15 Items Never to Wear to Work

With that said, there are still 17 items that should never be a part of any woman's business wardrobe.

1. Gym Wear
This includes track suits, yoga gear, and workout sneakers. It is always inappropriate to show up at work looking prepared to leave work. Those who have standing lunchtime or after hours appointments at the gym should carry their gear and change.

2. Any Item that Allows Underwear to Show
This goes for low cut slacks that reveal thongs and sheer tops that let bras or camis be seen. At work, all that should be revealed is your professional expertise.

3. Anything that Doesn't Fit Properly
Get to know a good tailor. Hems, jacket cuffs, and the waists of pants and skirts are particularly critical. Those who are losing weight should decide whether to replace jackets and dresses or have them taken in. This decision depends on the item's styling and initial cost. Those who are gaining weight should shop early and often. A limited wardrobe that fits well is much better than an extensive wardrobe that fits like sausage casings.

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4. Capri Pants and Bermudas
Capri pants and Bermuda shorts are wonderful business wardrobe for those who are employed in the Caribbean and know how they are accessorized there for office wear. In the U.S., these are worn only for corporate picnics.

5. Any Other Shorts
Never. Shorts of any kind are inappropriate for the business environment.

6. Flip Flops, Walking Sandals, and "Barefoot" Shoes
Flip flops, walking sandals, and " barefoot " shoes are not worn in the office. Women may, depending on the office and their pedicure, get away with open toed shoes or peep toe shoes, but pumps or flats with closed toes are more acceptable.

7. Tops that Show the Back, Shoulders, or Midriff
This would include tube tops and tanks. Save them for the evening or weekend. As has already been mentioned, all that should be revealed at work is your professional expertise.

8. Tops that Show or Suggest Cleavage
As mentioned above, all that should be revealed is your professional expertise. This includes tightly wrapped tops that draw excessive attention. Save them for the evening or weekend.

9. Short Skirts
Especially with the closely fitted pencil skirts that are currently in vogue, the proper length for skirts is right at the knee. This allows a woman to sit comfortably and gracefully without worrying excessively about what is being revealed. Shorter skirts are not office appropriate.

10. Long Skirts
Long, full skirts are fun weekend wear but they aren't appropriate office attire. In some businesses, a pencil skirt that falls below the knee could be acceptable, and in other businesses, a skirt or dress with vintage lines that falls below the knee would be appropriate. School teachers in the lower grades, who spend a great deal of time sitting on the floor with children, get a pass on this rule: they get to wear skirts that allow free movement.

11. Colorful Printed Socks or Textured Hose
There is a world of difference between a pair of black hose with a pinstripe texture and a pair of pink hose textured with trellised roses. The difference is: the first pair of textured hose may be worn in the office and the second one may be worn only in the personal world. No matter how much of the business day is spent on the run, a woman's legs cannot be a focus of public attention if she expects to focus attention on her performance.

12. Leggings Worn as Pants
Pants are pants and these days they are preferably boot cut or flared. Leggings are worn with boots under belted tunics that fall at least to mid-thigh.

13. Pajamas
It doesn't matter whether the guys in your youthful technology company show up in their flannels. Women who want to be taken seriously don't wear pajamas to work. Ever. If a workplace is sufficiently casual that the boys wear pajamas, create a great jeans look with some bright color or pattern in the top, or wear a T-shirt from an industry trade show. But women never, ever, ever can wear pajamas to the office.

14. T-Shirts with Slogans
Except as in the rule above, T-shirts are generally used as layering elements in office attire. They might be worn under a blazer or cardigan. T - shirts with slogans are not worn in the office. T-shirts with slogans that might offend anyone are never worn to any office function.

15. Anything Torn, Worn, or Dirty
It doesn't matter how much was paid for the pair of ripped jeansor how fashionable it may currently be to have a hole in one's sweater. At work, unless the job is in the fashion industry, these are not appropriate.