Are "hoodies" professional?

[PhildeTruth]

Dear Careers - Employment forum,

I've been noticing around my office that several women have been wearing hoodie sweatshirts at work. I suggested to one of them that I was surprised that a hoodie sweatshirt fits into the dress code, and this person immediately became unhappy with me. She justified the hoodie sweatshirt because she was cold.

I couldn't imagine wearing an abercrombie hoodie sweatshirt as a dude at work and getting away with it, do females get a free pass? The dress code at my work is business casual.

Thank you,

PhildeTruth

[Bobby]

Was this on casual Friday or a regular day?

Oh, and girls do get cold easier than guys. Plus, when you go out with them they usually don't bring a real jacket because they want to look cute... so you end up giving them your jacket and freezing your ass off. So yes, girls usually get preferential treatment.

[PhildeTruth]

Originally Posted by Bobby

Was this on casual Friday or a regular day?

The only difference between casual Friday and a regular day is that you can wear jeans. And no, this was not on a casual Friday, as I have been thinking about posting this thread for multiple days now.

[abwoc]

Chick dress code is way more relaxed than for dudes.

Dudes have a stated dress code. You know, "collared shirt tucked into decent pants, wear real shoes."

Chicks have more of an exclusionary dress code. "Wear whatever you want except for no slutty skirts, no shorts, no midriffs, no bare shoulders."

[abwoc]

PS: yeah it's baloney.

PPS:

I suggested to one of them that I was surprised that a hoodie sweatshirt fits into the dress code, and this person immediately became unhappy with me.

[IMP]

Originally Posted by abwoc

PS: yeah it's baloney.

PPS:

i have a feeling it was how he said it that got to her, not the fact that he said something about it.

in my office, as in almost every office i have worked in, it's an icebox. almost every woman is wearing some sort of sweater or nicer looking hoody...not some $5 walmart zipup sweatshirt. in fact, even some mean are cold and wear a cardigan or a lightweight jacket. don't think i've seen a man in a hoody type sweatshirt tho. but have seen one guy running suit jacket looking thing.

[PhildeTruth]

Originally Posted by IMP

i have a feeling it was how he said it that got to her, not the fact that he said something about it.

This topic is amazing by itself, I didn't need to troll it up for entertainment.

[bdschobel]

Everybody knows when a man violates the dress code, whatever it is. Nobody really knows when a woman does. In every office where I've ever worked, there were always women who pushed the limits, but only once (more than 30 years ago) did I ever see a woman sent home to change. In that case, the woman was wearing a skirt that was maybe 12 inches wide, top to bottom. (I would have let her stay! )

Bruce

[nonactuarialactuary]

Dress codes are stupid. Other than trying to impress stuck-up old people, there is no good reason why someone shouldn't be allowed to wear a hoodie at work. I work better when I'm comfortable. I suspect this is the case for most people. By 2050, I'd be surprised if you saw any sort of dress code remaining in a work environment. I'd also be surprised if you still saw a typical commute into a home office for more than 1 day a week or so, but that's a different discussion.

[Darkness Falls]

Originally Posted by jts5009

there is no good reason why someone shouldn't be allowed to wear a hoodie at work. I work better when I'm comfortable. I suspect this is the case for most people.

Well up to a point. What's currently considered "casual Friday" wear should be allowed all the time. There still needs to be limits due maintain a certain sense of professionalism though. I have a hard time picturing someone giving a serious presentation while dressed in a pair of sweatpants. Similarly I have plenty of t-shirts at home that I love, but would never wear to work. I have a feeling that many places maintain these dress codes to avoid people taking too many liberties towards clothing.