What are capris but cropped dress pants?
There’s definately some confusion here about the difference between capris, cropped pants and long shorts. I work in a professional setting (artistic/creative) so I’ve even gotten away with dressy long shorts as long as I included the right shoes and top half. I think if your boss knew you intended to wear dressed up versions of capris or cropped pants there would be no problem. For reference look at (for instance) an Ann Taylor or Talbots catalog/website - plenty of work appropriate examples there.
I am realizing that different generation terms may be… pedal pushers, capri pants, cropped pants, clam diggers so maybe my boss doesn’t realise what I meant. Very true. What everyone else wears is actually of no value to me at all, because the opinion that matters is my boss’s and I have no counterparts.
I thank everyone for the input. I am torn between clarifying because some look nice for summer (linen, khaki trouser types ending mid calf) while still professional, and yet not wanting to offend a very good boss for the sake of 3 inches of pant leg. Also, would they look silly in an office/clinic setting with flat closed toe closed heel shoes and knee-high nylon stockings? Because if they look silly with stockings, then I am out. Bare legs are not happening so the more I think about it the less likely I will buy any capris for work. I am the type who would be over dressed than under dressed, so I think I know where I am going with this.
Sometimes, like the ones I own similar to these, they’re made of the same material as sweatpants and have a drawstring waist. So, though they’re great workout-wear, they’re definitely not cropped dress pants.
I voted clarify with you boss, but reading this I think that maybe capris/cropped pants won’t be your best bet for workwear.
I think the right sort of cropped pants can look professional with bare legs and decent sandals. With stockings and closed-toe shoes … not so much.
Capris, pedal-pushers and clam-diggers are tight around the lower part of the leg/knee. Cropped business pants are fairly professional, loose with an even hem.
No, no, no capris with stockings. Absolutely not.
Is your work air-conditioned? If so, then I wouldn’t push the issue. If you can comfortably wear ankle length pants during working hours, why risk annoying a boss who said no? Though I would bring it up and clarify with your boss that the dress code allows capris and see what the response is to that.
I voted “clarify” and if you want to persue this I like the idea of showing her a picture from a website or catalog to explain the sort of pants you mean, just in case she automatically thinks of capris as super casual.
Just showing up in a pair and resorting to “well the dress code sez it’s ok!” if she questions you about it doesn’t strike me as a good way to keep up a harmonious relationship with your boss.
Dresses and skirts seem to be back in the office in a big way this spring. If it is coolness you are after, this would be your alternate.
I agree that dress capri’s are not tight around the knee. Odd that the pair I wear to work are clearly labeled capri but are cropped. Back in the 70s, they would have been called gauchos.
I finally voted “clarify with boss.”
Here’s the thing, you can go to your boss, who doesn’t want you wearing Capri pants and make a thing about it. And you have the manual to back you up.
This is well and good. BUT and here’s the BIG BUT
From that moment on, till the day you quit, be prepared to live by exactly by what’s in that manual.
Because once you call your superiors out they are going to make you live by every rule in that manual. So the next time you’re two minutes late, you’ll be written up. No more special favours or anything that is not especially in the company manual.
In the end, clothes are really not a big deal. Learn where to fight your battles, like not getting paid correctly.
Can you go back to scrubs? Because I love scrubs! I am loving my Wink Minks right now!
Capris with stockings? Darling, no. It’s like wearing pantyhose with a thong.
Capris with nurses shoes? I think not.
ETA: Get some nice pairs of khakis for the summer months.
Well it is settled, I will just not buy any. Mainly because if stockings (in a nude shade) are just not done, then well I guess I wont. I couldn’t wouldn’t won’t go bare-legged even if it is four inches above my ankle.
Also its just not worth messing up a harmonious relationship with my boss. The building is fairly cool and temperate, and quite honestly if I am wondering all the time if this is going to be ok I won’t feel good about myself. yes, I think she would listen to reason if I asked, but with everyone’s input I don’t think I will want to wear them.
For the record, I don’t wear nurses shoes anymore. I wear dressy flats with closed toe and heel, I could probably get away with flat heeled espadrilles or something like that, but I usually wear flat dress shoes, generally with a leather upper.
For the record, going for it, without boss’s ok was never on the table for me, I was pretty much trying to decide if it was worth asking or not. Athought the polls show many think I could/should clarify, I have just decided not to.
Oh and scrubs are not awesome, not after 16 years of them. I like wearing business/casual clothes for work, its just hard to wrap my head around wardrobe issues.