Moments of Excellence - PROFESSIONAL DRESS

10 things a professional woman should never wear
by Kayla Baxter, Anna Hennings and Alice Handley

We hate to admit it, because we personally feel that clothes shouldn't matter. In a perfect world, a person would be judged at their workplace based solely on the caliber of their work.

Unfortunately, that's not how the world works. How you choose to dress each morning reflects how you feel about your job – that you take your position seriously, that you are ready to work and that you pay attention to detail and know what you expect to encounter that day. You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your favorite four-inch stilletos, right? Of course not, you'd go in a hard hat, because it's appropriate for the situation. Appearances matter!

We’ve all been there, though. The days you wake up feeling sick, but still have to make it into the office, so you throw on any old thing that’s (kind of) clean. The office where you never see anyone but your hated boss and your frumpy coworkers. The jobs you work from home in your pajamas and no makeup. Regardless of the excuses, there are some things that professionals should just never wear. Ever.

We’ll show you what these things are, why they’re a terrible wardrobe choice and if you’re guilty of having one in your closet – or (gasp!) in your daily rotation – we’ll give you a much better alternative.

Crocs

Why not?Crocs are for the beach. For small children. For working in the garage or around the house. We realize they have cool antibacterial and slip-resistant properties going for them, but even their website admits that Crocs were originally "intended as a boating/outdoor shoe." Face it, Crocs are not for the office.

Try me instead:
If you absolutely cannot let go of the Crocs name and comfortable-shoe concept, give YOU by Crocs a go, the brand’s “high fashion” line that still incorporates the “croslite technology” – which means it’s odor resistant and anti-microbial – and that has extra padding right where you need it most: The ball of your foot and your heel.

Uggs

Why not?Uggs are just glorified slippers. And what are slippers? They are part of your pajamas. And do professional women wear pajamas to the office? No, they do not. No matter how cold it is outside, or how sick or hungover you feel, don’t come traipsing into the office wearing Uggs. And don’t even think about showing them off by tucking your jeans into them – or worse – pairing them with a (denim) mini skirt. You’re a professional.

Try me instead:

Want boots? Give leather boots a go. They don’t even have to be heeled. Not only are flat boots much more comfortable, but they’re in style and classic – so they’ll last you more than one fashion cycle – and they transcend seasons: Wear them with tights or bare legs, with dresses, skirts or with pants!

Fanny Packs

Why not?The fanny pack went out of style way back in the 80s, taking side ponytails and neon brights along with them. Sporting a fanny pack in a professional environment shows you have no idea what’s in fashion – whether you consider yourself style savvy or not – while also giving your look a big case of the casuals. You’re not on vacation in 1983, so lose that vinyl fanny pack!

Try me instead:

Just about any handbag, clutch, satchel, tote, even a briefcase, will do the exact same thing as a fanny pack: Hold your essentials.

Scrunchies

Why not?Because scrunchies went out of fashion at the same time fanny packs did. Wearing one only emphasizes your need for a makeover, not a raise. Bows, or ribbons tied into bows, also fall into this particular don’t. Ribbons in your hair are appropriate for the seventh grade cheerleading squad and other teenage displays of team unity. Not. Professional.

Try me instead:

There’s nothing a scrunchie can do that an ouchless hair elastic band can’t. Other options for pulling your hair back? Bobby pins, clips, headbands, hair scarves – even a hat, if your workplace is business casual enough.

Sweatshirts and Sweatpants

Why not?Save your sweats for the gym, for a night spent vegging on the couch or for sleeping. They don’t want to go work, so please don’t bring them in! Plainly put: Sweatpants and sweatshirts are much too casual to be professional, and they scream, “I’m lazy! Please fire me!” Even people who work at fitness centers don’t wear sweats to work, so you shouldn’t either.

Try me instead:

Dying to be as comfortable as possible? Try a worn-in pair of cotton chino slacks with a simple, but still classy, white fitted tee. Need something to keep you warm on top? A monotone cotton or cashmere cardigan will feel great and look good.

Bonus hint:When you feel sick and miserable but still have to go in to the office (the worst!), looking sick and miserable won’t actually make you feel any better.

Suggestion? Try dressing up even more than you usually would to give your morale a boost.

Footless Leggings and Spandex/Yoga Pants

Why not?Leggings and spandex pants are in the perfect shape for your next yoga or Pilates class, not for your upcoming presentation — or even a conference call. Yes, even a call. No one can see what you’re wearing over the phone, but that’s our point: They’re never appropriate for the office, not as a layer under a skirt and especially not worn alone as pants.What’s worse? Extremely bold-hued leggings, leggings with zipped hems or the worst — a combination of the two.

Try me instead:

Tights – both opaque and sheer – are perfectly acceptable for the office and provide the same coverage as leggings but with a polished look.

Leather Pants

Why not?Leather pants are perfectly career-appropriate if you’re auditioning for Rock of Love, and that’s about it. It should go without saying (but we’ll still say it) that you should never go to work dressed like you’re about to do some tequila shots with the band unless your job somehow involves doing tequila shots with the band.

Try me instead:

If you’re looking for a little edge in your work wardrobe, try a perfectly severe black blazer, skinny black pants, or a purse with a serious amount of hardware.

Face Tattoos

Why not?Just don’t.

Try me instead:

A non-tattooed face.

The Exception: Mike Tyson

Velour/Juicy Tracksuits

Why not?They may seem like they’re fancy, but a big price tag does not a sophisticated garment make. Velour, sadly, is just not a workplace-approved fabric. Doesn’t it just scream out "a trip to the mall” to you? Well, that’s what it’s saying to your coworkers and, more importantly, your boss. This goes double for embellished tracksuits.

Try me instead:

Like our advice for people who want to wear their sweatpants, here we’re going to suggest your comfiest khakis or softest cotton skirt. On top, a fluffy and oh-so-soft sweater can keep you just as happy as a hoodie.

Message Tees

Why not?It may be cute or funny or so totally true to you, but you never know how other people are going to react. You might be an Italian Princess or The World’s Greatest Mom, but those honorable titles are best kept for your weekend wear.

Try me instead:

Wearing a plain t-shirt and saving your little jokes, observations and rants for email or IM. Keep it clean!