Has dressing up for work gone out of style? More than half of job seekers rate a company’s dress code as either very important or moderately important. In fact, 51 percent of employees say they would prefer to work at a company that has a business casual, casual or no dress code. Even J.P. Morgan Chase, known for its bankers in power suits, has climbed aboard the business casual train.
If your company is changing the way it handles workplace attire, keep reading.
Workplace attire best practices
There are many ways to handle a more dressed-down workplace: casual Fridays, business casual every day or casual attire every day. No matter what you decide to do, there are some best practices to keep in mind.
Set clear expectations
The definition of business casual can vary widely from one employee to another, so clearly state what is and is not acceptable. An employee fashion show can be a great way to visually showcase new guidelines. Recruit some of your staffers to walk the runway, demonstrating workplace attire do’s and don’ts. Reward your model volunteers with business promotional apparel appropriate for your workplace, such as a cardigan or sweater vest.
Consider location
Consider both geographic location and climate when setting a dress code. Shorts may not be necessary in Whitehorse, Yukon, but may be appreciated in Osoyoos, B.C., where summer temperatures frequently linger in the mid-30s. Locations can also be a factor in what is and isn’t acceptable. For example, in Waterloo in Ontario, tech programmers wear hoodies and jeans while Toronto investment bankers consider a sport coat with no tie to be business casual.
Stay on brand
Your workplace dress code should be consistent with your industry, brand and company culture. Attorneys or accountants may opt to stick to a business casual dress code on Fridays only. Choose business promotional apparel like a button-down for those days. An advertising agency or marketing firm, on the other hand, may choose a more relaxed dress code in order to show off their creativity.
Get management buy-in
The best way to communicate your dress code is by having company leadership exemplify it. It may be best to have the same dress code for all staff, regardless of rank or title. Help them get off on the right foot by providing a piece or two everyone will want to wear, such as a stylish polo or a v-neck sweater.
Whether they dress up for work or go casual every day, one thing’s for sure: Employees at companies with well-stated dress code guidelines, a clearly defined company culture and some fashionable promotional apparel will easily be dressed for success.