Company Dress Code Policy: Long Skirts/Capris Allowed?

Should decent long skirts and/or long capris be allowed in an office or not?

Please give your opinion.

Dear Meenu,

Long skirts will be fine for the office. My previous company (MNC) policy does not allow short skirts or deep-necked dresses as it leads to sexual harassment. I too agree with the company policy. Policies differ with companies based on their respective comfort.

It depends from person to person. Some companies allow these dresses, while others do not. There doesn't seem to be anything bad in it. We should consider it.

Thanks,

Narinder Rathore

Hi,

Skirts can be worn on Saturdays, but to maintain professionalism, one should be in proper attire on weekdays because you might be noticed by management for appraisals. Management usually selects people who represent themselves as professionals.

Regards, Gurleen

Long formal skirts are perfect for office wear, but capris are too casual and informal. One feels awkward wearing them.

I completely agree with Nidhi Singh. Long formal skirts are fine as long as they are not too tight and eye-catching. Capris can be worn on Fridays or Saturdays, but on other days, it would be too informal and may not look professional.

Pooja Fernandes
(MMS-HR student, St. Francis Institute of Management & Research)

Dear Meenu,

Like others, it completely depends on your company's policy. Also, management's and employees' acceptance of casual dressing during working hours is a must.

As Makrand says, everything is possible in today's world.

Professionals abroad (SE Asia/Singapore/China) popularly wear formats like suits with miniskirts too, and the inherent Indian culture draws no walls. Always, the focus must be to ensure that clothes fit well into the organization's culture, employee job role, and neighborhood to avoid any misuse of freedom, distraction to staff, or wrongful attention. Yet, the cases of sexual harassment have no link to clothes and must be pursued vigorously by HR.

Meenu,

Company either designs its own uniform or enacts a dress code. The dress codes are normally in the form of recommended limits of acceptance. In such a case, there is no harm in allowing attires like 'Long Skirts' or 'Capris' as long as they are within the recommended limits of the dress code. Women have a natural tendency to wear fancy attires, but it does not always harm office culture unless they have abnormal cuts or are revealing. Any extra-smart move to cheat the code can be skillfully handled by the HR manager.

Dear Meenu,

As far as my opinion is concerned, we go to the office for our work, not for showing clothes. And no doubt, if someone is in any different kind of dress, it will distract the minds of others from their work. So, only formals should be allowed.

Generally, long skirts and capris are not allowed. If a company is really professional, it will not allow such a thing. Even on Saturdays, one should wear a graceful dress. A company is a place where people work together, and wearing such kinds of dresses can distract others. Sometimes, management will not pay attention if any employees wear such clothes just because they don't want to be harsh, and they are sensitive. However, it's up to employees to maintain the decorum of the organization.

It all depends on the organization's culture and the mentality of its employees.

I tend to agree with Nidhisingh_19's view on professional dressing. I admit that much of one's time is spent at one's workplace, so one would enjoy using a varied attire but by dressing up in any way other than professional or semi-professional, one's only opening oneself to ridicule or judgment on appearance. I would be happier to look in control of the situation during client/candidate/colleague interfaces at work and wear casual clothes only outside of work. Capri is definitely casual :)

This is the one area where Indians (I think preferably South Indians) should improve.

The funny fact behind such restrictions comes from the organizations where they are not that busy with their own business. They have enough time to check what employees wear, with whom they spend breaks, whom they leave the office with, etc.

The companies that don't have enough business to keep their employees busy should implement rules on such seemingly trivial matters!

(Sorry... I am not aware of the working atmosphere of Indian culture too!)

Dear Meenu,

I feel the answer to your question lies with you only. It's up to every individual to know what he or she should be wearing where. Instead of going by set rules and then following or breaking them, we should ask our own conscience what we should do. I am a doctor from India, a democratic country, and no one can stop me from entering my operation theatre in Bermuda shorts or dungarees. My treatment towards my patients is not going to change; on the contrary, I may be more comfortable in these clothes. Yet, I shall be fully clothed because I have to discipline myself in wearing these to a beach and not to my operating theatre.

Why can't we accept our goddesses then in bikinis? Even this statement may provoke angry responses. We do not eat in the toilet, do we? Would you allow your housemaid to come to work at your house in an open choli and knee-length sari? (This dress is common among Adivasis; it's their normal attire.)

We, as a society, have accepted certain norms, and they are always good in the end—like watching a fully clothed bride with ornaments at a wedding! I hope I have made my point.

So, do not wait to follow office dress code directives; instead, establish your own rules and abide by them. That way, you, your family, your clients, and your office will all be happy! - Dr. VS Rege

Dear Meenu,

Capri and long skirts are not considered formal attire for the office environment. The standard formal uniform for females in the office consists of trousers and shirts. It is acceptable to wear trousers and shirts in the office, but long skirts and capris are not permitted. The reason behind this policy is to prevent sexual harassment and other potential offenses.

Thank you.

I think there is nothing wrong with wearing long skirts and capris if they are worn in a decent way. However, it still depends on the company culture and policy. Moreover, I should say that, like others, they can never be treated as formal attire.

What is a 'decent long skirt'?

In the Middle East, long skirts are worn at work and look very nice. As for capris, I have seen them worn at work too. It all depends on the work environment. At IBM, I have seen combats, but these would not be acceptable in a bank. However, men would not look good in either, nor would it be acceptable at work!!!!!!

I am not sure the decision should be from the management, as you know every management has their own rules and regulations.

Please contact the administration department of the company that you are willing to work for to resolve this problem.

Hi Meenu,

Dress code is very important for the office. No dress should be awkward to anyone. Following the dress code when starting is difficult, but once the policy is implemented, it will give a good impression to all.

Thanks & Regards,
N. Srinivasan

Capris can only be allowed on Fridays or Saturdays. In my present company, casuals are allowed only on the weekends. It should be decent and should go at par with the company's decorum.

Dear Friend,

Please prepare a uniform policy for your company in accordance with the acceptable dress code. Afterwards, these kinds of problems will not arise.

Thanks & Regards,
M. Krishnakumar

An employee can be at their best when they are allowed to be themselves. Let the employee decide what is best and comfortable for them. Dress code restrictions are acceptable for sales-type jobs, but for office jobs, let the employees dress in their best attire. Only odd dress choices like dhotis, sandals, short skirts, or shirts with flashy slogans should be discouraged, not banned.

Give space to people and see the difference.

Jayant:icon10:

Agreed... wearing neat and decent capris/skirts is fine, unless they cause any embarrassment, and only on Fridays (5 days working) or Saturdays (6 days working).

An absolute NO NO for the office. You are coming to work and not doing a fashion show in the office. Males get distracted and even gossip (read comment) if any female wears any awkward (read provocative) dress in the office. This also leads to sexual harassment. All females should make it a point to see themselves in a full-length mirror before leaving for the office.

From Regional HR Head of a 3000 crore company

Formal skirts, which are strictly meant for professionals, are okay. However, capris are sometimes not meant to be worn in the office.

I think it all depends on the mentality of your co-workers and the social atmosphere of your company. I remember when I was working in a company located in a small town, my co-workers taunted me for wearing gloves while riding my scooty. They considered it a style. So, in my opinion, one should first understand the atmosphere and then decide what to wear and what not to wear.

Well, ladies and gentlemen,

I would suggest that if the company allows the dress code and it has become a culture of the company, then you might find everyone wearing short dresses. But, as it has been said, "appraisals" are always around the next corner, one might be trendy yet decent. However, it would be better for all girls to hide their curves.

Dear friends,

Such topics always find favor with members. Basically, these are "Voting" kind of topics, so everyone is competent and likes to "vote."

In my opinion, if yours is a "Google" kind of a creative company and where the work involves interacting within a team or group, then you can wear any 'beachwear' kind of dress. But if you are in a consultancy like McKinsey, or banks like Citi or BankAm or in a star hotel, airlines, etc., then perhaps a dress that means-and-looks-businesslike is preferable. (Employees in traditional Indian companies or banks, etc., know what to wear and hence do not face this DILEMMA.)

But if your CEO is made in the molds of a maverick like Richard Branson or closer home, Vijay Mallya; you can wear absolutely anything that one would like to show off or feel comfortable wearing. Note: It is assumed that the company has no specified Dress Codes; else this question should not have arisen.

Warm regards.

Corrected Text:

Correct! I think it's up to any organization whether to allow something dealing with technical matters. It must not be allowed to avoid additional compensation and to maintain the good occupational health and safety (OH&S) standards of that organization, for example, the mechanical department. However, for others, this is more about presenting a formal and professional appearance to represent the organization.

This shows today's HR trend... I posted a case study on a real IR situation in my factory, expecting a healthy and long discussion, but not a single member replied. But on a Short Skirt issue discussion for 5 pages is disgusting... Well, I do not know why, but there are some popular members who are yet to join this discussion.

Hi,

Capris are too casual, and a skirt can be used if the attire needs to be more formal. A company requires professionals, not casual individuals. Your dressing sense provides a glimpse of your attitude. A casual approach can harm both yourself and your career growth.

Thank you.

Hi All,

I do not agree with Mr. Markand's statement, "Why not, in today's world everything is acceptable." We should think beyond the usual track. As representatives of our organization, we should always prioritize formal decency but in an innovative manner. In my opinion, casual dresses should only be permitted on Saturdays, but they should be in a unique style. Long skirts are acceptable, but Capris are not advisable.

Best Regards,
Bimlesh K. Bibhakar
Sr. Officer HR & Admin
Suzlon Energy Ltd.
Daman (UT)

Capris seem to awkward, but long skirts can be worn in offices. However, it should be for Saturday only to maintain professionalism.

There is no question of allowing or not allowing. Each individual employee is mature enough to decide on their dress and is also capable of interpreting the responses from colleagues. However, women employees in India tend to forget the basic rule, 'eat what you like and dress how others like.' Such employees can be given a gentle nudge by fellow workers. I don't think the company should be the arbiter of the dress sense of its employees.

Good morning, friends! I personally feel skirts are absolutely fine. However, it's the length that decides its acceptability factor. Our company has a "below the knee" acceptability factor. As for Capris, it's still a debate, even in the case of formal ones!

Dress habits vary from organization to organization, and the outlook also varies. It is a common notion that if an organization wants to look formal, they wish to see their employees come in formal wear, but for many others, it doesn't matter. Accomplishment of certain tasks requires a professional environment. Decide on your own. One can only suggest.

Wearing such dresses does not seem very professional at work. Such dress wear can be allowed in companies like advertising, fashion designing, garment factories, etc., but for industries such as IT, management, insurance, and pharmaceuticals, there are dress code policies that reflect the company's professionalism and brand in the market. If HR approves of the dress code, there should be no issues with skirts and capris. I hope I am not mistaken in taking this general view.

Dear Meenu,

I feel that wearing a dress or carrying a dress are two different aspects. Anyone can wear a skirt or capri, but how that person is carrying that dress is more important. It should be allowed on Saturdays.

Smart straight skirts and trousers are very professional in appearance. In the Indian context, elegant sarees and salwar kameez, which are not flashy, also give off a professional vibe. However, wearing ornate skirts with excessive flair is considered unprofessional, even on Saturdays.

Establishing a dress code is crucial, and it is the responsibility of the HR department to define a suitable dress code for the organization.

C. Shobhana GM-HR 09620866616

• Well said AnonymousA
• One's posts and replies should reflect his/her knowledge, experience and maturity. One should not take clutches of Designation, Company Name, Turnover, Salary etc…to impress and convince.
• It is better to have a logical dress code consistent with your organizations culture and business needs and implement it strictly.

Thanks & Regards

According to me, the use of any kind of skirts leads to creating a tendency of wearing different kinds of colorful skirts, which spoils the corporate atmosphere. You should always be in office wear. The focus should be on work. Wearing different dresses may make you feel very good, but it distracts people. In short, your dress should not become the center of attraction.

I can't comment much on female outfits, but I would like to say that your clothes reflect and also affect your attitude. For example, when you wear jeans or short shirts, you feel macho or tough. But when you wear a saree, you feel like a queen. Thus, dress plays the most important role in affecting your focus on a thing. Also, if you wear school/college years' clothes in the office, most people have prejudices towards you, thinking you are immature or casual. You may read a book on Business Communication for First Year B.Com to understand this concept better. In a formal party, if you come in jeans and rubber chappals, it gives a strong signal that "I don't care for you all." One of my friends was wearing jeans and a t-shirt for a call center interview. Unfortunately, the interviewer was a lady from the U.S.A. When he entered, she mistook him for a pizza delivery boy (since in the USA, most of such delivery boys wear jeans) and asked him to hand over the pizza in the pantry. When she learned that he was an interviewee, ... (I need not tell what happened after that).

So the question is not if something should be allowed or disallowed, but the question is about yourself and what "signals" you want to give to people.

When you do not know about India, why are you commenting on it? Just stop writing such sort of scrap. You have no right to speak on India and its culture.

Dear Moderators, please ban those who comment on culture.

JAI

This is one area Indians (I think preferably South Indians) should improve. The funny fact behind such restrictions comes from organizations where they are not that busy with their own business. They have enough time to check what employees wear, with whom they spend breaks, whom they leave the office with, etc.

The companies that don't have enough business to keep their employees busy should not implement rules on such silly things! (Sorry... I am not aware of the working atmosphere of Indian culture too!)

It should be a call from one's conscience. Though long skirts are acceptable, I don't think capris are ideal office wear!

Dear Friend,

The poster Mammu007 is a born and brought up Indian, but having worked only overseas, doesn't know about the "work culture in India," but he is otherwise familiar with Indian societal culture. His opinions are not repugnant enough to be banned. Let us allow everyone to voice their opinion in a civil manner.

"Long" shirts/capris do not necessarily mean decent. The length may be long, but the fabric could be transparent or the style provocative. Even with this "long" style, it could still invite sexual harassment. Therefore, whether long or short, clothing should be "decent" to align with the position you hold. Dressing is a way to express the wearer's intentions; please keep this in mind.