Re: Dress Code

I have a coworker who has a tatoo that is clearly visible when she wears a blouse with a plunging neckline (are you getting a mental picture?). I've begun commenting on the "nice ink" figuring that if she didn't want us to see it, she would wear something appropriate that would keep it from plain sight. She always looks embarrassed when I comment on it, but as we are both women and it is clearly visible, hope I am on safe ground from a harrassment complaint. The men are generally afraid to say anything for fear of a complaint, but I have actually been asked to send female coworkers home to put a blouse on under the revealing vest or a jacket over the see-through blouse.

Dress code? What dress code? Unless their second job is as a cocktail waitress in Vegas, they need to cover it up. And sorry for insulting the Vegas waitresses!

Re: Dressing for Success

You have not seen what I have seen. Any less and some of these people would be downright naked! Sheer see-through blouses, skimpy shorts, and pants that hang down low are not appropriate for the office. Neither are flip flops and sandals. There appears to be a trememdous amount of folks who don't know what "business attire" is.

Re: Is a Dress Code An Anachronism or Useful Tool in Projecting an Agency's Image?

Don't just blame it on management. A stupid union took an agency's dress code to arbitration a few years ago, fortunately they lost but the fact they took it displayed apalling irresponsibility.

Re: Dress Code

It is not that simple. The reality is that both performance and image affect how workers, federal and non federal, are precieved by those they work with and those the serve. All jobs, like it or not, have a publicly precieved dress code, i.e., a suit and tie don't fit the public preception of a good aircraft mechanic just like flip flops and tank tops don't fit the acceptable public image of an effective HR specialist, loggie or any other white collar employee. Employees and employers should remember the importance of first impressions and that what most of us see first is not performance but dress.

Re: Dont' Dress for Success?

It isn't just a a woman thing. I started civil service as a GS-11 in a setting with other equipment specialists/subject matter experts. I chose to wear dress slacks, oxford shirts, and a tie one or two days in the week. I too got questioned by the guys about why I was making them look bad with how I dressed. I agree with a previous post, a general perception about Feds being slobs is too much of a reach.

Re: Dont' Dress for Success?

I think it's acceptable in our culture/society for men and women to comment on how women dress. And the fact that women have more options, and some of those options are provocative, fuel discussions. I remember helping managers deal with inappropriate attire - and the cases always involved young women who were new to the workplace and were distracting everyone with their skimpy outfits. It was never a matter of stylish or expensive attire was; I never heard comments along those lines.

Re: Dont' Dress for Success?

I too am appalled at the lack of common sense in business dress, especially by younger (under 35) workers.

I went to a meeting of all colleagues here at our AFB--and I was the only woman there w/makeup and pantyhose! There were even some women closer to my age (well over 35) who looked like they'd dressed to go bowling!

You don't need a lot of $$ to dress well; a few slacks, shirts and skirts to mix and match, throw in some shoes and you're in business. And if you stick to classics like I do, you'll wear them forever; I have 2 pantsuits that I love that I bought 6 yrs ago, and I'll wear them for the next 10 yrs if they hold up.

When I was at that meeting, I too got a lot of glances, but only b/c I really stood out and I looked great. I look at it this way: perhaps they don't respect themselves, but I respect myself and the way I look--and by looking professional, I'm treated accordingly. Clothes DO make the man (and woman).