Talking about how women dress, attire and what they wear at work can lead to a conversation with Human Resources, especially in places with out-of-date ideas and rules. Still, there’s nothing wrong with men or women wanting to look neat and professional. Knowing what to wear and when, as well as how to look good while doing it, is a useful skill for anyone who works.
Dressy Style (Attire)
Men’s and women’s traditional formal fashion has been different in two ways: ties and skirts. In some places, like school uniforms, women are expected to wear ties. In modern times, it’s usually okay for women to wear ties and pants instead of skirts. Places where women have to wear skirts tend to be less formal than other places. The basics stay the same, of course. Depending on the job, a suit or other formal clothes are still good choices. But always keep in mind that heels are bad and should feel bad.
Semi-Dress
Semi-dress, which is also called “semi-formal,” is hard to define because it depends on the event and, unfortunately, the gender. Most of the time, semi-dress means a dress for women. Men and women often wear suits these days, just like men do. Depending on the job, a suit with a skirt could also work. Although it’s crucial to understand how to dress for the job, if semi-dress is acceptable, there won’t likely be any safety concerns. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to check. The main difference between formal and semi-dress is that you can take off your suit jacket and wear fewer layers in semi-dress.
Casual
Whether or not you can wear casual clothes to work on a Friday often depends on your job. It means that in some places, especially in the fall and spring, you can wear blue jeans and a sports jersey. In other places, it can mean dress pants and either a polo shirt or a shirt with buttons. Most of the time, skirts and dresses are also fine, but it depends on the job and the dress code. Casual Fridays tend to be more relaxed than a casual business environment, like when a sports team wears its uniform to a game. So, some places might expect you to wear slacks or a skirt and polo, but on Fridays, you might be able to wear something like what you would wear to the grocery store, as long as it’s not too crazy.
Figuring out what to wear to work can be hard for both men and women, but women also have to deal with old-fashioned double standards. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good. There is a place for a suit or a formal day dress, as well as blue jeans and polo shirts. Know the dress code wherever you work, wear shoes that are comfortable, and don’t wear too much jewelry. Most of the time, watches are fine, but the use of smart watches might depend on company policy. In either case, make sure you know the rules so that you can look professional and, most importantly, feel comfortable during your shift.
