Workplace attire: What’s acceptable and what’s distracting?

It was, at least at one point, tradition not to wear white after Labour Day. As the unofficial last weekend of the summer approaches, does that mean traditionally-minded people should put away their white clothing for the next few seasons? Or do clothing trends and traditions even matter? At work, a recent survey found they really do matter.

The report from digital media company Captivate Network examined office attire and found that what white-collar workers consider acceptable and distracting varies by demographic factors include age, gender and professional status. The findings are based on responses from more than 600 white-collar workers in North America.

“Our survey results show that office attire can be a major distraction for some employees,” said Mike DiFranza, president of Captivate Network, in a statement. “Companies must navigate the shifting definition of what’s acceptable to wear in the workplace to minimize distractions without turning employees off with overly stringent policies.”

A breakdown of results follows and includes the percentage of workers who reported seeing an item worn or shown in the office; who finds it acceptable; and who finds it distracting.

Bare legs

• 49 percent of people report seeing bare legs in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 58 percent of those over 50 years old
• Who finds it distracting: 72 percent of men

Tattoos

• 45 percent of people report seeing tattoos in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 67 percent of 35-49 year olds
• Who finds them it distracting: 61 percent of those over 50 years old

Short skirts

• 29 percent of people report seeing short skirts worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 21 percent of mid-level and junior mangers
• Who finds it distracting: 76 percent of senior managers

Golf attire

• 53 percent of people report seeing golf attire worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 53 percent of women
• Who finds it distracting: 16 percent of junior mangers

Spaghetti straps

• 19 percent of people report seeing spaghetti straps worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 24 percent of men
• Who finds it distracting: 61 percent of junior managers

Men in shorts

• 31 percent of people report seeing men wear shorts in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 16 percent of men
• Who finds it distracting: 52 percent of women

Tight clothing

• 32 percent of people report seeing tight clothing worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 28 percent of those over 50 years old
• Who finds it distracting: 85 percent of women

See-through clothing

• 14 percent of people report seeing see-through clothing worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 19 percent of men
• Who finds it distracting: 91 percent of women

Hot pants

• 8 percent of people report seeing hot pants (or short shorts) worn in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 11 percent of men
• Who finds it distracting: 76 percent of women

Men in flip-flops

• 13 percent of people report seeing men wear flip-flops in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 16 percent of men think they are acceptable for other men
• Who finds it distracting: 55 percent of women find them distracting on men

Women in flip-flops

• 30 percent of people report seeing women wear flip-flops in the office
• Who finds it acceptable: 19 percent of women think they are acceptable for other women
• Who finds it distracting: 46 percent of senior managers find them distracting on women

Excerpted article from ILSTV