PA and Secretary Community - Deskdemon.com

How do you dress for work?  Do you think the way you dress is a statement on your professionalism?  Finally do you have any co workers or stories on bad dressing at the office?  

I have a story.  I was working at a Bio Tech company in California and we had a company meeting.  The person who sat in front of me had a torn t-shirt on.  It was really torn!!!  How can anyone come to work with a torn t-shirt!  

I usually wear a suit, or shirt-skirt-and-jacket.  For summer I have light suits and dresses that are smart enough for office wear (i.e. don't look as though I'm going out to tea or to a garden party).  I think that how you dress for work depends entirely on the industry you work in.  

I feel comfortable wearing the clothes that I choose for the office.  My aim is to look neat, tidy, smart and professional.  I work very closely with the CEO in my company and attend of number of meetings so I'm often "on show".  Image is important in my job and I think I should make an effort to look the part.  A serious job requires serious clothes.  We don't have a dress code in my work place.  Most people tend to wear smart-casual clothes, and those who have higher-profile jobs wear suits.

I do have a colleague who dresses in what looks like underwear.  And in the coldest weather, too.  

As for the torn T-shirt ...  LOL.  Reminds me of my business college.  It was a college for "young ladies" and, as such, we weren't allowed to wear trousers AT ALL.  However, it so happened that the year I spent there was the year of holes in tights, frayed hems on denim skirts and generally a style of dressing that I would call "I've just walked through a hedge backwards".  So ... we couldn't wear even the smartest of tailored trousers but we could turn up looking quite disreputable!

Raindance

I always wear a jacket with either skirt & top como or with a dress.  If the skirts are on or above the knee, I will always wear tights with that.  If longer, then I'll bare-leg it (I *hate* tights!).

I've never felt comfortable with the whole Dress Down Friday thing - I would never dress down!  I feel much more comfortable in my work clothes than even casual-smart for work.

And I think I've worn trousers to work twice in the last five years ... but that's just a personal thing as I don't like myself in trousers!

My worst-dressed horror story?  Some years ago I worked for a (world-famous) publisher.  One day I saw one of the editors wearing brown leggings and an orange-&-yellow flowered t-shirt which just met the waistband of the leggings ... no jacket or cardigan to try and pull the two together ... I still shudder now at the thought of it!

And yes, I do think how one looks / dresses is a statement on professionalism but I could be old-fashioned about that!

We operate a dress down policy week round - we work in the hospitality industry and took a view that as the vast majority of our customers were extremely relaxed in their dress code, we should be in step with this.

When it was introduced I was devastated.  I'm happiest in a suit and have never quite managed to pull off the smart-casual thing.  I'm either super smart, or so casual I'd be embarrassed to leave the house!  We still have the option to dress as smartly or casually as we like, but my boss is the MD and he's very casual - with a designer label, of course!  As his PA, I felt it important to reflect his style so as not to look out of place when I'm with him, so most days I'm casual (sadly without the designer label).  But I always wear a smart-casual suit if we have any important meetings or visits to our Head Office.

When we introduced the dress down policy we did make a few stipulations about what wasn't acceptable - mainly torn or distressed clothing, and t-shirts which might be construed as offensive.

QB

Our corporate wide dress code is business casual.  We are allowed to wear jeans/capris on Fridays.  Memorial Day - Labor Day women have the option of not having to wear hosiery.  

As a temp - I usually worked in offices that had a 'casual' dress code or provided set shirts we had to wear with khakis; so when I started working at this company I really did not have the wardrobe to fit how I feel I need to present myself.  

I have worked at slowing building up my closet with new clothes - ran into a hiccup when I unexplainably gained a significant amount of weight and no longer fit in clothes I had just purchased months previously.  

I'm not the 'dress up' kinda gal - I am most comfortable in jeans and khakis.  On weekends - it's nothing but t-shirts.  But during the week I have nice 'dress' shirts I pair with khakis when I occassionally wear them (usually Thursdays - but wore them today cause I just couldn't get into the 'professional' mode this morning).  Otherwise it's nice slacks and a shirt or pullover sweater.

We have quite a few people who push the boundary of the dress code.  Low cut shirts are common and I can not believe how many women will wear a dark colored bra under a light or white shirt.  Or... shirts that are thin enough (and obviously wearing a thin bra or perhaps not wearing one at all) and it becomes very evident when they get cold.  If I'm noticing it - surely others are as well.  

My boss will not put up with anyone in our team wearing inappropriate clothes.  She will call them out - behind closed doors if it's something major - and let them know.

Our office is very casual, except that we aren't allowed to wear jeans. Most everyone wears khakis or dark work pants and polo type shirts, since they spend a lot of time outside looking at cars. Since I'm not out in the field much, I tend to be able to dress up a bit more, although I don't too much. For example, today, I'm wearing brown gauchos and a turquoise sleeveless top and cardigan (must wear the cardigan because even though it's 90 outside, we could probably hang meat in here!).
Tif

My new job/company's policy on dressing is very similiar to OfficeGuru's.  The first Friday that I was here, I did not wear jeans, but wore slacks and a blouse... and met the Director who was wearing good jeans and a polo shirt.  Nearly everyone here does this, so I quickly adopted the same dress routine.  I figured it was better to look part of the team than not, especially when the Director himself embraces it.  The rest of the time I normally would wear slacks and nice blouses, suits, or a blazer over a blouse and skirt/slacks.  I tend to dress for the position I want, instead of the one I have, and it's worked well for me so far.

Horror story?  Today, I'm dressed way more casually than I'd want.  No one has mentioned anything, as I'm still "dressed" and there are those who dress worse than me, but I feel it terribly.  The problem?  I wore a swimsuit yesterday, playing in the wading pool with my kids and planting tomatos (between splashes), and ended up with a terrible, terrible burn all across my back, to where I can't wear a bra without severe pain.  So I'm wearing my swimsuit under my clothes.  But to make it less obvious (as my topside really needs that extra "holding"), I'm not tucking my shirt in -- the shirt is one that can be worn untucked, but I feel it looks more professional tucked in.  I'm wearing nice slacks, with this "baggy" shirt, over a swimsuit, and feel very, very uncomfortable and unproffesional.  I did explain my problem to my team mates, so at least someone understands why my dress code is a little lacking today -- and probably for the rest of the week.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

I usually wear a pant suit or a skirt suit (skirts at the knee or longer) I will also wear khakis or black slacks with a nice sweater or a company polo and of course black socks and dress shoes. I do think that a persons dress has an impact on their professionalism. I just recently posted on a problem with my age and a lot of people made suggestions on my dress. I have always been aware of my dress because I have always been taught that a persons dress shows their professionalism and represents the company. A horror story that I have happens almost every day, a girl that works in a different department always wears khakis that are hugging her hips and shirts that sit right above her belly button. It just looks horrible and does not give the company a good image, I know that people from different departments have talked to her about it but I dont know if her supervisor has brought this up with her. I just dont understand how people can go to work and expect people to take them seriously when they cannot even dress properly for their position.

Always skirt/blouse/jacket or trousers/blouse/jacket combo.  There's no dress down policy here.  I do tend to go for quite bright colours, but remain decently covered up.

I forgot to add my horror story to my earlier post. I guess I was trying to block it out of my mind!

I once had a part time employee that I was partially responsible for supervising (I say partially because I was listed as her supervisor, but not allowed to discipline her as she was one of our Commissioners' daughters). She didn't particularly want the job, but as daddy had gotten it for her, she showed up most days. When she was there, she wore ripped jeans and half shirts. The jeans were the lowest of hip huggers, and she wore brightly colored thongs pulled up to her waist. It was like she was daring us to fire her!

As the MD's PA, I feel I should dress appropriately and like to look neat and tidy.  

I make most of my business suits, Chanel style jacket and straight knee lengh skirt, with a fine sweater or good quality t-shirt (definitely with no rips or tears).  I wear Hold Ups this time of year, and closed in sling back shoes.  If the weather really hots up I will wear a longer skirt and go bare legged.  I do not wear jangly accessories, keep my nails manicured and always wear make-up.

Some of the other members of staff could benefit in advice from Trinny & Suzanna, especially the need for a well fitting bra!  

I was so happy when I changed jobs last year - there's no such thing as "casual Friday" here.  At my previous employer, where I worked for 8 years, I saw the general decline into capris and those flop-flop platform shoes, and people called that business casual!

Capris are for sailing or going to the beach.  Those flop-flop shoes are horrible looking and they are downright dangerous!

At the very least, I wear a coordinating jacket with blouse or shell and tailored slacks.  Shoes are dress flats or pumps (I just can't wear heels after 30-some years of abusing my feet with pointed-toe shoes :-) and always always always wear hose or trouser socks, even if it's knee-high.

Same deal here--when I started with the company, the dress code was no sleeveless, no sandals, no bare legs, men had to wear shirts with collars, no logos. Jeans were for special fundraising days. Then one of our subs got a new CEO and he decreed that "business casual" was anything but dirty running shoes, ripped jeans, and obscene t-shirts, and soon the rest of the organization followed. So now I see women in flip-flops, men in Tevas, running shoes, jeans, t-shirts, capris, hiking/cargo pants, etc....I have never seen one man here wearing a tie, and if I wear a skirt people remark "you're so dressed up!" That because I always wear nylons of some kind--opaque for winter, sheer for summer. I'm old (41) and back in my day, you didn't wear a skirt without them--and I really don't want my sweaty legs sticking together in hot weather, thanks...but oh DEAR the things I see walking around in this office. I do try to dress a little better. If I wear jeans, I wear a jacket with them, unless it's super hot--in which case I wear a good cotton button-down shirt, at least, and I would never wear sloppy beach-type sandals and the like.

The people here are nice, but they're dressed to sit in the bleachers at a softball game.

When I firrst started in this office 8 years ago, the dress code was similar to the location I left in the city.  It was suit and tie for the guys and dress pant suits and skirts for the girls.  But now, we've gone business casual.  But not to the extreme of dettu.  They keep it business casual, but I've seen some of them think that black jeans are an ok thing to wear during the week, which I kinda frown on, they are still jeans.  We have the occasional person that feels sweat outfits (coordinated) are ok to wear during the week as well.  But aside from that most people are respectful of the casual dress code.  If we have folks in the office from the field, our california office, or a vendor, we try to wear business suits for the guys and nicer pants, and the girls try to dress up a bit more, but we tell them coming in that we have a casual attire and they are welcome to dress that way when they are in our office.  Usually they do.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

Don't have much time to read through all postings today, but one thing I always remember is, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Will be in touch again soon.

G

We have a smart casual policy, both the MD's wear suits or shirt/tie combinations.  My boss is slightly more casual and relaxed (he's american) and the other MD is british and a lot more traditional.

The other PA and myself are allowed to wear what we want but usually it's skirt/blouse combinations.  I can't be doing with nylons in summer though, so tend to reach for the fake tan and Iuckily have nice legs.

Cali x

We have a smart casual approach to dress where I work.  Most of the directors wear suits, and the men wear ties, but from there down it's pretty much casual all the way.  

Most of secretarial staff look smart, but there's not many suits on show, mainly t-shirts, blouses, skirts or trousers.  However, nothing ripped or distressed is worn, and certainly not denim.  It seems to depend on the age of the man as to whether ties are worn; younger men don't bother.

I tend to go for the skirt and blouse/t-shirt thing, and I know that sometimes I look smarter than others, but I find it's easier to look smart in the winter.  The summer just throws because I hate to sit at my desk feeling really hot and miserable.  I definately go for bare legs in the summer, but  I wouldn't dream of doing that when the weather gets cooler as I think it looks cheap.

Things have changed so much since I started work 20-odd years ago.  Company rules stated no trousers back then, and I have to say I've never really felt comfortable wearing them for work since then.  I have a couple of pairs, but it has to be really cold for me to wear them.

Horror Stories:  There is a girl who works in my office who seems to choose the most inappropriate things she can find for work, but she obviously thinks it looks sexy.  There's no way to say it other than she's a bit overweight, and she has a large bust, but it's not unknown for her to come to work wearing a trouser suit with nothing but a bra on under her jacket.  Summer time is worse; little vest tops with shoestring strips, mini skirts or city shorts.  It doesn't look nice and it's SO inappropriate, but maybe it's just me being old-fashioned.