4 days ago
Woman's work outfit sparks heated debate… so do YOU think the ensemble is appropriate?
A woman's work outfit has sparked a heated debate about what's appropriate to wear to the office.
Alejandra Carreño, an employee at an affordable housing non-profit in California, recently revealed on TikTok that someone had 'complained' about her wearing 'short shorts' to work, and asked viewers if they thought the ensemble was OK for the workplace.
She wore a black long sleeve top, heeled sling-back shoes, and jean shorts that went about halfway down her thighs.
The non-profit employee wrote in a text overlay, 'Are my shorts inappropriate for work? Asking because someone complained about them,' as she showcased the 'fit to the camera.
'These were considered "short shorts,"' the caption read.
Alejandra told People that when she arrived at work, a few co-workers made comments about the outfit, but she didn't expect it to become a problem.
Later in the day, she stayed for a team meeting and her shorts became a topic of conversation.
'Oh, before I forget, I do have to tell you that someone mentioned a complaint about your shorts. Short shorts aren't allowed,' Alejandra recalled her manager saying.
Alejandra Carreño, an employee at an affordable housing non-profit in California, wore a black long sleeve top, heeled shoes, and jean shorts that went about halfway down her thighs
Her manager added, 'To me, they seemed fine. I didn't see anything wrong with them. I think you look nice.
'But unfortunately, I do need to let you know we can't wear short shorts or short skirts.'
Alejandra said she told her manager she wouldn't wear them again, but realized that her workplace's handbook says nothing about banning shorts at the office.
'Clothing should be clean, unstained, untorn, properly fitted, and free of inappropriate or suggestive content,' the policy reads, per Alejandra.
'Undergarments should not be visible, and overly tight or revealing clothes are not allowed.'
After hearing from her manager, she posted the now-viral video and it launched a massive argument in the comment section.
'Shorts should never be in an office,' one user wrote.
'If you had to ask then yes girl you knew,' another said.
'They're inappropriate as in they're not work attire. But they're not inappropriate in length,' someone else shared.
'That's not a work outfit at all. Sorry,' a fourth comment read, while a fifth said, 'Unless you work at a summer camp, girl.'
'If you have to ask if the 'fit is appropriate, it probably isn't,' someone else said.
A different person wrote: 'They're not short shorts, but they're not work-appropriate shorts either lol.'
'Young people really don't understand business casual lol,' another user admitted.
'If you work in an office, shorts are never appropriate,' another affirmed.
However, a few people were shocked that Alejandra's outfit was even questioned.
'These comments are crazy, how exactly do shorts prevent anyone from doing their job in an office?' someone wrote.
'I'm sorry, but am I the only one that thinks these are appropriate? Like guys, let's be real, we are in the year 2025 where shorts should not be an issue,' another said.
'I'm sorry y'all but I'm convinced corporate office culture is just a place where joy, whimsy, and personality go to die. Like…are we all really just gonna sit here and pretend shorts are ACTUALLY worth a complaint?' a user questioned.
Alejandra said this whole interaction has made her think deeply about dress codes.
'It's made me think more critically about how dress codes can be both necessary and limiting depending on how they're applied,' she told People.
