When the weather gets hotter, employees often begin dressing more casually. That can make it harder to tell where comfort ends and workplace appropriateness begins. For that reason, summer is an ideal season to remind employees of your expectations and make sure your dress code still reflects how your workplace operates today.
A strong dress code should explain attire and grooming expectations in plain language and appear in your employee handbook or other policy materials. It should also give employees concrete examples so managers are not left making subjective decisions. Questions your policy may want to answer include:
- What clothing is off-limits, such as overly revealing tops, workout apparel, distressed items, leggings worn as pants, or clothing with slogans or graphics that do not fit the workplace?
- What standards apply to cleanliness, fit, and condition, including expectations that clothing be neat, in good repair, and suitable for the work environment?
- What types of shoes are acceptable, and are there jobs or work areas that require closed-toe, slip-resistant, or other safety-related footwear?
- Are there relaxed dress days or seasonal exceptions, and if so, what limits still apply to keep appearance standards consistent?
- How will the organization address tattoos, accessories, grooming, and other appearance issues while keeping the policy job-related and consistently enforced?
The policy should also explain what happens when an employee does not meet the standard. In some cases, the employee may need to change before continuing work. If your organization allows temporary exceptions for special events, extreme weather, or department-specific needs, those exceptions should be communicated clearly ahead of time so expectations remain fair and predictable.
Best practice is to use gender-neutral language and apply dress standards consistently across the workforce while allowing for legally required accommodations, including religious, medical, disability-related, or other protected needs. Policies that focus on professionalism, safety, and business needs are generally easier to understand and enforce.
Employees should be expected to use sound judgment and present themselves in a way that fits their duties, work setting, and audience. A more relaxed look may be appropriate for an ordinary internal workday, while client meetings, presentations, site visits, or safety-sensitive tasks may call for a more polished or specific standard. If an employee is unsure whether something is appropriate, the safest approach is to ask before wearing it.
You can reach out to your FrankAdvice HR Consultant regarding policies.