The dress code of any professional company is oftentimes the subject of office complaints and general angst. On the one hand, you want the company to project a professional image to potential clients and employees. On the other, you want a workforce that is comfortable.

Matching the two desires can be something of a challenge. Wanting workers to be comfortable is one thing, but having them show up in their club clothing is another.

How can a company ever hope to strike a healthy comfort to professionalism ratio? With the help of these five tips, your company may find the right balance between comfort and professionalism.

- When it comes to pants and the business casual regimen, employees should look to slacks made out of cotton or some synthetic materials. Employees should definitely attempt to avoid anything like jeans, shorts, bibs, or spandex. Jeans and other relaxed pants might be appropriate for a casual Fridays sort of affair, but they should be absent for most of the week.

- The traditional rule on skirts applies to business casual. Any skirt in the workplace should extend at least to the knee. The spaghetti strap dress is also a definite no-no in the workplace. Mini-skirts, it should go without saying, are also inappropriate.

- Shirts likewise should be at least a little formal in their style. Dress shirts are usually the rule for a business casual environment. Anything with slogans on it that somebody else in the workplace can potentially take offence at are typically an idea best avoided. Anything that bares the shoulders or too much skin, likewise, is to be avoided in a business casual setting.

- Shoes with a closed toe are best for business casual. An open toe shoe is usually not appropriate for the workplace, so it's a safer bet in general to go with the closed toe. In some work environments, closed toe shoes might be required by law.

- Hats are typically precluded from the work environment. Any head covering required as part of a religious observance are of course to be allowed.

The above five points should keep the business casual environment business-like. Giving employees some flexibility when it comes to the dress code is great, but it takes a little work to maintain a professional appearance around the office.