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So, your office has recently decided that they are going to do casual Friday? Or, maybe you have moved to a new place of work and it is the norm there? Either way, you are freaking out! What are you supposed to wear? You know the key is in the title – casual – but surely there is a thing as too casual? What is everyone else going to be wearing? Would it be better to just wear what you normally wear? Casual Friday can be way more daunting than it is meant to be, but there are a few ‘hidden rules’ so to speak, i.e. turning up in denim mini shorts probably isn’t the best idea. So, what should you wear? Read on to discover some great tips that will help you to perfect Casual Friday…

DO participate in casual Friday – So, let’s answer one of those questions immediately: would it be better to just wear what you usually wear? The simple answer to this question is ‘no’ – if your employer wanted you to wear what you usually wear, he or she would not have implemented Casual Friday in the first place. It is important to participate, as you don’t want to look like a scourge that does not want to join in on all of the fun. Plus, you are more likely to stick out if you turn up in a suit when everyone else is wearing comfortable clothing.

Don’t wear anything offensive – A lot of people opt to wear T-shirts and sweatshirts with graphics on them for Casual Friday. There is nothing wrong with this, but you do need to be mindful regarding your selection. Stay away from anything that has an offensive message in it. This includes messages with expletives, as well as anything to do with politics or religion. You may think that your T-shirt joking about a particular political party is funny, but someone else may find it rude and offensive, and you don’t want to cause any upheaval in the office.

Avoid short shorts – As mentioned in the introduction, denim Hotpants are not a good choice for Casual Friday. If the sun is shining and it is a warm day, wearing shorts is a plausible option, although you should check in the dress code rules, as some companies may not even allow this. If your company does allow shorts, choose yours with care. Select a pair that is closer in length to your knees than your bum. After all, clothing does have a tendency to ride up when sitting down, and you don’t want everyone in the office to see, well, everything!

Do look at Casual Friday as an opportunity – Casual Friday should be seen as an opportunity. It is a chance to show off your personality. People will get a sense of what you are like outside of the workplace. After all, the clothing you wear says a lot about your personality and who you are as an individual. It is not always easy to showcase your character when you are bound by the rules of corporate wear. However, when these rules are loosened, you can show how vibrant and colourful you are, or how elegant and feminine you usually dress. You can give people a taste of the real you without compromising the respect you have in the workplace.

Remember the title: CASUAL Friday – While this is an opportunity to show off your personality, it is about the casual and relaxed side of your personality. It’s not called Black Tie Friday; so don’t turn up to work in a pair of high heels and a tight fitted dress. Yes, you may look incredible, but this does not fit the brief, and it all it says is that you want to use the opportunity to show off how glam and amazing you look. In truth, you end up looking a bit ridiculous because no one in their right mind is going to be convinced that you wear high heels when you are relaxing. You can still be sleek and stylish in flat shoes. Felted slippers are a great choice or Casual Friday. They make a real statement and they feel like you are walking on a cloud. If you are on your feet all day at work, Casual Friday gives you the chance to feel comfortable and at ease. It is a great treat!

Do not wear anything swear or ‘too casual’ – Last but not least, you need to keep it appropriate and you need to avoid anything too casual. Let’s deal with the appropriateness factor first. Earlier in the blog, graphics were mentioned, and avoiding anything sheer or too revealing is another important factor when making sure you are dressed appropriately. Also, there is an unspoken ‘rule’ regarding being too casual. Should you wear a low cut vest and a pair of beach shorts and flip-flops? Probably not! While it is Casual Friday, you are still going to work, and so it is important to keep this in mind when you are planning what you are going to wear.

So there you have it: an insight into what you should wear for Casual Friday. Hopefully, the advice that has been provided will help you to plan the perfect outfit for your casual day at work. Once you have gotten the first Casual Friday out of the way, you will actually enjoy the rest – promise!