From Office Whispers to Online Outrage: The Truth About Dress Codes

Published: September 20, 2025 | By R.S. Block

Dress codes: They’re supposed to be simple, but they often spark heated debates in offices, schools, and shop floors everywhere. Whether it’s a viral social media post or quiet office whispers, questions about what’s “appropriate” never seem to go away. These conversations don’t just flare up in one field or with one person; they happen across every industry, every year, and in workplaces of every kind.

So, why do dress code debates persist, and what will it really take to move past them?

A Familiar Scenario: Another Employee Under Fire

Teacher Bae 2025, an educator with a large TikTok following, recently became the center of an online debate after videos of her classroom outfits went viral. Her pencil skirts, blouses, and strappy heels have received both strong criticism and support. She says she follows her school's dress code and believes the criticism is 'shape shaming,' arguing that critics would likely react differently if a less curvy teacher wore the same outfits.

The reactions are predictably polarized: "Schools need to start enforcing teacher dress codes. You look great, but wrong time and place," versus "A body that God gave you would never be unprofessional. Teach boys discipline, self-control, and respect for women."

Sound familiar? That’s because we’ve been here before, and not just once.

Here’s how the dress code cycle tends to play out:

It's important to note that 'Teacher Bae' is just one example. Similar controversies happen across all kinds of industries and jobs, both online and in everyday workplaces. With how quickly things spread on social media, a new “Bae” seems to pop up constantly. Even when it doesn’t go viral, people still talk about coworkers’ clothes, bring concerns to HR, and debate what’s allowed.

The cycle goes like this:

1. Teacher posts classroom outfit on social media

2. Videos go viral with millions of views

3. Internet divides into "inappropriate" vs. "body-shaming" camps

4. Think pieces get written about professionalism and dress codes

5. Controversy fades, nothing changes

6. Repeat with different professional in 2-3 years

If this sounds predictable, that’s because it is.

The Pattern: What It Really Reveals

If you missed the earlier round, Teacher Bae 2016 set off a wave of online arguments after photos of her work outfits (thin dresses, blazers, and heels) spread rapidly online. There were plenty of compliments about her professionalism. However, just as many people questioned if her clothes were right for a school. That debate showed just how differently people can see the idea of what is "professional."

What stands out is how the same outfit might be called "professional" by one person and "inappropriate" by another. That’s the tricky thing about dress codes. They are never as simple or clear-cut as they look on paper.

....never as simple or clear cut as they look on paper.

These recurring debates shine a light on deeper issues: rules that sound clear often get interpreted differently, and there is the ongoing challenge of making sure everyone is held to the same standard.

So where do most dress codes go wrong?

Why Traditional Dress Codes Fail

Subjectivity disguised as objectivity. Terms like "business casual" and "appropriate attire" mean different things to different people, creating endless interpretation battles.

Concerns about differing standards. There is often more discussion or scrutiny around women’s attire, such as hemlines and fit, while men’s clothing choices are less frequently debated.

Perceived inconsistencies. Sometimes, identical outfits are judged differently based on the wearer, which can raise questions about consistency in policy application.

Perceptions of selective enforcement. Some employees, including those from underrepresented groups or with different body types, may feel they experience closer scrutiny.

Job function blindness. Universal policies ignore that maintenance teams, kitchen staff, and office workers have different clothing requirements.

The Hidden Costs

Employee morale can be affected if appearance is perceived to outweigh performance.

Managers avoid enforcement, leading to inconsistent application and workplace tension.

Legal risks may arise if policies are enforced inconsistently or perceived as discriminatory.

Talent retention may be impacted if employees perceive the work environment as less inclusive.

The One-Size-Fits-All Problem: When Dress Codes Ignore Reality

Here's a classic scenario: Your company handbook states, "Business casual dress code applies to all employees. No hats, no jeans, no sneakers." Sounds simple, right?

Then reality hits:

Your maintenance team quietly wears jeans while crawling under desks to fix electrical issues, but it's not officially allowed in the dress code. Meanwhile, your office staff starts questioning, "Why do THEY get to wear jeans when we can't?" Your kitchen staff faces a dilemma: the policy says "no hats," but food safety requires hair restraints. Do they risk a write-up for wearing a culinary hat instead of a hair net? Your client-facing sales team and your behind-the-scenes IT support are held to identical standards that make sense for neither role.

The lazy solution? Add a throwaway line: "Management may approve exceptions for specific roles as needed."

The result? Managers start making unofficial exceptions for practical reasons, but these aren't documented anywhere. Employees notice the inconsistencies and start complaining about favoritism. HR gets caught trying to explain why some people can break rules that others can't, all because the policy was written without considering actual job requirements.

The real problem: Most dress codes are copy-paste policies that haven't been updated in years. They're recycled from organization to organization, year after year, without consideration for the actual workforce or job functions. When was the last time your company reviewed its dress code policy? Usually never – it takes a backseat to other policy reviews while creating daily headaches for managers and employees alike.

Building Better Standards

Define business purpose first. Explain why standards exist rather than listing banned items.

Focus on function over fashion. Clean, well-fitted clothing that enables safe, effective work performance.

Create role-specific guidelines. Office workers, maintenance teams, kitchen staff, and client-facing roles need different standards.

Use objective language. Avoid subjective terms that invite bias and inconsistent interpretation.

Train consistent enforcement. Managers need clear criteria, not personal judgment calls.

Establish fair appeals processes. Employees deserve recourse against discriminatory enforcement.

A Better Way Forward

Even with clear rules, some people will always push the limits, and no policy can cover every situation. There are always exceptions and gray areas, but the aim is to keep things as simple and straightforward as possible. Make it easy for people to know what’s expected, and clear up confusion before it turns into a problem. Here’s one way to write a fair, modern dress code.

"Our dress standards support a professional environment where all employees can focus on their work while safely performing their job duties.

Office-based roles: Business casual attire. Clothing should be clean, well-fitted, and suitable for client interaction.

Warehouse/Maintenance roles: Clean, durable clothing appropriate for physical work. Jeans, work boots, and safety equipment required as specified in safety protocols.

Kitchen/Food service roles: Must follow all food safety requirements including hair restraints and closed-toe shoes. Company-provided uniforms available.

Client-facing roles: Professional appearance appropriate for customer interaction in your specific environment.

Everyone is expected to keep clean and look professional for their job—not just for show, but so they can do their work safely and well. If you’re not sure what’s okay, think about your day: business casual could mean slacks, a neat blouse or shirt, and closed-toe shoes; if you’re in maintenance, jeans and work boots make sense. Still have questions? Ask HR or your manager.

What stands out here is that the rules are written for everyone, and they’re as clear as possible. There are still going to be tricky situations, so it’s smart to leave a little room for flexibility and common sense.

The Teacher Bae Lesson: Breaking the Cycle

Stories like these get people asking why dress codes are so hard to get right. The reality is, there’s no perfect answer. What seems professional in one office might not fly in another, and trends change all the time. That’s why it helps to keep talking about what makes sense for your workplace now—not just what made sense years ago.

HR has a chance to step in and make sure workplace policies actually fit what people need now. Working together and keeping the conversation open is key if we want dress codes that make sense and help everyone do their best.

In the end, people just want to know what they should wear so they can do their jobs without stress. No rulebook can cover every outfit or situation, but if you keep the rules clear and fair, and everyone follows the same basic standards, it usually works out. This is a job for everyone—HR, managers, leaders, and employees all have a part to play. That’s why flexible ideas like “dress for your day” work so well. If you’re meeting clients, you dress up. If you’re working behind the scenes, you dress for comfort and safety. Use good judgment and talk things through when you’re not sure.

Until policies and standards become clearer, these debates will keep resurfacing in new forms. This is not about individual employees—it’s about getting the approach right for everyone. If you work in HR or have thoughts on dress codes, your perspective matters. Sharing what has worked (or hasn’t) can help move the conversation forward.

About the Author: R.S. Block is an HR Manager and consultant with experience across staffing, nonprofit, and federal contracting environments. She's currently writing TIMEOUT, a book about getting people strategy in the game before crisis hits. Connect with her at www.blockhrsolutions.com or on Pinterest, TikTok, or YouTube.