out? ›

Regular bras are not equipped to offer support during intense workouts. With regular bras, even low-impact exercises such as jogging or stretching could lead to pain and discomfort. You may also experience tension in your shoulder if you use regular bras during the workout.

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