You usually get a glimpse into what a company expects its employees to wear during your interview with them. Did the recruiter greet you in a sweater or a jacket? Are they sitting across the table in jeans or pants? If you're hired, your observations in the first few days should help even further.
However, there seems to have been some sort of miscommunication between Taylor Harley and her employer. She recently came to work in her beloved cherry outfit, but a higher-up told her it was "inappropriate" and that he doesn't want to see it ever again. Unhappy with the news, Taylor uploaded a video to her TikTok account, saying she just wanted to be herself. But not everyone on the platform sided with her.
Management can have a variety of complaints about you, some reasonable and others not so much
Image credits: jm_video / envato (not the actual photo)
Taylor Harley believes the one she received for her work attire belongs to the second category
Image credits: taylor.harley
Image credits: taylor.harley
Image credits: taylor.harley
She uploaded a clip to TikTok to express her disappointment
Many people believe there's nothing wrong with employers asking their workers to dress a certain way
Image credits: fauxels / pexels (not the actual photo)
If you are a new hire and are trying to determine what the dress code at the company is, "Observation is your best tool," Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now—an online platform that provides useful tools and resources to job seekers—told Bored Panda.
"Look at what colleagues in similar roles are wearing, especially those who've been with the company for a while. If you're still unsure, don't hesitate to ask HR or your manager for clarification. Most companies would rather you ask than guess. And when in doubt, lean slightly more professional—particularly in job interviews or when first starting a new role. Then, once you get a better feel for the workplace culture, you can adjust your attire accordingly."
In many places, companies continue dictating to their staff what to wear. For example, a 2023 survey asked 1,000 UK office workers if they need to follow a dress code at work, and unsurprisingly, 74% said yes. Another 5% said they wear a uniform, and 21% said no.
Most folks understand this request. 80% of respondents believe that employers should be allowed to set and enforce a dress code in the workplace and only 18% think otherwise. Interestingly, 60% of those who said no were under the age of 35, compared to just 10% of those aged 45 and over.
Those most likely to have a dress code were working in:
- Real estate and housing – 100%
- Non-profit and charity – 89%
- Business and information – 83%
- Finance and insurance – 75%
- Education – 71%
On the other hand, those most likely to have no dress code were part of:
- Creative, arts & design – 29%
- Nature resources/environment – 19%
- Marketing, advertising & PR – 12%
- Construction, utilities & contracting -11%
But it's not always clear what's expected of you
However, the popularity of this TikTok does highlight a broader theme.
According to a 2024 Harris Poll survey, 70% of managers feel workplace etiquette that was off-limits just a few years ago is now considered acceptable, and over half of hiring managers say the rapid changes are leaving employees confused about the present state of these norms.
A 2023 survey by Creative Access showed that 82% of workers believe they would benefit from a clear dress code but despite this, 43% reported that they had received no guidance at all, and 48% from lower socioeconomic backgrounds say they struggle to navigate what to wear in professional settings.
This ambiguity can disproportionately affect women, who are often faced with exhaustive clothing choices, harsher scrutiny, and unclear and inconsistent expectations (just consider the conflicting views about whether and how women should wear makeup at work!).
"If you're not sure, play it safe—stick to neutral, well-fitted clothing that leans professional," Keith Spencer of Resume Now, advised. "Avoid anything too casual, flashy, or distracting."
"If you're second-guessing an outfit, that's usually a sign to reconsider. You can also check in with HR or a trusted colleague to get a sense of what's acceptable. The key is to make a good impression without standing out for the wrong reasons," the career coach explained.
Judging from the comments the woman left under her video, the dress code at her workplace is pretty loose
However, many of those who saw her outfit sided with her management
Some did support her choice of clothes, as they believe what you wear to work doesn't matter
The third group said the answer to the question of whether it's appropriate or not ultimately lies within the type of company the woman works for
