Sleeveless in Seattle

Aside from the Top Ten Cubicle Crimes, there aren’t many universal rules governing professional attire since appropriate dress codes vary widely across different geographic locations and work environments.  A lawyer in Milwaukee is likely to dress differently than a teacher in Miami; similarly, an investment banker in New York is probably not going to be following the same dress code as an accountant in Seattle.  It’s important to carefully gauge your own office environment and take cues from those around you, especially your superiors…  unless any of the aforementioned people in your office happen to don hooker heels, bandage dresses, or bra tops in the office.  You probs don’t want to take cues from them. Recently, I’ve received many questions about going sleeveless in the office.  In more conservative, formal environments, sleeveless is likely a “no-go.”  If this sounds like your workplace, just throw a blazer over the below look or perhaps wear a longer-sleeve blouse.  In other offices, including those that are less formal or exist in warmer climates (JEALOUS), sleeveless may be totally acceptable.  In this case, you would likely be perfectly appropriate wearing a sleeveless blouse like the one depicted below.  The only universal sleeveless rule is that spaghetti (or even fetuccine) straps are a definitive don’t.  Regardless of where you work, those suckers really need to be at least two inches thick (and up).  Save the spaghetti straps for nights and weekends when you can safely show as much skin as you want without shiz getting real weird in the office.