My beef with dress codes is simple--as in this example, they can often become into ridiculously detailed and convoluted. Companies want a quick-fix and instead of taking the time to single out rule-breakers, they clamp down on everyone. That is a very poor style of management, in my opinion.
Often times, dress code violations are due to one person who simply refuses to adhere to a tasteful manner of dress. It's not rocket science.
To stave off lawsuits, dress codes often swell to an overly complex degree. This is a phenomenon no different from fine print at the bottom of a contract, or the worst-case scenario side effects mentioned at the tail end of a prescription drug TV commercial.
Casual day, I find, is often a concession made to employees in place of things like raises or benefits. Personally, I'd wear a damned top hat and tails to work every day if it ensured I'd make more money, have job security, and be assured of decent benefits.
That's a good point about the possibility that this dress code is the result of avoiding an individual confrontation with a sweeping policy.
I'm imagining the amount of time it would take for a group to develop this policy. Astounding.
Maybe this is a question more appropriate for PB, but what's the difference between a skort and a culotte? Length?
CC
Definitely a PB question as I was not even aware culottes were still sold. 
I'm guessing that the skort has a front flap so it looks like a skirt, but culottes are longer and do not?
On the other hand, my company goes the other way. It's dress casual. Well for me, I like to quirkily pair Keds with skirts. That's a no no, but I've never seen any written policy so how am I supposed to know? Some people get all out of whack about (tailored, not mini) denim skirts, others embrace them. There's one woman who wears halter dresses, sans coverup, which pisses off some people but not others. Another woman wears a white skirt with sheer panels on the sides. Some people wear colored denim pants. So there's a lot of catty remarks about what people are wearing.
Anytime we write to the suggestion box asking for clarification, we get some roudabout answer that boils down to "That's HR's responsibility to put out a document."
A skort is a skirt combined with shorts. Culottes are wide leg knee length pants. :^)
GhostGirl, since you actually have access to real clothing category data, can you tell me that culottes are actually sold in 2007?
I once had to write a dress code policy for one person in particular in the office because none of the men in charge had the nuggets to say to her "you have to wear underwear."
Ah, the 80s!
As for this policy, I think it is just common sense spelled out. I know those kids today think tank tops and flip-flops (maybe even slippers) or good for all things, but they are not. Unless you work at home, where I think not only should denim be optional, but all clothing should be. Unless you meet clients at home. Hmmm. Let me back up: Wear underwear.
P.S. I think you need another check box for your quiz: "Depends on what you mean by 'pray.'" (smiley face thingy here cuz I don't know how to do them, nor think I would do them if I knew)
I think culottes are now called gauchos.
Culottes (and gauchos) are definitely sold now. As are skorts. And they are quite popular alternatives as they can be tailored and look dressy for work. I personally find them to be an abomnation.
I think gauchos are slightly fuller than culottes though. Just as there are obscure, industry differences between clamdiggers, capris, and all those other variations of cropped pants. But, frankly, they all look the same to me.
Oh, man. Surfpatrol blocked the link! And I was curious because I used to work at a call center where dress code was spelled out in detail--we had to attend a seminar on it, actually, complete with do-do not Power Point slides.
(A side note--I learned a lot more about women's fashion than ever before. It made me happy that I pretty much follow the male guidelines. Much easier!)
Oh, but back on topic, my workplace actually had to outlaw blankets because people were wrapping themselves in them when cold.
Colleen, I actually think Powerpoint might be the only solution to the culotte-skort-gaucho issue!
Blankets are not actually on the accessory list, interestingly enough, and there is no male-female division for these employees.
Did I work with you ck? :^) I used to wrap myself in blankets at my old job. And wear slippers. But then, I didn't work with, or even within sight of, clients. And it was farking freezing even in summer.
And yeah, this was California.
"Shear/netting clothing"
So no clothes made of scissors?
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