Pulitzer winner Robin Givhan, in today’s Washington Post:

A foot in a flip-flop might as well be naked. And naked feet don’t belong anywhere near an office.

And columnist Mary Ellen Slayer, in the May 21 Washington Post:

And speaking of distractions, it’s also that time of year in which we have to persuade a misguided chunk of our young workforce that unless they are employed as lifeguards or gym-locker patrols, flip-flops are simply not suitable for work.

Ok, Downie, we get it. Next time, make like The Atlantic and send a damn memo.

Simmering Over Summer Accessories [WP]
Avoid the Flip-Flop Flap and Join the Well-Heeled [WP, with what might be the single worst headline of the year]
Earlier: Say Goodbye to Your Dream of Ross Douthat in a Tank Top

Still no sign of the Xylophone. (Photo by, you guessed it, Liz Gorman)

Typ-i-cal. As soon as The Atlantic moves to Washington, suddenly no one there knows how to dress. So here comes management with a friendly list of guidelines.

Per the New York Observer’s Gabe Sherman:

“Our policy is intentionally vague and does not specifically exclude certain articles of clothing or types of shoes,” Susan Lavigne, Atlantic director of benefits and compensation wrote. Lavigne then went on to specifically exclude certain articles of clothing and types of shoes: “Flip-flops, crop tops, tank tops, spaghetti-strap tops, and shorts (to name a few) are not appropriate.”

Full memo after the jump.

From: Lavigne, Sue
Sent: Wed 5/31/2006 3:35 PM
To: AtlanticMediaCompany
Subject: Reminder - Appropriate Office Attire

As summertime approaches, we wanted to remind staff of our dress code as stated in our Personnel Policy Handbook:

“Atlantic Media Company currently maintains a “business casual” dress code. Employee dress and personal appearance should be in keeping with standards of good business taste, and should be consistent with the requirements of an individual employee’s work day. Employees are expected to use their best judgment in choosing business clothing that displays a neat and professional image.”

Our policy is intentionally vague and does not specifically exclude certain articles of clothing or types of shoes, but we ask that you consider the spirit of the policy and keep in mind that we work in a professional environment. For example: flip-flops, crop tops, tank tops, spaghetti-strap tops, and shorts (to name a few) are not appropriate.

If you have any questions about our dress code, please let a member of the HR staff know.

Thanks,
Sue

The Atlantic’s DC Summer: Hot, Yes; Sultry, No [Media Mob]

What, you think working for a free paper is all loosey-goosey anything goes hippie bull **** ? It’s a business, dammit, you’ll treat it as such! Here, for your perusal, are samples from the dress code at the DC Examiner (instututed, no doubt, after Vivienne Sosnowski showed up in torn denim mini-skit and studded collar) — we note that it doesn’t appear to have been written (or read) by a copy-editor.

From the “Appropriate” column:

• Dresses (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee). [“more than”?]
• Pants in business suitable fabrics. [Satin, leather, vinyl, etc.]

And the more fun “Inappropriate” column:

• Any type of denim (including jean dresses, denim shirts, denim pants, denim skirts, etc.).
• Any material resembling denim.
• Khaki or Docker- style pants. [Harsh, but fair — we have a similar rule against tucking your t-shirt into your jeans]
• Stirrup pants and leggings. [That, along with their anti-sweatband and big sunglasses provision, explains their disappointing lack of hipster coverage]
• Camouflage clothing [Despite this, they still manage to poach Wash Times staffers]
• Clothing is not to be overly tight nor draw undue attention to ones self.

Full memo after the jump.

It is important for all employees to project a professional image of Washington Newspaper Publishing Company, LLC. To create this image to our clients and /or visitors, WNP has implemented a dress-code policy. The following list is a guideline of what attire is appropriate and inappropriate. This list is not all inclusive but is a guide.
APPROPRIATE:
Dresses (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).
Suits/pantsuits/ties.
Skirts (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).
Blouses/shirts.
Blazers.
Vests.
Walking shorts/skorts in business suitable fabrics (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).
Pants in business suitable fabrics.
Any type of business shoe (heels, flats, etc.).

INAPPROPRIATE:
Any type of denim (including jean dresses, denim shirts, denim pants, denim skirts, etc.).
Any material resembling denim.
Casual/sport T-shirts (including logo merchandise).
Casual shorts.
Khaki or Docker- style pants.
Stirrup pants and leggings.
Casual sandals, athletic or canvas shoes, casual boots, “flip flops,â€
Flannel shirts.
Camouflage clothing
Bras, sport bras, tank tops, etc. (must be fully covered by clothing), short/crop tops. Mid drifts are not to be visible.
Employees dealing with and interacting with the public and clients are not to wear facial piercings.
Clothing is not to be overly tight nor draw undue attention to ones self.

Employees violating the code may be sent home, without pay, to change and may be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination.
Employees are also reminded that it is your responsibility to keep your work area clean. Papers are not to be stockpiled, work information is to be put away daily, excessive trash must be removed. If you see papers on the floor in your area or common areas, take the minute necessary to pick it up and throw it away or straighten it up. Employees are not to eat meals at desks or in work areas. All locations have break rooms! Do not keep food at your desk or store food in your work area.