Business casual has become an everyday occurrence in some offices, but what can be considered casual in one office may be considered too casual in others.

It can get confusing for those who work in a place with no written dress code or guidelines. And in warm weather, attitudes toward attire become even more laid-back, which can blur the lines between business-casual and unprofessional.

There is little question that business-casual has found its way into the workplace, with six in 10 employers allowing a dress-down day at least once a week, according to a 2006 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, which represents more than 250,000 members in that field.

However, the number of employers allowing casual-dress days every day has plunged from 53 percent in 2002 to 38 percent in 2008, according to the survey.

Translating "casual dress" can be confusing. Should flip-flops be allowed? What about tennis shoes, jeans and shorts? Sleeveless dresses? Younger employees are more likely to push the envelope, aggravating veteran staff members who have long worked in offices where ties and skirts were expected no matter the day of the week.

Can you judge a book by its cover?

"How you present yourself affects how you are perceived," said Bernadette Taylor, executive vice president of human resources for Fulton Bank. "You want to make the best first impression possible and how you dress has a lot to do with that."

According to a 2006 survey by online job service TheLadders.com, 36 percent of respondents said those who dress casually are perceived as more creative, yet 49 percent said they run the risk of being taken less seriously. The survey was conducted in August 2006 and included 2,243 executives.

Taylor, who has been with Fulton Bank for 17 years and in the work force for more than 30, has seen drastic changes in professional attire. Women who once wore only suits or dresses to work, now wear pants. Women also always wore pantyhose, she said. Not so today.

However, in her field, she has not seen such a drastic change in men's clothing choices for the office.

Although Taylor has only had to deal with a few employees regarding dress code — those who deal directly with the public and who are dressed inappropriately were sent home to change; those who don't deal with the public are given a verbal warning not to dress that way again — she does say it is up to the employee to know what is acceptable.

"We have casual Friday at our location, and there are still people who don't take advantage of it and still wear suits and ties," Taylor said. "I think it depends on what you perceive as acceptable for your position."

Employer policies still run the gamut. Nxtbook Media on New Holland Pike in Lancaster has a very relaxed dress code, according to Alicia Bradley, officer of smooth operations at the more than 10-year-old digital publishing company. Yes, that really is her title.

"We are creative here and want our employees to express this creativity," Michael Biggerstaff, chief inspiration officer, said. "We want them to be comfortable and not feel like they can't be themselves. Their work speaks for itself; it doesn't matter what an employee wears, as long as he is putting out great work."

Biggerstaff, one of four owners of the company, said it has been "casual before casual was cool.

"When we started years ago, we used to work out of a small office in one of our homes and would get dressed up to go and meet clients," Biggerstaff said. "That soon went out the window. It just didn't make sense to us. We didn't want to worry about what we were going to wear to work or having to pick up clothes at the cleaners. We just wanted to work."

"Everything is more casual now," said Roxanne Edwards, another Nxtbook owner. "It's a whole trend. Even the way we communicate is more casual."

Experts differ on what is considered appropriate dress for casual workdays. But they generally agree that jeans, shorts, cutoffs, sleeveless or tank-top shirts or dresses, halter tops, spandex and flip-flops are not acceptable. Sheer clothes, exposed bra straps and bare midriffs aren't right for the workplace.

"If it looks like you could wear it for the weekend or to a beach, then you shouldn't wear it to the office," Taylor said.

So that means flip-flops are out, according to Taylor.

"Yes, even in a casual work atmosphere," Taylor said.

Bradley, however, said almost any footwear is welcome at Nxtbook Media.

"We really don't think about it and have all kinds of styles of dress, and it makes it nice not to have to have separate wardrobes for work and play," Bradley said.

Biggerstaff's clients have come to expect his employees to be dressed casually and some even apologize when they are dressed up and come to meetings, Biggerstaff said.

In a casual work setting, employees should wear clothing that is comfortable and practical for work, according to Taylor, but not distracting or offensive to others. Any clothing that has words, terms or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Clothing that has the company logo is encouraged.

"If you deal with the public, you don't want to lose a customer because you were dressed inappropriately," Taylor said.

There are some other things to consider when picking out your casual work clothes for the day, even at companies with a more relaxed dress code.

"Things should be clean and decent-looking," Bradley said. "If it's dirty or smells, that's not acceptable."

cesbenshade@lnpnews.com