The Office Dress Code Debate: How Would You Deal With Katy Perry?

Editor’s Note: As I wind down my stint as Editor of TLNT — this is my last week — I wanted to share some of my favorite posts from over the years. Here’s one from September 2010.

Who would have thought that pop singer Katy Perry would have kicked open a debate about what is appropriate dress in the workplace?

If you have been awake at all the past couple of years, you have probably seen Katy Perry in action somewhere — at the Grammy Awards, on her “I Kissed a Girl” video, or somewhere else. She’s over-the-top in her actions and her dress, and even her Wikipedia entry says that, “She became known for wearing unconventional style of dress, often combining bold colors and vintage fashion.”

Okay, Katy Perry has a pretty outrageous style. Anyone who has seen her knows that. So why were the producers of the PBS children’s show Sesame Street surprised when Perry showed up and performed as, well, Katy Perry on a segment for the show? And more to the point, why did they get cold feet AFTER it was taped and completed?

Here’s what happened, according to The New York Times Arts Beat blog: