Guy Comments On Woman’s Outfit, Asking Her To Never Wear It Again, Many Surprisingly Agree

You usually get a glimpse into what a company expects its employees to wear during your interview with them. Did the recruiter greet you in a sweater or a jacket? Are they sitting across the table in jeans or pants? If you’re hired, your observations in the first few days should help even further.

However, there seems to have been some sort of miscommunication between Taylor Harley and her employer. She recently came to work in her beloved cherry outfit, but a higher-up told her it was “inappropriate” and that he doesn’t want to see it ever again. Unhappy with the news, Taylor uploaded a video to her TikTok account, saying she just wanted to be herself. But not everyone on the platform sided with her.

Management can have a variety of complaints about you, some reasonable and others not so much

Man in a gray shirt looking puzzled, hand raised, in a room with curtains, related to office outfit discussion.

Image credits: jm_video / envato (not the actual photo)

Taylor Harley believes the one she received for her work attire belongs to the second category

Woman in cherry-patterned outfit sits in office chair, reflecting on workplace attire guidelines.

Image credits: taylor.harley

Woman wearing a pink cherry-patterned shirt with "I want to be me" text, smiling confidently.

Image credits: taylor.harley

Woman expressing surprise in a pink sweater with cherries pattern, discussing an outfit considered inappropriate for work.

Image credits: taylor.harley

She uploaded a clip to TikTok to express her disappointment

@taylor.harley I thought it was cute but apparently I’m wrong and I’m actually wearing pajamas🤷‍♀️ #fyp#girls#girlsgirl#oufit#fitcheck♬ Messy – Lola Young

Many people believe there’s nothing wrong with employers asking their workers to dress a certain way

Image credits: fauxels / pexels (not the actual photo)

If you are a new hire and are trying to determine what the dress code at the company is, “Observation is your best tool,” Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now—an online platform that provides useful tools and resources to job seekers—told Bored Panda.

“Look at what colleagues in similar roles are wearing, especially those who’ve been with the company for a while. If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to ask HR or your manager for clarification. Most companies would rather you ask than guess. And when in doubt, lean slightly more professional—particularly in job interviews or when first starting a new role. Then, once you get a better feel for the workplace culture, you can adjust your attire accordingly.”

In many places, companies continue dictating to their staff what to wear. For example, a 2023 survey asked 1,000 UK office workers if they need to follow a dress code at work, and unsurprisingly, 74% said yes. Another 5% said they wear a uniform, and 21% said no.

Most folks understand this request. 80% of respondents believe that employers should be allowed to set and enforce a dress code in the workplace and only 18% think otherwise. Interestingly, 60% of those who said no were under the age of 35, compared to just 10% of those aged 45 and over.

Those most likely to have a dress code were working in:

• Real estate and housing – 100%
• Non-profit and charity – 89%
• Business and information – 83%
• Finance and insurance – 75%
• Education – 71%

On the other hand, those most likely to have no dress code were part of:

• Creative, arts & design – 29%
• Nature resources/environment – 19%
• Marketing, advertising & PR – 12%
• Construction, utilities & contracting -11%

But it’s not always clear what’s expected of you

However, the popularity of this TikTok does highlight a broader theme.

According to a 2024 Harris Poll survey, 70% of managers feel workplace etiquette that was off-limits just a few years ago is now considered acceptable, and over half of hiring managers say the rapid changes are leaving employees confused about the present state of these norms.

A 2023 survey by Creative Access showed that 82% of workers believe they would benefit from a clear dress code but despite this, 43% reported that they had received no guidance at all, and 48% from lower socioeconomic backgrounds say they struggle to navigate what to wear in professional settings.

This ambiguity can disproportionately affect women, who are often faced with exhaustive clothing choices, harsher scrutiny, and unclear and inconsistent expectations (just consider the conflicting views about whether and how women should wear makeup at work!).

“If you’re not sure, play it safe—stick to neutral, well-fitted clothing that leans professional,” Keith Spencer of Resume Now, advised. “Avoid anything too casual, flashy, or distracting.”

“If you’re second-guessing an outfit, that’s usually a sign to reconsider. You can also check in with HR or a trusted colleague to get a sense of what’s acceptable. The key is to make a good impression without standing out for the wrong reasons,” the career coach explained.

Women working in an open-plan office, interacting and focusing on tasks in a professional environment.

Image credits: monkeybusiness / envato (not the actual photo)

Judging from the comments the woman left under her video, the dress code at her workplace is pretty loose

Comments discussing outfit inappropriate for work, mentioning sweats.

Positive comments on outfit after coworker said it's inappropriate; user appreciates support and shares emotional response.

However, many of those who saw her outfit sided with her management

Comment on outfit appropriateness, saying it resembles cute loungewear; indicating approval with 23.1K likes.

Comment discussing outfit appropriateness, suggesting it looks like lounge wear and not suitable for work.

Comment discussing being told an outfit is inappropriate for public, mentioning cute pajamas as casual attire.

Comment highlighting inappropriate outfit concerns, mentioning pajamas as cute but unsuitable for work.

Comment about dressing up for home, related to an outfit being called inappropriate at work.

Comment criticizing an outfit as inappropriate, suggesting it's like pajamas.

Comment about inappropriate outfit, suggesting it's pajama-like but emphasizing personal happiness.

Comment on work outfit, suggests pairing with jeans instead of looking like pajamas.

Comment discussing workplace outfits and appropriate dress code expectations in an office setting.

Some did support her choice of clothes, as they believe what you wear to work doesn’t matter

Comment discussing an outfit, mentioning loungewear, pajamas, and styling tips for a work setting.

Comment about outfit deemed inappropriate at work for not wearing a company jacket, with risk of termination.

Comment on inappropriate outfit advice at work, mentioning cherries' symbolism with crying emoji reaction.

Comment screenshot discussing inappropriate outfit advice at work.

Comment reacting to criticism of inappropriate outfit with curiosity about the critic's clothing choice.

Comment discussing inappropriate work outfit rules related to prints and sweatpants.

Comment discussing if an outfit is work-appropriate, emphasizes dress not affecting skills.

Comment about re-wearing an outfit despite being told it's inappropriate for work.

Comment on outfit choice, supporting personal expression.

Comment discussing dress code and personal outfit choices at work.

Comment about work outfit appropriateness with dancing emojis and user reaction.

Comment discussing freedom in clothing choice as a pilates instructor, mentioning living in sweat sets without "nice shirts.

Conversation about inappropriate outfit, mentioning Hello Kitty sweatshirt on dress down day at work.

Comment discussing an outfit deemed inappropriate at work, mentioning cherry earrings and green glasses.

The third group said the answer to the question of whether it’s appropriate or not ultimately lies within the type of company the woman works for

Comment discussing outfit appropriateness for work, mentioning differing office standards and personal opinion on its cuteness.

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