Men's and Women's Attire Survey

Thanks to everyone who took our survey. Here's what you told us:

Dress Code
Only 14% of respondents were required to wear professional dress at work. Thirty-six percent indicated that they wore business casual and another 36% wore a combination of business casual and professional. Of the 14% who categorized their work attire as other, most indicated that they could wear very causal clothing, including jeans, t-shirts and sandals.

Grooming and Appearance
Our respondents found the following unacceptable in an office: gum chewing, visible tattoos, body piercing, midriff-baring tops, dreadlocks, untucked shirts and removing contact lenses in public. They were more evenly split regarding putting on lipstick (51% thought it inappropriate, while 49% thought it was OK). Perfume and cologne, however, were considered appropriate to wear in an office environment (82%).

Fashion Emergencies
At work the most frequently experienced "fashion emergency" was spills on clothing (91%). Runner up was an office-mate with serious body odor or excessive scent (64%). (Note: this is interesting given that 82% thought wearing scent was OK. Remember to go light!) Undone zippers ran a close third (62%). Runs in nylons were experienced by 53%. Thirty-five percent of our respondents have been overdressed or underdressed for a situation. One person confessed to mismatched shoes (turn on that closet light!).

Dress Code on an Invitation
Over 82% indicated that they understood what "black tie" indicated on an invitation. However, the following left many confused: Formal Aloha (???) Business elegant Casual dressy followed by the equally popular Dressy casual Holiday casual Semi-formal Casual (When in doubt, give your host or hostess a call.) Wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day Although we can find no reference to the origin of this fashion dictum, 60% of our respondents said that they adhered to the "rule."

Thanks again for your responses.

The Emily Post Institute, Inc.
Survey conducted December 2001

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