Millennials are officially taking over the workforce. A study by UNC showed that by 2020 millennials will make up 46 percent of workers in the U.S.
With a combination of youth and a strong influence over Silicon Valley, more casual work attire is becoming the norm, which can make it even harder to know what to wear in a professional setting. According to a survey by Salary.com, only 55 percent of workplaces have an office dress code. So, what is acceptable and what isn’t?
Types Of Office Dress Codes
There are generally four types of corporate dress codes: Business formal, business professional, business casual, and casual.
Business Formal
This is the highest level of professional dress attire and it means tailored suits and ties for men, and a pantsuit or skirt suit paired with conservative accessories and shoes for women. Employees are expected to maintain a high standard in their appearance.
Business Professional
This is a step down from business formal, but it’s still conservative and traditional. You will start to see more flexibility in colors and patterns in business professional. Men tend to wear suits and ties with more patterns and colors, and women tend to wear a suit or skirt, top, and jacket paired with jewelry that is more noticeable—such as chunky watches or statement pieces.
Business Casual
However, if your employee handbook says that you can dress business casual, that means you don’t have to wear a suit, pumps, and stockings every day. However, you should still keep a certain level of professionalism, no matter how casual the dress code is. Men tend to wear button-ups while women can wear skirts, slacks, or khakis with a cardigan or jacket. Employees are allowed more freedom with their jewelry and other accessories.
Casual
As the least formal, the trickiest part might be making sure you are still maintaining a level of professionalism. Clothes should still be pressed, neat, and appropriate for the type of work you do. For men, you can expect casual pants and slacks with collared polos or crew-neck sweaters. Women have the freedom to wear nicely-fitted tops and blouses, slacks or skirts. Fun patterns and colors are acceptable with a casual dress code.
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Guidelines For Workplace Attire
Model What your Boss Wears
When starting a new job, it can be tricky to figure out what is acceptable and what isn’t. One way to master a casual dress code is to mirror what your boss wears. Use him or her as a guide for what you should be wearing. If they dress more formal then that’s a clue that you should, too; however, if they’re more business casual, that can help you decipher what to wear to work.
Avoid Things That Make You Look Disheveled
Regardless of how casual your workplace attire is, you don’t want to come into work looking like you were rushed that morning. Take the time each morning to put yourself together. If you’re wearing clothes that are wrinkled or dirty, it could change people’s opinion of you.
Staying Professional While Comfortable
If your office doesn’t have a dress code, you still shouldn’t be wearing clothes that you would wear to go exercising or lounging. Unfortunately, that means leave those leggings at home. Certain standards should always be kept. For example, jeans might be an acceptable item to wear in an informal workplace, but they must be in good condition. It’s most likely a good idea to stay away from pants that are ripped, tattered, or frayed. Keeping certain professional standards in mind can help employees look well-groomed while staying comfortable when following a casual dress code at work.
When you first join a new workplace, it’s better to err on the side of caution and dress too formally in the beginning until you fully understand what the dress code is. As long as you’re wearing clean, neat, and professional clothing, it’s hard to go wrong, regardless of what type of dress code your workplace has.
And What Should IWear While Working From Home?
This really depends on your position and your employer. You should get an idea on how to dress while working from home by taking a look at how other colleagues dress while doing the same. Is your manager also working from home?How does he dress? If not, remember that asking for information to your manager is not something to be ashamed of. It will, on the contrary, show that you care about being integrate in the company culture.
In the majority of the cases, it is recommended to avoid pajamas and clothes that are too "relaxed" (tank tops, robes, nightwear in general) and, in case you have to be in contact with customers, it's best to stick to the business casual attire that we discussed previously in the article. Developers, office managers and, in general, people that do not have to be in contact with customers can get away with a more "casual" look.
As a seasoned professional in workplace attire and office culture, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to guide you through the nuances of dressing appropriately in diverse work environments. Over the years, I've closely followed trends and conducted extensive research on workplace attire, drawing insights from various studies, industry reports, and firsthand observations. This has allowed me to stay abreast of the ever-evolving landscape of office dress codes and to provide practical advice tailored to different professional settings.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:
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Millennials Dominating the Workforce: The article starts by highlighting the increasing influence of millennials in the workforce, citing a study by UNC predicting that, by 2020, millennials would constitute 46 percent of U.S. workers. This demographic shift has led to changes in workplace norms, including a more casual approach to dress codes.
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Influence of Silicon Valley: The reference to Silicon Valley implies that the tech industry, predominantly led by millennials, has played a role in shaping workplace culture, including attire norms. The tech sector is known for its relaxed dress codes, influencing other industries to adopt a more casual approach.
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Office Dress Codes: The article outlines four main types of corporate dress codes:
- Business Formal: Involves tailored suits and ties for men, and conservative suits for women.
- Business Professional: Slightly less formal, allowing for more flexibility in colors and patterns.
- Business Casual: A more relaxed dress code where employees have the freedom to dress less formally but still maintain professionalism.
- Casual: The least formal, allowing for more freedom in clothing choices while still emphasizing professionalism.
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Guidelines for Workplace Attire: The article provides practical advice for navigating workplace attire:
- Model What Your Boss Wears: Using the attire of higher-ups as a guide for appropriate dress.
- Avoid Disheveled Appearance: Emphasizing the importance of presenting oneself in a neat and tidy manner.
- Staying Professional While Comfortable: Balancing comfort with maintaining professional standards, even in casual dress codes.
- Err on the Side of Caution: Recommending a more formal dress initially in a new workplace until the dress code is fully understood.
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Work From Home Attire: The article touches on considerations for remote work attire:
- Observing Colleagues' Attire: Understanding the norms by observing how colleagues, especially managers, dress while working from home.
- Avoiding Too Relaxed Attire: Advising against overly casual clothing, especially if in contact with clients.
- Business Casual for Customer Interaction: Recommending a business casual look for customer-facing roles during remote work.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the evolving landscape of workplace attire, from traditional office settings to the nuances of remote work.
