Why you should ditch your dress code

My first job after college was at a stuffy, old-fashioned, centuries-old New York publishing house. The dress code, at least for women, was a disciplinary-writeup-waiting-to-happen, especially for a tattooed, fuschia-haired wannabe punk with a newly minted liberal arts degree and a tiny paycheck.
Some of the highlights: No sleeveless blouses. No t-shirts or casual shirts. Pantyhose must be worn with skirts. Skirts could be no shorter than two finger-widths above the knee. No open-toed shoes or s