Dress code exists, but coworkers do not follow it. How to dress?












17















I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    10 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

    – solarflare
    9 hours ago






  • 7





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    8 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    7 hours ago
















17















I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    10 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

    – solarflare
    9 hours ago






  • 7





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    8 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    7 hours ago














17












17








17


1






I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.







software-industry united-states dress-code






share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 9 hours ago







osuka_













New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 10 hours ago









osuka_osuka_

1897




1897




New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    10 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

    – solarflare
    9 hours ago






  • 7





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    8 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    7 hours ago



















  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    10 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    9 hours ago








  • 1





    Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

    – solarflare
    9 hours ago






  • 7





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    8 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    7 hours ago

















Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

– jcmack
10 hours ago





Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

– jcmack
10 hours ago




2




2





I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

– max630
9 hours ago







I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

– max630
9 hours ago






1




1





Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

– solarflare
9 hours ago





Possible duplicate of Can it be harmful to dress more formally than what the dress code allows?

– solarflare
9 hours ago




7




7





"If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

– Joe Strazzere
8 hours ago





"If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

– Joe Strazzere
8 hours ago




2




2





@JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

– osuka_
7 hours ago





@JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

– osuka_
7 hours ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















41














As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






share|improve this answer

































    39














    As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






    share|improve this answer































      13














      I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



      An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






      share|improve this answer
























      • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

        – ruakh
        3 hours ago



















      4














      It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






      share|improve this answer































        2














        Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



        However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.




















          Your Answer








          StackExchange.ready(function() {
          var channelOptions = {
          tags: "".split(" "),
          id: "423"
          };
          initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

          StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
          // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
          if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
          StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
          createEditor();
          });
          }
          else {
          createEditor();
          }
          });

          function createEditor() {
          StackExchange.prepareEditor({
          heartbeatType: 'answer',
          autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
          convertImagesToLinks: false,
          noModals: true,
          showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
          reputationToPostImages: null,
          bindNavPrevention: true,
          postfix: "",
          imageUploader: {
          brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
          contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
          allowUrls: true
          },
          noCode: true, onDemand: false,
          discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
          ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
          });


          }
          });






          osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










          draft saved

          draft discarded


















          StackExchange.ready(
          function () {
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f128363%2fdress-code-exists-but-coworkers-do-not-follow-it-how-to-dress%23new-answer', 'question_page');
          }
          );

          Post as a guest















          Required, but never shown




















          StackExchange.ready(function () {
          $("#show-editor-button input, #show-editor-button button").click(function () {
          var showEditor = function() {
          $("#show-editor-button").hide();
          $("#post-form").removeClass("dno");
          StackExchange.editor.finallyInit();
          };

          var useFancy = $(this).data('confirm-use-fancy');
          if(useFancy == 'True') {
          var popupTitle = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-title');
          var popupBody = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-body');
          var popupAccept = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-accept-button');

          $(this).loadPopup({
          url: '/post/self-answer-popup',
          loaded: function(popup) {
          var pTitle = $(popup).find('h2');
          var pBody = $(popup).find('.popup-body');
          var pSubmit = $(popup).find('.popup-submit');

          pTitle.text(popupTitle);
          pBody.html(popupBody);
          pSubmit.val(popupAccept).click(showEditor);
          }
          })
          } else{
          var confirmText = $(this).data('confirm-text');
          if (confirmText ? confirm(confirmText) : true) {
          showEditor();
          }
          }
          });
          });






          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes








          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          41














          As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



          Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



          Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






          share|improve this answer






























            41














            As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



            Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



            Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






            share|improve this answer




























              41












              41








              41







              As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



              Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



              Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






              share|improve this answer















              As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



              Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



              Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 7 hours ago

























              answered 9 hours ago









              Johns-305Johns-305

              2,442513




              2,442513

























                  39














                  As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






                  share|improve this answer




























                    39














                    As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






                    share|improve this answer


























                      39












                      39








                      39







                      As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






                      share|improve this answer













                      As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 10 hours ago









                      KilisiKilisi

                      117k66256448




                      117k66256448























                          13














                          I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                          An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                          share|improve this answer
























                          • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                            – ruakh
                            3 hours ago
















                          13














                          I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                          An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                          share|improve this answer
























                          • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                            – ruakh
                            3 hours ago














                          13












                          13








                          13







                          I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                          An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                          share|improve this answer













                          I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                          An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 10 hours ago









                          Rob MoirRob Moir

                          5,22831736




                          5,22831736













                          • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                            – ruakh
                            3 hours ago



















                          • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                            – ruakh
                            3 hours ago

















                          +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                          – ruakh
                          3 hours ago





                          +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                          – ruakh
                          3 hours ago











                          4














                          It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                          share|improve this answer




























                            4














                            It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                            share|improve this answer


























                              4












                              4








                              4







                              It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                              share|improve this answer













                              It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered 10 hours ago









                              Sebastian ProskeSebastian Proske

                              1,0741612




                              1,0741612























                                  2














                                  Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                                  However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                                  share|improve this answer








                                  New contributor




                                  Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.

























                                    2














                                    Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                                    However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                                    share|improve this answer








                                    New contributor




                                    Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                      2












                                      2








                                      2







                                      Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                                      However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                                      share|improve this answer








                                      New contributor




                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                      Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                                      However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.







                                      share|improve this answer








                                      New contributor




                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer






                                      New contributor




                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                      answered 6 hours ago









                                      Kerry McKeanKerry McKean

                                      211




                                      211




                                      New contributor




                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                      New contributor





                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                                          osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










                                          draft saved

                                          draft discarded


















                                          osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













                                          osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












                                          osuka_ is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















                                          Thanks for contributing an answer to The Workplace Stack Exchange!


                                          • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                          But avoid



                                          • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                          • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                          To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                          draft saved


                                          draft discarded














                                          StackExchange.ready(
                                          function () {
                                          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f128363%2fdress-code-exists-but-coworkers-do-not-follow-it-how-to-dress%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                                          }
                                          );

                                          Post as a guest















                                          Required, but never shown





















































                                          Required, but never shown














                                          Required, but never shown












                                          Required, but never shown







                                          Required, but never shown

































                                          Required, but never shown














                                          Required, but never shown












                                          Required, but never shown







                                          Required, but never shown











                                          Popular posts from this blog

                                          How to label and detect the document text images

                                          Vallis Paradisi

                                          Tabula Rosettana