by Jack Junier

Created on: November 24, 2008

"I've got all these clothes in my closet, and not a thing to wear!"

While cliched, that statement is more accurate for today's workforce than you might think. How you dress for work says a lot about you, from your personality to your work ethic. No matter where you work, certain elements of fashion sense are welcome, and others should be saved for your weekend activities.

* Underwear Goes on the Inside

Recent fashion trends for both men and women sometimes call for the display of undergarments. Loose-fitting, sagging pants for men, and the somewhat more blatant "whale-tail" female fashion statement that gets made when thong underwear is visible over the top of a woman's pants or skirt. These may be bold moves, or even expected in some social circles, but unless you work in a trendy nightclub you'd best re-evaluate your decision to show off your underwear while you're on the clock.

Similarly, some fashion experts are saying that display of brassiere straps is, if not necessarily fashion-forward, at least acceptable. It bears repeating that lingerie has no place in an office setting. Ladies, make sure your shirt has sufficient fabric to keep the bra where it belongs - under your clothes. Gentlemen, if you're finding any use for this section of the article, it's probably best that you keep it to yourself when in your office.

* Cleavage and Chest Hair and Clefts, Oh My!

Low necklines, unbuttoned button-ups, and pants that have fallen victim to the forces of gravity are all workplace taboos. Professional clothes are designed to cover certain parts of the body, and the modern workforce has no tolerance for wardrobe malfunctions. Speaking of ...

* Walking Wardrobe Malfunctions

The fashion industry has a marvelous process in place called sizing - it's that process by which people can acquire properly-fitted clothing. No one wants to see a visible panty line in the office. Certainly not on men. Likewise, if your clothes are falling off every time you lift a finger, it's time to pay a visit to the nice sales clerk with the tape measure. Make sure that your clothes fit well and look presentable.

* Office Dress Code

When dressing for work, always keep your company's dress code in mind. Whether it's casual, business casual, or business formal, there is no excuse for taking liberties with corporate expectations for appearance. Companies view their dress codes as a way to enforce their corporate image. It's hard to imagine any organization - other than, perhaps, Greenpeace - wanting to be represented by a whale tail.

Be mindful of your company's expectations for your personal grooming and presentation. Dressing one step up from those expectations is never a bad idea - you can make a good impression on your management while impressing clients as well.

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