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DiversityInc readers weigh in on our recent article "What Not to Wear to an Interview: Leave the Tux, Cologne and Bluetooth Behind." Here are some of their comments:

All of this was great to hear, now I need advice on how to dress accordingly for other jobs where you don't wear a suit and tie everyday?

I live in Hawaii. I wore a suit for my first interview working for the government in an office setting and the first thing out of the manager's mouth was "how long have you lived here?" I went to another for an Assistant Medical Office Administrator and there as, well, Aloha shirts and Dockers, open-toed sandals--from them not me. I wore summer wool slacks and a polo shirt, socks and dress shoes. I also applied for a Spa attendant/Personal Trainer, and should have wore clothes more for that line of business--shorts and a Aloha shirt. In the 11 months I've been here, I only wore a suit once! And never again! Aloha

--John Johnson

Good catch on the Aloha shirt. As a candidate, you must be aware of many regional, industry or company variations; appropriate for a Silicon Valley start-up is completely different than for a buttoned-down New York City investment bank. A good rule of thumb: Dress to show you belong there and to show that you take the interview seriously. Try to dress one notch more formally than your interviewers: a blazer if they are in polo shirts, a suit if they are in blazers.

--Loree Farrar

For those interviewing in Florida, I would add one more: Don't wear your bathing suit! A few years ago, an RN arrived at our Home Health Agency to interview for a high-tech nursing position, wearing an electric blue bikini! When asked how she had chosen that outfit, she replied that since our office was close to the beach she thought she could "kill two birds with one stone!" Needless to say she was not hired for the position, which would have sent her into our patient's homes.

--Sue Ringgold

I understand very well that considering the current environment in much of the business world in American society (and else where), that it can have a negative impact on a potential applicant if some of these suggested guidelines are not followed.

However, what I believe needs to be included in this dialogue is conversation regarding why these guidelines are in place and why they are often uncritically accepted.

It could be said that some of these guidelines are from a very ethnocentric perspective. Buying into them uncritically could conflict with the idea that diversity advocates like us espouse.

For example, I have many tattoos and am a man with pierced ears. I know that in certain contexts, I should take my shiny cubic zirconium studs (I mean diamonds) out of my ear because some people, for some reason, attribute certain attributes to me because of them.

However, for me to uncritically bow to such ideas is somewhat contrary to creating an inclusive environment in the workplace. I just think that some of these suggestions could perpetuate unintended culturally bias in the hiring process.

My opinion is that we place more emphasis on expanding tolerance and acceptance in the workplace so that old ideas don't restrict us from being who we are in the workplace. Of course this needs to be "within reason" (whatever we define that as).

--Sean Novak

/No matter what type of job or climate, it's best to dress to show that you respect the interviewer or recruiter. Even if you are applying to flip burgers and will be expected to wear jeans and a company t-shirt, you still need to dress up for the interview. In warmer climates, your jacket and/or slacks might be of lighter weight fabric and even a lighter color than traditional blue or black.

Show respect and don't distract!

--Victoria Victoria

I don't think following these guidelines is uncritically buying into them. I think following them for the purpose of an interview shows purpose, intent and an understanding of "a place for everything, and everything in it's place." There are plenty of companies that have no problem with tattoos, piercings, smoking and some of the other things on this list. However, what people seem to miss is that it's a sign of "respect" for your potential employer to take the time to make a presentation during an interview. Just like if you're invited to a black-tie wedding, you shouldn't show up in a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers just because "that's you."

I've always been told by interviewers that it doesn't matter if it's the most casual position in the most casual company, you should dress professionally for at least the first interview. Again, it shows that you actually care and it's something I looked for when I became an interviewer.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DiversityInc.