Most corporate offices have dress down days on Friday. Many employees make the mistake of thinking casual days are “anything goes” days. Not only can this get you in trouble, it can also damage a professional appearance you have worked hard to cultivate. Look around your office on Friday. Successful management staff may be wearing jeans, but it is doubtful they go completely casual even on Fridays. If you want to maintain a professional appearance, here are some tips on dressing for casual Friday.

-Jeans does not mean sleaze. Most dress down days simply mean you can wear a nice pair of jeans. Avoid jeans with holes, embroidered or beaded designs or worn out hems. Jeans worn in the office should provide a fit similar to slacks. You should not wear overly baggy or snug jeans.

-Wear professional looking tops. Men should wear polos, button-up shirts, sweaters or sweater-vests. Ladies should wear polos, tailored button-up tops, sweaters or jackets. If the company allows dressy t-shirts, make sure you are not wearing a shirt with inappropriate language, graphics or company logos.

-Make sure your shoes are clean and neat. Although most companies allow tennis shoes on casual days, you should not wear your favorite running shoes with the holes in the side. You should also not wear your beach sandals or anything that resembles a bedroom slipper.

-Even on casual days, accessories, makeup and jewelry should be professional. The ability to wear jeans or dress down does not change the company dress code regarding accessories or any other item.

Although many companies are more lenient with dress code on casual Friday, it is not good for your career to be too lenient yourself. You work hard four days a week to cultivate a professional image. Do not ruin it for one day of extreme comfort or personal style.