Are usually imposed via a Dress Code containing a lot of nots: no capris, jeans, open-toed shoes, etc. My suspicion is that this young lady isn't dressing in violation of the Code, just not to maximize her potential. I do think it's rude to talk about how a kid like this is dressed at work, but I ask each of you to examine whether you've ever snarked on someone's wardrobe. I have, and it wasn't right then either.

But there are 2 lessons to learn here: 1) it's rude to discuss people like this, as well as catty and 2) people do in fact take note of how women dress, whether or not that's fair. So definitely dress better (and though cost is always an issue, you can shop used goods of high quality, or go to Ross' or Loehmann's and buy a piece at at time). Once you are dressed well enough to get another job, get it. And remember how you felt when a 20-something comes in with stirrup pants and a toe ring.