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25 Things a Professional Woman Should Never Wear

Kayla Baxter, Anna Hennings, and Alice Handley | Excelle

May 26, 2009

We hate to admit it, because we personally feel that clothes shouldn’t matter. In a perfect world, a person would be judged at their workplace based solely on the caliber of their work. Unfortunately, that’s not how the world works.

How you choose to dress each morning reflects how you feel about your job – that you take your position seriously, that you are ready to work and that you pay attention to detail and know what you expect to encounter that day. You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your favorite four-inch stilettos, right? Of course not, you’d go in a hard hat, because it’s appropriate for the situation. Appearances matter!

We’ve all been there, though. The days you wake up feeling sick, but still have to make it into the office, so you throw on any old thing that’s (kind of) clean. The office where you never see anyone but your hated boss and your frumpy coworkers. The jobs you work from home in your pajamas and no makeup.

Regardless of the excuses, there are some things that professionals should just never wear. Ever.

We’ll show you what these things are, why they’re a terrible wardrobe choice and if you’re guilty of having one in your closet – or (gasp!) in your daily rotation – we’ll give you a much better alternative.

The First Fashion Faux Pas →


+70
  • Photo_user_blank_big

    FashionsYourWay

    15 days ago

    20 comments

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    ukukuk

    2 months ago

    48 comments

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    ukukuk

    2 months ago

    48 comments

    I have bought products from them ((( http://www.heyheytea.com/ )))
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    4) Jeans: Red Monkey, True Religion, BBC, Christan Audigier, ArtfulDoger, bape, EVS ect.
    5) Jerseys: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL
    6) Hoodies: Bape, BBC, LRG, CLH, ED hardy, Evisu, Gino Green Global,Deep ect
    7) watch, sunglasses, belt, hats/caps, underwear, socks, accessories.
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  • Photo_user_blank_big

    ukukuk

    2 months ago

    48 comments

    I have bought products from them ((( http://www.heyheytea.com/ )))
    The products list is as below:
    1) sports shoes: air jordan, jordan 23, af1, Jordan fussion, air max,Dunks, Puma, Bape, GUCCI, Prada, UGG, Timberland boots, ect.
    2) handbags: Chanel, Chloe, Coach, D&G, LV, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes,Prada, UGG, ect.
    3) T-shirts: Affliction, BBC, POLO, Lacoste, ED-Hardy, EVS, UGG, A&F,Christan Audigier, Coogi, G-Star ect.
    4) Jeans: Red Monkey, True Religion, BBC, Christan Audigier, ArtfulDoger, bape, EVS ect.
    5) Jerseys: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL
    6) Hoodies: Bape, BBC, LRG, CLH, ED hardy, Evisu, Gino Green Global,Deep ect
    7) watch, sunglasses, belt, hats/caps, underwear, socks, accessories.
    http://www.heyheytea.com/I have bought products from them ((( http://www.heyheytea.com/ )))
    The products list is as below:
    1) sports shoes: air jordan, jordan 23, af1, Jordan fussion, air max,Dunks, Puma, Bape, GUCCI, Prada, UGG, Timberland boots, ect.
    2) handbags: Chanel, Chloe, Coach, D&G, LV, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes,Prada, UGG, ect.
    3) T-shirts: Affliction, BBC, POLO, Lacoste, ED-Hardy, EVS, UGG, A&F,Christan Audigier, Coogi, G-Star ect.
    4) Jeans: Red Monkey, True Religion, BBC, Christan Audigier, ArtfulDoger, bape, EVS ect.
    5) Jerseys: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL
    6) Hoodies: Bape, BBC, LRG, CLH, ED hardy, Evisu, Gino Green Global,Deep ect
    7) watch, sunglasses, belt, hats/caps, underwear, socks, accessories.
    http://www.heyheytea.com/

  • 31861_1418071368279_1127470924_31202585_7039446_n_max50

    GBSNP

    5 months ago

    4 comments

    Two old sayings come to mind: "Keep it simple stupid." and "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

  • 31861_1418071368279_1127470924_31202585_7039446_n_max50

    GBSNP

    5 months ago

    4 comments

    Chain & Wallet: Its a necklace for your hip. I think Its more fashionable than an actual necklace. So who's to say its not professional? Its the 21st century, it takes the place of the old timey pocket watch and chain from the 16th century. I beg to differ on your professional outlook on that one. Something simple, short, clean, and original that doesn't make alot of noise should be acceptable. Its not even that flashy but noticeable enough. Only when you start to add length and peripherals such as buttons, paperclips, and safety pins is when it starts to become an unprofessional problem. Especially if it doesn't make any noise at all or the noise is seldom. The one I have makes no noise at all. I think this should be taken out of the 25. I also think Steve Jobs would have looked good in one. I think every other point was stamped in stone except for this one. Would you like to see me show you how it should be done? Even though this is still an opinion, I'm sure others would agree with you as well as me.

  • Profile_max50

    jennifer428

    9 months ago

    2 comments

    I like flip flops; those are comfortable. Yes, I don't wear them at office, I wish I could!!!! Nice post, enjoyed reading; and felt nice that I don't do any of these.
    http://thetrendyfashionandstyle.tumblr.com/

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Account Removed

    about 1 year ago

    Thank You again

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Account Removed

    about 1 year ago

    Thank-You

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    catysue

    about 1 year ago

    6 comments

    why wear boots just because they are fashionable? Be sensible when wearing footwear at work it might just save your life.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

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    over 1 year ago

    96 comments

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  • Photo_user_blank_big

    ChesterLester

    over 1 year ago

    2 comments

    Unfortunately, I've seen women in my office wearing items off this list. Thankfully, I have none of them in my weekly rotation. There were two items or comments that were missing from this list.
    1) Leather boots that go past your knee. Thigh high leather boots ARE NOT a good look for the office.
    2) Sheer tops without a top underneath. I walked into our lunchroom one day only to be confronted by a woman in a white sheer shirt with an electric blue bra underneath. Funny, I thought we were working, not clubbing.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Been_There

    over 1 year ago

    2 comments

    This was all common sense. Anyone who needs to be told these things has no idea of what "professional" means.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    yamara34

    over 1 year ago

    4 comments

    Often I'll wear the same pants every other day

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    yamara34

    over 1 year ago

    4 comments

    I don't wear make up

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