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It seems that a week doesn’t go by where I don’t receive a call or email from a manager or business owner expressing complete frustration with how employees are showing up dressed for work. As a corporate image consultant I listen with empathy assuring them that they’re not alone.
One of the most common business dress for success infractions is the current trend of wearing leggings (or really skinny pants that resemble leggings) to work. They fit like a second skin and leave way too little to the imagination.
Let’s blame this trend on celebrities for bad role modeling. We have to remember that celebrities don’t have ‘real’ jobs, they don’t go to the office like we do, they only pretend to on TV or movies or music videos.
One look that never works in any industry (entertainment/bawdy industries excepted), no matter the situation is wearing leggings with tops or tunics that are too short and reveal all your assets – pun intended 🙂
I’m not suggesting that you not wear them ever… just that this look at best is more suitable in a casual setting, hanging out with friends, shopping, going to the gym or a night out etc.
So can you wear leggings to work?
Yes, they can be okay at some jobs if ALL the following criteria are met:
Managers may not tell you they have a problem with your dress. They may hire us to put dress in a business perspective or help them draw up and implement a written dress code. Or they may simply move you out of client’s sight and pass you over for promotion. Are your leggings worth it?
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JOANNE BLAKE Canadian speaker, corporate image consultant & business etiquette expert. If you're interested in booking a presentation, keynote or coaching, contact me. Based in Calgary / Edmonton, Alberta in western Canada.
