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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

It would be fine in my office.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't wear it to the office.

[Anonymous]

It's very pretty, but it is not something that says "senior management" in the workplace, IMO. If you are positioning yourself to rise through the ranks I'd say no to this dress, or at a minimum, wear a jacket or sweater over it for the workday.

[Anonymous]

I really like it, but I'd throw a black cardigan or blazer on over it. My rule of thumb for work clothes for myself is, "If I'm wondering, cover up." Sucks, but I think it's better to err on the side of conservative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's very pretty, but it is not something that says "senior management" in the workplace, IMO. If you are positioning yourself to rise through the ranks I'd say no to this dress, or at a minimum, wear a jacket or sweater over it for the workday.

This. My mentor always told me to dress for the job I want, not the job I have.

[Anonymous]

I would wear it and bring a blazer (a plain black one, especially one that's kind of cut closely and maybe with sleeves rolled up to the elbows) to throw on every time I was interacting with the senior management and new clients.

[Anonymous]

No open back. Just no. Wear a sweater/jacket.

[Anonymous]

It is not office appropriate without a jacket or a sweater unless you work in fashion or the arts.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Wear it only if you have a tattoo that would be highly visible in the triangle.

Ha! I don't know, OP and I'm very conservative and had a career in HR. The dress is lovely. I personally would not think twice about wearing this to the office you've described.

I'd wear it to church without hesitation.

[Anonymous]

I would never wear anything with an open back to any office.

[Anonymous]

OP, I saw this dress, too, and loved it. Then I saw the name and flipped through the pics. This is not a professional dress. Why they screwed it up with a cutout, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Would look a bit out of place in the office. A cardigan or blazer would work, and then you could remove the jacket if you go out after work. I do like the dress and think the cutout is cute, just not professional.

[Anonymous]

What about something underneath, rather than over? Either a high-backed tank in a contrasting color, or, if you are crafty or know a good seamstress, a panel of lace or gauze, just to make it less transparent?

I think it's a lovely dress -- but on that model, I also think it is kind of too short for work. I'm tall and would not wear a dress that fell 3" above the knee, just because on me that is a lot of leg showing.