To ask help wording a dress code policy for our office?

[OvertiredandConfused]

I am in despair of the dress code at work and want to change it so that it gives a reasonable idea of expectations but isn't a ridiculous list of dos and don'ts! We're all intelligent adults for goodness sake!

The aim is to have what I would call a smart casual / business casual environment. So that would allow for tailored jeans with a shirt or jacket and smart shoes, for example. Your favourite tour t-shirt, ripped jeans and trainers is not ok.

We currently have what reads like a very prescriptive dress code and yet half the staff still look scruffy even thought they technically follow the guidelines whilst the other half are irritated that the jeans example above is not allowed.

I was thinking of a statement along the lines of "we expect employees to present themselves in clean and smart attire that is appropriate for their role and an office environment." However, I think that is a little too open to personal interpretation.

Has anyone got any useful suggestions, or great policies that they're willing to share?

Someone is always going to look scruffy. Would it not be best to state black trousers/skirt and a white smart top?

Dh company have a uniform which is pretty much the above apart from they provide company shirts with the logo on, although some staff still get pulled up on the white shirts not being white enough or ironed properly.

Rather than providing two extremes, what is acceptable? Jeans as long as they are with a smart top? Ripped jeans and jumpers? Anything with a shirt? Does that include leggings?

To be fair, I dress for what I'm doing. Just going to the office, it's casual - hoodie and jeans, maybe a shirt and jeans if there's internal meetings. External stuff is always much smarter.

Maybe the jeans example is confusing. Even fuddy-duddy me has noticed the number of stores selling smart "work wear" trousers in dark denim. Those are currently banned. One of my mid-level managers moaned last week that she looked for new trousers for work in Next and a couple of smart pairs that she loved were forbidden under our current code. She always looks great and I'd trust her to make sensible choices.

Can someone tell me wtf is up with dress down Fridays? If I can do my job wearing jeans/yoga pants/a slanket on a Friday why can't I also do it wearing jeans/yoga pants/a slanket on a Tuesday?

Do you need the word clean? Hoping not necessary to say this? Isn't it just smart clothes/office wear?

This is our dress code (a school) short a and succint.

"Staff at xxx are expected to dress professionally when in the company of pupils at all times. In the classroom and when meeting parents this is smart office wear. On non-uniform days staff should still dress appropriately. Staff should restrict piercings and tattoos."

I think if you put "Staff at xxx are expected to dress appropriately at all times. The dress code for xxx is Smart Casual. Clothes should be in a good state of repair. No trainers, Ugg style boots, or flip-flops etc"

you can't be too prescriptive, with these things, otherwise it becomes an Issue.

"Weelll, you didn't say i couldn't wear this neon-tutu and wellies, the dress code just says "no boots"

I think trainers can look smart on lots of people, the tall and slim models look very smart in them

I look like I've escaped from the padded cells unless I wear very smart clothes - that's what happens when you're short and chubby with giant breasts

Apparently there is a psychology about what we wear at work. 'They' have done studies that show when people are dressed more smartly, they work more efficiently,..sort of in the way that if you wear sexy clothes you feel more sexy etc.

Not sure whether this is right, probably is with some people?

"Why would anyone think it appropriate to wear ripped jeans or trainers to work?!"

Depends where you work, doesn't it. That's standard lab wear, that is. Or was when I worked in the labs. The only dress code we had was clean and covered up. I knew 3 people who broke it - all of them by not being clean enough and one for also not covering up - a very hot summer in the 1990s and he chose to wear only shorts under his labcoat. Inappropriate and he was told so.

I too think you need to be more specific. As a PP specified above, pictures might help.
Some examples: no denim at all, no t-shirts or strappy tops. Only short/long sleeved blouses and shirts may be worn. No slogans, no open-toed shoes, mules, trainers or casual shoes (insert pic). All skirts knee-length or below. No see through clothing.

I'd also be very prescriptive about hairstyles and make-up but I'm an old fogey and work in a very formal environment.

tldr But that's not the point. I can do my work in my PJs but it isn't respectable to turn up to a place of work that expects certain standards and professionalism in yoga leggings or tracksuits whatever.

On days I worked from home I didn't even get out of bed and would have many a conference call in my bra and underwear but when in the office you need to appear a certain way. That's just the norm. In my line of work my clients are usually up-coming tech types that wear ripped jeans and slogan shirts but in my role I could not get away with that.

Some people look scruffy in a shirt and business suit. Some people look smart in an ordinary jumper and jeans.

Jeff: I think trainers can look smart on lots of people, the tall and slim models look very smart in them

Trainer look smart when they're brand new, and that's about it! :)

I don't see what's so difficult or controversial about this Men: suit and shirt or chinos and shirt, leather shoes not trainers. Women: non-denim trousers or skirts/dresses to the knee or below, no bare legs. Blouse or sleeved top, no plunging necklines or spaghetti straps, jacket or cardi, leather shoes not trainers.

Though saying that, in my last workplace the dress code was suits or chinos for men. Everyone paid lip service to it but then all the guys would cycle to work or go for runs at lunchtime and then sit around for hours taking calls in their sweaty sportswear

I'd look scruffy in the most tailored expensive designer suit you could possibly find.

others look smart in a binbag.

either provide a unifirm or deal with it.

But Manny, the point the OP is making is that there are some smart denim trouser options out there and she wants to include them, I believe. So how to word it?

If you do want to go with denim being allowed then I would say "No faded/worn/torn denim, dark colours only acceptable".

At work I had rule that no skin should touch a chair seat - ie no short shorts or short skirts. And no armpits on show either. Male or female.

inthebox, I get that, but why do places that require professionalism mon-thu not require it on a Friday too?

Either the job can be done in jeans or it can't. Unless they are happy for actual work standards to slip too on a Friday?

I worked someplace with a 'no blue denim' rule once. I think the idea was that black denim would look like non-jean trousers, but in reality it just meant there was lots of nasty coloured denim. This same place also needed a 'no visible underwear rule' though (for thongs worn higher than low rise jeans) and signs in the toilets reminding us to flush so it's probably not the best example of anything.

This is tricky. I think it's easier to go with "smart", because for a lot of people, "smart casual" IS smart and for others, it's "casual". For me, smart casual for men means collar but no tie, no trainers. For women, no visible toes, no bare shoulders, no printed t-shirts.

A lot of scruffiness IMO comes from grooming as much as clothes. Grubbiness, stubble, unkempt hair etc give an impression of scruff, no matter how good the clothes.

that's quite a good one. No visible armpits, no visible cleavage (chest, toes, bum).

how about: no denim, no logos, no rips, no smells, no rattles.

remember you cannot mandate makeup (or lack of) or heels (or lack of) unless it is for both sexes. And do not insist on jackets and ties as your office is probably stuffy and overheated. Uncomfortable people do poor work.

which is why some want to get out and exercise at lunchtime, rather than sitting on their arses. And which is why a shower in an office building is useful.

Specifying leather shoes wont be popular with the veggies and vegans. (Not me. People I have worked with).

What are tailored jeans?

I think a smart casual dress code is fine if you are not meeting clients. I'd just say that clothes need to be appropriate for an office environment and as an example, beach wear such as flip flops and strappy tops is not acceptable. Totally agree with no armpits on show!

Not sure why denim isn't ok if it's not torn. Jeans are fine, they can look smarter than "smart" trousers.

Trainers would be a dilemma for me. I work from home, but when I go into the office I have to take a very heavy laptop with me. I don't want to carry a pair of shoes as well, and I walk to the station (25 minutes) and then from the station at the other end (15 minutes) and then the same at the end of the day. So comfortable shoes are a must. So I tend to wear trainers despite the fact that they don't look massively professional. But if someone told me I had to wear proper shoes, I would then ask for a lighter laptop!