Do You Agree With These “Definitive Rules of Office Fashion”?

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When we spotted The Washington Post‘s recent article “The 39 Definitive Rules of Office Fashion” [gift link], we knew it'd make for a great and lively discussion here. The title simply invites debate, after all, and the story has collected 400+ reader comments. So today let's talk about workwear guidelines!

Do you have your own definite “rules of fashion” for your office's dress code and side-eye colleagues who flout them? And an unavoidable question, sorry to Gen Z readers: Have you observed younger coworkers breaking the rules, either on purpose or unknowingly? (For example, I just heard of “office siren” style, which also had a mention in this article. Oh, my.)

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

The Definitive Rules of Office Fashion

Let's start things off with some very basic rules listed in the story, which focuses on business casual — ones most of us can agree on. No crop tops (though cropped tops are OK), no flip flops, no visible bra straps, no hats at meetings, elastic waists are fine — and always show up fresh and clean, with non-wrinkled clothes. (I feel like people are ironing a lot less today, though, no?)

{related: professional frump: what to avoid}

And now, though most of the 39 rules are pretty reasonable and wise, here are some (shortened) debate-worthy statements from the dozens featured, plus things I couldn't resist chiming in on:

1. For pants: “If your calves (or anything else) are bulging out, your pants are too tight.” [The focus on calves is odd, right?]

2. For schlepping stuff to work: “You can carry a work bag and a gym or tote bag. Any more bags would be too many bags.” [I feel like they should have included an exception for breast pump totes and insulated bags for breast milk. Ugh, I don't miss those pumping days.]

3. Regarding the vest trend: “A waistcoat requires a shirt underneath.” [Doesn't it depend on coverage, such as with this rag & bone vest?]

{related: are there any rules around going sleeveless at the office in 2025?}

4. Pertaining to “flowy” dresses: “A sack of a dress that covers you from collarbone to toe is comfortable, modest and easily accessorized. … But any shape of dress that makes you feel confident is probably fine. You can probably even wear a cocktail dress to work if you wear it with masculine, flat shoes.” [Sack? Cocktail dress?]

5. About the rules themselves: “Break these rules. But only one at a time.” [But does this apply to ALL the rules?]

One more thing: Interestingly, the writers don't talk specifically about sleeveless tops (but they do talk about exposed toes)…

{related: Gen Z’s rules for appropriate office wear}

Readers, do tell: What do you think about the WaPo's selected “rules”? Would they fly at your business casual office? What are your personal hard-and-fast rules for your workplace's dress code? Did you recently wear anything that BROKE any of your previous rules at work? How'd it go?

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / maxxyustas.