When I was in the working world, in the 80s (and before children), the dress code of "no bare legs in the office" was generally accepted, even in the summer. We wore hose. No questions asked. Here I am, after being home for 8 years, back in the office, and trying to adapt. Our bank office ranges from conservative (mostly the "officers" and "impotant" personnel) to casual (the tellers, of which I am one, and student help). Thing is, even though bare legs are now acceptable, I simply can't make the change. Partly because I don't tan (naturally or artificially), and my legs are pretty white, but mostly because I think the look is sloppy and unprofessional. I am sticking out, though, now that the weather has gotten warm. If I were in a different department, this wouldn't be an issue. But on the teller line, I'm somewhat overdressed. What are your thoughts? Any working women out there who feel the way I do? Or am I a dinosaur that needs to get with the program? LOL (I think I know the answer to this) BTW, I'm 42, not a kid!

By Coopaveryben on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 09:44 am:

The reason most people go with bare legs is because it is more comfortable. If this isn't comfortable for you then don't do it. If you are looking to one day make a promotion this could perhaps work to your advantage. I don't see anything wrong with bare legs but like I said do what feels good for you.

You are talking about in dresses though.....tell me you don't mean "dress" short outfits with panty hose? (o:

By Emily7 on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 10:03 am:

If you are going to wear a shorts outfit they have some wonderful self tanners. Even in some offices they allow bare legs now.

By Melanie on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 10:05 am:

I read once not to dress for the job you are in. Dress for the job you want to have. So if you have hopes of being promoted into a different department, dress the part.

That said, I also agree with Chrissy to be comfortable. If having bare legs is uncomfortable to you, don't do it.

By Lorebunde on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 10:25 am:

I also rather wear stockings than bare legs. If I have on a short skirt, I wear stockings but it it is on the longer side, I do not wear stockings.
I also use a self tanner as I am light and do not like laying in the sun (wrinkles!) Even though I use self tanner, though, I think I am still light. Not to change the subject, has anyone tried the salons where they spray the self tanner on you, I forget what the procedure is.

By Amecmom on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 10:28 am:

If you don't want to wear hose, wear long, loose skirts or Capris without hose. It's really a personal decision. I used to wear hose only in winter, once May came, the hose went. However, those were the days when I went to the tanning salon to prepare for it, and before having a child gave me spider veins. Now, I'm very uncomfortable about wearing shorts or short skirts without hose in an everyday situation.
While dress codes seem to have faded, you really need to find your own personal sense of style and what looks good on you, and stick to it.
Ame

By Mommyathome on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 10:54 am:

I don't like wearing hose. I only wear them if I'm wearing a nice dress with heels. Otherwise, I wear skirts with bare legs.

But, I like what Melanie said....dress for the job you want. When they are looking for someone to promote, that just might give you the edge over all the others!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 11:33 am:

I was told recently that pantyhose are no longer "in". LOL! I'm like you, and feel sloppy and unprofessional without hose when wearing a dress or skirt. The only exception being a sundress, but that's not something you'd wear to the office. At least I wouldn't! Is it our age?! Although, the woman who told me pantyhose aren't cool any longer is 50. Argh!

By Conni on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 11:50 am:

I have never been more THRILLED that hose are *out*. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!! I worked in the late 80's early 90's when you had to wear hose or you got sent home. I wore ALOT of slacks ;)!! lol

By Janet on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 12:31 pm:

Well, I just like the polished look that hose give my legs. I also like the control aspect! LOL I tried to wear some capris and sandals last year, and ended up being SO self-conscious of my jiggles that I could barely walk! Well, if it's not my style, it's not my style. Fun topic!

By Mommmie on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 05:40 pm:

I'm 40 and work at a law firm with no dress code. You see very little hose unless that woman has to be in a courtroom and then she's wearing a suit so hose sortof goes with it. (Tnere are still judges that have a rule that says women cannot wear pants in their courtroom.)

Some of these little casual skirts that are out now that you wear with flip flops or sandals, I don't think hose with go with them at all.

Since we're in Texas and it's hot and we have no dress code, you see a lot of shorts in the office. We are a defense firm and none of our clients are headquartered in Texas so we don't need to impress anyone.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 03:18 pm:

I cheat and wear slacks, pantsuits or skirts that come to mid-calf, and wear knee-high stockings. I won't go barefoot in shoes - not comfortable. I only wear pantyhose when I am wearing a suit, which is about once every 3 years, maybe. As for judges who say "women cannot wear pants" in their courtrooms, a judge in Pennsylvania once had a woman lawyer ejected from his courtroom for wearing a pantsuit. He was disciplined by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and that nonsense no longer happens in Pensylvania courts. Lots of other nonsense from some judges, of course, but not that bit.

Personally, I don't like shorts in the office, unless they are bermuda length, but put that down to generation gap.

I am late responding to this question because I just didn't see it before.

By Amecmom on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 04:05 pm:

Glad to see this bumped up. Sally Hansen had a new product that you can spray on your legs. I've only seen it. I have not used it. Just thought I'd mention it. I've seen it in the section with all the manicure stuff.
Ame

By Tink on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 04:13 pm:

Ame, I've seen this also. Has anyone tried it? I don't wear nylons on a regular basis but I really hate my legs and I've wondered if this would look better than bare legs with my summer skirts.

By Mcrosby57 on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 05:04 pm:

At 47, I'm finding some of the fashion changes hard to manage, too. I live in Washington state and so we don't generally get the heat that other parts of the country get and coupled with air conditioning, I find nylons add a layer of warmth. I wear professional summer weight pants, pant suits, and long hemlines without nylons. I have found there are some nylons you can get at places like Nordstroms that are so shear, it looks like you are bare legged. You could try those. Bare leg look with nylons!

By Jessicac1979 on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 08:26 am:

I went from working on base at the Military Clothing store where you had to dress up and you couldnt wear shorts to my daughters daycare where they all dressed down. I wore my nice clothes I think for the first 3months I started there then I started to dress like the others. I did at the time think it was sloppy and very unprofessional b/c your working with the parents also when they come to pick up their child. I have to addmit that no one seems to care how we dress as long as we are taking great care of their children! But it did take me a while to start getting with their type of dress. From getting dressed up every day to wearing what I want!

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 01:47 pm:

Jessica,
With Daycare, I wouldn't want to see the providers in pj's or anything, but being dressed casually should be expected. I mean, you have to chase after kids all day!!!

By Workingmom39 on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 10:57 am:

Hi, I'm 39 and I just can't get into this bare legs thing at all. I'm used to wearing nylons and don't like the feel of bare feet in dress shoes--even sandals. I work in a professional office with dress code requiring nylons or socks except in summer. Like Ginny I wear alot of pants and pantsuits with knee-high stockings. I do like to wear a nice dress to the office so I wear thigh highs for that, and I would say the majority of women in my division are around my age and wear stockings with dresses or skirts with both pumps and dress sandals. So I'm afraid I'll never be a convert, call it modesty or sticking to what I've always done but I feel most comfortable in nylons.