Casual Friday: the ground rules

In the workplace Friday is usually the most laid back and casual day of the week. Few people meet with clients on Fridays and the focus is usually on wrapping up the loose ends from earlier in the week. Many companies have adopted some form of lower standard for workplace attire on Fridays and this can be problematic for some people. 

What is business casual? Can I wear jeans? Shorts? T-shirts? Well, if you have to ask... the answer is likely NO!

Sure, you can lose the tie on Fridays (in most work environments) but this is not the time to wear a sweatshirt and jeans. Basically, the standards are relaxed a bit... maybe the shirttails can come out, or you can sport those new driving mocs but that is about as far as you want to push the limits. 

The thing to keep in mind is that a casual work day is still a work day. So sneakers, and sports jerseys are inappropriate unless you are a professional athlete.

Instead wear that stylish shirt that you haven't been able to pair with a tie. Put on those slightly tighter slacks that look odd when you tuck a shirt into them. Wear those funky Robert Wayne half boots. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to throw on that Dsquared2 sport coat with the ticket pocket.