Business Casual, You Say?

Upon beginning a new job, aside from the lunch policy, workstation decorating, pay schedule, and vacation time, there is little more important to the punch packed during your introductory period as how an employee herself through aesthetics. I say, herself, because this IS more of a gendered issue. Women comprise almost half of the workforce, and for every female employee, there is a morning struggle between what is appropriate to wear to work, and how to turn that summer maxi dress into an office-worthy ensemble. Plus, men simply don't find themselves the subject of impromptu meetings with management on the tightness of a skirt, or the precarious dip of a collar.


Dressing for work is not as easy as it once was, nor is it as general, which causes a world of problems that millennial women didn't even know existed. Long gone are the days of the blue or black (white and gold?) power suit, modest pumps, and a conservative hairstyle. Today, the workforce is comprised of fashions that range the gamut from conventional to quirky, all while balancing company standards of dress. Women are wearing fringe, tribally inspired patterns, sundresses paired with dark, opaque tights, hats, denim.


Denim.


Jeans aren't just for casual Friday anymore, especially at companies that pride themselves on artistic expression and a social, fun, workplace environment.


But, what if your job isn't as forgiving of the relaxed workplace trends? What if your job balks at jeans, no matter how dark and unassuming they might be? What if their idea of business casual, a term that is buried beneath subjection, mirrors any female character out of an episode of Mad Men? What if you simply don't know and can't quite tell exactly what is required? Is next season's Marc Jacobs military collection too risqué for my beige company? Can my Big Star patchwork jeans pass the Casual Friday test if I pair them with a collared shirt? Are my boobs too big for a collared shirt? Is this heel too high? Will they think my natural hair is too...natural? Am I drawing too much attention for wearing things that show, not exploit, my curves? Is it fair? Is that rhetorical?


This is when telecommuting becomes a viable option. But, alas, you can't quit. But something's got to give.


Employers would truly benefit from perusing the newest collections from trendsetting fashion houses, as the most utilized of clothing stores pull from their influence. Just because Target has it in their business-friendly section does not mean that your company will approve of it. And no one wants to find themselves in a meeting with the boss over minced ideas.


So, what does a clothes-wearing woman in 2015 do when management has the last say on what dictates acceptability? Does self expression take a back seat to the vagueness of The Dress Code?


Never have uniforms sounded so nice.