What Men and Women Should Not Wear to Work

Style is always a hot topic. After all, most of us like to look good. But when it comes to what you should wear to work, people are firmly divided into two opposing camps: those who believe in business casual and those who prefer casual or even ultra casual.

Business casual includes khakis, slacks and shirts with collars for men, and knee-length skirts, slacks and blouses with collars for women. Popular in many companies since the late 1980s, business casual attire offers an alternative to formal business attire. Casual and ultra casual, popular with many tech and creative companies since the late 1990s, can include anything from sneakers and jeans to yoga pants and flip-flops.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a recent poll by the Society for Human Resource Management found that just over a third of all American employers allow casual dress in the workplace every day. Interestingly, in companies that don't clearly define a workplace dress code as part of their staff management guidelines, employees sometimes find it difficult to know how they're required to dress. This can have consequences ranging from a stern reprimand from a manager to even getting fired over inappropriate attire.

Though the do's and don'ts vary from company to company, there are a number of things you definitely should not wear to work.

Women

Women have more style choices than men- which also means they can make more mistakes. Here's a list of the main things to avoid:

Sweatpants: Comfortable but rarely elegant, sweatpants should only be worn when you're exercising… or on your couch thinking about it!
Sneakers: Though they're much more comfortable (and better for your feet) than heels, sneakers don't go over well in many work environments. Instead, choose low heels or flats.
Ripped or oversized jeans: Even if your jeans collection is the envy of your friends, refrain from showing it off at work. If you like to wear pants, choose a pair of elegant slacks instead.
Tops that show bra straps: Though some women like this style, it can be interpreted as sending the wrong message in the workplace. Even if you're wearing a strappy top or dress, make sure your bra straps don't peep out.
Skirts above the knee: Like bra straps, short skirts might be interpreted as sending the wrong message. Save your minis for your night out and wear knee-length or longer skirts to work.

In addition, stylish news anchor Nicole Lapin advises women to steer clear of the it fashions of the season and choose classic, tailored styles. She also emphasizes that women should avoid anything that could be interpreted as unprofessional, such as tops with low cut décolletées, overly high heels, and even perfume and heavy makeup.

Men

Men have fewer style options than women, but that doesn't mean their appearance is any less important. Here's what to avoid:

Wrinkled or badly fitting clothes: Wrinkled and oversized clothing often looks sloppy, so iron your clothes and spend an extra five minutes in the store finding a shirt that fits well.
Hats: Though some still consider hats the epitome of style, Esquire advises not wearing any kind of hat or cap at work.
Sandals or flip-flops: Comfy, grungy or cool, any type of shoe that leaves your toes bare doesn't belong in the workplace.
Too-tight tees or shirts: Unless you're a member of the Hawaii Five-O cast, you needn't wear shirts that show off your delts and pecs at work. Likewise, tees designed to stretch over your hard-gained muscles might look great for a night on the town, but you should wear a normal-fitting shirt with a collar to work.

Now that you know what not to wear, how do you know what you should wear? First of all, you should wear something that projects both a professional appearance and your personal brand. Even if your company has a casual dress code, bear in mind that your clients or people in your network might appreciate a more conservative approach. According to CNN Money, the old adage, "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have," still holds true. And with the number of employers who prefer a business casual dress code, it's better to err on the side of conservative if you don't want to make a fashion faux pas.