Survey: Tank top #1 work wear mishap

Flip-flops? Maybe. Tank-tops? No way.

Unless you're a pro basketball player or a motorcycle mechanic, wearing a tank-top on the job ranks as the most flagrant fashion faux pas in the workplace, according to Monster, an online job site with offices in Maynard.

Monster said it surveyed visitors to its site at Monster.com and found that 55 percent of respondents consider tank-tops and the dreaded exposed undergarments as the "season's top work wear mishap."

The firm said its Monster Meter, an online poll, drew over 18,000 responses on what employees regard as work-wear no-nos.

"In addition to the workplace revolt against tank-tops and exposed undergarments," Monster said that substituting flip-flops for sensible shoes provoked much negative water-cooler commentary about the wearer; 29 percent of respondents gave a thumbs-down to full open-toe nudity, at least when showcased in flip-flops.

Surprisingly, the modern workplace has developed a high degree of tolerance for lurid Hawaiian shirts; only 8 percent of respondents found such shirts visually offensive.

Monster is part of Monster Worldwide Inc., a New York-based provider of online employment solutions.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)