Do You Judge Your Co-Workers by How They Dress?

July 21, 2008

Old adages may tell us to "dress for success" and "dress for the job you want, not the job you have," but 49 percent of you define your work dress code as "business casual." I happen to think business casual is perfectly appropriate for most professions and when it's not companies usually create a dress code; however, it seems pretty obvious that we all judge a book by its cover from time to time. Do you find yourself judging your co-workers based on their style?
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24 Comments

fcseamstress 4 years 43 weeks

I wouldn't say I judge, but I definately take note of how my co-workers look. I always try to make an effort with my appearance, but then again it is almost part of my job to look nice since I greet clients. We've got a very small office, so it's no fashion show, but everyone always looks nice. We do tease two of the girls, they're pregnant right now and wear the same few tops every couple of days. I do for sure notice when our clients come in looking particularly down-trodden... We're an accounting firm, you're here to take care of your finances, look like you've got some!

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 43 weeks

I judge, because no matter what age you are or gender you should always dress appropriately and professionally. I work with both men and women, age range 20-60’s, mostly older women in the range of 50-60’s. I have never seen people dress so sloppily in my life. Some examples: Today its 93 degrees outside, someone is sporting a long sleeved sweater with Christmas Trees appliqués on the front. I know our office gets cold, but a pull on cardigan or wrap would look better I see women wearing platform flip flops, and they are in their 40’s no one over the age of 16 should be wearing those. I see tight pants, muffin tops, see through blouses with black bras, I see bra straps and whale tails, I see sweatpants and workout gear, I see shoulder pads and sneakers with dress pants, I see ill fitting shrunk shirts that should only be used for cleaning or gardening. I see big women wearing short dresses and with one bend over you can see their granny panties. When holidays roll around I get to see all the decorated sweaters, sweatshirts, earrings, socks, pins, and necklaces that I can handle. I ask too much however that any of it be from this decade. I once asked a woman if she needed a spot pen to remove the brown stain (that I assumed was coffee) from the front of her sweatshirt that was decorated with glitter snowmen, and she said “oh no thanks hon, that was from 8 years ago I doubt it would come out now)

geebers 4 years 43 weeks

Rarely but there is one coworker of ours -well she is actually an employee that works in a diff department and not ours BUT she dresses VERY slovenly. Her outfit is just sloppy- shirts half hanging out etc. Her hair is a mess and she drags herself. At first I thought she had clinical depression (I really did) but then I spoke to her and she is totally normal and seems happy. Her outfit is VERY unprofessional and really bothers me- it shows that she thinks of the office as her house-dressing in shabby clothes. I find that to be disrepectful.

chatondeneige 4 years 43 weeks

I'm with lily8206. My office is extremely casual, but one of my coworkers is literally wearing a sloppy teeshirt and cotton (teeshirt material) capris. What must clients think when they walk in and she's dressed like she's cleaning the house?

lily8206 4 years 43 weeks

Oh I do, definitely. I think it shows how serious you take the position. We are a very casual office, but ripped jeans and work out gear are NOT appropriate, yet people still do it. Hoodies and hats are also a big no-no for me, but so far no one has pushed it that far.

alethia037 4 years 43 weeks

I said something else, because I manage a restaurant, so some of my coworkers (the servers) wear uniforms and the others (the kitchen crew) wear comfy clothing. I already know all of them really well, and have formed my opinions about them, so I am not sure if I had seen each one in their own clothing first would have changed that opinion, or reaffirmed it.

kythera 4 years 43 weeks

Sometimes, but yes. We work in a bakery, so we just show off our new capris that make our butts look good, or a new top from Kohls or Ross. I took 2 of my coworkers with me (we are friends) and they are much more fashionable. Now I have an awesome wardrobe and it was only $200. /loves a budget 8)

ShePirate2010 4 years 43 weeks

yea..if im even paying attention, work is to important to care, but it says alot about the person.

cubadog 4 years 43 weeks

I mean inappropriate to work.

cubadog 4 years 43 weeks

I am in the fashion industry and I do pay attention to what people wear. I think a lot of people definitely cross the line when it comes to wearing something appropriate to work. My office is very small but one of the girls here comes in, in a tank top and short skirt then complains about being cold. My first thought is than put some clothes on dumb ass.

bluebellknoll 4 years 43 weeks

Nope. But only because I don't have any co-workers other than the owner.

bransugar79 4 years 43 weeks

I don't personally judge people based on their fashion, but I do notice the people who look especially nice all the time or the one who ....don't. I think it is important to do your best to look neat and professional but not everybody can aford to triple their clothing budget to try to keep up with the next guy.

syako 4 years 43 weeks

I said sometimes. While fashion is always fun for me and everyday I try to look stylish/nice/professional/fun I only take notice of others if it's an extreme (i.e. jeans, inappropriate shoes, low cut tops, too tight pants, unprofessional get ups, etc.) Other than that, I hardly take notice and would have a hard time answering the question "what are all your coworkers wearing today?" (even though we only have six in the office today!!)

MandeeLei 4 years 43 weeks

I couldn't care less about it. I make sure my bits are all covered and everything is clean but I don't care about fashion one bit it's superficial and a waste of time to me.

bleached 4 years 43 weeks

"It can be a fashion show around here--lots of young, rich lawyers with money to burn. My clothes budget has probably tripled since I started this job." TELL ME ABOUT IT...

citizenkane 4 years 43 weeks

I do. I don't judge people on how 'nice' or 'expensive' their clothes are, but how they take care of themselves and how professional they are. I believe you should take pride in yourself and in your job. Just because a dress code is casual, it does not mean you shouldn't still look great. I work in real estate and all of our agents are independent contractors, so they have no dress code. The agents that dress nicely do more business than the ones that wear flip-flops and juicy pants. No shock there....

skigurl 4 years 43 weeks

absolutely. it's how you can learn about a person outside of work. 100%. and not to mention, when i got a promotion, i learned that part of my positive feedback from my manager was "has good style..is fashionable"...it really helps. you must be professional at all times, even on casual friday. some people (more than 50% of people) wear the most inappropriate stuff to work (Roots sweatshirts? running shoes with dress pants? the oldest sandals known to man? spaghetti-strap tank tops?)

MindayH 4 years 43 weeks

I always pay attention. I especially can't stand when girls where really cheap dresses that have thread coming out everywhere...it makes me think that they will eventually ban dresses at my workplace.

tee0206 4 years 43 weeks

I know I do. I think it's just inappropriate for people to show up wearing wifebeaters and tight, muffin top-exposing jeans on casual Fridays.

jessy777 4 years 43 weeks

I do because I think how someone presents themselves is very important. However, at my current job the dress code is so casual that people walk around in denim shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. No kidding! It drives me crazy and I dress up everyday because I like to look professional. I wear jeans almost everyday to inhabit that casual vibe but the rest of me is always business casual. You just never know who you might run into and you need to make a good impression.

mondaymoos 4 years 43 weeks

For the most part, I don't pay attention to what most of the girls in the office wear. My office manager and I are constantly in a fabulous shoe war, though.

carhornsinapril 4 years 43 weeks

yes. i work in fashion, so it's usually outfit admiration, unless someone's rocking midnight cleavage at 10am.

javsmav 4 years 43 weeks

It can be a fashion show around here--lots of young, rich lawyers with money to burn. My clothes budget has probably tripled since I started this job.

cmd0610 4 years 43 weeks

Just about everyone in my office is a white, 50+ male so it's not like a fashion show around here- plus I don't really care what old guys wear to work haha. Occasionally I see a girl my age (especially now that it's intern time) and occasionally if they are wearing something totally bizarre or inappropriate I do a double-take, normally I could care less.

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