Can I wear this open-back dress to the office?

[Anonymous]

Thanks everybody. I figured this was in the "if you have to ask ..." category but I wanted to check as I am overly conservative sometimes. I'll get a sweater or return the dress.

[Anonymous]

No, because it is both open back AND short, so the overall impropriety feel is higher than if it was open back but long, or closed back but short.

There has to be only one edgy thing.

[Anonymous]

Open backs are never office appropriate IMO. A keyhole back, maybe.its pretty for church or an event, though!

[Anonymous]

Sure wear it.

[Anonymous]

It's really cute but only with a cardigan at work. Maybe wear it on a day you are going out afterwards?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not.

Sorry, if you worked for me I'd be forced (dress code) to ask you to go home and change or cover up. And I'd be wondering about your judgment. Not your fashion sense though, the dress is pretty.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bought this Banana Republic dress thinking I would wear it to my office (actually I bought two -- black and teal -- because I love it and it fits me well). My office is business casual in the summer, and my boss is a woman my age who is much more fashion-forward than I am. Her bosses, however, are all older men who wear blazers every day. The front is conservative and the open back is bra-friendly ... but it still seems like a lot of skin. If it matters, I am 5' 9" and size 14/16.

Yay or nay? If you think I need a jacket or sweater, can you recommend one?



http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=218161022

Pretty dress OP! Based on how you described your office atmosphere - YES! I would keep a cardigan on hand however for those times when you'll be in group meetings and representing the company outside of the office.

[Anonymous]

Only in DC would this dress be a problem!! This would be considered a conservative dress in every other city - hands down.

[Anonymous]

that dress isn't even remotely too short - whose office is in saudi arabia here?

if your manager is fashion forward, then she won't blink an eye at this dress. it's a pretty dress; it's totally fine for work.

but bring a cardigan or blazer or something just in case you do start feeling uncomfortable, should the taliban infiltrate your work space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not.

Sorry, if you worked for me I'd be forced (dress code) to ask you to go home and change or cover up. And I'd be wondering about your judgment. Not your fashion sense though, the dress is pretty.

Seriously? Where do you work? I'm not sure the dress is professional but not so out of line that it seems to warrant sending someone home.

[Anonymous]

Depends. I have my own office, and some days of the week I am just stock there and no one sees me. I probably would wear it on one of those days, when you don't have to flesh your body a lot in front of your co-workers, only maybe at lunch time.

Otherwise, I thing it is appropriate for the secretary only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only in DC would this dress be a problem!! This would be considered a conservative dress in every other city - hands down.

What cities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only in DC would this dress be a problem!! This would be considered a conservative dress in every other city - hands down.

What cities?

NYC
LA
Denver
Dallas
Miami
Houston
Phoenix

shall I continue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:that dress isn't even remotely too short - whose office is in saudi arabia here?

Depends on how tall you are. With those proportions, it would be fine if you were 5'6". But even at those proportions it would be much leggier looking on someone who was 5'11" -- and also, it wouldn't sit at those proportions, it would be much shorter, proportionally.