For many men the end of the work week is a time to loosen the chokehold of the suit-and-tie and head into the office in comfort. Casual Fridays however, are not exactly a sartorial free-for-all and abusing this company privilege can damage your career. Human Resources consultant and author of HR Answer Book Rebecca Mazin shares how to avoid becoming a Friday casualty.
Cleanliness is Awesomeness
We know, it sounds like common sense. But you know what they say, common sense is not common. As a result, it is worth saying: don’t pick your casual day to skip a shower. “Casual Friday doesn’t mean you wake up and you don’t shave and shower,” Mazin says. A successful casual Friday starts with a clean body adorned in clean, pressed and well-fitting clothes that do not have holes.
Always be Prepared
The traditional suit-and-tie crowd faces clients on a regular basis. As a result they are probably unable to stray far from formal business attire like slacks and button-down shirts. They can still choose to lose the tie and the suit jacket and trade in polished shoes for leather loafers. The key is to be prepared. Make sure that you keep a standard navy blue blazer and solid tie in the office as back-up for unexpected events. In fact, some employers ask employees to keep an extra tie around, or like one of Mazin’s clients, a suit jacket behind their chairs for impromptu meetings, “They have to be prepared to be more professional [at any time],” she says.
Dress Up Denim
Generally, jeans and sneakers are prohibited. If you are lucky enough to have a business casual environment that allows this common casual-wear, remain professional. Make certain your sneakers are clean and in one piece. Opt to wear dark denim and keep the collared look with a matching plaid button-down shirt or a classic Latino menswear staple such as the guayabera. “If you can wear it out to dinner on a first date or meeting a girl[friend]’s parents, it’s probably okay for work,” Mazin says. Tie any whole outfit together with loafers or a pair of streamlined clean, black leather sneakers.
Classic Combination
Stylish and versatile, yet a safe bet Mazin favors solid or striped polo shirts and khakis as casual options for every dress code.
Too Casual
The following items can have the following effect: get you sent home from work, result in your casual day privileges being revoked or worse yet, make your employer question your professionalism:
- Ripped jeans
- Sweatpants/track pants
- Shirts with offensive text or advertisements (the company’s logo and a client’s logo are acceptable)
- Flip flops (or any open-toe shoe)
- Shorts, tank tops and exposed underwear
These relaxed items are what a manager’s worst casual Friday nightmare is made of. “A short sleeve shirt, unbuttoned at the top, board shorts with boxers sticking out and flip flops would not go over well,” Mazin explains.
Like A Boss
If you are looking to climb the ladder at your job – and who isn’t – the cliché is “dress for the job you want.” With that in mind, pay attention to your boss’s casual Friday style. “You don’t have to look like a clone but the level of casualness [of your outfit] should be toward what your boss is wearing.” Mazin advises. “If your boss is wearing more stylish shirts with much more stylish pants and shoes with no socks, it’s fine. It doesn’t mean you have to wear a more conservative uniform.”
As dress codes can vary from office to office contact your HR specialist for more details to navigate your company’s respective casual dress policies.
Image credit- istockphoto.com/Saturated