4 Skirts That Are Not Appropriate for Work

Not all workplaces have the same dress code for skirts. Some are relaxed. Some are strictly business “professional dress only”, while others fall somewhere in the middle. There are certain styles of skirts that are appropriate for most office settings and those which are not. Learn of four types of skirt that might not be appropriate for work

The Overly Trendy Skirt

If it is trendy of course the style does not remain the same each season or year. However, you can tell the trendy skirts from other styles. They tend to either look “costumey” because a person took a trend way too far or they look like clothing you wear to a club. This spring the ’80s was a huge trend. However, you wouldn’t (hopefully) walk into work tomorrow wearing a replica of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” skirt. Focus on one aspect of the trending decade like bright colors.

Still, you can’t go overboard when you focus on just one aspect of a trend either. You may want to grab a hot pink, flared skirt. Don’t do that. Instead choose a pastel peplum skirt that falls at or slightly above the knee like the ASOS CURVE Exclusive Skirt With Peplum Waist in mint.

The Mini and Micro-Mini

This should be a no-brainer. However, I am sure some of you have seen a woman walk in with a skirt that fell mid-thigh or higher. At some offices this is probably accepted. I can’t always say that the women who wear these skirts should know better, either. Fashion magazines and department stores sell business-looking suits with miniskirts. People come under the misconception that if it is a suit, then it is office-appropriate. Not true.

When it comes to hem length, you literally follow the “rule of thumb.” This means your hem should not fall any higher from the knee than the length of your thumb. Yes, you have to use your thumb, because it is proportional to your height.

Second Skin Skirts

Ladies, you know what I am talking about. Skirts that fit so snug around hips and thighs they look like the bottom half of a Herve Leger Bandage Dress. This doesn’t just go for skin-tight skirts. Clingy skirts and ruched skirts fall into this category. Ruched skirts are misleading because they are not tight and offer comfortable movement, but the ruching causes the skirt to cling to the body and mold to its shape. However, a partially ruched skirt that features ruching on one side will work. It pushes the envelope but still falls into the generally accepted range like Lane Bryant’s ruched side pencil skirt.

Skirts With Trains

Long skirts or skirt with trains, specifically maxi skirts, are the trend. However, the long skirt can be taken too far if you select one that is too long. I’m talking about so long that it drags along the floor. Modesty has nothing to do with this. The issue is safety in this instance.

Hems that drag along the floor are a fall waiting to happen. Consequently, the person falling may not be you. A co-worker or worse your boss could accidently trip over your hem or get their heel caught in it and fall. That is a lawsuit and pink slip waiting to happen. I suggest going no longer than ankle length. If your skirt falls longer, then get that skirt hemmed up an inch or two.

These four skirt types should be avoided at the office. If you are fond of wearing these types of skirts at the office, stop wearing them. Consider buying a knee-length pencil skirt, an elegant maxi, or long A-line skirt. Just because you have gotten away with wearing such items until now does not mean your style of dress is not being notated in your record. Think about it.

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