Acceptable Clothes for “Business Casual” or “Casual”

What is accepted at a workplace that is casual or business casual? And what should you wear to an interview? That differs depending on who you talk to.

Recently there was a survey done to ask that question.  Mixed answers....

• Most workers feel ripped jeans (73%) and leggings (56%) are not appropriate workwear, even in a business casual work setting.
• Fifty percent of respondents believe very high heels (defined in this survey as over three inches) look unprofessional, while 40 percent say the same about open-toed shoes of any kind.
• Thirty-eight percent of 25-35-year-olds admit they've been asked to dress more professionally by their manager or HR, and 28 percent of all respondents say someone else's clothing at work has made them feel uncomfortable because it was too revealing.

I personally think that leggings are totally fine as long as there is a shirt that is long enough to cover your butt... or at least most of it.  The high heel thing.. well that depends on what else is being worn with it.  If someone wears high heels with a skirt that is just above the knee, knee length, or longer than that, it's fine.  But if someone is wearing a skirt that is mid-thigh, the high heels don't look as professional.  Some people are very short and want to at least pretend to be taller for a bit.

As far as the interview goes.. .I would dress just a bit better than people who work there currently.  At least for the interview.

• A combined 79 percent report their current employers' dress code policy is either business casual (26%), casual (33%) or non-existent/no dress code at all (20%).
• However, 65 percent feel it's important to wear a suit during an interview, regardless of how formal that company's workplace actually is.
• Forty-two percent say they'd rather be 20 minutes late to an interview than show up looking disheveled or underdressed.
• Half (50%) of respondents say they will wear business attire from the waist up and casual clothing from the waist down when they have a video interview.

What do you think is ok and not ok in the workplace?