While the “trends” that the New York Times Style section reports on don't always qualify as actual, real-world trends, last week's story “Who Wears Crop Tops to the Office?” definitely seems grounded in reality. So let's chat about it today! (We also linked to the article in last week's news post.)

So do tell, readers: Have you spotted any Gen Zers (or anyone else) wearing crop tops at your workplace? (Related: Do you work at an office that has drastically relaxed its dress code since the Before Times?) Do you think there's any way to style crop tops that would make them at least marginally acceptable at the office?

{related: what not to wear to work}

To kick off this open thread, here a couple of excerpts from the story to discuss — particularly the parts we've bolded:

On TikTok, videos showcasing crop tops as work wear frequently draw criticism from users, including accusations of unprofessionalism and suggestions that the posters are merely cosplaying the lives of actual office workers. But the trend is also praised, particularly by members of Gen Z, as a stylish show of resistance against the status quo.

As the fashion trends of the 1990s and early 2000s continue to grow in popularity, tops that are cropped or perforated with eccentric cutouts are widely available in stores today. Many retail websites, including Revolve, Forever 21, Asos, Shein and Fashion Nova, showcase crop tops in their work wear categories, along with miniskirts and backless blouses. Based on how they’re presented online, the recent college graduate could be forgiven for thinking that crop tops are unimpeachably office-appropriate.

In last week's Weekend Open Thread, a commenter posted a link to the NYT story, and it prompted a reader discussion that included the fitting response, “Oh no. No no no no no.”

Readers particularly took issue with the fact that some of the women interviewed simply dislike “the idea of spending money on professional clothing that [they] will wear only a few days out of the week.” After all, as one commenter pointed out, “Work clothes can be cheap.”

Taking a quick look at TikTok, I found a bunch of videos about wearing crop tops at work, with some women saying they do it because they're the ONLY shirts they have. (As someone old enough to have a kid who's younger Gen Z, I would say to them: “But aren't you cold in the winter?! Also, get off my lawn!”)

{related: bare arms at work: yea or nay? (from 2011, for “historical” perspective}

Readers, what are your thoughts? How would someone wearing a crop top be handled by your office?

Stock photo via Stencil.

The post Crop Tops at Work: Yea or Nay? appeared first on Corporette.com.

I feel like we've had a lot of discussions lately about how it feels like fashion is all over the place at this moment in time. What's trendy? What's out? What's classic vs. what's dated? So let's discuss.

Some of our previous discussions on trends can be helpful here because you can see what era some of the trends originated in. We've talked about 2019 fashion trends we hate (no one liked ruffles, and Elizabeth called the Doc Marten trend!), trends you won’t wear to work (2016 edition), trends and the conservative office (2015 edition), and trends you’re totally sick of (2013 edition).

Trends I Would Not Wear to Work in 2024

For my $.02, trends from yesteryear that I'm going to avoid wearing include:

• ruffles everywhere
• sharkbite hems
• trumpet or bell sleeves (if you must, bubble sleeves are more in right now)
• trumpet skirts
• high-low skirts (although I'm not sure those were ever appropriate for the office…)
• clear plastic/lucite details on shoes

Newer trends that I'd wait a bit before seeing whether they fly at my office:

• headbands
• lug soles (loafers, boots, combat boots, etc)
• anything with a grandma aesthetic — heavily embroidered sweaters, oversize sweaters — they may be acceptable when balanced with a structured piece, but know your office
• oversized white button-fronts
• sweater vests (although I'd guess that these will be acceptable as long as you're wearing them as a layer)
• white sneakers with dresses (see below — they might be acceptable at a business casual office, but I'd presume they're not until you see others wearing the look)
• skirts and dresses with trains/trails

Newer trends that probably aren't acceptable for work (unless anything flies at your office):

• nap dresses or smocked details
• prairie dresses
• joggers/leggings everywhere
• bike pants with boots (cute… but weekend)
• cardigan sets with crop tops (ditto — cute, but weekend)
• slip dresses
• midi-skirts that have a sheer layer on top of a miniskirt

Items I'd Skip Unless I Really Liked Them

This list could be handy if you're interested in buying clothes secondhand… you can still buy them and wear them, but don't consider them basics — they have to really be something you love.

• peplums
• architectural heels
• colorblocked dresses (especially with an exposed zipper) — many will say that these have been out for at least five years, but I'm still seeing new ones come out. I wouldn't recommend buying the new ones, but if you already own colorblocked dresses you love, I think they're still wearable.
• tunic sweaters — I'm still going to wear them, but it's because I like them.
• ankle pants — I still think you can wear the older ones you like, but I'd hold off on buying new until you see what's popular at your office. Consider wearing them with loafers or mid-calf boots to make them more current; avoid the ballet flats + ankle pants look.
• round toe flats — Curious to hear your thoughts, but I feel like it's either pointy flat or loafer at this point.
• exposed zippers — We're still seeing these! No one, at any point, ever liked them for work, but manufacturers have yet to get the message (or maybe it's cheaper to make dresses this way). You do you, but I wouldn't buy a dress with an exposed zipper unless I really like the rest of the dress.

{related: how to cultivate style (aka style vs. trend vs. frump)}

Items You Should Never Wear to Work (But Know Your Office)

I'd be curious for your thoughts on this list, as my own advice to women is largely unchanged over the 15 years of this blog — it's not that you can't wear these items, but if you're new to an office, wait to wear these items until you see mid-levels wearing them. (The theory here is that a junior employee should follow mid-levels, because the bosses can wear what they want.)

What Not to Wear to Conservative Offices in General

I'd define a conservative office as one where people wouldn't look out of place wearing a suit.

• anything that makes noise (bracelets, pants, shoes, whatever)
• shoes (especially heels) you cannot walk a few blocks in
• pants with five-pocket styles cut like denim — including corduroy, velvet, etc.
• leggings as pants
• long dresses and skirts (maxi for sure, maybe even midi)
• anything denim (including denim jackets or blazers)
• over-the-knee boots (I'd LOVE your thoughts on that one, readers — I still think it's a know your office situation.)
• anything that wasn't commonly worn five years ago
• anything requiring a special bra or exposing unusual skin (including slash-neck sweaters, crop tops, and even those half-sweaters meant to be worn over a camisole so there are flashes of skin)
• “anchorwoman style,” like camisoles with blazers (or at least go into it knowing you probably can't remove your blazer if you get hot)
• sheer/lace/chiffon details
• sleeveless arms and bare legs — but I expect this one will vary greatly by region and office culture (but! see the conversation in the comments re pantyhose. Maybe the answer finally is “presume bare legs are ok unless your office makes a big deal about how bare legs are not acceptable.”)
• (see the below list also)

What Not to Wear to a Business Casual Office

Again, these aren't definite nos, just “presume it's a no until you've worked there a while.” Proposed safe outfit until you know your office: Pants without back pockets (Pixie pants from Old Navy would be great here but lots of higher-end options also — note that they now have styles other than ankle pants) and a blouse, sweater, or cardigan & tee.

• I'd still go with much of the above list until you've worked at your office a bit
• ripped denim (including “raw” hems), anything other than dark rinse denim
• anything with a mid-thigh slit
• sneakers, sandals, commuting shoes (rainboots, Sorel, Sperry, etc.) — keep a pair of simple flats or heels at the office. I'd include the “white sneakers with everything” trend — just wait a while and see if it will fly at your office.
• graphic tees and sports paraphernalia
• hoodies (even if they're cashmere) — but know your office
• I don't think this is a trend right now, but I'll add it anyway: shorts with tights
• (summertime: shorts and any shoe that exposes your toes)

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Iffy Trends That are PROBABLY OK (but I Wouldn't Wear the First Week)

As always: know your office.

• Jumpsuits — I still think these can be very hit or miss for work, but they've been around for long enough and have been popular in workwear stores for long enough…
• Knee-high boots — I hope we are way past the days when, if you wore knee-high boots (not even OTK!), you'd have to deal with jokes from coworkers about pirates (or dominatrixes). But it wasn't that long ago that knee-high boots were suspect — so know your office.
• Split hems — I'm not a huge fan of the trend but I don't think there's anything inherently inappropriate for the office about the look. (See, e.g., The Row or Ted Baker.)
• Bodysuits — we've even done a roundup of the best bodysuits for work outfits! There are a lot of great ones out there now.

Readers, over to you — what will you not be wearing to work in 2024? What trends scream “2017” (or earlier) — what trends seem inappropriate now?

Stock photo via Stencil.

The post What Not to Wear to Work appeared first on Corporette.com.

Here's a fun question as we slide into summer with lots of summer interns and summer associates: what NOT to wear to work in 2016? Obviously: every office is different, so know your office. My usual guidelines for readers are these:

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

1. If it's on this list (below) of questionable items, do NOT wear it until you've seen your boss several midlevels wear it. Note that these people do not count as “your boss:” another summer intern, a staffer/subordinate, or someone else very junior at the company (e.g., a first-year associate). (See the interesting discussion in the comments — a lot of bosses have earned their right / have enough credibility to get away with dressing however the heck they want — just because they feel ok about wearing something doesn't mean they'd want to see a summer intern or first-year wear it.)
2. When in doubt, stick with classics. If it wasn't commonly worn as workwear five years ago, question whether it's appropriate at your conservative office — classic styles and prints tend to go over best. Track pants, culottes, ballerina-style lace up shoes… these are in a different ballpark than pencil skirts, button-front blouses, sheath dresses, and blazers.
3. If it makes noise at all, it isn't appropriate for the office. Cheap fabric — arm parties — loud necklaces — any sort of a shoe that makes a loud sound: be wary.

{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}

(Pictured at top, in case you like them for the weekend or evenings, clockwise: romper / eyelet cami / maxi skirt with slit / pencil skirt with slit.)

My list of “please do not wear this to your conservative office” would include:

• short shorts or rompers (hahahaha)
• miniskirts, or skirts with a very high slit in front or back. The sweet spot for a flattering but work-appropriate length is just above or at your knees — the fingertip test does not work for conservative offices.
• maxiskirts or maxidresses, barring some good reason (e.g., religious reasons)
• spaghetti straps or anything else that shows your bra / requires you to wear a special bra (halter tops, strapless tops, etc). At least, this is true when they're worn by themselves, not as a layer under a cardigan, blazer, or as a layering piece under a blouse or dress.
• flip flops, even if they're leather — they may be fine for commuting shoes but I'd change into proper shoes immediately upon getting in to the office, if not just outside your office
• anything exposing cleavage or cutouts (or, hahahaha, croptops)
• pants of any type that are skintight, whether it's leggings, ponte pants, or ankle pants that are skintight

My list of “know your office really well before you wear these to work” would include:

• sandals and peep-toe styles
• sleeveless tops and dresses, worn by themselves without a cardigan or blazer over them — this includes sleeveless vests and blazers (see our last discussion on whether sleeveless is professional)
• lace / eyelet / sheer blouses or details
• jumpsuits — I still think jumpsuits are best kept for weekends, but there are a ton of workwear companies showing these as a new suiting separate. My best advice here: if it is readily apparent you're wearing a jumpsuit, don't wear it to work. If it just looks like a nice blouse and pants that is super-neatly tucked, go right ahead . . . after you know your office really well.
• anything denim – I've seen some really cute denim suiting separates and (ahem) have even recommended denim blazers here for outerwear and casual offices — I wouldn't wear these around a conservative office until you've seen a superior do it.
• any five-pocket style of pant that is cut like jeans (e.g., twill pants, some linen pants, etc)
• short boots in the summertime — I'm sure they look adorable! But know your office really well before you try them for workwear.
• bermuda shorts, culottes, track pants, skorts — be very, very wary.

Finally: I think ankle pants should be fine at this point, because they've certainly hit market saturation — but I'd still think of them as best for casual days until you see how and when your boss wears them (e.g., with heels only, with a really tailored top, etc).

Ladies, what are your thoughts for what not to wear to work? Do you agree with my two lists — would you move anything from my “please do not wear this to work” to the “maybe you can wear it to work” list? 

The post What Not to Wear to Work appeared first on Corporette.com.

We've had a few great conversations on here about summer internships and summer associates (including what not to DO at your internship) and general professional fashion gaffes, but I thought we should have an open thread of advice for all the interns and summer associates starting out this summer.

We've talked about what not to wear to work — and we've rounded up all of our favorite workwear essentials if you're building your wardrobe (including affordable wardrobe essentials!).

For my own $.02, here are some tips:

What Not to Wear as a Summer Associate

DO NOT WEAR SHORTS OR SANDALS OF ANY KIND UNLESS YOU SEE A SUPERIOR DO IT. Similarly, your first week has probably already passed, but take a look around your office at the women superiors (NOT the other interns): are they wearing pantyhose when they wear skirts? If they are, do not go bare-legged.

How long are your skirts? Even if you didn't grow up watching Ally McBeal, far too many skirts that are sold as professional ones are a bit too short for the office. Check out our diagram and poll on how short is too short for an office skirt.

If you wear flip-flops for the commute, get those suckers off the second you get to the office. Going to a cocktail party after work does not count as “commuting” — find shoes that are comfortable to stand in.

Assess your hair. I passed a girl on the street yesterday wearing a messy bun on the very tippy-top of her head (a look I wore myself in my early 20s) and thought, “Perhaps she works in a creative field.” My point here: There are a ton of cute ways to pull your hair back on the weekend, but make sure that your casual “need to get my hair out of my face right this instant” look is appropriate for your office culture. Hint: a low pony-tail works most everywhere; any ponytail or bun that sits higher than your ears may be suspect.

If you're still learning the office culture but you interviewed in a blazer, bring one in to the office. Just a simple black one or white one will do. Then, if you get called to an important meeting at the last minute, throw a blazer on top of whatever you're wearing.

Some of the best blazers for women in 2024 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).

Don't carry a Birkin or any other accessory or clothing item that suggests that Daddy (or your sugar Daddy) buys you things. As I advised the young woman who wanted to carry her Birkin to her internship:  Even if you're 100% committed to your career, the first impression you're making is a negative one, and you may not get a chance to correct it personally with every person who notices. So don't do it.

Finally, this isn't a fashion tip, but a more general one: Know your place. One of the weekend commenters mentioned going to a business meeting and being shocked that her opponent's intern blocked the exit and talked loudly about her own general studies in the field — and I found myself nodding in agreement because I've seen that person (male and female) a million times and it never reads well. When you're at a meeting with anyone outside your immediate company — e.g., clients, opponents — your role is to observe. Contributions are fine, but brevity and quality are the name of the game unless whoever you're speaking with presses further.

This should be a fun discussion — readers, what advice do you wish you could give the interns at your workplace? What gaffes have you seen?

The post What NOT to Wear as an Intern or Summer Associate appeared first on Corporette.com.

Update: I still agree with my advice in this post, but you can also check out our more recent discussion on what not to wear to work. 

So there's this great piece on USA Today about how “business casual” can be confusing to some people — this one 24-year-old PR executive was shocked (shocked, we tell you!) when she wasn't allowed to attend a meeting dressed in Bermuda shorts and flip flops.

So I thought it might be fun to have an open-thread today about what attire makes you really raise your eyebrows. Obviously, every office is different, but I think we can all do a public service by listing which garments and accessories someone might want to think twice before wearing.

{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}

For my own list:

• Any shorts (or any pants that are less than full length — ankle-length pants and capris will be questionable at some offices!)
• Flip-flops (whether they're plastic or leather, rethink)
• Sandals of any kind; peep toe shoes are also often questionable at the most conservative offices
• Tall boots (even knee-high used to be questionable, but over-the-knee styles are definitely questionable)
• Anything that is overly noisy in the hallways (flip-flops are the primary offender here, but other things qualify also — corduroy pants, for example)
• Denim, or items cut like denim (e.g., 5 pockets) — cords, khakis, etc.
• Lace or sheer clothing
• Sleeveless tops or dresses (worn without a cardigan or blazer on top)
• Any item that can be worn to the gym (sneakers, yoga pants, terrycloth wristbands, large shapeless t-shirts)
• Anything too short, tight, or low-cut

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Readers, what “think twice” list have you compiled from your time at the office? Any fun “I couldn't believe she wore that” stories that you'd care to share?

The post What NOT to Wear to the Office appeared first on Corporette.com.