An age old question – can I show my shoulders at work? You might get 10 different answers if you talk to 10 different people: I can only imagine the answers starting with “it depends…” but my answer is a little easier to remember…
No. You cannot.
This twist front top I’m wearing here is going to have a blazer over it when I head in the courtroom. I might commute without my blazer on but when I enter my office building the blazer goes on if I’m headed to court. Swap a blazer for a cardigan if you need but you cannot show your shoulders at work; they need to be covered.
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My workplace is sort of split between business professional = the courtroom and business casual = the office. So when it’s just an office day for me I can show my shoulders or be a little more dressed down. If I am in court through my shoulders need to be covered.
If you’re in a business casual workplace then it’s more relaxed. The easiest way to see if you can show your shoulders is to look at your women supervisors. Do they show their shoulders? If they do then you’re good; if they don’t then keep them covered.
A cap sleeve would be the most amount of shoulder I would show in a courtroom – and for that to happen it better be blazing hot outside (and not in trial). The only time my shoulders have been uncovered in the courtroom is when a jury has just gone into the jury room to deliberate and the judge has left the bench. I’m usually running about 10 degrees hotter than normal because I’ve just finished a closing argument and I’m burning. My blazer gets tossed on counsel table so fast. I’m usually fanning myself with a notepad in about 60 seconds.
Beyond that, my super pale shoulders stay covered.
This view isn’t popular but it’s the most professional and if I need refrain from showing my shoulders at work to stave off stupid comments about my level of education then I’ll take it. Oh yes, it happens.
I know it sucks to have then covered; especially when it’s triple digits outside and you sweat just sitting in your car with the AC on. Even then, if you’re in a business professional workplace my answer doesn’t change. Keep em’ covered.
What are your thoughts?
