The buzz word for the dress code of a professional office has become “office casual” whatever that means. Office casual means something different for every business office. Most offices don’t define what is meant by office casual, so everyone shows up in what they think is appropriate. Office workers are often confused on what not to wear to work.

Though we never want to go back to shirts and ties or skirts, hosiery, and pumps on a daily basis, we also need to keep a professional look in our attire at the office. If you keep away from the office attire “no-no’s” we will discuss in this post you will probably wear the correct casual and professional dress.

Take the Emphasis Off “Casual”

The biggest faux pas in office casual wear is our emphasis on the word “casual” and the de-emphasizing of the word “office”. Most casual clothing is not suitable to be worn in the office. Tee shirts, sweats, shorts, jeans, leggings, and tennis shoes are good things to wear around the house or at the mall, but they reflect an unprofessional attitude when worn in the office.

Tips for Women

Women should not wear revealing clothing. It is not appropriate to expose your cleavage, stomach, back, underwear, or feet in the office. Anything short or too tight is also wrong for the office. If you want to be taken seriously, don’t “undress” at the office.

Any open toe shoe such as sandals, flip flops, or thongs should not be worn in the office. It is fine to eliminate hosiery during the summer months.

Make up should be worn in moderation as well as any colognes and perfumes.

Large, chunky costume jewelry does not look good with office casual attire and can be very distracting to the wearer and fellow office workers. Body piercings other than pierced ears are too extreme in the office.

Tips for Men

Wrinkled, torn, or dirty clothing is always unacceptable. Clothing with pictures, words, or symbols are not appropriate office attire even on dress down days while brand names, university and sports team garments are fine on declared dress down days. Pressed jeans minus holes and tears are a welcome change on dress down days.

Hats are not to be worn in the office. However, head coverings that are worn because of religious beliefs or ethnic tradition are suitable.

Why not decide to wear a shirt, tie, and jacket to the office wear one day a week? It will make a difference in your attitude and productivity.

Every year, it is helpful reassess your workspace by cleaning up and rearranging your resources, furniture, and files. This process gives the space a new feel and its organisation system will improve each year with your personalised experience.

Make a Hot File to Sort Priorities

Begin by creating a “Hot File” and positioning it within easy reach on your desktop. Use this file to hold your most pressing project details, proposals, or other important information. Try to keep it small – everything on your desk can not be classified as “A Priority” for this method to be effective. Purchase a monthly file sorter to store your remaining, pending papers. Use this to contain all upcoming events, projects, invoices, and more by the month.

This practice will avoid messy, unorganised stacks of paperwork that pile up on most desks by the year’s end. At the beginning of each month, simply review the filed documents in your pending folder and deal with them accordingly.

Set up a Bulletin Board to Keep You Updated

Another useful tool to consider is a large bulletin board. It’s great to have this close to your desk and perfect to post those urgent, last minute notes, memos, informational guides, comic strips, and other mementos. If it’s important and needs to remain in clear sight as a resource or reminder to you, then this is the best place to put it in your newly, reorganized office.

Maintain a Clear, Defined Space For Your Work

Every office space needs a clear, work surface – perfect for assembling those important memos and reports, prepping direct mails, or just holding the extras that we all come across from time to time. Consider purchasing a credenza or small work table to place behind your desk – or perhaps to the side if space is limited. Even a simple folding table can work in a pinch and you can even put it away in a closet when it’s not in use. It’s portable too, so co-workers can use it too, whenever necessary.

File Your Paperwork, Properly

Make sure you have a quality system for filing paperwork. Whether you’re lucky enough to fit the necessary files in a simple, 2- or 4-drawer cabinet, or your office requires a more sophisticated filing setup, organization is the key to storing your most important information.

Whether you rearrange your furniture, desktop, or files you’ll benefit this year and increase your productivity in the long term. So, this year, don’t forget to put some thought into rearranging your office space when drafting a list of resolutions for 2010!

It’s a party, but that doesn’t mean it’s a “party”, not in ways you might typically think. When you and your colleagues gather to celebrate the holidays, act accordingly. Before all else, it’s still an office function, possibly the first time you’ve stood with workplace superiors outside of the workplace.

Don’t overdo it at the cocktail table

This might be the first time your boss gets to see your “other side”. The last thing you want to do is cast yourself in an unprofessional light by downing too many drinks before leading the sales department through a slurred rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Don’t get caught up in the festivities and start acting like you’re back at the frat house.

Dress appropriately

Sure, it’s OK to stray from the business-casual wardrobe that outfits you day in and day out throughout the year. But you’re not going “clubbing”. Let your typical office attire be your gauge. It’s fine to lean a little less conservative, but not too far. While office parties are festive events, standard workplace behavior is expected.

Don’t try to “hook up” at your work party

If you’ve been waiting for the chance to see the “hottie” down the hall in a more social setting, remember who’s watching. Use the party as a chance to engage in mature conversation to get to know somebody a little better. But tales of the couple who were caught making out in the coat closet will do nothing to improve your standing with upper-management.

Don’t complain if your Christmas bonus was low or non-existent this year

Times are tough. Many companies are even skipping the festivities due to expenses. If you’re overheard grumbling about not getting a big, fat Christmas bonus (or, for that matter, about anything else negative toward the company) words can travel fast. Keep them to yourself and enjoy the party. Not everybody is getting one these days.

Don’t just blow it off

Your office party probably hasn’t been advertised as being mandatory, but treat it as such. Go, at least for a while. If you’ve already got a prior engagement, be sure your office manager is aware of it ahead of time. To ignore it without acknowledging it would be disrespectful.

Remember: The best rule of thumb is do not detach yourself completely from office norms that dictate your everyday behavior at work. Stay in good standing with your superiors by obeying these rules of etiquette.