Can Untucked shirts be business casual?

[Fayd]

I work in a fairly formal federal office: when we had a casual day (1 in over a year of my working there... day after holiday when few people were expected to be in) we were finally allowed to wear jeans into the office (caveat: couldn't be visibly ripped) but were still barred from wearing t-shirts, shorts, or tennis shoes/flip flops.

Dress code in writing is business casual. It specifically calls out as forbidden jeans, t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and flip flops.

Could un-tucked button down shirts over slacks pass for business casual? The programmer in me says 'I don't see anything explicitly forbidding', but the employee in me says 'don't rock the boat'.

 

[Ns1]

if jeans are a no-no, then untucked shirts are also probably a no-no.

 

[akugami]

I work in a fairly formal federal office: when we had a casual day (1 in over a year of my working there... day after holiday when few people were expected to be in) we were finally allowed to wear jeans into the office (caveat: couldn't be visibly ripped) but were still barred from wearing t-shirts, shorts, or tennis shoes/flip flops.

Dress code in writing is business casual. It specifically calls out as forbidden jeans, t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and flip flops.

Could un-tucked button down shirts over slacks pass for business casual? The programmer in me says 'I don't see anything explicitly forbidding', but the employee in me says 'don't rock the boat'.

Well crap, there goes my whole business wardrobe. Seriously, that's what I've been wearing to work at my last two jobs for the last 15 years.

 

[Imp]

I don't really see the point of a casual day if you can't wear anything you want -- within reason, so no wife-beaters, tits totally out, or hot pants.

My previous places of employment were business casual. In practice, it was a free for all: short skirts, tits out, shorts with hairy legs, neon orange pants, blue hair, etc.

 

[uclaLabrat]

I called a meeting with senior directors for an issue that popped up on a project I was working and we were on a tight deadline. I was in jeans and a t-shirt. Never heard a peep about it, but then again, business casual is like biotech black tie.

 

[Paladin3]

If you look good in the untucked shirt, or anywhere close to model-hot, then it will be okay. Fat slobs like most of us better tuck that shit in.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I wear all of my work shirts untucked in a business casual environment. But they're also all fitted and don't look like crap.

 

[Beer4Me]

General rule of thumb (from personal experience and observations) is if they allow jeans, you can go untucked. No jeans? Better tuck that shit in.

 

[UglyCasanova]

I wear all of my work shirts untucked in a business casual environment. But they're also all fitted and don't look like crap.

This. It just all depends on how you look in it rather than a policy that says this or that. Personally I don't think anything should ever be tucked into jeans.

 

[MrSquished]

for sure. a nice fitted shirt and a nice pair of chinos with shoes, untuck away.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

There is this to consider:

 

[smackababy]

My general rule is: short sleeve is fine for untucked and no tie should ever be worn.

 

[Ayrahvon]

If they give you any problems, just show them a picture of the (former) Greek Finance Minister after finishing a meeting at Downing Street.

 

[CPA]

I always wear my shirts tucked in on casual Fridays...it's slobbish otherwise.

 

[z1ggy]

Shirt always tucked in. I used to wear a nice pair of dark blue jeans (no rips, no acid wash or whatever) and tucked in button down long sleeve shirt with some dress shoes.

Now since I have to attend an important meeting Friday's, I stick to my normal chinos as my bottoms.

 

[dud]

if jeans are a no-no, then untucked shirts are also probably a no-no.

At workjeans became a no-no about 6 months ago but this has not prevented us from wearing untucked shirts. I do it 95% of the time.

 

[mrrman]

I dont like the untucked look period...looks lazy to me

 

[vi edit]

I just find it an amazing social study on how worked up people get over dress codes.

Some fat, pile of human mush crammed into button up shirt with the buttons holding on to dear life trying to contain the cauldron of pudge behind it and wedged into some wrinkled and faded out 20 year old pair of dockers with a belt is dress code. Yet it somebody fit with an untucked polo or a fitted shirt in jeans is not under code. Which is a greater eye sore to your business?

Meh. It's just silly how much time and pettiness people put into patrolling dress codes.

 

[Murloc]

I guess it also depends on how the bottom of the shirt is cut... if it's like superlong, I think it's meant to be tucked in.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I always wear my shirts tucked in on casual Fridays...it's slobbish otherwise.

Same. I don't even wear jeans anymore. Just not worth it.

Also, as long as I'm in the consulting/client world, I've pretty much come to the conclusion I'm screwed as far as overall casual dress goes.

 

[SP33Demon]

I work naked from home, so couldn't tell you.

 

[nakedfrog]

The shirts I wear to work are mostly camp shirts, bowling shirts, or a similar cut, where they're not designed to be tucked in. Hasn't been a problem in over a decade.

 

[dabuddha]

I dont like the untucked look period...looks lazy to me

shrug. I feel more comfortable with my shirt untucked. Which makes me much more productive.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I work in a fairly formal federal office: when we had a casual day (1 in over a year of my working there... day after holiday when few people were expected to be in) we were finally allowed to wear jeans into the office (caveat: couldn't be visibly ripped) but were still barred from wearing t-shirts, shorts, or tennis shoes/flip flops.

Dress code in writing is business casual. It specifically calls out as forbidden jeans, t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and flip flops.

Could un-tucked button down shirts over slacks pass for business casual? The programmer in me says 'I don't see anything explicitly forbidding', but the employee in me says 'don't rock the boat'.

What does the "logical/sensible" side of you say? It should have told you how bad it would look to wear slacks and an untucked button up dress shirt. I mean, really? You actually considered dressing like that?

 

[NoTine42]

If they give you any problems, just show them a picture of the (former) Greek Finance Minister after finishing a meeting at Downing Street.

Isn't that an oxymoron?