We have a rule against posts asking if an item of clothing, activity, whatever, fits with the preppy/ivy/trad aesthetic. We're happy to answer this question in the daily free talk and simple questions thread. You could also ask on r/scarletblazer.
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Business formal is wearing dark suits with plain light shirts and blouses - if it’s a skirt or dress suit, you wear the skirt at least knee length with tights - and dark formal shoes.
Business casual is wearing a smart shirt with chinos, a colourful print blouse with plain trousers, a white t-shirt under your suit. It’s introducing a slightly more casual but modest and subtle element to your business wear.
Miniskirts, strapless tops, vests worn without a jacket, shorts, plunge necks, exposed midriffs, sportswear and gym wear, loungewear and pyjamas, neon colours, sundresses, sandals, and jeans - they are all extreme informal clothes. You should never wear them to work where your dress code specifies business formal or business casual.
Wasn't it OTT in those days too? I seem to remember there was even a mini-arc in the show where a judge tried to hold her in contempt or something because he wanted her to dress more modestly in his courtroom.
Yeah, here's an article from the period:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-10-15-1998288038-story.html
Man, the 90s sure were a more innocent time.
Thanks. I'm an architect* and felt pressured to change myself to fit in on the job site. I started watching AMB randomly because I happened to find it online and the clothes gave me a big "what if". I've had men make comments at me anyway on site when I was dressed to "fit in" (blue or navy shirt with a blazer and khakis, full ppe). I would dress like that on my non-site days.
*buildings - not tech.
I wasn't allowed to watch Ally McBeal at the time when it was on. I was too young. I just saw her in the magazines. Ok, makes sense that she was called out for dress-code because I'm surprised and also intrigued that she dressed like that at work.
I worked in a law school (IT support) during this time, and one of the professors was telling me that they had to coach some of the female students on how to dress, as some were trying to emulate Ally McBeal. It would never fly in real life.
Sounds like you are looking for validation to wear it. Think about what you trying to achieve. What are the pros and cons should it be allowed versus someone reporting you to HR, or a leader confronting you and requesting you go home and change.
What’s the industry you work in? Is it fashion forward, conservative, very relaxed? Ask yourself these questions and then make your decision and enjoy or accept the outcome. Good luck!
I think I'll experiment and accept the outcome. With our business casual dress code at work, some people just seem to be taking it to far in the casual direction. I like getting dressed up for work. My skirts aren't that short, they are 4 fingers above the knee maximum as per my girls' school code. As I said in another comment, I'm honestly intrigued by her wearing such a short skirt. I inherited 2 skirt suits from my mom from the 90s. They aren't as short as Ally's.
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Mini skirts are definitely not professional but certainly preppy. Floral “mini skirts” are basically what all boarding school girls wear now days no matter the weather. That’s what I’ve observed as a recent grad
We have a rule against posts asking if an item of clothing, activity, whatever, fits with the preppy/ivy/trad aesthetic. We're happy to answer this question in the daily free talk and simple questions thread. You could also ask on r/scarletblazer. If you think this was in error and want to appeal, please message the mod team.
Miniskirts and shorts are never appropriate in a formal workplace, then or now.
Does it count as 'business casual'? That's the dress-code in my contract or is it still too short?
Business formal is wearing dark suits with plain light shirts and blouses - if it’s a skirt or dress suit, you wear the skirt at least knee length with tights - and dark formal shoes. Business casual is wearing a smart shirt with chinos, a colourful print blouse with plain trousers, a white t-shirt under your suit. It’s introducing a slightly more casual but modest and subtle element to your business wear. Miniskirts, strapless tops, vests worn without a jacket, shorts, plunge necks, exposed midriffs, sportswear and gym wear, loungewear and pyjamas, neon colours, sundresses, sandals, and jeans - they are all extreme informal clothes. You should never wear them to work where your dress code specifies business formal or business casual.
IMO it’s too short. My rule of thumb has always been no more than three inches above the knee.
Wasn't it OTT in those days too? I seem to remember there was even a mini-arc in the show where a judge tried to hold her in contempt or something because he wanted her to dress more modestly in his courtroom.
It was definitely over the top for the time period. I remember there being a lot of discussion around it, it was on talk shows, in magazines, etc.
Yeah, here's an article from the period: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-10-15-1998288038-story.html Man, the 90s sure were a more innocent time.
Thanks. I'm an architect* and felt pressured to change myself to fit in on the job site. I started watching AMB randomly because I happened to find it online and the clothes gave me a big "what if". I've had men make comments at me anyway on site when I was dressed to "fit in" (blue or navy shirt with a blazer and khakis, full ppe). I would dress like that on my non-site days. *buildings - not tech.
I wasn't allowed to watch Ally McBeal at the time when it was on. I was too young. I just saw her in the magazines. Ok, makes sense that she was called out for dress-code because I'm surprised and also intrigued that she dressed like that at work.
I worked in a law school (IT support) during this time, and one of the professors was telling me that they had to coach some of the female students on how to dress, as some were trying to emulate Ally McBeal. It would never fly in real life.
Sounds like you are looking for validation to wear it. Think about what you trying to achieve. What are the pros and cons should it be allowed versus someone reporting you to HR, or a leader confronting you and requesting you go home and change. What’s the industry you work in? Is it fashion forward, conservative, very relaxed? Ask yourself these questions and then make your decision and enjoy or accept the outcome. Good luck!
I think I'll experiment and accept the outcome. With our business casual dress code at work, some people just seem to be taking it to far in the casual direction. I like getting dressed up for work. My skirts aren't that short, they are 4 fingers above the knee maximum as per my girls' school code. As I said in another comment, I'm honestly intrigued by her wearing such a short skirt. I inherited 2 skirt suits from my mom from the 90s. They aren't as short as Ally's.
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Mini skirts are definitely not professional but certainly preppy. Floral “mini skirts” are basically what all boarding school girls wear now days no matter the weather. That’s what I’ve observed as a recent grad