Who doesn't love casual Friday? While some offices are casual all the time, for those of us who are used to more formal attire Monday through Thursday look forward to taking it down a notch at the end of the week.
When dressing casually for work, there are always guidelines. "Casual Friday" is not the same thing as "Wear Whatever You Want Friday". Here are some tips to make casual Friday work for you.
Do - Follow the dress code.
Whatever dress code your place of employment has is still applicable, no matter what day of the week it is. For example, jeans. I love jeans, especially our Skinny Denim Jean. Jeans are the obvious go-to choice for pants on casual Friday, since you can't wear them the rest of the week and they are so comfy.
There are some styles that are better suited to a weekend at the lake than a day at the office. Darker denim is naturally dressier than lighter shades, so opt for a richer shade of indigo. Super light washes should be avoided - they are far too casual for an office.
Fit is hugely important for jeans no matter where you are. Jeans that are too small don't look good in any situation, and are far too uncomfortable for a full day at work. Any clothing that is too small is unprofessional, and sends the message that you can't dress yourself like an adult.
General rule: If your jeans are faded, ripped, too tight, or have a frayed hem, don't wear them to work. Your best option is a fitted dark wash.
Don't - Wear shorts.
This one is incredibly tempting in the summer. Unless your office is super casual, shorts are a bad idea. Yes, I even mean "dress-up" shorts (i.e. club-appropriate shorts that are made of the same material as dress pants. Cue Chelsea Peretti in Brooklyn 99 referring to the kind of shorts Jen Aniston would wear.)
The same rule for skirts and dresses applies to shorts - the hem should be no shorter than your fingertips when your arms are straight down by your sides. Being a valuable employee does not have anything to do with showing off your legs or tushie.
General rule: No booty shorts. If it is alright to wear shorts to your office, try something longer.
Do - Accessorize
Accessorizing is the easiest way to glam up a casual outfit. Adding earrings, bracelets, or a necklace instantly makes your clothes an outfit instead of a random assortment of pieces.
Spring and fall are the perfect time to play with your accessories. Warmer temperatures are perfect for experimenting with pastels, whereas autumn gives you the chance to wear scarves and cute layers.
General rule: Take it easy with the jewelry. Putting on every piece of jewelry you own is equivalent to putting on every colour of eye shadow.
Don't - Let your bra straps show.
There's always someone. Having your straps hanging out is bad enough on teenagers, but as adults it is completely inappropriate. Showing off your bra straps gives the impression that you care more about being sexy than being an asset to the company.
Spaghetti-strap shirts should only be worn to work as a layer underneath something else.
My favourite excuse is "they just fall down by themselves no matter what shirt I wear". There's an easy solution to this - tighten them! If that doesn't work, you need a new bra, and probably a proper fitting. Edit - check out our Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Bra Size.
General rule: There's no excuse for this. Don't do it. Going bare-armed in the summer is totally acceptable, but make sure the sleeves of your top reach your shoulder. In the cooler months, layers are your friend, especially to cover straps.
Do - Think about what you'll be doing that day.
Want to wear your new super-cute wedges that you haven't broken in yet? Go for it. Just maybe not on a day when you'll be doing a lot of walking or standing.
If you really want to wear heels on a day when you'll be running around, bring a pair of flats as backup. You'll thank yourself for packing them when your feet start to ache. Whatever you do, don't bring flip flops as your backup shoes. Not only are they a no no in the office, they are a hazard in situations like a fire drill.
Will you be meeting clients or your boss? In either situation, being professional trumps being casual. However, you can strike a happy medium. Bring a blazer with you, and wear it in your meetings. Adding a jacket to an outfit instantly makes it more professional. Just make sure that whatever you are wearing without the jacket is still OK for the office.
The same goes for bottoms. If you'll be at your desk most of the day, a dress or skirt is fine. However, on days when you'll be up and down a lot, or out in the wind, pants are the better option.
General rule: Prepare accordingly for your day so you don't get stuck in an awkward situation.
Don't - Apply "casual Friday" to your work duties.
The idea of casual Friday is strictly for clothing. It does not apply to the actual work you need to do. By the end of the week it's easy to cut corners and think about leaving things over the weekend. Somehow, this gets even more tempting when the office is in casual dress mode.
General rule: Friday is still a work day.
What's your go-to style for casual Friday? Submit a comment and let us know.
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