Video:Don'ts of Dressing for Work for Women

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Transcript:Don'ts of Dressing for Work for Women

Hi, I'm Kaytie Sproul here for About.com, and today we're going to talk about the don'ts of dressing for work, as outlined on About.com's Women's Fashion site.
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While some employers are explicit about corporate dress code, others are vague in outlining their policies. Whether your organization demands business attire or allows casual clothing, here are a few things to avoid in any professional environment.

<h3>Avoid Revealing or Sexy Attire When Dressing for Work</h3>
First and foremost, don't dress too sexy for the office. Mini-skirts, spaghetti straps, sundresses, and stiletto heels should all be left at home.
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If you work in a formal setting, like a law office, save your sexy camisole for a night on the town and instead opt for a button down blouse under your suit jacket. If your office allows casual attire, a cardigan covering your tank top is a much better statement than the tank top alone.

<h3>No Extremely Casual Clothing When Dressing for Work</h3>
If you're lucky enough to work in an office with a casual everyday dress code or a Casual Friday, don't take advantage of this by dressing too casually. Track pants, sweatshirts, hats, and flip flops are better worn on the weekends.
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If your formal office allows one casual day per week, stick to khakis or slacks with a brightly patterned blouse. Nice jeans, a fitted polo shirt, and ballerina flats are as casual as any woman should go in an already casual office.

<h3>Don't Appear Too Sloppy When Dressing for Work</h3>
Regardless of your office's dress code or lack thereof, you never want to appear too sloppy for work. Wrinkled clothing should be left in the laundry room until you have time to iron it, and extremely baggy clothing should never be worn in a professional setting. Tailored work clothes are your best bet if business attire is required for your job, while well-fitting, pressed clothes are preferred in a casual office environment.

<h3>Avoid Distracting Accessories When Dressing for Work</h3>
Additionally, you should always present yourself with clean or manicured nails, scuff-free shoes, and neat hair when arriving for work. Lastly, don't wear an excessive amount of jewelry in the office. Bangles, chandelier earrings, and big statement necklaces are all a distraction, and can also get in the way of your work.
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In any office environment, less is always more when it comes to accessories. A professional and competent appearance starts with our clothing and is a stepping stone to advancement. By avoiding a few common pitfalls, you can dress for success and contribute to your organization's positive image.
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Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.