Survey shows what not to wear to work

[almaty 19]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shopping for summer clothes to wear to work? Forget the tank tops and lose the flip-flops.

A new survey showed tank tops and visible underwear are the biggest fashion faux pas on the job, according to Monster, an online job and recruiting site, which compiled more than 18,000 responses to an online poll.

Results were released this week by Monster, whose parent company is Monster Worldwide Inc.

Flip-flop sandals weighed in next on the list of fashion mistakes, followed by Hawaiian prints and shorts, it said.

What you wear at work speaks volumes, said Norma Gaffin, director of content at Monster, based in Maynard, Massachusetts.

"Do you want to look like you're 14? How seriously are people going to take you if they can see your bra? Or if you're wearing flip-flops, and they can hear you walking down the hall before you get there?" she said.

"If you want more responsibility and more autonomy, you're going to be taken more seriously if you're dressing appropriately," she said.

Gaffin, who in her role at Monster provides advice to job seekers, says she tells people undergoing job interviews by telephone to dress professionally, even at home.

"You will have a different demeanor if you're wearing your pajamas versus if you're wearing clothes. If those things are reflected over the voice when people can't see you, what is it reflecting when they can?" she said.

The results of the survey were based on 18,178 votes cast by Monster users from March 23 to April 2.

Monster runs a series of online polls to gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation, it said.

[almaty 19]

some people dress like they are at the beach...i don't mind the tube tops on hotties, but the tank top on a fat old #######, i can due without

[Robor007 0]

I think a lot of that depends on where you're at. My office is in FL and a mix of administration, technical, and engineering. The admins dress prefessionally, the techs dress casual, and most of the engineers - well they dress like engineers (sorry but it's true!). We're a small company and the dress code here is very lax. Our branch up north is totally different though. Everyone there 'dresses up' where business casual is low end, slacks and dress shirt is medium, and jacket/tie is worn by the admins. They would not dress like that with FL's 8 months of summer though.

[Bootylicious!! 2]

Sorry, but I gotta have my flip-flops. I work at a University Library in the administration office and I'm wearing camo capri pants, a t-shirt, and my flip-flops today. I look more like one of the students. I probably wouldn't wear this on any other day of the week besides Friday though. Plus, classes are out so it's not like there's a lot going on around here. But flip-flops are standard attire for me in the summer.

[homesick_american 1]

Someone ought to tell my co-workers that. It's only April and it's still not really warm outside, but it's whale tails, cleavage, torn jeans, and flip flops EVERYWHERE. I work at one of the largest blue chip companies in the UK and frankly, the way some of my colleagues dress is just EMBARRASSING. Even a director who sits in my section had her blue lacy bra on display today.

Most of the places I worked in Texas had very relaxed dress codes...jeans and t-shirts were OK every day unless we had big clients visiting, in which case full business attire was required...but even with the lax dress codes you could not flash your tits, your underwear, your lower back tattoo, and you definitely were not allowed to wear flip flops. Never!

[Fandango 1,439]

I usually wear suits everyday...the only problem is that I live in FL and it's hotter than balls already & it really sucks when you're out in the car going from place to place with the lining of your jacket sticking to your back.

So when I don't wear suits, it's biz casual...slacks, nice top, and no flip flops.

_______________

Back in the 90s when I was going to college, I was also working as a nail technician/manager for one of these turn & burn volume shops. I helped the owner start this location & get it off its feet, which meant in the beginning, there were no customers. So I'd come to work in a pair of shorts that were almost like boxer shorts, a tank top & flip flops. I'd have my bathing suit on underneath, and between customers, I'd get into my suit, take baby oil from the shop, go out into the back alley, grease up and lay on my beach chair, hahahaha. When anyone came in, the receptionist would come get me and I'd rinse off with the hose out back, throw my clothes on, and come back in.

I still cannot believe how tacky that was!! but it was a long time ago, the buisness grew despite the unprofessionalism, and my tan that year was killer!!!!! hahahahahahah

[one...two...tree 2,762]

John Lasseter's trademark is his hawaiin shirt.

[Mirorgate 0]

some people dress like they are at the beach...i don't mind the tube tops on hotties, but the tank top on a fat old #######, i can due without

Hey now.... that was worn for you and here you are being so ungrateful.... think i'll cry now :crying:

[Ephesia 0]

The company I work for is very relaxed on the dress code. Just no shorts and skimpy tops. But I avoid going to work every day in jeans and T-shirts because I find it affects the way I work and how I feel at work. So I usually try to pair a nice shirt with my jeans or khakis.

[KarenCee 3]

I have to dress professionally here at school...on Fridays we're allowed to wear jeans if we pay $2 (which goes to charity). Still, we have to look decent when we wear jeans.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Unless we meet with our clients, it's biz casual Mon - Thu for us. Fri is Jeans and T-Shirt day. The Brazilian gals in the office have their own understanding of biz casual, though. Not that anyone would mind...

[MichelleandCraig 1]

It definitely depends on what your job is....I tend to like to dress up whenever I can though. I just makes me feel better! M.

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Well, I work in a plastics molding factory.

I'm also one of the few people who deal with pad printing jobs. So pretty skirts and nice tops are out

Jeans and T-shirts for me, I dress up a little bit for certain meetings when it involves people from companies we work with.

That reminds me of this youtube vid I saw recently:

The guy annoys me but I thought it was a bit funny.

Edited April 28, 2007 by RaspberrySwirl

[Amby 490]

I tend to wear flip flops everywhere except at work. I'm a chef and I can say that I am guilty of wearing my pj pants to work when all my chef pants were dirty. Then again my pj pants are just plain black or navy blue so they're not much different than my chef pants just a little more comfy. Also, you'd understand if you got off work at 2am and had to be back at 6am. It's not fun!