What Trans People Really Think Of Your Dress Code

By Katelyn Burns

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Companies should be aware that dress codes neatly splitting into male and female categories could leave some of their employees struggling.

Originally published on Everyday Feminism.

When it comes to transitioning at work, there’s almost always a discussion about dress codes and it’s often that policy that can end up unintentionally influencing other transition-related decisions.

When I transitioned awhile back at my bank job, the strictly gendered dress code meant that I’d have to “flip a switch” when I transitioned. Meaning ties and blazers allowed one day, skirts and blouses the next.

I can still remember going over the dress code in orientation. We joked because the male dress code was a single paragraph — basically, a tie or blazer was required except casual Friday — while the ‘ladies’ had four pages of regulations on everything from shoes to hose to skirt length and leggings.

But for me, this lack of dress freedom meant an abrupt change that ended up being more difficult for all concerned.

While many binary trans people prefer the sudden approach, sometimes it’s easier to have an employee ease…