After years of remote work, evolving norms, and the occasional Zoom call in pajama pants, one question still has workers stumped: What on earth do I wear to the office now?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the pandemic threw office dress codes into a blender. Pajamas became business casual. Athleisure invaded our Zoom squares. And as people returned to physical workspaces, fashion got murky. Today, navigating what’s “appropriate” office attire feels like a full-time job itself.
From crop tops and cargo pants to corporate goth chic, workplace fashion is now a complex cocktail of culture, climate, and company vibe. So, how do you figure out what’s right for your job? We’ve got you covered—with tips from etiquette experts and stylish professionals who are mastering the modern dress code.
👀 Step 1: Get a Vibe Check
Before you raid your closet, hit the mall, or talk to your work uniform supplier, observe the landscape. If you’re new to a company, pay attention to how others dress. Or better yet—just ask.
“Don’t be afraid to get clarity,” says Carla Shellis, etiquette expert based in Dallas. “Ask what’s okay on casual Fridays. Check if there are rules about client meetings. Even see if the office is freezing and you’ll need an emergency sweater.”
Take cues not just from your job title, but also your office’s air conditioning levels. Austin-based sales professional Dominique Bird, known for her “corporate goth” style, swaps heavy fabrics for cotton and linen during the Texas heat—and always keeps a blazer on standby for arctic office temps.
🧍♀️ Step 2: Show Up As You
This isn’t about becoming someone else. “Dressing for work is an opportunity, not an obligation,” says Daniel Post Senning of the Emily Post Institute.
That means: embrace your personal style—within reason. Dominique Bird’s co-workers might rock cargo pants and flip flops, but her polished looks help her “stand out for the right reasons.”
“When you show up as yourself, you show up stronger,” she says. “It helps with confidence, it fights imposter syndrome, and lets you take up space.”
💼 Step 3: Dress for the Job You Actually Have
Yes, self-expression is important—but let’s not get fired over it.
“There’s a difference between expressing yourself and sabotaging your career,” Bird notes. And she makes a solid point: climbing under desks to fix cables? Maybe leave the skirt at home.
Still, she’s no fan of rigid dress codes that disproportionately target women. Instead, she recommends dressing in a way that supports what you do best.
“There’s a way to express yourself without breaking the ‘rules,’” she says.
🧼 Step 4: Keep It Clean (Literally)
Etiquette pro Post Senning says the cost of your clothes matters less than how you wear them.
Looking sharp can mean a $25 outfit as long as it’s clean, fits well, and is in good repair. So iron that shirt. Patch the hole. And polish your shoes.
“You can have a $2,000 outfit,” Shellis says, “but if your shoes are scuffed, you’ve ruined the whole look.”
🤔 Step 5: When in Doubt, Dial It Down
Meghna Bhalla, a Toronto-based strategist who shares workplace tips online, has a simple litmus test: Would you wear it to a family dinner with Grandma? If not, maybe skip it.
She advises new employees to start conservatively and gradually ease into more expressive outfits once they know the terrain.
“I hate to say it,” Bhalla admits, “but people will talk about your clothes if you don’t match the vibe.”
Ultimately, she adds, it’s not just about clothes—it’s about your personal brand. How you show up, speak, behave, and dress all send a message.
💡 Final Thought: Let Your Work (Not Just Your Wardrobe) Speak for You
Style should enhance your professional image, not distract from your skills. So show up as your authentic self—but make sure the first thing people notice isn’t your outfit, but your impact.
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